Chapter 7                  Charlotte                   Day 3 of Tour: On the Road

The itty bitty bathroom quickly filled with thick steam. I scrubbed at the soap in my hair, closing my eyes as it ran down my face. I kept one hand grasped to the handle of the bathtub; afraid to go flying since the bus was moving.

I opened my eyelids and reached for my bottle of conditioner. It flew up out of my hand, being a lot lighter than I expected. I reached down and picked it up off of the porcelain floor. I flipped it upside down and squeezed it gently.

Nothing came out.

I scowled; the hot water still running down my bare back. Gripping the bottle harder; I shook it up and down.

A little bubble popped.

“Harry.” I thought to myself with a sigh. I should have known he was going to do this, he always used up his before we could stop and shop again.

I set the empty bottle back on the shelf and reminded myself to throw it away later. My eyes scanned the shower caddy, considering my options. I obviously didn’t want Liam’s, because his smelled like men. Louis had a little left in his so I didn’t want to use it all.

I spotted Niall’s conditioner at the back of the caddy. I stood on my tip toes and eagerly grabbed it.

A soft knock rapped on the wooden door. The creaking sound of an opening door startled me. I bit my lip, embarrassed but thankful I had a shower curtain to cover me.

“Just me,” Liam’s voice said.

I sighed. Not like it was a big deal if it had been the others… but still. I was more comfortable with Liam. “Okay.”

“I’m just going to brush my teeth, if that’s okay…?”

“Oh yeah! We only have one bathroom, you know.”

“Thanks, doll.”

The sink turned on and the door was closed again. I continued to do my thing, spreading Niall Conditioner along the ends and roots of my annoyingly thick hair.

“Everyone’s in bed now,” He said behind a toothbrush. “Niall says goodnight.”

I smiled to myself as I smelled the conditioner; totally overcome with giddiness. “I’m heading there next, just finishing up here.”

“We have a busy day tomorrow, so don’t be too long. You need some sleep,” Liam said in his fatherly way. “The hotel checks us in at ten, and then we get to spend the rest of the week at the LA signing.”

I nodded stupidly before realizing he couldn’t see me. “Sounds good.”

“If you want a snack, leftover pizza is in the fridge.”

“Thanks, but I think I’m good. Niall and Louis pretty much force fed me about twenty chocolate chip cookies.”

Liam laughed. “Alright then, I’m off to bed.”

I smiled, “Goodnight, Li.”

“Love you,” He said before gently closing the door behind him.

I waited about fifteen more minutes and then shut off the water. I dried off using my pink towel, hanging it next to dry by Louis’ green one. I brushed my teeth with my new One Direction toothbrush that Harry had given me. Before I left the bathroom I shut the light off; not wanting to disturb the sleeping teenaged boys that were directly outside of the wooden door.

Outside of the bathroom was pitch black.

“Crap.”

I squinted and bit my lip nervously, using my arms to try and find my bed that I remembered was somewhere to my right…

“Shit!” I whispered as I tumbled forward. I had tripped on something that measured to my knees.

“Watch it, Hemming.” A sleepy voice Harry growled. He was sleeping on his bottom bunk on the left of the bus. Realization dawned on me as I figured out I had run into his outstretched limb.

“You watch it,” Was my creative come back.

“Smooth move, loser.” I told myself.

I finally managed to find my comfortable bed without hurting anyone else… or myself for that matter. I cuddled up into my fluffy pillow and breathed into the familiar scent of home that was slowly starting to fade. It was a soft smell of pine trees and Kraft macaroni.

I burrowed into the blankets and pressed myself up against the cold wall of the bus next to my little window. The curtain peaked open, showing me an eerie dark highway. I squeezed my eyes shut; trying to force myself into a peaceful sleep.

                                                                        Day 4 of Tour: Los Angeles

“Charlotte. Charlotte. Charlotte. Charlotte.” I groaned at the sound of my name. “Charlotte. Charlotte.”

My eyelids were peeled open. A blurry Harry was smiling at me devilishly. “Wake up, Charlotte.”

“Oh my GOD, Harry. Leave me alone,” I groaned louder and tried to push him away.

“No.”

“LIAM!” I screamed.

“Nice try, but he’s the one that sent me.” Harry wiggled his eyebrows. “You have to get up. We’re almost there!”

“IS SHE AWAKE YET?” Louis screamed from somewhere in the living room.

“WORKING ON IT!” Harry screeched back. I squinted my finally released eyelids and covered my ears with my hands.

“She better hurry up,” Liam’s fatherly voice rang out. “The breakfast Danishes are almost gone.”

That boy knew the true way to my heart.

“I’m coming!” I sang. I shoved past Harry who was kneeled at my bedside, and trotted into the living room. On the breakfast table was a large cardboard tray with a saran wrap blanket pulled back, revealing five or so pastries. Crumb trails everywhere; discarded paper plates and orange juice cartons littered the table.

“The cherry one’s the best,” Liam noted as I walked closer.

“Nope, chocolate wins every time.” Zayn stood next to a mirror that hung near the blaring TV and fixed his hair.

I stood on my tip toes and carefully chose a fat raspberry Danish. I had just plopped the cold thing on my paper plate when a freshly showered Niall came wandering in from the bathroom.

“Good morning, lovely.” He said sweetly.

“Same to you,” I blushed.

“Umm, he was talking to me.” Louis faked disgust.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Lou.” Niall snickered. He came up behind me and wrapped his familiar arms around my waist. I took a bite out of my Danish before putting it up to his mouth. He took a bite.

“Hey, they’re talking about you guys!” I pointed to the TV. The headline was big and bold; advertising One Direction’s meet and greet USA tour. “Oh gosh, those girls love you.” My brows rose at the sight of the screaming fans.

“Who wouldn't?” Zayn joked. He struck a pose in the mirror; thrusting his hips and curling his lips. I giggled madly.

Liam rolled his eyes and glanced down at his watch. “We should be getting there anytime. Do you want to use the bathroom before I have to take my shower, Charlotte?”

I nodded. I set down my paper plate and shuffled to my bed. I rummaged around in my neatly organized drawer, searching for my favorite jean shorts. I snatched them, my boat shoes, and my flowy blue tank top with the bow at the center of the back.

I stood in front of the small bathroom mirror. I brushed my teeth, and used my new lip-gloss. I changed into my outfit, and then put my hair up into a braid bun.

My favorite perfume was sitting in the medicine cabinet next to Zayn’s cologne. I cautiously lifted the lid and took a leery sniff. I always double checked; ever since that awful prank Lou pulled on Harry. Tuna fish juice wasn’t a very flattering smell.

I came out of the “loo” and almost ran into Harry.

“Watch it, Hemming.” He leered.

I opened and closed my mouth; attempting to think of a comeback.

“Don’t you mean MRS. HORAN?” Louis laughed from his top bunk across the way. I blushed and just stared at him.

Zayn wandered over, leaning up against Lou’s bedframe. He looked past me to Harry. “Speaking of that: I bet those two are pretty excited to get those hotel rooms.” Zayn smirked, glancing at my blushing face. “If you know what I mean.”

Liam walked over, heading to the shower. He saw the laughing boys and my cherry red cheeks. “Are they giving you a hard time?”

“Oh we’re just discussing her love life,” Harry said.

“At least I have one!”

“BURN!” Lou gasped.

Harry scowled at me. He opened his mouth to retort, but was quickly interrupted by Liam.

“Alright, you guys. Why don’t you all go and help Niall spiff the living room? The driver already got on us once this morning.”

“Aww Liam… Do we have to?”

“Yeah. Come on, it won’t be that bad. Niall and I already have most of it done.”

I strode past Harry and stuck my short tongue out at him with my arms crossed over my chest. He glared playfully. Before I could retract my tongue, he had reached out and tugged it. While I was caught by Harry, Louis came up behind me and tickled my sides with his fingers.

I squealed and ran off. They both laughed menacingly.

I skittered into the living room. Niall looked up from folding the dark blue blanket, smiling at me. “Don’t you look gorgeous today?”

“Don’t get too excited now, Charlotte!” Zayn joked again from the other room.

I ignored Zayn and said softly to Niall, “Thanks.”

I walked to the dining table and began to sweep up crumbs. Louis wandered in the room with Harry and Zayn close behind.

“You don’t have to do that,” Niall told me. “I got this.”

Harry swerved on his heel, heading back to his bed. “Sounds good to me! Glad to hear you got this covered, man.”

“Not you. You three can help.”

“Wow thanks. We would love to help.” Louis said sarcastically.

I laughed, “We can all help. It won’t kill anyone.”

Harry frowned. “You’ll want to take that back after my funeral.”

“Have you ever even cleaned anything before?” I raised a brow and started to fluff a beige throw pillow.

“Sure I have. Doesn’t mean I liked it, though.”

“Shut your trap and help me pick up these crumbs,” Niall gestured to the coffee table with his blonde haired head.

“FINE.”

I rolled my eyes and giggled. I cupped my left hand and set it under the table where I pushed Danish remains into my palm with my right hand. I turned around and attempted to dump it in the trash. Unfortunately, someone’s shoes were directly where I remembered the trashcan being.

“Oops.”

“My shoes!” Zayn sighed. He jogged over and quickly picked them up. He scowled at me while he turned them over the trash to shake out the crumbs.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

We all continued to clean the main room and make our beds. I had to help Louis with his, only because he mixed up his sleep sheets with the fitted ones and put them on backwards. It wasn’t long before Liam came out of the bathroom and joined us to watch the news.

“We’re here, boys.” Eagle Trex announced over the loudspeaker dully. I smiled at Niall and turned around on the couch, peering out of the closed curtained windows to sneak a peek at the hotel and spa.

It was ten stories high; covered in shiny metal plating. Dark green shrubbery lined the pathway that led around a huge modern fountain. The buildings next door were evenly spaced out, not too close but certainly not very roomy. You could tell we were in the city; just by the way pedestrians carried themselves in their tall heels and tourist sandals.

“This is so exciting,” I giggled. “I love hotels!”

“I remember when I used to say that.” Louis said.

“Ahhh yes. The good ole days.” Liam smiled at me.

The bus halted to a steady stop. I flew off the couch; eager to get out of that stuffy thing and into the fresh air.

I raced to the door, running my hand along the handle. It remained locked.

“Hey, Mr. Trex?” I called out behind me to his closed cabin door. “Can you please open it?” The other guys made their way over. “Pretty please?” I repeated.

There was still no reply.

Harry growled and flung open Eagle’s door. The bald man was busy punching in numbers on his GPS. “Yeah, yeah. I’m working on it,” he waved a hand at Harry. Harry ignored him. He shoved his way past the man and hit a switch on the dashboard.

The door made a clickity noise. I smiled at the curly haired boy and turned the handle.

Outside, I held my hand over my eyes to block the bright sun.

“Shoot. Should have brought your glasses.” I scolded myself inside my head. I could see them sitting on my dresser back at home, long forgotten about.

“Here,” Niall’s voice said from behind me. A pair of aviator sunglasses were set on the bridge of my nose.

I grinned and looked up at him. “Was I thinking out loud again?”

He shook his head. “No, I just assumed.”

“Welcome to the Plaza!” A deep voice said. A man in his nearing fifties was walking towards us with outstretched arms; a kind and honest smile sitting above a thick brown beard. His chocolate complexion matched his deep eyes. “I’m the manager here, just call me Clyde.” He reached out to shake each of the boys’ hands. “All of us here at the Plaza are thrilled to have you here!”

“Thanks for having us,” Liam smiled and let go of his hand.

Clyde’s large stature loomed above me and my small frame. He gently took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips. “You must be the wonderful Charlotte Hemming. I have heard so much about you from my daughters and staff. It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.”

I blushed, “The pleasure is all mine, mister.”

“I can take your things to your rooms,” A bellhop spoke up.

“Yes! Why don’t we do that! Just give Robert your things and he’ll get you settled. And if you need anything else, please ask.”

Clyde left us with the funnily dressed bellhop. Liam turned and started to stack our heavy bags on his golden wheeled cart. Robert led us inside the huge resort wordlessly, his black shoes clicking against the marbled flooring as we came in through the towering front doors.

I gaped up at the fancy black chandeliers and pristine white walls. The air was crisp and cool, smelling of clean linens. A glass walled elevator sat in the dead center of it all, screeching up and down the ten stories.

“I like this place,” I whispered to Zayn. He nodded. Niall’s fingers twisted their way through my own, pulling me close. I smiled at him and pulled his aviators onto the top of my head.

A lady at the front desk beamed. She walked out from behind the black glass counter and headed towards us; her tall red heels echoing throughout the entire lobby.

“Here are your room keys,” She fanned them out like a deck of shiny plastic cards. “I’ll leave it to you to pass them out,” she handed them to Liam. He thanked her and then continued to follow Robert up to our floor. The rest of us tailed behind like little fuzzy baby ducklings.

All of us barely fit into the unusually roomy elevator. Robert stared at the floor reader wordlessly, looking quite nervous if you ask me.

The chirpy ding said we had hit floor seven. Katy Perry’s The One That Got Away rang out in the hall. Tall and wide dark brown doors broke up the white tiled pattern on the walls.

“Alright then,” Liam initiated as we all stepped out of the elevator. “There are six of us and three rooms-”

Harry quickly grabbed Nail’s other hand and flung it up in the air triumphantly. “I call Nialler!”

“Aww no fair!” Louis pretended to cry.

“And it goes without saying that Charlotte gets her own room,” Liam continued.

“That’s not fair!” I whined. “You can’t leave me all alone! You know how much I hate being alone, Liam. Please don’t do that too me! PLEASE!”

Harry rammed Niall with his shoulder. “She can room with us!”

Liam shook his head; “I don’t think that’s a very good-”. He looked up at our three puppy dog faces and sighed. “Fine. But try not to drive each other too crazy, aight?”

“Deal!” Harry and I shared a much deserved fist bump in front of Niall that still sat squished in between us. “We are so the cool group,” He shook his head up and down.

“We can watch The NOTEBOOK!” I squealed.

Zayn crossed his arms over his chest. “There are only two beds, you know.”

A moment of silence passed.

Another moment.

“I CALL NIALL!” We both violently shouted, flinging each of our entwined hands up in the air.

Liam sighed, “This is going to be interesting.”

It was later that same night. I was sitting on a white lounge chair under a huge window overlooking LA, perched with a fat book in between my crossed legs. I had my Boise headphones on my head, absent mindlessly flipping the pages. The only light was coming from a skinny floor lamp I had switched on to my left hand side; the rest of the big suite enveloped in utter darkness.

A light flicked on from the opposite side of the hotel room. I looked up and tore out my headphones.

“Honey! I’m HOME!” Harry Styles shouted.

“Shh! It’s eleven o’clock at night, for goodness sake!” I giggled. “There are people in this resort besides us, you know.”

Niall came closer with a tired smile on his pretty face. His blonde locks were ruffled, his dark blue polo wrinkled around the collar. He leaned above me, planting his full lips against my own. I closed my eyes and melted into him. I dropped my book and ran my fingers through his hair.

“LA is awesome, by the way.” Harry said as he noisily searched the room for his bag.

I pulled away from Niall. “I put your things in the top three drawers of the dresser next to the mounted TV.”

“Thanks!”

Niall drew my face back to face his. His sparkling blue eyes glittered like the ocean, his strawberry lips parted just slightly. I instinctively bit my lip as his gaze wandered towards my mouth. Niall leaned forward to rest his cheek against mine: open lips just barely brushing against my jaw.

“Alright I’m going to go and take a shower; if anyone cares.” I thought I heard Harry say.

I turned my head, forcing Niall’s lips against my own. He smiled, momentarily stopping the kiss before he hungrily came back again.

“Hey while I’m at it, I might as well go down to the bar and get utterly wasted. I have nothing else to do. You two want anything?”

Niall reached a hand up to cup the side of my face, his other hand lingering on my thigh.

“Good thing I brought my own stash of joints, huh? Hard to find anything good and cheap around these parts, if you know what I mean.”

I wrapped my arms around Niall’s neck as he hoisted me off of the couch and into his embrace.

“That’s cool, too. You guys can just do your thing. Just give me a minute to touch bases with that hooker I saw downstairs…”

My eyes flew open as Niall was tugged away from behind. Harry had him by the slack of his shirt.

“What the hell?” Niall snapped.

“I said I was going to go and take a shower-”

“What? You want my permission?”

“No. I want to make sure I can leave you two alone for like, five minutes without coming back and finding myself in the middle of a porno skit.” Harry snickered.

I felt all of the blood rush to my cheeks. I bit down on my numb bottom lip.

Niall looked much calmer than I felt. He laughed and ran a hand through his thick hair. “Go on, we’re all good here.”

“Thank you,” Harry turned around and gave a large, overdramatic bow.

He was just closing the bathroom door when I finally found my voice again. “Hey Harry,” I shouted with a sly grin. “Better hurry up; happy hour’s almost over,” I said, wanting to let him know I had heard his playful banter.

He stuck his head out of the doorframe and winked.

Niall turned and walked towards the TV. He opened and closed the drawers until he found where I had neatly stashed his things.

I readjusted my purple pajama top and wandered over to him. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.” He said with a smile in my direction. He was talking about his folded things that I had put away earlier.

I shrugged, “I know.”

“Well it was very sweet of you,” He closed the small distance in between us and pecked my forehead with a small but sweet kiss. “I love you, you know?”

I smiled. “I know.”

Niall leaned back and let himself laugh at me. I took this moment to walk backwards and fling myself onto the big fluffy bed. I watched him as he continued to find his favorite sleep pants and boxers.

“Have you talked to your mom recently?” I asked, genuinely interested. He talked about his mom quite often, and everyone and thing else about his home. It didn’t take a fool to realize how homesick he got sometimes; being on that cramped little bus that made him so claustrophobic.

“Yeah. We talked on the way to the signing venue.” Niall turned towards me and closed the drawer with his hips. “She wants to meet you.”

“Oh,” was all I had to say. I hadn’t ever had a boyfriend; let alone met his parents before. The whole prospect seemed kind of scary.

“How was the signing?” I changed the subject. “Was it pretty crazy?”

He laughed, “Yeah, they can all get pretty crazy though. Oh but there was this one girl- God, I wish you would have been there to see her face. She went through and met all of us, you know how it goes. But when she got to Liam at the end of the aisle, she had the craziest panic attack. She started screaming at the rest of us, like; “Can you believe he’s here? Harper is going to be so jealous!” and we were like, Erm… okay? Then she refused to leave after about ten minutes, and it took five security guards to get her out of there.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Sounds… fun?”

“Oh it was awesome. Honestly babe, we have the best fans in the entire world.”

The bathroom door swung open and the room was flooded with more light. “Nialler’s turn!” Harry announced.

Niall turned to me and winked before taking off into the bathroom.

“How was your shower?” I asked casually.

“Great, thank you very much. Oh and thanks for the conditioner. Again.”

I giggled around a groan. “Harry, I just bought that bottle.”

“Yes you did. And you made a great decision, because it smells real lovely.” The British heartthrob winked at me, only causing me to roll my eyes.

“Your charm doesn’t work on me, Styles.”

“Sure it doesn’t. It works on everyone.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Oh, I will. Because it’s true.”

Niall came back with his loose fitting gray pants and his shirt crumpled in his arms. I allowed myself only ten seconds of staring at his chiseled body before darting my eyes towards curly haired Harry again. Harry wiggled his brows teasingly, letting me know he had seen my lingering gaze.

I sighed and tried to pretend like it hadn’t happened; pulling back the thick white sheets and sliding in between the silky things. I was on the inside of the bed on the right side, facing Harry’s bed and the nightstand with the lamp. I propped myself up and set our alarm for nine AM.

A body lied themselves next to me on the other side of the bed. I reached out and flicked a little switch that shut off all the lights in the room. In a matter of seconds we were enveloped in complete and utter darkness.

“Goodnight, guys.” Harry’s sleepy voice said.

“Ditto,” Niall yawned, rolling towards me and laying his arm and my sideways body.

“Love you guys,” I said softly.

I closed my eyes; trying to force myself into much needed peaceful sleep. I blinked my eyes open; suddenly not ready to fall asleep.

I shuffled around awkwardly. Niall loosened his arm and propped himself up to look at me. “What’s wrong?” He said loudly, not bothering about waking the already sleeping Harry in the bed next to us.

I racked my tired brain for the source of my problems. The sound of the dripping faucet in the distance and the blanket of blackness seemed to be it.

“It’s too dark. And quiet: I’m not used to sleeping where it’s so quiet.”

Niall let out a breathy laugh and pecked me on the cheek. He sat up and hopped off of the bed, or I only assumed because I could barely see my own hand in front of my face.

In only about a minute the bathroom light was turned on and the door cracked just barely, letting a sliver of light illuminate the room. A fan was turned on high, giving the room some relaxing noise.

My heart swelled.

I smiled at Niall as he wordlessly crawled back in bed next to me. He lied down on his back and closed his eyes, as if he had not just done the world’s sweetest yet simplest gesture. I leaned down and planted a kiss on his lips.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I know,” He whispered back.