chapter two: looks can be deceiving

Did he really just say that? I could have punched him right across the face. I was in the same room as him for the past hour and he didn't even notice me, but now that I'm wearing a short skirt and have make-up on suddenly he's "enchanted" to meet me? What was he playing at? I'm not comfortable with this. I had to make him see I would not fall for his little act. So I put my best fake smile and said "Yeah, I'm Kat, no need to introduce yourselves though, obviously I know who you are", and then proceeded "Maxine, I suppose I am ready to start, whenever you like". I wanted to sound professional and a bit detached, but the second I said it, I regretted it. I just sounded bitchy and conceited. Fuck.

The boys were still on the couch, but all the food had been cleared out, they only had some cups of water in front of them. They were also wearing different clothes: Harry had pink trousers and a grey blazer, Louis had white trousers, suspenders and a pink bow tie (!), Zayn had white trousers too, but some kind of preppy grey and pink cardigan that I'm not sure how to describe, Niall had jeans, a pink polo shirt and a grey hoodie, and Liam had a checkered pink and white shirt, with jeans. Basically they were matching; it was quite adorable really, and made them look more like a group.

I was feeling a bit ashamed of my previous comment, so I tried to make conversation with them as the crew prepared the cameras and everything. I felt like trying to make amends with them, by making sure they had an okay time. I didn't want them to hate me.

"So, I know you guys have gone through so many interviews already…is there any question that you guys are just sick of answering? Because I have a list here of things to ask, but I could totally cross something out if it'll be annoying…"

"Don't ask us what makes a girl beautiful!" Zayn said

"Nah man, that's not even the worst, how many times have we been asked how it's like to be followed by screaming fans?" Niall joined in the discussion

"No, but the truth is, we are just really glad to be given the opportunity to even answer questions…To think that people would be interested on us like that, that's incredible really" said Liam with his usual polite-ness.

"But you'd think that they'd grow tired of asking us the same questions over and over again" Zayn said, more to himself than to the others

"AWW ISN'T OUR LIAM A TRUE HUMBLE GENTLEMAN?". Louis of course. He then continued with "Come on mate, you have to admit that we do answer the same questions over and over. Like when they ask us which one of us in single. Or who's our celebrity crush".

I laughed, a bit nervously because, as I scanned the questions sheet, I saw that those four were there, the screaming fans one being the actual first question. I suppose I'd have to cross that out now.

"Are you okay?" Niall asked

"Yeah, of course! It's just, to be honest, the four questions you mentioned were here, so now I'm just wondering what to ask in their place…"

"Oh, sorry about that…Umm, let me think, guys what should Kat here ask us?"

"It would be good to actually be asked about the music for once, like, what's it like recording an album, or performing, dunno, stuff like that" Zayn answered

"I really like that idea Zayn, thanks" I smiled back at him; I could see they were starting to look past their first impression of me. Well, not all of them. Harry was sitting on the corner of the sofa, ignoring us all while he texted on his Blackberry looking like he was big shit. Oh, sorry I hurt your pride golden boy.

We then fell into a bit of an awkward silence, but thankfully Niall broke it before it got too weird

"So, you're not from here ey?"

"Haha, yeah, I'm from New York, I've lived in the UK for a couple of years already though..."

"What made you come here?"

"My dad got married to this girl, her name is Kate, and she lived in Birmingham, so we all came to the UK, then I turned 18 and my dad let me move out. Being the city girl that I am, London was just the place for me."

We were cut off by Braxley's voice echoing across the room: "Everyone let's get this started alright? Kat, boys, are you ready? Harry?"

Suddenly butterflies erupted in my stomach. I was really going to do this! OH MY GOD I was going to do this.

The interview went great, I got inspired and managed to ask some pretty interesting questions, about their music (which Zayn answered with a satisfied grin on his face), and also about fame and their lives in general.

Harry answered some questions, but never looking at me directly. The only time he did was when I asked them about fame, and what it was like, having their lives displayed to the whole world like that. He stared right into my eyes and said "Fame might seem awesome but it has its downsides. The problem with showing your life to everyone like that is that they only see a part of it, but think they know everything, and jump to conclusions. It's quite complicated to try and live your life when everyone around you already has a formed opinion on you, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Fuck, that was obviously aimed at me. I couldn't really blame him, I knew he was right. But if there is one thing that's really difficult for me to do is acknowledge being wrong. And all the other boys were sort of staring at him, a bit transfixed, as if Harry never really spoke like that. It didn't help me much. Niall, once again, broke the awkward moment by saying "Yeah, it really is complicated, but we try our best to not let it affect us…" thank god for that boy.

I immediately jumped to the next question, and thankfully the boys were back on track. It was funny how I barely needed to participate much, I'd just throw some things at them and they'd start chatting with each other about whatever it was.

By noon we had a break, and Maxine had set up a lunch table, with more food than I'd ever seen in my life. There was no way that we would eat even half of it. At least that's what I thought, but obviously I hadn't shared a meal with One Direction before. I sat between Niall and Louis, and to be honest I had a really nice time. Louis made me crack every two minutes with his easy humor and Niall's laugh was contagious. Zayn was sat right across from me and he was a really fun guy too! I wasn't expecting it, but he could fake this really funny accent and kept yelling "Vas Hapennin'" every time Louis made a joke. Liam was more laid back, he seemed to prefer just watching us having a laugh instead of joining us, either way, I was fine with it.

When we reached dessert Louis seemed a bit off, and then I noticed he was paying attention to Harry, who was sitting across from him, but had his back to us. He was talking to an older woman, I think she was the photographer's assistant, but I wasn't sure.

Apparently Louis saw me looking at Harry, because he said "Look, I know he may seem like a bad guy, but he really isn't. Harry is not the type to let his feelings show, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have any. I know you don't think you'd like him, but I think you should give him a chance…". I didn't know what to say to him. I should give Harry a chance? Perhaps, but how would I do that? He obviously noticed I don't like him, so now he probably doesn't like me either. And I was never good at making friends to begin with. "I don't know how to do that", I admitted quietly.

"Oh, I know just the right thing! What would you say we went out partying this Friday? Because we're going to Germany tomorrow, but we'll be back Friday morning, it would be perfect!"

"What would be perfect?" Zayn asked, now using his normal voice

And Louis answer caught everyone's attention: "WE'RE GOING PARTYING!"

After lunch I stayed for a couple more hours, but when the boys started to take photos Maxine came and told me I wasn't needed anymore, and was free to leave. She also hinted that Braxley was very happy with my work, so I would probably be hired. Could things get any more perfect?

Tuesday, 4pm, Kat and Mel's flat

The flat was dark and warm as I walked inside, still in a bit of a haze with everything that had happened. In the course of a few hours I had met 5 of the most famous guys, recorded an interview, had lots of fun, actually made new friends, and got a job. A job! If Mel hadn't made me go with her…

Oh no. Mel. I completely forgot about her. I am the worst friend in the world! I grabbed my phone and saw: 5 missed calls. Fuck.

Tuesday, 5pm, London's hospital

Luckily I was Mel's emergency contact. Both her parents lived in Yorkshire now so she had thought better to have someone who lived near. Well, luckily for me, because those missed calls were from the hospital, so I already knew where to find her. Not so luckily for her, considering what a terrible friend I was. I should have checked my phone earlier…

Arriving at the hospital the doctor gave me a judging look, probably wondering why anyone would choose such a bad emergency contact. He did explain to me that Mel had fainted because of malnourishing, and asked me if I was aware that my friend seemed to be developing anorexia. I could not have been any more shocked. I felt so bad for Mel. She probably thought that she had to lose weight in order to give her career an upgrade.

I sat beside her bed waiting for her to wake up. It should be any minute now, according to the doctors. While I did so, I carefully examined her features, her soft blond hair, noticing for the first time how it seemed to lack its usual shine. Her tanned skin gave her a healthier look, but I learned that looks could be deceiving. Oh gosh, I just wanted her to wake up. I wanted to know she was fine, so that I could slap her back into sanity. Anorexia? Really? She knew how dangerous that was. She worked alongside models all day and that should have been a warning. I still remembered when she came home crying because one of the models that worked with her, Jenna, had died. Apparently Jenna hadn't been eating for the past two months. How she managed to survive even that was beyond me.

I saw her eyelids flutter, and then open. I let out a sigh. Only then I realized I was crying.