March 2021

Do you ever get that feeling of panic when it feels like you've been caught doing something wrong?
Like you just got caught in the act and it feels like fear just overtakes your body. It becomes paralyzed, all movements, even your breathing comes to a halt because if you moved just even a little it would make you feel even more seen. It makes you feel so inhumane where you become stoic, with only using one sense and one sense only, hearing.

"Who's in a PR relationship?"

Alina stood still, scared to turn around. His voice was not something she expected to hear this late at night. The sound of crickets heard in the background. Overpowered with the buzzing sound in Alina's ear.

"What's going on?" She felt a hand softly grasp onto her shoulder.

Slowly gaining the ability, Alina turns around to face Harry. She couldn't look him in the eye.

How could she?

"What's wrong? Talk to me, who's in a PR relationship?"

A blank stare stuck on her face, she quickly responds, "No one."

Scoffing at her answer, Harry didn't believe her.

"Oh come on, that's ridiculous. Is it about mine? Is that it?"

"Yes," Alina took a breath of relief. "I'm just confused is all. How can someone so full of life be paired with someone so," she scratches her head trying to find the right word, "different?"

Harry took a deep breath himself. "It's the way that this industry works sometimes. People are forced to be with someone else to help promote stuff or help with their image. I didn't want to do it, but our managers insisted it would be within best interest for me and Olivia."

Alina took the courage to look him in eye.

He wasn't looking at her anymore, but up at the night sky with stars instead.

"The contract is good until the release of the movie. Which isn't until next year. I just hope that if you go through with the path you want to, that you won't have to deal with anything like this. If you do, I'll be there to help you get out of it."

The last statement made Alina confused. "Harry, can I ask you question?"

He nodded his head. "Of course."

"Why have you been so nice to me?"

Redirecting his gaze, now fixated on Alina, his eyes softened. "When I first got into all this, you know X-Factor, the band, my solo career, and even acting, sometimes I felt lonely. It felt like I didn't have anyone to go to when I felt lost. I mean my Mum and sister were, but then I also felt that if I went to them with all my problems I would feel like a burden."

"I don't think you could ever be a burden, Harry."

Harry's smile was wide, making his dimples appear.

"Thank you. But that's the thing, Alina," he took ahold of her hands into his, "I just want you to know that if you ever need someone. To vent to, to hang out with, to talk shit about someone with-"

"That's not very 'Treat People With Kindness'."

"Oh, shut it. What I'm trying to say is that, even though you're just starting out, I know you'll go far. And I'll be here every step of the way," Harry finished his rant.

Looking into his eyes, Alina was still confused, but now also in shock. "You know how to overwhelm someone real good."

Harry's smile only got bigger.

"Does that mean I get to have your phone number?"

Letting go of her hands, Harry crossed his arms as he began to think about it. "I don't know. Depends, what's your favorite song of mine?"

"Happily."

"I said mine, not One Direction."

Rolling her eyes, Alina crossed her arms. "It's the same thing. You're singing part of the song aren't you?"

Surprised at her tone, Harry's smile returned. "Watch your sass."

"Shut up, Harold."

His smile disappeared.

Alina began to apologize profusely. "I'm sorry, I can call you Hank."

"Hank?" His tone making it seem like he was trying to be angry.

"Yeah, your name is the nickname of Hank."

"Is it really?"

Alina's hand covered her mouth, to hide her growing smile. "Yep."

Harry's smile reappeared and pointed his finger at Alina. "That's horrible."

All of sudden, the studio lights shut off.

Clearing her throat, Alina opened her car door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Harry."

Taking a step back from Alina's car, Harry held her door open. "Yeah, see you."

He closed it, letting Alina turn on the engine and begin her route home. Harry's eyes never left her car until it was out of sight.

______________________

"That's your shoo-in!"

"Co, no one says that anymore," Liv rebutted.

When Alina got home, she FaceTimed Conan and Liv to tell them about her day. She told the two about her conversations with Harry.

"You guys, that's not the point. The point is that he's actually giving me a time of his day. He may just be a co-worker, maybe even friend now, but it's like living in a movie."

"Who's this version of Alina?" Liv asked happily.

"Yeah, when's the wedding?" Conan threw into the conversation.

"You two are getting ahead of yourselves. Besides when was the last time a guy besides Co payed any attention to me?"

The other two stayed silent. "Exactly, never. So Harry and I are never going to happen."

Liv held her finger up to point at the camera, "You made a bad decision befriending us because at one point we'll use your life as inspiration for our songs."

"Wait, would you really?" Alina sarcastically asked.

"Now I promise I'll write a song for you."

"I'm sure you will. Talk to you two later." Alina hung up, then closed her eyes and fell asleep.

______________________

"Okay, I have these papers that need to be signed by Harry, you think you'll be okay to deliver them by yourself?" Sofia asked.

It being the next day, Darcy was running a little late and Sofia had tasks for both of the girls to do. Alina was only a little unsure about some stuff, but she thinks that she can handle delivering paperwork.

"Yes, is it okay if I also grab something from crafty?"

Juggling a few of her own tasks, Sofia waved the girl off. "Of course."

Alina shuffled her way out of the office to head to Harry's trailer. It was not that far from where she was.

As she arrived, she knocked on the door. She heard a small, come in.

"Good Morning." Gaining his attention, Harry's tired state now included a smile.

Alina noticed that he was writing in a notebook.

"Good Morning, Sofia gave me a few papers for you to sign."

She handed him the papers catching a glimpse of what was written in the notebook.

Medicine

I'm here to take my medicine
Take my medicine
Treat you like a gentleman

"New album?"

"Maybe." Looking up from the papers, Harry smirked.

"Is there going to be a song about me?"

"You want me to write a song about you?"

"Yep, something more upbeat with a bunch of happy sounds." She paused for a second. "That didn't sound right."

"I don't know a whole lot of what goes on in the process of making music, if you can't tell. But I'll tell you right now, if you did, it'd be number one on the charts."

"You sound so sure of yourself, maybe I will." The statement making Alina blush.

Gathering all the papers to make a stack, Harry looked up at Alina. "I could bring you to the studio one day."

Alina declined his offer. "Oh, no I couldn't ask that of you. I'll just convince my best friends to take me with them."

"They're in the music business?"

"Mhm," she nodded her head. "Liv is currently working on her first album and Conan is working on his third." She smiled at how far her friends have come.

"I'll make sure to take a listen when they come out."

"They won't be able to function when I tell them that."

"What do you me-" Knock. Knock. "Come in!"

"Harry, you're wanted on set."

"Thanks, Theresa, I'll be there soon." He took a deep breath and smiled at Alina. "Duty calls."

She stayed behind, frozen in her spot.

Harry held the door and turned around, "You coming?"

"No, I have other tasks Sofia wants me to do. I'll see you later today."

She walked towards him, and thanked him for holding the door and for the papers.

The two began their separate ways.

"Bye Alina," Harry whispered to himself while he watched her walk away.

kami speaks!

- another chapter done! this one
was filled with fluff

- also could you imagine if liv & conan
collaborated with harry for one
of their songs?!??