Chapter 24         Charlotte POV                    Day 29 of Tour: Austin

I stood with my old leather purse swung over my right shoulder and faced the giant mall complex. I had never seen that many people shopping before.

“We’re going to be in the courtyard, okay?” Paul pointed to the map he was trying to show me. I nodded. “They get out for a quick lunch in about four hours. And we’re out of here at six. Remember to meet us here, behind this restaurant, then. You have free range as long as you stay within the mall. Don’t get lost.” I nodded again. “One more thing, do you want any security?”

I raised a brow. “Why?”

“I was only asking. It’s not a necessity of course, but if it would make you feel better.”

“No thank you… I’m not the one the girls will be flocking.”

“Sure. Right, got it.” He turned to the five hooded teenage boys who waited patiently behind a tall black van where they wouldn't be seen until they wanted to be. “You guys set?” They nodded. “Then let’s go.”

They were escorted away, surrounded by tall scary men I couldn’t recognize. On the way out of the parking lot Niall bent down to kiss me on the lips, Liam tugged on my braid to make me giggle.

I was left standing in the Texas sun.

A puff of breath wisped between my lips. I stared at the giant mall while wiping my hot and sweaty palms on my bare legs beneath the short shorts I was wearing.

After a quick glance at the shopping list I started to head towards the big outdoor mall.

The Script played above the overhead speakers. People of all ages were crowded around me with shopping bags strung over hands and in baby strollers. Huge banners hung from every inch with the familiar slogan: 8 WEEKS, 8 CITIES, 5 GUYS, ONE DIRECTION!

I smiled proudly and wandered farther into the courtyards. I let myself follow the crowds for some time before I spotted one of my favorite stores.

BATH AND BODY WORKS.

My Greek sandals lurched to the entrance. I was hit with AC and about a million different perfumes as I stepped inside.

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I glanced down at my phone a few hours later. It was a little after noon. I knew Niall was just starting to get hungry… because he was accustomed to eating quite often. He would be practically dying over there with two hours till his lunch.

I decided to go and get snacks.

But from where?

I lifted my Disneyland aviators from my eyes and saw a mall map poster a few yards away. I set my glasses back down on my nose and headed to it. The list of stores and shops were practically endless. It was overwhelming quite frankly. I didn’t know where to get the food for starts. And where was the meet and greet again?

“Need some help?” A young voice said from somewhere behind me. I looked up to see a tall and smiling beauty with huge red curls. But the very first thing I noticed about her was those amazing eyes. They were the brightest green I had ever seen. She stepped towards me. “You look a little lost.”

“Oh,” I giggled and glanced back to the map in front of us. “I’m not sure where to get a snack around here.”

Her nude painted fingernail rested against a small square at the back of the map. “Starbucks always works,” Her white teeth glittered at me behind painted pink lips.

“Thanks,” I tried to take a mental picture of its location.

“Anything else?”

I hesitantly nodded. “Do you, umm, know where One Direction is?”

The young woman smiled broader. “I think so. They should be over here,” She set her finger on the map.

“Thanks so much.”

“No problem! You here to see them?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“I was thinking of taking a peak at them myself… if you didn’t mind company?”

I readjusted my heavy shopping bag and looked up into her sparkling eyes. “That would be great!”

She held out a dainty hand. “The name’s Emily Marie.”

I took it in mine. “I’m Charlotte.”

As we shook she narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “Have we met before? You seem familiar…”

“Nope.”

“I guess I’m crazy!” Emily had a hearty and contagious laugh. “We should start heading over there now!”

“Sounds good.”

We fell into step besides each other. I let my eyes wander to her curiously. She was wearing a black shirt that said, “I love you to the moon and back”. Her shorts were covered in a sparkly lace that matched the bows on her sandals. Emily’s cheeks and nose were perfectly dotted with light freckles; somehow reminding me of sprinkles on a cupcake. Cat eye liner was winged out from those pretty eyes of hers, making her black lashes look ten times longer.

“So where you from, Charlotte?”

I forced my eyes back to the path ahead of us. “Oregon.”

“Well you’re a long way from home, aren’t ya?” I giggled and nodded in reply. Emily asked me another question. “So you like One Direction then, huh? I guess most of us do. What’s not to like, am I right?”

“Mhmm.”

Emily looked at me. “Are you in high school?”

“I just graduated.”

“How cool! That’s pretty exciting!” She took a sip out of her blue water bottle. “I graduated about five years ago. I’m trying out some different things. You know, testing the water. Thinking about being a scientist… I really want to get on that Myth Busters show, but I just keep telling myself: dream on, Emily!”

I smiled at her quirkiness.

“Play any sports?”

I shook my head.

“Eh I’m not into very many sports either. I do like softball though. Instruments?”

“My boyfriend’s trying to teach me how to play guitar…” I glanced at her shyly. “So far it’s not working too well.”

“I play piano! Lucky thing; having a boy and all,” She laughed to herself. “Maybe I can score me one of those Direction guys while we’re there.” Emily winked exaggeratingly.

OMG.

Harry would LOVE her.

“Oh!” Emily startled me. “We should go in HERE!” I laughed and followed her into Victoria’s Secret.

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I laughed and took another sip of my iced drink. Emily laughed at her own joke, too. This was kinda funny.

“I’m glad I came along, Charlotte. How on earth were you planning on carrying all this by your lonesome?”

I looked down at the drink trays in our arms. “Honestly I have no clue.” I had ordered each of the guys one, Paul, and a few hot coffees for a couple security dudes. There was a bag of scones, a wrapped up muffin, and a tiny box of cookies. I mentally gave myself a high five and an A+ for effort.

“Who are all of these treats for again?” Emily’s pink lips wrapped around her green straw.

“My friends. You’ll love them, trust me.”

“Okay!” Emily smiled prettily. “We can’t forget to pick up our bags from guest services.”

“No way. We spent way too much money to forget everything here.”

Emily and I had gone into few random shops. I had only known the girl for about ninety minutes now, but I was really starting to like her. She was becoming my friend.

“Are we ready to see those hunky British babes yet?” I almost choked on my Italian soda. “Are you okay, Charlotte?”

I nodded, my braided hair bobbing up and down. “I’m just peachy.”

Emily’s hearty laughter rang through the mall. “I like you. We should keep in touch this summer.”

I smiled up at her. “I like you too, Emily.”

Our sandaled feet fell into step with each other as we neared the brightly red bannered courtyard. Screams could be heard from miles away. Velvet ropes created a barricade to a line that had formed. Hundreds of girls were lined up to see those goofy guys.

“This is a long line.” Emily’s leafy green eyes widened.

I smirked, “Oh not really.”

“Wait- where are you going? Line starts over there!”

I waved her forward with my fingers. “Follow me.”

Emily looked shocked. “You really didn’t strike me as the type to sneak backstage, Charlotte. But OKAY!”

I let her figure it out for herself.

I walked around the huge set up stage. It was curtained in red and white, so it was impossible to see the band for yourself unless you actually sat through that hell of a waiting line. At the back of the stage there was a crew of three muscled men wearing black head to toe; despite the ninety three degree temperature. They sat solemnly staring forward.

My heart skipped a beat as we neared them. What if they didn’t recognize me? Could we be arrested? Oh God… I couldn’t survive prison.

As my footsteps slowed I finally got a peak behind the biggest man’s dark shades…

“Gary!”

The human giant craned his head down to look at me. “Charlotte?”

I smiled sweetly. “Yep! How’s it going out here, buddy?”

Gary was one of the few members of the security team I knew. One day while the boys had been at a signing I was at the hotel doing schoolwork. His shift ended early and he was lonely… and so was I. We spent the afternoon down at the gym, where he lifted impressive weights and I read him sections of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

I guess you could say the two of us were pretty tight.

“Oh you know; just another day in paradise!” The very scarily buff man smiled a crooked grin. Underneath all that impressive muscle and bone he was a sweet dude. “Who’s this?” he beheld Emily. She looked rather scared.

“My friend. Her name’s Emily.” I held up the Starbucks. “We brought snacks!”

Gary grinned wider. “I do love a good cup of joe…”

I picked up a cardboard cup and presented it to him. “Here you go then!” I glanced to his solemn coworkers. “They can have a cup, too. I bought three extras.”

“Cyrus, Willy! He scolded his friends. “Have you met Charlotte over here yet?”

They shook their heads.

“Hello,” I gave my fingers a shy wave. “Would you like some?” I held the tray of coffee out to them.

“Thanks.” The one with the dark mullet said quietly. He took the two and handed the one to the bald bodyguard. “We ‘ppreciate it.”

“Come on in, Charlotte. Tell the boys I said hi; would ya?”

I took Emily’s hand and entered backstage where Greg had stepped aside. “Thanks Greg! I will! It was nice seeing you!”

“You too! Thanks for the coffee!”

The velvet curtain closed behind us.

Emily stood there with her mouth slack. “What just happened?”

Before I could make any sort of explanation someone slapped me on the back. I jumped ten feet in the air; scared out of my socks.

“Woah there, Charles! Just me!” Louis laughed. I felt myself calm down. The fella looked down at my Starbucks bag. “Sweet Jesus you brought SNACKS!”

He lunged for them.

I swung it out of his reach. “Where are your manners?” I put a hand on my hip. “You didn’t even say hi to my new friend Emily.”

Louis regarded her for the first time. His face started to glow like it always did when he met fans. Emily’s face was in total and complete shock.

“I’m sorry! Nice to meet you, Em!” He gave her limp hand a shake.

“Uh huh.”

“You should meet the others! Our lunch starts in about an hour; we can all hang out then!”

“Louis why aren’t you out there?”

He pointed behind us. “Take a leak.”

I handed him an iced caramel macchiato and a scone. “You can eat these when you get out.”

“Thanks love!” he kissed my cheek. “It was nice meeting you Em!”

“Uh huh.”

“Bye now!” And Louis took off to use the restroom.

Once he was out of earshot Emily turned me around to face her. I was shaken back and forth. “YOU KNOW THEM?!”

“Yes,” I tried to break away. I laughed when I saw the look of complete and utter joy on her pretty face. “Yes I do.”

“Oh my GOD! That’s where I know you from!” She started to put the pieces together. From overhead I Would was being played. Emily pointed a polished finger to the ceiling. “You wrote this, didn’t you?!?” I didn’t have to answer. “Holy cow, Charlotte. HOLY COW.”

I set all of the Starbucks food on a fold up table that was next to us. I reached out to grab her shoulders. “Emily; calm down. You’ll make a better impression.”

Her mouth went slack.

“Charlotte. You just made my whole entire life.”

I giggled.

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I sat next to Emily inside a huge banquet hall. I checked my phone; the boys should have been getting there anytime.

“HEY OHH!”

And there they were.

Emily casted me an excited but put together smile. I gave her two thumbs up.

“Over here!” I hollered.

Niall’s smiling face came into view. He was dotted with sweat and his hair was a mess; but he never looked hotter.

I tried to control myself from going overkill on the PDA.

Niall rushed up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I ducked my face into his neck. After I set my feet back on the ground I gestured to Emily. “I brought a friend.”

“Cool!” Liam walked up and said. “Nice to meet you, sweets.”

“Pleasure’s mine,” Emily stood up with a gracious grin. She looked prettier than ever. “My name’s Emily.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. The first few seconds were the hardest to make it through. She would be cool as a cucumber from there on out.

“We brought Starbucks.” Emily held up a small bag. She was starting to become the put together Miss Congeniality I knew she was.

“Perfect!” Liam reached to grab which one was his.

“I’m Niall,” My boyfriend leaned past me to shake her hand. The vibrant red head looked at me with a raised brow. Maybe I had forgotten to tell her I was dating Niall Horan… oops.

I spotted the boy I had been looking for. His curly haired head popped into view over by the drinking fountain. I excused myself and made my way to him quickly.

“Hey there Harry! How’s it goin my friend?” I took his arm and smiled.

“What do you want, Hemming?”

“Am I really that easy to read?”

“Yes. You are. Now get to the point please.”

I huffed. “I brought someone…” I turned him to face the drop dead gorgeous red head in the corner, laughing away at Niall’s joke. “I thought you’d like to meet.”

Cue cupid’s arrow.

His silence was all I needed to hear… or… not hear I guess.

“Emily!” I shouted. She whizzed her head. “Come over here!”

She excused herself from Liam and Niall’s conversation. Her long legs came over to stand in front of Harry. She measured about two inches shorter than him.

“Emily, this is Harry…” I lowered my voice. “Say hi, Harry.”

Emily laughed, and I knew she would. The sound made Harry’s green eyes sparkle.

Just call me Miss Matchmaker.

“Hi,” Harry finally said. His tone was deep; at a lame attempt to be sexy.

Whatever he did worked on her. She bit her lip, a telltale sign. “Hello.”

I stood there with my hands on my cheeks.

Harry stopped smiling. He rotated his face slowly to meet mine. “Charlotte.” I blinked up at him innocently. “Can you give us a minute?” He was totally irritated with me. His brows raised, giving me a silent look of, “GO AWAY. GO AWAY. GO-”

“Oh! Of course!” I jumped and quickly ambled away.

I tried not to do a double take as I walked to Niall.

 “Did you see what I just did?” I scoffed proudly. Liam chuckled. “I already have a couple name picked out. HARILY.”

Liam laughed louder.

Niall uncrossed his legs and patted his lap. Without thinking twice I sat down. I leaned forward to grab his mocha cookie crumble and my strawberry Italian soda. I handed him his coffee.

Louis wandered over. “Harily? That’s an awful ship name.”

“No its not!”

“Don’t get too excited, Charles. Harry’s not easy to please.”

I pointed over to the two of them in the corner. “Do you see her? Emily’s 23, she plays piano, she’s athletic, not to mention very pretty and obviously likes him. She’s as perfect as perfect gets!”

“I wouldn't say that… I know someone better.” Niall kissed my neck leisurely, his lips lingering on my goose bumped skin.

“Yuck.” Louis made a pinched face. “You two NASTY.”

I giggled.

“Oh I bought your socks, Lou. Dark red ones.”

“Eeew. I hate that color.” He waited a moment. “Just kidding. It’s my favorite.”

Niall ignored him completely. “Thanks for the snacks, sweetheart. We were planning on pizza… but we’ve had it so many times these past couple weeks.”

“It was poor planning on my part. I was trying to get back here before your lunch so you could have a snack.”

“It all worked out just fine.”

Liam sat out of his seat and tilted his green straw towards me. “Want a sip?”

I lifted my hand from Niall’s chest and pinched the straw with my two fingers. The frozen coffee tasted more like caramel ice-cream than anything. “It’s good.”

Niall teased, “Mine’s better.” I giggled and took Niall’s cup from his hands. He was right. His was better. “Told you!” Niall could read the look on my face.

Zayn wandered over. He looked completely winded. “I- they were- I had to run- chased me- men’s room-” he bent down and rested his arms against his knees. “Oh God.”

Liam handed him the milkshake I bought him. “Charlotte’s treat.”

“Oh God! Thanks!” He tore the lid off and guzzled half of the big drink. “I really wanted one of these! I would have run faster if I knew this was here.”

Louis looked intrigued. “Huh. I guess it’s true, Charles. Milkshakes DO bring all the boys to your yard.”