3      Charlotte POV                                            Day 1 of Tour: Salem

“HEY I JUST MET YOU! AND THIS IS CRAZY! BUT HERE’S MY NUMBER! SO CALL ME MAYBE!”

The music and singing boys rocked the walls of the bus and threatened to burst my eardrums. The dark road whizzed past us through the tinted windows; reflecting the bright florescent lights in our mobile home. I glanced down at my watch; seeing it was about eight thirty at night. We had left the meet and greet a few minutes ago, and now were headed for the local super market.

“I MISSED YOU SO BAD! I MISSED YOU SO SO BAD!” They all sing/screamed in harmony. I giggled.

Liam threw himself next to me on the sofa. I think he said something, but I could barely hear his first syllable above the pounding music.

“WHAT?” I laughed. Liam shook his head, mouthing “never mind.”

The big black bus slowed to a stop and the music was killed. Mr. Eagle came out from his room and rubbed his hands over his bald temple, “Why does the music have to be so loud?”

“It’s better that way,” Harry said with a smile. The man groaned and motioned us out of his vehicle.

“You have an hour to shop,” Eagle Trex said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. “Which of you is Liam?”

“The handsome one,” Louis said; causing Eagle to roll his dull eyes.

I pointed to the tall boy next to me, “He is.”

Eagle Trex handed the money to Liam. “Why does he get the money, huh?” Harry spat.

“I was told to give it to him or the girl,” Eagle replied. The way he pronounced ‘girl’ you would have thought it burnt his tongue.

Niall came up to my side and grabbed my hand a little harsher than I would have expected. We all walked out of the bus, but not before I could turn around and thank him.

“Unbelievable,” Harry laughed as we walked across the deserted parking lot.

“What?” I asked.

Harry pointed back to the man who was on his phone in the bus, “That chauvinistic pig treats you like a piece of shit and you still say please and thank you.”

I blushed. “I was only being nice,” I mumbled.

Niall squeezed my hand. He leaned down to kiss me on the head, and then pulled me up to his side and held me by the side of the waist. “That’s why I love her,” He said.

I felt my cheeks grow even redder.

We were hit with a wave of warm air as we entered the store. Louis and Zayn ran off to grab a cart. I looked around the empty store; thankful that Eagle had chosen someplace off of the charts. I was too tired to deal with screaming Directioners.

Blow by Ke$ha played softly above us. Louis and Zayn’s laughter was growing louder as they came closer; each pushing a huge cart. Harry was riding in the baby basket of Zayn’s: making them each crack up hysterically.

I took Zayn’s cart from him. He jumped up in Harry’s lap. I rolled my eyes and let out a breathy giggle. “GO FORTH!” Harry hollered- pointing to the deserts department. Louis kicked against the ground and pushed the cart. Niall’s handsome laugh chased them down the store; leaving me and Liam to ourselves. We looked up at each other and smiled.

“You might want to go-”

“Yeah. I’ll be back,” Liam chortled, following the rowdy boys at a fast jog.

Shaking my head to myself, I guided the cart down the closest aisle. I found myself in front of cereals and crackers. Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, and an extra-large box of Ritz saltines were thrown in the cart. I walked to the back of the store and picked out three gallons of milk and some juice boxes.

I was examining the lunch meats when a cart full of One Direction flew by. I watched in horror as Louis lost control and let go of the handle. The basket rammed into a huge display of Budweiser beers. Niall, Harry and Zayn were all tossed into a pile then covered with boxes of booze.

I cringed, clutching a package of smoked ham to my chest.

“I’m OKAY!” I heard Niall laugh.

“Yeah,” Harry added.

“THANKS LOUIS,” Zayn laughed.

Liam ran up, helping Louis get the boys out from under the mess. I looked away and pretended not to be involved as an angry manager made his way over. I busied myself with walking towards the bakery department.

“-Real sorry,” I heard Liam repeat.

After I had picked out a good selection of breads and desserts, I went over to the produce. I couldn’t see or hear any of my friends, which made me wonder if they had been kicked out.

I stood in front of an open produce fridge. Looking up at the top shelf; I saw the prettiest pomegranate.

“SCORE,” I muttered to myself.

Standing on my very tiptoes I leaned forward to reach the deep red fruit. My fingers just barely brushed its produce sticker.

I groaned, searching around for something to stand on.

“Need some help?” Someone asked. I looked up and found a handsome man staring at me.

“Oh, no I’m alright.”

The tall man smiled at me with a wink. He walked up to the produce and easily reached the pomegranate I was failing at retrieving. He handed it to me; his dark brown eyes never leaving my face.

“Thank you,” I said softly. I took the fruit from him and turned to put it in my cart. My long, thick hair fell in front of my blushing face as I carefully set it next to a bag of Cheetos.

“CHARLIE BROWN!” I heard Louis call obnoxiously. “Where are you?”

“Oh, look at that!” I stuttered awkwardly, avoiding the beautiful man’s angelic face. “I have to go; thanks again for the help,” I quickly started to push my cart towards the check-out registers.

“Wait,” He stood in my path. I cursed him under my breath as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Call me sometime?”

I raised a brow and bit my lip. “I can’t do that,” I said honestly.

The man looked taken aback, “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, biting my lip, “Thanks again, though.”

“Are you sure?”

I looked him in the desperate eyes. “Yes, I’m very sure.”

Jetting out of there as fast as I could, I found One Direction waiting for me at register four. The only boy who was facing me was Harry. It was blatantly obvious he had just witnessed all of that.

“So...” He sang.

“Leave me alone,” I muttered under my breath. Liam and Niall helped me place our items on the conveyer belt. “Let’s not talk about it,” I hissed to Harry.

“Not talk about what?” Niall asked innocently.

I looked up at Harry like a deer in head lights.

DON’T SAY ANYTHING HARRY.

PLEASE DON’T-

“Your girlfriend is getting some older male interest,” He laughed.

DAMMIT HARRY.

“What?” Niall asked.

I shook my head and glared at Harry, but he was ignoring me. “It’s not a big deal. I told him I wasn’t interested.”

“Oh,” Niall said softly.

“He wasn’t even good looking,” I rambled out in a storm of lies. “He was a total creep too and way too tall for my taste. He was only helping me grab some fruit, and I thanked him. He tried to give me a business card: and I don’t even like business cards. I was like, umm no thank you I’m taken. And he was like, OK THEN. Then we both left and the-” Harry and Zayn’s giggling interrupted me. I twirled my head around to them, “What’s so funny?”

“You’re a real good liar,” Zayn said sarcastically.

“I am not lying. He was butt ugly.” Niall smiled at me with the left side of his lip before shaking his head and letting out a breathy laugh. “HE WAS!” I defended.

The cashier glanced up at us and gave Liam the total. He paid and guided the cart back out to the bus.

We were walking in the dark. I felt Niall slid his hand into my own, leaning closer to me. “Hey,” he said sweetly. “What’s wrong?”

I tried to make out his face in the dark; only catching the blue glow of his gorgeous eyes. I wished I could see him; craving the joyous feeling only his handsome face could give me. “Nothing’s wrong,” I looked back to the paved ground.

“I’m not upset, you know,” he said.

I felt myself smile in relief. “No one could ever replace you,” I said thoughtfully.

Niall’s grip grew firmer. “No one could replace you,” He pecked the top of my head. “I love you so much, princess.”

My heart exploded.

“I love you too,” I said breathlessly.

As we all neared the front of the bus Mr. Eagle slammed the doors open. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. “What the hell took you so long?” The boys ignored him. I was sure I heard Harry growl.

Someone turned on the radio as Niall and I loaded up all of our goodies into the fridge and small stack of cupboards. Eagle pulled out of the supermarket parking lot and informed us we were headed to a rest stop a few miles away from the California/Oregon border. Liam went to take a shower before settling into bed, with Harry and Zayn updating social media accounts.

Louis came up and snatched a bag of chips out of my hands. I smiled up at him as he tore open the bag. “Thank you very much, loves” He said. I gave him two thumbs up in reply.

“I’m getting tired,” I told Niall as I put the last of the bread away. I stood up and yawned; stretching my arms above my head.

Niall stood up next to me. He slinked his strong arms down my back to rest his hands on the back pockets of my jeans. I positioned my arms around his neck. My fingers played with his thick blonde hair. He buried his face on the left side of my neck. His lips lightly brushed my skin: sending shivers up and down my body.

“I’m glad you came,” he sighed.

I smiled, “I’m glad, too.” I held onto him tightly; never wanting to let go.

Louis was the one to ruin the moment. He came up behind us and tickled my neck, sending me flying backwards in a mad fit of giggles.

“Louis,” I whined.

He smiled proudly, outstretching his arms for a hug. I welcomed him; wrapping my arms loosely around his neck.

I pulled back, “Goodnight, Tommo.”

He winked at me, “’Night, Charlie Sheen.”

I laughed as I made my way to the bathroom. Liam came out just as I was ready to enter. He smiled and used his towel to dry his matted hair.

My oversized Trace Adkins concert shirt was paired with a pair of short yoga pants. I brushed my teeth; then braided my dark chocolate hair down my back. I stared at my tired reflection in the mirror. I saw a seventeen year old girl who just happened to be lucky enough to win a One Direction contest then go on to tour with them. I smiled as I pulled out my phone and texted my mom a goodnight text; also reminding her to feed Max in the morning.

I left the bathroom in a sleepy daze. I threw myself down on the small mattress and faced the wall. As soon as I closed my eyes I found myself asleep, my golden music note bracelet still sitting on my wrist.