CHAPTER 47:

"From the moment I'd met you, everything changed. I knew I had to get you, whatever the pain." ~Stand Up, One Direction.

Sunday, 16th March 2014

ZAYN'S POV

Today was the day of the competition, and Harry was in the auditorium, practicing his song. No one was still allowed to hear it, 'cos apparently it was a susprise.

And coincidentally, tomorrow was the day of the big lacrosse game, and that meant we had to practice, practice and practice today. Seriously?

But I wasn't going to practice. Why? 'Cos I don't feel like playing anymore. Harry was right all those months ago; I pretended to be into sports, just so I could fit in. Lacrosse is Liam's thing, not mine. I was embarrassed of my art, I used to think that if I admitted it, I'll be coming off as a pansy.

But I realize that I was being stupid, that it's my life, and I shouldn't care about what others think. And I've overcame my fear.

And another reason why I wasn't playing; 'cos Coach ha been basically neglecting me for the past few months, always making me sit out. Liam and Coach had even butted heads just 'cos of this, but I told Liam to let it go.

Apparently, according to Coach, gay people can't play lacrosse. Liam and the guys had told me they had heard him say that. Huh. I didn't know that was true.

I was currently walking to Coach Shay's office, where he must no doubt be. Practice session doesn't start in a few hours. School was off today 'cos of the talent competition, and I had come today 'cos I had to talk to Coach about tomorrow, and also to support Harry.

"Coach," I greeted him, and he nodded in acknowledgement. I slipped inside the office, closing the door behind me.

"What's the matter?" he asked gruffly.

"Uh, listen Coach. I don't want to play on the team anymore."

"WHAT THE HELL, MALIK?" Coach stood out of his chair, his eyes wild with anger and disbelief.

"You heard me, I quit!" I stated, squaring my shoulders.

"How can you let this team down at a time like this?! Tomorrow, fucking tomorrow, is the final season's game!"

I snorted. "Well Coach, if you hadn't noticed, for the past month, you haven't allowed me to play much, placing me in second line and all. And the team was doing quite well without me. So I don't think my absence will have any effect on the team now. And like you said, gay people can't play lacrosse. See you around, Coach."

And with that, I turned on my heel and walked out of Coach Shay's office with at triumphant smirk, leaving him sputtering in surprise.

I made a beeline for the auditorium, and then admired Harry from the glass window, singing his heart out on the piano, his Music teacher by his side. He just looked so in his zone, so graceful.

I know Harry will put his heart into this competition, he was afraid to admit it before. This is his passion, and now he's pursuing it. I remember, almost two weeks ago, how excited he was when he'd learned that he'd got the part in the competition.

~*~

TWO WEEKS AGO:

"I got in!" Harry fist-pumped, then got back to grinning at the soft board, on which the names of all the students who got through to the talent competition were listed. Including his, of course.

"You'll do great, Curly," I kissed his cheek, and he turned to me.

"Okay, my part of the bargain is halfway done. How about yours?" he questioned seriously.

I sighed lightly. "Yes, Harry. I've posted a few of my paintings online, like I promised."

"Good," he smiled, poking my nose, while I swatted his hand away.

"HAZZABEAR!" And Harry was almost tackled to the ground by a carrot-hating, red-haired boy. "You little shit, you! Congratulations! I knew you would make it!" Louis crowed, mussing Harry's curls. Harry chuckled, playfully pushing his best friend off him.

"Thanks Lou. Before, I was a bit skeptic about this competition, now I really want to make it through," Harry admitted, and Dani and Niall cheered, high-fiving each other, while a pouty Liam handed a few pounds to them both.

"Eh?" Harry raised an eyebrow at the three.

"Oh, nothing," Dani shrugged, leaning her arm on Niall's shoulder casually. "We just made a bet that once Harry will get in, he'll want to compete further. But Liam here thought he'd want to back out."

"Sorry Harry!" Liam spoke sheepishly.

Harry grinned. "S'okay. You should never make bets with Dani, Li. You of all people should know that."

"Uh, Harry? Did you know that this competition is an inter-school one?" Dani asked, reading a different notice on the soft-board. Harry's green eyes widened.

"W-what? I thought it was only our school!" he squeaked, scrambling to the soft-board and peering at the notice through his glasses.

"Apparently not, dear Harold. But that doesn't matter. Like I said before, pretend that all of the audience is in their underwear."

"I can't do that, Dani! That'll make me even more flustered!" Harry gasped.

Dani rolled her eyes. "Of course it would."

"You'll do great, love. Whether it's only a hundred people or a thousand, it shouldn't matter," I comforted Harry. "Just concentrate on your singing, on what you're doing. Or if you want, you can picture me... naked," I added cheekily.

Harry slapped my arm, but smirked nonetheless. "I think I'll do that."

I know he'll do great in this competition, and that he'll go far. This is just the beginning for him. And I'll be there for him, every step of the way. Helping him, even if he doesn't need my help. 'Cos I will always need Harry by my side.

~*~

PRESENT DAY:

HARRY'S POV

I had practised my song over and over again, but I was still nervous. What if I slip up in the final performance? My throat becomes sore? Or the piano string breaks? Or, or I forget the words? Or- Oh, stop it Harry!

Zayn had come with me today, but had went to his lacrosse practice session.

"Alright, Harry. That was amazing!" my Music teacher, Ms. Ashman, complimented me. She was helping the contestants prepare for the competition today. And right now, she had been working with me.

"Thanks, Ms. Ashman," I smiled at the blond-haired lady.

"I know you're nervous, Harry. And it's okay to be nervous. But the important thing is to not let those nerves get the best of you. My advice? Just think of someone special, how proud they'll be if you'll do good, and even if you don't. That helps."

I grinned widely. Wow, that was pretty good advice. I know I'll be thinking about my Mum, and of course, Zayn. "Thanks again," I told my teacher, who waved a hand dismissively.

"No problem, Harry. See you in the evening, before showtime," she mock saluted me, and gathering my music scores and other stuff, I waved at her and walked out of the completely empty auditorium. The same auditorium that'll be filled with over hundreds of people just a few hours later.

~*~

Mum drove me to school again, this time for the competition. I was a bundle of nerves, and there were so many knots in my stomach. I wanted to throw up. I was literally shaking 'cos of my stage fright.

"Baby, you'll be fine," Mum patted my knee comfortingly, sensing my nervousness, and climbed out of the car, while I followed suit. The school was crowded, more than usual, with people from different schools all bustling here and there. Mum and I walked to the auditorium, while Mum took a seat in the rapidly filling audience, beside Dani and the guys.

My eyes met Zayn and he shot me an encouraging smile, mouthing 'best of luck, I love you' to me. I mouthed him the same three words back, and soon enough, I was ushered towards the backstage. Wow, okay. This is really happening.

"Good luck, mate," Isaac, the guy that had auditioned with me, wished me. I wished him back, and started with the vocal exercises that Ms. Ashman had taught me. I also kept in focus the advice she had given me. To not care about the other people watching, just the one who are important to you.

Not a problem. 'Cos the song that I'm going to sing is about Zayn anyway. Well, about how our relationship used to be before. Before it was this amazing thing that it is now.

~*~

I was listening to the last contestant before me perform, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

Okay, Harry. You can do this, you can do this, you can do this.

This is your dream, this is what you wanted. Having the courage to show people your music. Here's your chance. This is the beginning.

I heard the sound of loud applause and cheers, signalling the end of the performance, and my heart started beating faster. A few minutes later, my name was finally called.

I smoothed out my shirt, and taking a deep dreath, walked out to the stage and into the bright lights, to be met by loud applause. I didn't trip. And I'm not getting booed yet. So far so good.

I shot a small smile to the audience, and noticed Louis sitting amongst the five other judges, beaming at me.

I walked over the the grand piano on which I'd been practicing for the past week. I took a seat on the stool, and adjusted the mic. As soon as I caught sight of the beautiful piano in front of me, it was as if all of my nervousness flew away from my body, and I was in a peaceful trance.

Taking a deep, calming breath, I started speaking.

"Uh, hello. My name's Harry Styles, and today, I'll be performing a song of mine. I wrote this for a special someone, and I had been writing this ever since I had known them. From the first time I had seen them. I just kept adding into the song. Most of the parts are based on when our relationship wasn't going well, but now we're better than ever," I smiled towards the audience.

"So, here goes." I ran my fingers over the smooth keys, letting my hands take over. I closed my eyes, remembering all the things my father had taught me about the piano, the tricks, the ways.

I concentrated on my song, on the one who I had written it for, and let the rest come naturally.

~*~

ZAYN'S POV

I was getting even more anxious now for Harry to sing, after his performance introduction. I knew he was talking about me, about us.

Harry was looking so flawless, so elegant up there. Like the most important thing was what he was doing right now, nothing else mattered. And he hadn't even started to sing yet, but he already had me, including more than half the crowd, entranced.

"So, here goes," Harry spoke into the mic, and started pressing the keys on the piano, a somehwat solemn but beautiful tune. And then he added his voice into the mix.

Now you were standing there right in front of me

I hold on, it's getting harder to breathe

All of a sudden these lights are blinding me

I never noticed how bright they would be

I know I must be gaping right now. He sounded so, so... perfect, God! I gulped, trying to read the lyrics, make sense of them, but it was hard to concentrate on anything besides Harry's husky voice.

I saw in the corner there is a photograph

No doubt in my mind it's a picture of you

It lies there alone in it's bed of broken glass

This bed was never made for two

I'll keep my eyes wide open

I'll keep my arms wide open

Harry opened his green eyes for the first time, biting his lower lip and getting to the chorus of the song, hitting the piano keys perfectly. God, this was beautiful. How can he write such perfect songs?

And I figured it out. This song was about when I didn't know him well, and when I'd ignored him, about all the times I had hurt him.

Don't let me

Don't let me

Don't let me go

'Cause I'm tired of feeling alone

I know I hurt him, but I would never let him go again, ever. I let him go once, but never again. I listened to Harry's powerful voice, caught in a trance.

Seems like these days I watch you from afar

Just trying to make you understand

I'll keep my eyes wide open, yeah

Don't let me

Don't let me

Don't let me go

'Cause I'm tired of feeling alone

I gulped at the raw emotion in his voice, and I understood the meaning of the song, perfectly. Harry was asking me, in a way, to not let go of him. He was finally admitting his feelings, something he couldn't do before, through this song. How he had really felt during those days, when I hadn't known Harry, and letting my stupid emotions govern me, used to bully him.

Don't let me

Don't let me go

'Cause I'm tired of sleeping alone

Harry finished the song, and as the last notes of the piano ended, the crowd burst into loud applause, and Harry just beamed happily, his eyes shining.

He waved to the crowd, and disappeared backstage.

~*~

A while later, the results were announced, the judges complimenting all the contestants. I couldn't help but grin when Harry's name received the loudest applause.

Harry had came in second place, and I couldn't be more proud of him. I wanted to run up the stage and kiss the life out of him, but I had to wait. Harry searched for us in the crowd, and then finally, his eyes met mine. I shot him a proud smile, and he gave me back a dimpled grin.

~*~

HARRY'S POV

I can't believe it! I'd finally did it! I went through with my song, and God, did it feel amazing to perform. All those people cheering for you, you just doing what you love to, making those people happy in the process. I didn't even feel a tad nervous!

And when I had came in second freaking place, I couldn't believe that either! I hadn't even expected to be in the top three, wow!

Many people were congratulating me backstage, and I smiled at them all, shaking hands, thanking them. My Mum, friends and boyfriend still hadn't come, but they will soon.

"Mr. Styles?" a serious looking man called out to me, making his way through the crowd.

"Um, yes?" I nodded. He stuck his hand out which I shook.

"I'm Simon Cowell, the principal, Ms. Hanson's brother. And she had invited me to her school to oversee this year's competition so I could stumble upon some possible talent, and I'm glad she did."

"O-oh?" was all I could stutter out in shock.

"Yes, Mr. Styles. I own a record company. It isn't that big, as I'm just starting out, and I'm willing to give aspiring artists like you a chance. So Harry, I believe you have talent, and that's why I'm asking you. Well, offering you."

"Oh my, wow. That'- that's amazing, sir! Thank you so much! I just- wow."

Mr. Cowell chuckled. "Yes, it is. So, what do you say Harry? Would you like to meet me at my office sometime to discuss your future?"

My jaw fell slack. My future in... music? Is this a dream?

"No, it isn't a dream, lad. This is real. You are capable of doing this, and that's why I'm offering you a chance. Here's my card. Just call my secretary, and tell her your name. She'll set up an appointment. I'll be waiting for you, Mr. Styles." And with that, the suited man walked away.

I gaped down at the card in my hands, which read 'Syco Records' in bold red writing, and below that, the address and phone number of Simon Cowell's office.

Did I actually, somehow, almost, get a record deal?

"HARREH!" Louis tackled me, and we both landed on the gorund with an oof.

"You were amazing! And I didn't even have to give you extra points, the judges loved you!" he crowed, pulling me back up and squeezing the life out of me.

"Oh, aah! Thanks Lou. I love you, mate," I grinned at my best mate, who cooed in response and pecked my cheek.

"That was a freaking awesome performance! You looked like you belonged up there, simply amazing Hazz!" Dani gushed, tackling me in a hug as soon as Louis stepped back. I hugged her back.

"My turn!" Niall protested, pulling Dani away and taking her place, squeezing me in a Horan hug.

"I have a friend who can sing like the bees' knees! Woo!" Niall cheered, and I ruffled his hair, chuckling. "Silly leprechaun!"

"But you love me!"

"Of course I do."

"Baby, come here!" Mum sniffled, pulling me into her warm embrace. "I'm so, so proud of you," she murmured into my hair, and I hugged her tighter. "Love you, mummy." She kissed my forehead and let me go, smiling.

"They're all right, mate. You have a unique voice. Ever thought about going somewhere with it?" Liam asked curiously.

"Actually yeah," I began, and felt Zayn wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him as I was now free from the hugs.

"Mr. Cowell, our principal's brother, is a music producer. And he actually offered me a deal and, look." I showed them all Mr. Cowell's business card, and explained to them how he'd offered to sign me up with his new record company.

I was congratulated with loud cheers, and a swoon-worthy kiss from Zayn. And Mum was full out crying now. I know she was proud, and that made me feel so damn happy.

And then of course, Niall declared we celebrate at Nandos. We all agreed, and piled into Liam's Range Rover, driving to the nearest Nandos.

"I haven't still said anything, yeah?" Zayn whisper-asked in the car. I just nodded, my eyes curious. "I want us to be alone, then I'll congratulate you all you want, babe," he whispered in my ear huskily, making me shiver in anticipation.

~*~

"Woo! Go Louis!" I cheered for my best friend, who was desperately loosing against his boyfriend in an eating race. Seriously, everyone knows better than to challenge Niall at an eating race, and especially at an eating race in Nandos. But apparently, Louis said this was a re-match. Huh.

We were all now stuffed to the brim with fries, coke and peri-peri chicken. Zayn excused himself and stood up, shooting me a secretive look, and strolled outside the restaurant. I got up to follow him, rolling my eyes at the suggestive looks of my friends, plus my Mum's.

I followed Zayn out to the little park that was located close to the restaurant. It was abandoned, as it was almost 9 PM. Zayn sat under a tree, and I raised an eyebrow, but sat down beside him. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, leaning his head on my right shoulder.

"I'm so proud of you, Curly, you came to far," Zayn stated, kissing my temple, and entwining our fingers, laying them on his stomach. I turned my head a bit towards him.

"It's all 'cos of you, did you know that? Like I siad in my song, I was always alone before. I was tired of feeling alone. I mean I had friends, but not someone who I could really call mine. Until you came along. You helped me break out of my shell, get past my shyness and now, I'm finally able to do what I love to do, sing. And in front of people, share my talent with them," I finished, staring back into Zayn's deep, brown eyes.

"I- I, well I'm not that useless after all then," Zayn smirked, joking. I punched him on the arm. "Way to ruin the mood!"