Chapter Text
harry
Semi unemployment was a term that many mid 20 year olds used who lived in New York. It’s a phase in one’s life where you are working towards a career that will keep you employed for what you hope is years while doing jobs that will pay rent, utilities, food and to actually enjoy life. It’s a feeling where you can make your own schedule and are always on edge if you will have enough money. I would give it two middle fingers up in the air to try and see for yourself. Now, sure, self loathing is part of the age where I’m at but I was lucky that I wasn’t on the difficult end of the semi unemployed spectrum. I had decent jobs at a few photography studios and free lance jobs that paid more than enough. But, the one bonus of being semi unemployed is that you could go out all night with your friends, return at 4 am with taco bell, eat it and sleep in till noon the next day. Which is what usually happens when Niall wants to go all out on an evening out. Most of the time I was in by 11, face washed, pajamas on and finishing up my latest Netflix binge whilst editing photos. But not last night, which I had regretted about my fourth shot in and sixth beer I had drank at a bar I wasn’t sure how we got there but it was either walking or Uber.
My head throbbed from lack of sleep I heard my mobile buzzing on my bedside table that I attempted to make via Pinterest post. I had done a decent job with the old crate and it did its job with holding a light, my glasses, a bottle of water and my mobile. My hand slowly left the cocoon of blankets, bedsheet and duvet I had so carefully wrapped around my body to make the horrible buzzing stop. I had no idea what time it was or if I had slept through an entire day, or if I had only been asleep for a few minutes before being awoken. I was going to blame Niall for everything when I saw him once I crawled out of my bed, which at this point I wasn’t 100% sure when that would be.
”Hello,” I said, my voice hoarse from still being half asleep. I cleared my throat as I tried again, “‘ello.”
“Hello sleepyhead,” Laura’s voice came from the other side. She didn’t seem to be out of breath so I assumed she was home. “Were you actually asleep or just laying in bed?”
“Sleeping,” I admitted to her as my voice started to sound normal and I pointed my toes and stretched the cramped and tired muscles in my body. My back cracked slightly as I continued to speak. “Niall got his own web series now with Buzzfeed and he wanted to celebrate, and you know when a crazy Irishman wants to celebrate, you celebrate. Hard.” I heard a slight smirk and I knew she was rolling her eyes and shaking her head. She had witnessed firsthand what Niall could do to a person when he went out to celebrate, since she had to take care of her poor husband Nathan who was the victim of Niall’s charming ways. “What brings you to call so early?” I asked her as my brain was finally catching up to the rest of my body.
There was a chuckle, “Harry, it’s ten past noon,” she informed me as my body clock seemed to sink with the time of day outside. “I am calling cause I wanted to know if you could be ready in about a half hour and come to lunch to meet with some people about a job.”
When you are semi unemployed people who have jobs always tend to call you with ideas for a job for you. Most of the time they weren’t anything I wanted to do and I was very rarely desperate enough to take them. But Laura, she was different. She always kept an ear to the ground and if something that really spoke to her needed someone with a communications minor and political science major qualifications then she would call me. Or when her husband needed an extra hand in the studio, which I would never pass up a chance to help them. But as the words she said sunk into my half asleep brain, it was odd that she was so… well, vague. Laura was one who would go into detail about how cute her dog was sleeping and then facetime me. Which, I accepted and encouraged. This felt different, it was on a more serious note and I was both fearful and on the verge of giddy.
“Okay… but before I sell my soul or first born child via surrogate to whatever demon you summoned for this job can I get some more information?” I asked her as I heard a dog bark behind her.
“No soul selling happened here,” she assured me. “Gavin Mitchell is working on a new show with Hugh and they came to me to read for the workshop and Off-Broadway run in Chicago to work out the kinks, and he was talking about how they wanted their social media to be relevant and really use that to push the show, I told him I knew the perfect person,” she explained to me. “And before you ask Gavin and Hugh are working with Debney and Trapanese to take The Greatest Showman from film to stage,” she explained as I sat there as my mind tried to process the names of people Laura just dropped as if she was telling me the ingredients for a chocolate chip cookie recipe. My eyes blinked as my bedroom was still blurry without my glasses.
“How, um, how did he get my resume?” I asked her knowing that the link on my professional Instagram didn’t have that.
“Niall got it from your portfolio and emailed me a copy,” she said, “and now I have a copy that I can give to anyone so you are welcome,” she laughed as I wanted to be mad but the woman was an evil genius and I loved her. “So, you have the job, he loved your work with the shows you did Off-Broadway and in Jersey but he also wants a balance in the show of unknowns and those who can draw people in.”
“Like you.”
“Stop,” she said as her humility kicked in and I knew her face was bright red. “So, is it possible for you get to Cafe Un Deux Trois in an hour? I am just leaving now but Nathan left something at home so I need to drop it off for him.”
I nodded my head as I reached and grabbed my glasses off my bedside table. My head was spinning and I was sure that if I tried to stand up my legs would give out and I would break my nose falling to the ground. “Yeah. Yeah I can do that,” my mind was processing everything she was telling me.
“Just bring yourself, he has your resume and he has seen your work from what I’ve shown. You will get a rundown of those who are joining the project and get a better idea of what he wants and needs, and what you will be in charge of,” she explained to me as I heard a car horn behind her. “I will see you in an hour, Harry.”
I nodded again. “Thanks, Laura,” I managed to say as the words keep tripping and bumping into each other as I tried to speak. But all my body could do was lay there as if it was paralyzed and my brain was doing somersaults, and death drops of excitement. Once I hung up with Laura I laid there for a few seconds. This was actually happening. I had a job with a show that was bound for Broadway. I was going to work with Laura, which was a dream come true, and I knew she was happy to joke with Nathan that I was working with her and not him.
Okay, Harry. Find an outfit. Pack your work bag. Shower. Shave. Maybe not in that order but you got the idea, giving myself a pep talk as I tossed my white duvet off my exhausted body, swinging my feet around they landed on the faded tan carpet in my room. My eyes looked at my closet and they moved down to my hamper, and saw that it was overflowing with my clothes from the past month or so that I wanted to wash last night before Niall dragged me out of the flat.
Thanks, Niall.
I pushed myself off my bed and took the several steps over to the clothes, and looked through the few clothes that were left. I had my one suit for weddings and funerals, my khaki pants that I had had since University and wasn’t sure if they fit or were the proper length. “Thank god,” I said as I found my black pair of dress pants. I tossed them onto my bed and then looked through the dresser drawers for any kind of jumper or shirt that would look acceptable for a semi job interview. “That cheeky bastard took my tan jumper,” I said as I knew that Niall had come in one morning when I was half asleep and asked me for something but I wasn’t sure what it was, I had just said yes to get him to leave. “Black it is,” I said tossing my black jumper on the bed. Bending down I scooped up my black oxfords and threw them on the bed before heading out to get into the shower.
“Morning,” I called out as I heard Cecilia in the kitchen. I was shocked that she was up, but it was Lia. She couldn’t sleep past 9 no matter how much she drank, how late she stayed up. She said it was her crazy but lovable mother not believing in sleeping in. “Where is Niall?” I asked and stopped as I saw the toilet door shut. Walking over to the railing I placed my hands on the wood and looked down into the living room and kitchen. “When did he go in there?” I asked her knowing that I wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Maybe four minutes ago,” Cecilia said as she looked up at me from the kitchen where she removed her coffee cup from the coffee machine. “Why? Your shoot isn’t till 4. Or that is what the calendar says.”
My hands ran over the stubble on my face as I turned around, my eyes looking at the wood door and willing Niall to just walk out of there, deciding for the first time in his 26 years of life to take a short and quick shower. “I have a job interview,” I said walking over to the hall closet and grabbing two towels from there, shutting it I jogged down the steps and smiled at Cecilia who looked as tired as I’m sure I did and felt. “Why did we go drinking on a Wednesday night?”
“He has charm, I’m sure that he could be his own lawyer if he ever went to court,” she laughed sitting on the arm of the sofa as she took a sip of her coffee. “How did this job interview come to be, the last thing I heard was you out cold snoring in your room.”
Whipping my head towards her my eyes narrowed as she smiled and took another sip of coffee. “Laura called.” Her eyes lit up for she knew that this was a real job and not me just being nice to please Liam or his fiancé Katelyn who found me a ‘job’. I wrapped one of the towels around my neck so it covered my shirt as I laid the other one on the counter next to me. Bending down I opened up the cabinet doors under the sink and pulled out a 2 in 1 shampoo. Curious Lia moved from the couch and back into the kitchen. “I have to be at 44th street in the city in about 50 minutes,” I explained turning the faucet on and sticking my head under the running water.
“Is this a thing?”
I nodded turning my head to make sure all my hair was wet so I could lather it up with shampoo. “Yes, we came up with this system when we were in Uni. Between him and Liam they took the longest showers so the sink was the best place to wash one’s hair if they needed it done quick.” Cecilia laughed a bit. “I mean, when Niall stays with you, his showers are long, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but we are usually in there together so I’m okay with it,” she smiled and I rolled my eyes. Reaching out I grabbed the shampoo, opening the cap I put a quarter size in my palm and then began to lather up my hair. “But, this is new, I have been with Niall for four years and never once have I seen this.”
“Enjoy,” I joked with her. “No, I was going to fully shower to make a good impression on Gavin but, this will have to do,” I said bending back down and rinsing the soap out of my hair. “I have never been so nervous about a job.”
“What is the show? Or is it low key like a JJ Abrams movie?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, “I love how much of a nerd you are,” I told her turning my head and looking at her. “I don’t think so, but I also don’t want to speak when I shouldn’t.”
She held up her hands, “I understand so no worries,” she smiled at me. “Can you tell us tonight? I’m assuming that you lot are still coming by the cafe?”
“It is Thursday,” I assured her turning off the faucet as I grabbed the second towel and wrapped it around my head. Standing up my back cracked again, “and yes, tonight I will fill you both in on everything I find out and can tell you.”
“Perfect,” she told me. “Do you need help with anything?”
I shook my head, “No, I need to finish getting ready, order an Uber and pack my camera bag for the shoot I have this afternoon.”
“I have the Uber,” she told him as she shooed me up the steps. “I never got to ask since we drank all last night, how was your trip home?” I asked her as I put my camera bag on the table and emptied it out, and made sure I had what I needed.
Cecilia let out a sigh as she stood in the kitchen on her mobile ordering me an Uber. “It was a business trip,” she explained to me. “I settled my father’s will. I gave my greedy brother what my father left him, which was not as much as he thought and his lawyer said there was nothing he could do, I gave my sister who doesn’t speak to any of us and blames me for his cancer, gave her what she was due. I sold what I could, kept a few things that meant a lot to me and have his house on the market,” she explained to me as I packed my bag again knowing that I had everything that I needed. “When it sells I will put that money into savings since I don’t need or want a house or move yet,” she stopped and looked down at her coffee. “I just, how can two humans be so selfish even during the death of our father? All he wanted was to see the best in them even when they were fucking shitheads,” she told me. “Sorry. I. Sorry.”
I placed my hand on hers, “I understand all too much how you feel and how your father felt too. Just know that you never have to go back to Virginia unless you want to.”
She smiled and kissed my hands as a thank you. “It’s just not how I thought my life would be. I didn’t think I would be almost 30, have two dead parents and never want to speak to my selfish asshat siblings. It just sometimes gets to me and I feel like I let someone down at some point.”
I shook my head, “No, stop that now. You have Niall’s family who loves you and you gained two mentally unstable Irish brothers, and two amazing way of out their league sister in laws.”
“And a Harry,” she said as I zipped up my bag and checked the time. I was just about to yell at Niall when I heard the shower turn off.
Finally.
I kissed Cecilia on her forehead, my lips hitting a bit of her fringe as I took off running up the steps, I took two at a time as I needed to get in there and get gel, a hair dryer and have a moment to brush my teeth before I left. My hand formed a fist as I knocked on the door. “Nialler, I need gel and a hair dryer,” I explained to him as my right hand wiggled the handle of the toilet and it was still locked. “Nialler...” I pleased with him as I heard the door unlock and open.
“Niall!” Cecilia and I both yelled as he laughed and smiled standing there with a towel around his head and nothing else.
“Oi, both of you know I’ve been blessed,” he laughed as I ran into the bathroom, I grabbed the gel and hair dryer and ran back into my bedroom. “I have a job interview. I will tell you about it tonight at dinner,” I said as he followed me but before a naked Niall could sit down on my bed I had locked my bedroom door and went to finish getting ready. I had never been so happy than right now to have cut my hair off for it was just a few moments of me rubbing the gel in my hair and 5 minutes drying it. I was under a time crunch so I didn’t have time to second-guess my clothing, so off came my pajamas and on were my nice work clothes which I worried if I was going to regret the all black when I was outside taking photos. This March had been so bipolar that I wasn’t sure if the weather that was on my mobile was what it was actually going to be when I stepped outside. I stood in front of the full length mirror and smiled. I looked good, I looked like an adult who could do a job of social media for this musical and not a semi unemployed college graduate who had worn the same pair of joggers all week long.
“Teeth!” I cried out as I grabbed my billfold, jean jacket, mobile and headphones, and headed out of my room. Thankfully Niall had put on some pants and a shirt, and was down making breakfast for Cecilia as she had a bag next to my bag no doubt with food for breakfast and lunch. I dropped my stuff on the counter in the bathroom as I brushed my teeth. I looked at myself in the mirror and as much as I wanted to shave I was just going to have to let that go and deal with it. I would know better for next time. Spitting the toothpaste out I quickly gargled with mouthwash, scooping up my items, I made my way down the steps. I slipped my jacket on and put my billfold and earphones into my camera bag before I stopped, I took the bag of food and smiled at my friends. “Thank you both.”
“Break a leg, H,” Niall told me as the bacon in the pan sizzled. “Ce filled me in! Love ya mate! You can do this!”
“Stop watching those morning talk shows,” I laughed as I thanked Cecilia for the snacks, grabbed the keys and headed on out of the flat. I was too anxious, walking down the four flights of steps I saw the blue Honda Civic waiting for me. Cecilia was to good for Niall and I, I’m sure that we would both be jobless and living in a cardboard box if she didn’t hold us together like the glue that she is. “Ello,” I said to the driver who smiled at me. “I need to go to 123 W 44th Street in New York,” I said as he plugged that into his GPS.
“How is your day today?” he asked me which I normally didn’t mind chit chat with Uber drivers but right now I was trying not to have an anxiety attack in the back of his car and have to pay him to get it detailed and I didn’t want to clean up vomit.
“Good,” I told him as he put the car into drive and we took off. “Hopefully better after this meeting,” I admitted to him as my body relaxed as I watched Hoboken pass me by and we headed towards New York. I always got nervous before interviews but this was different. I felt as if I was standing on a ledge and in front of me was my future and I needed to jump and that is what scared me shitless. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but I knew that if Laura set this up then it had to be good. Before I knew it the Uber pulled up to the cafe and I was out, paid and tipped him and saw Laura standing outside as she waited for me with a smile. No matter when I saw her she always looked so put together even when she was in yoga pants and a t-shirt. She gave me a hug and kissed me on my cheek.
“Don’t be nervous,” she assured me as I fake smiled and she grabbed my shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “It’s just Gavin and Jacq in there,” she told me and there was a weight that was lifted from my chest knowing that Hugh wasn’t in there. “Jacq wrote the book for the stage production so you don’t have to freak out that Hugh was in there,” she assured me.
I took a deep breath in and we walked into the cafe. Thankfully it was after breakfast rush and before lunch rush so the cafe was mainly empty. My shoes clicked on the black and white tile floor as we walked to the back table where Gavin and Jacq sat. They were both sitting back there, a laptop opened as they looked as if they were going over notes. As we drew closer I got a better look at Jacq. She was younger than I thought. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a top knot as she had on a white button down shirt, an olive green cardigan with jeans and brown boots. She looked young - and I’m sure that she just got out of uni but that was nice to see that Gavin was right when he said that he wants a mix of both veteran and novice in the theater community. Gavin, well, he was what I expected. He looked like any poli sci professor I had in uni. His hair was cut short, it had grey around the temples. He also sported jeans, a blue button down tucked in with a tweed jacket with elbow pads, his glasses were thin wire rimmed which made him look even more like a uni professor.
“Hello,” Laura said as Jacq and Gavin stood up and both of them gave her a hug as they turned to me.
“The famous Harry,” Gavin said as he shook my hand and smiled. I said my pleasantries and then shook hands with Jacq as she smiled and then we all sat down. “Laura hasn’t stopped gushing about you, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to meet you,” he said as the waitress came back and set down two plates of food. “What would you two like? On me,” he said.
“Coffee and some Canadian bacon and hash browns,” I said as Laura ordered coffee and some toast and an egg.
“So,” Gavin said as he put the papers away and turned towards me. “I’m sure that Laura has told you, but you already have the job, we just wanted to sit down and go over your tasks for the show and what we can expect from both sides,” explained Gavin as he took a sip of his tea. “So, you will be the head of our media and marketing team that would be in charge of every social media aspect of the show. You will have a small team of two other people to delegate other duties to. I also will have you in charge of setting up interviews for press leading up to the show as well as corresponding with those in Chicago when we do our two month run out there,” he explained as I made note in my mobile. All things that I could do and was willing to do. Not to mention that I would be able to have an excuse to go to Chicago and stay there for a month’s time and get paid.
“The show isn’t the next Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen but it will be good. It’s a show that speaks to people and that is what matters.” I nodded agreeing with Jacq. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, I love the message of the show, and I’m sure that if we have a kick ass social media presence like Gentleman's Guide then I think that this show will be a hit and reach more than the movie was even able to reach. As the coffee and food came I turned to Gavin, “Who is the cast if you don’t mind me asking? Just so I can have an idea and kind of make mockup ideas for you lot.”
“Charity is Laura, and then P.T is Colin Donnell,” he said as he named the cast. “Hayley Lewis, she is in Riverdale, will be Anne. Kaela will reprise her role at Lettie and then Emily Afton will be Jenny,” Gavin told me as he then went on and told me about the kids, as well as gave me the names of those they are finalizing from an open casting call they had for the other ‘freaks’ in the musical. “So, it has been a lot of fun seeing new talent and I’m sure that you will do amazing things with the social media.”
“Who is going to be Phillip?” I asked curious as there seemed to be a silence fill the room and I felt that I said the wrong thing. Shit. I looked over at Laura who didn’t say much but Jacq’s face spoke more words than actual words. It was a look of fear, anger and hilarity on her face.
“Louis Tomlinson.”
“Who?” I asked not sure if I was supposed to know who that was.
“He is a washed up actor from Hollywood who Gavin is being nice and throwing a bone to,” Jacq said as she pushed up her glasses and turned to Gavin. “Why don’t you tell Harry about the rest of his role,” she said and I felt that this wasn’t going to be good.
My face scrunched up as Gavin cleared his throat and continued to talk. “You will get another paycheck from his management team to make sure that his name stays out of the headlines, he gets to work on time, and he doesn’t do anything to tarnish the show.”
“Okay…”
“Mark, the higher up, wants his name to stay out of the headlines but his direct right hand man will tell you that a name in a headline is good no matter what it says.” I got a sense of Gavin not liking Louis right hand man. “You will be getting an email from Damien and he will tell you everything, just agree and then Mark will send you the proper one.”
Chuckling, I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I never wanted to be a babysitter for a grown man child.
Jacq’s brow rose as she looked at Gavin, “see, no one wants the job of wrangling an adult, Gavin.”
Shaking my head no, I pushed my own glasses up and cleared my throat. “No, I, I would love to work on this project. It’s just - I never… It doesn’t matter. Yes,” I said holding my tongue as Laura looked as dumbfounded as I felt talking with Gavin. “I mean it, I want to do this show, it sounds amazing and I’ve always wanted to work with Laura.”
A smile spread across Gavin’s face. “You sure?”
“Yes,” I said sounding more confident than I actually felt.
There was a look of relief that came over Gavin’s face as he realized that I was serious about doing the project. As soon as our food arrived Laura and I ate while Gavin went over what the contract was going to look like for me, he talked about the script, work week schedule and a bit of everything that would happened with the show that I would need to know. I was excited, the set ideas and costumes and the entire book that expanded the story sounded and looked amazing but there was this voice in the back of my head telling me that I was crazy and making a mistake.
“Before we wrap everything up,” Gavin said as he paid for the meal, he slid over a piece of paper. “This will be your pay Harry,” he told me and I had to tell myself not to get wide eyes and freak out. While I’m sure that this wasn’t the top pay for my role but it was more than I had made in – well, my entire life. “I know it’s not a crazy amount, but we hope that it’s okay.”
Nodding my head I had to stop and actually tell myself how to speak. “Yes, this is fair and perfect,” I told him with a smile as I slipped that paper into my jean jacket pocket. Gavin signed for the check as they packed up their papers and talked a bit more about the project. “We will start on the 22 due to everyone’s schedule and that gives Hayley a day and a half to relax from filming and swing into the mindset of a stage musical and not a TV show.”
I nodded, that made sense. I wasn’t sure when my duties with Louis would begin but he assured me that Damien or Mark or both would contact me and I would know what to do from there. Standing up Laura went to the restroom and told me she would call me later. Jacq said that she was going to get a coffee to go and it was nice to meet me and she looked forward to working with me, so it was just Gavin and I as we headed on out of the restaurant. “I know you didn’t expect to watch a man,” Gavin told me. “Louis just needs someone to believe in him and give him a chance and he will surprise everyone,” he said. “So please know I don’t think that I’m just pawning this off on you because I don’t want to or that you are new so why not. It’s more than that, from talking with Laura I just feel that you will be the one who would reach him and kind of give him that push and shove that he needs.”
My cheeks flushed a bit with that compliment and I knew that Laura had oversold myself. “Thank you for that,” I told him. “I will do my best and thank you for giving me the chance on this project.”
Gavin smiled, he held out his hand and we shook. A deal was made.
I had a job.
One I wanted. One I felt I was going to regret in a day’s time.
But now, onto my other job where I would use that money to pay this month’s rent before it was due. I thanked Gavin again and headed to the subway to make my way to Manhattan. I slipped my headphones into my ears and put on some musical as to get into the zone to take photos and process everything that was happening.
So, I got a job offer to work on a new show that is broadway bound next year as the head of the social media and the liaison for their trial run in Chicago - H
No need to be so casual about it! OMG THAT IS AMAZING HARRY! Why didn’t you send this to me in all caps? You will send me a message about a dog or a baby in all caps but you getting your dream job - you just say it like it’s nothing - Gemma
What is the catch? There is more going on than just that - Gemma
I have to basically be a babysitter for a man child who is to play a character. He is an actor from LA named Louis Tomlinson - H
He is in those cheesy teen movies with that one actress Eloise Oliver or something…. He is like LA’s bad boy. I know this from the intern at my office she was talking about him the other day. Apparently he is ‘hot af’ whatever that means. I feel so old but I’m not that much older than these kids - Gemma
Good to know. Well I am excited, I just. There is a lot to process - H
We are both old souls so I understand, when I’m doing photos for kids in high school for senior year I have no idea what they are talking about half the time - H
Well, the invite to Rosie’s bday is out in the mail. I love Seb and I appreciate his mother but this damn birthday has turned into something that neither of us wanted for her. Just family, some cake and have dad make us his famous BBQ. Alas….. It’s not anymore. But you and Nialler will be there right? - Gemma
Duh. Why would we pass that up? Plus I miss Isadora so I’m coming for your children - H
Seems about right lol - Gemma
Are you off now? Or do you have another job? - Gemma
I have an engagement photoshoot. It is in Central Park so it will be easy and fun. Then we have dinner at Lia’s place - H
I’m about to get on the subway and I will have no reception. Love ya twin - H
Eh - Gemma
*black heart emoji* - Gemma
I shook my head at my sister as I jogged down the steps and headed on the yellow line to Manhattan. I needed to stop and get some food, the coffee was strong and I could feel it as my heart raced faster than it should. Food, then scope out some spots, I told myself as I took a seat and headed towards Manhattan.
***
When Niall and I met Cecilia we had just moved into Brooklyn, we were young and out of uni and starving. Niall was getting a bit bitchy so I had yelped a place that was close and we had stumbled upon Cecilia’s place. When we walked in I thought that Niall had died and gone to heaven when he saw all the homemade pastries and I had died when I smelt the coffee. Cecilia was our server and Niall tried to hit on her when she laughed and ignored it, but he was persistent and came back every day for five months until he wore her down and then she realized that she liked him and the rest is history.
“So, wait, you are basically an overpriced babysitter?” Cecilia asked as she set down our food and then sat down next to Niall. “But you also are doing the social media aspect right?”
I nodded as I picked up my fork and popped a sweet plantain in my mouth.
“Did you meet Hugh?” Cecilia asked, her eyes wide. “I saw he tweeted something that was hinting to the show but I won’t say anything,” she said as Niall cleared his throat. “Hey, I like the accent and the grey hair around the temple,” she said as she kissed Niall on the nose.
“I mean, even with that babysitter gig, that is two paychecks plus whatever you do with your photos. You should be golden,” Niall told me as he scooped up black beans on his fork. “I know that you keep saying that you want to put more into your savings, and now why don’t you use the babysitting money for that and then the photo money for fun stuff, and your income from the show for bills and food, and getting Nandos shipped to me from London.”
Cocking my head I narrowed my eyes at the crazy man who just smiled across from me. “I like everything except for the Nandos part,” I explained to him. “I, I feel that this is going to bite me in my arse and I don’t know why. Or it’s the anxiety of my life coming to catch up to me after a few years of being okay,” I ran my hands through my hair as my heart raced. “I am okay. No, I want this and I’m overthinking and being too much like my father.”
Niall snorted. “Sorry, it’s just. I see your dad sitting in his office trying to think of his lesson plan and doing exactly what you are doing now,” he joked with me as I kicked him under the table. “Oi! I love your dad, he is the coolest human in the world that I’ve ever met.”
“Good,” I told him with a smug smile. “I’m getting the script and contract sent over by the time I get home I would assume,” I said. “Then I can start working on ideas, but we don’t start until the 22.”
“Why?”
“That Louis guy is flying in from LA and Hayley had to finish up with Riverdale,” I explained to them. “Is it bad that I want to google this Louis guy? My sister said that he is known around the circles of the youths.”
“Youths?” Cecilia asked with an arched brow. “I can’t with you Harry,” she shook her head. “How is everything?”
“Brilliant,” I said my mouth full of food as Niall just gave her a thumbs up. The bell on the door rang, my eyes looked up and in walked Liam who was still in his work clothes so I knew that he had been stuck in traffic to make his way back to his stomping grounds. “Oi oi!” I said as he clapped his hand and slid into the booth next to me as I moved my plate with me.
“Ce,” he said as he kissed her hand. “You two really started without me?”
Niall nodded. “Mate, I was famished and I already had to wait for this one,” he pointed at me with the end of his fork. “What is with the suit?”
“I had a long meeting at work and I wanted to die,” explained Liam as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, loosened up his tie and grabbed a fork to eat. “Not to mention that Kate is freaking out over her family not replying to the wedding invites because they have to travel.”
“Aren’t they all from Boston?”
Liam nodded, his brown eyes widened as he looked as if he was crazy. “Yep. Yep. Yep.”
“Sorry,” I said as I pushed my plate over to Liam as he grabbed a plantain. “What was the meeting about?”
Liam shrugged. “First it was about the company’s finances for the upcoming quarter and then, well I’m not sure where it went from there. I zoned out and started making lists of what I needed to get done this week for the wedding to help Kate out,” he went on to say. “I feel so bad, her mum’s side is just, there are terrible, terrible people and I understand why we need to invite them but, wait,” he stopped. Turning towards me the vinyl on the booth made a squeaking noise as he did so. “You had a job interview.”
“Yes.”
“How did it go?”
I loved Liam. I appreciated the way he could be going on and on about something he was upset about or crazy excited about but then he would stop and make sure that he talks about something that had happened in his friend’s life. Most people found it annoying, I thought it was kind since he meant it, and never wanted to make anyone feel as if he didn’t care about them. Niall and I were lucky to have met him in uni when he was our suitemate.
“Good,” the word came out hesitant as his head cocked and he narrowed his eyes, his brown caterpillar looking brows. “Stop, it did. I was amazing and I’m excited and thrilled to... what?”
“Lies,” Cecilia said as Niall snickered and I flicked him off as Liam blew me a kiss. “Harry, you aren’t sure what you think about a new job. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make this restaurant. I know that Niall wasn’t sure if he would be able to get this promotion. We all aren’t sure of the unknown but you, this is what you need in your life. You have done so much to get here and you deserve it.”
Liam wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “We are all here to support you Har. We love you like a brother and you need to go for this, you need to have faith in yourself. If you are a babysitter for a man child actor who has hit his peak at 22.”
“Thanks Li,” I said elbowing him in the side. “Anyway, how is wedding planning going?” I asked as he looked at me as I tried to avoid the topic. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said.
We all enjoyed our food and talked about what was going on. Cecilia went back to work and brought back some coffee and dessert. Once we finished I headed back home, Niall stayed to help Cecilia close up. Liam grabbed an Uber back and had some food to bring to Katelyn as well. When I got home, I looked in the mailbox and saw a package from Gavin and I was thrilled to sign and to read over the script, and draw ideas and be able to get ideas.
“You have this Harry,” I told myself as my shoes walked over the pavement and I made my way home. “You got this Harry,” I said to myself to try and convince myself that I do have this.
***
“Mail!” I heard Niall call out as I lifted my head from my desk and saw that I had passed out editing photos. Flipping my phone over I checked the time and I wasn’t sure when I passed out but it was 2 pm when I woke up.
Shit.
Pushing myself up from the desk I headed out of my room and down to see what had come for me. My heart raced as I saw the envelope from Gavin. It was my contract. It was the script. It was my future in that small manila envelope.
“Is this the contract?” Niall asked me as I took it from his hands and nodded. My bare feet moved over the wood floors as I sat down at the kitchen table and tore the envelope open, and pulled everything out. There in black and white ink was the contract. My eyes began to read the words as I read over my duties, what was expected of me, what I could and couldn’t do. I was fine with it all as my eyes read down I saw where I was supposed to sign. “Here,” Niall said as he stood next to me with a pen in his hand. I looked up and took a deep breath in, my fingers took the pen from his hand and I looked down at the paper.
“Am I doing the right thing?” I asked him not looking up but knowing that he was going to say yes. “I am, I am doing the right thing, right?”
“Yes, now sign the dam-” Niall was cut off as my mobile went off. It was a number that I didn't know but it was an LA area code. “Damn papers,” he whispered as I looked at the phone and held my hand up so he wouldn’t stop talking so I could actually listen to whoever was calling me.
“Hello,” I said figuring that it was either going to be Louis or his agent.
“Mr. Styles?”
“Speaking,” I told him.
“Damien,” he told me. “I wanted to call to and go over the contract with Mr. Tomlinson.”
“Yes, that sounds brilliant,” I said as I took the pen in my hand and signed the contract with Gavin as I waited for Damien to talk to me. “What would you like to go over?” I asked him sliding the contract in the spare envelope that Gavin had sent and sealed it up to send it off to him.
“So, the contract will spell everything out for you, but you will need to make sure that his home is always filled with food, he has a way to and from everywhere that he needs to go, and that his name stays in the limelight.”
My head dropped as I pinched the bridge of my nose as Damien spoke to me. I know that Gavin had told me what he was going to say. I wasn’t stupid, I knew that I just needed to give vague replies to what he says, read the contract and talk it over with Gavin.
“He will arrive on the 20th. He will need to be picked up when he lands, his bags will need to be grabbed. Take him to his new apartment. The address is in the email and there is a package with keys and his special objects that you will need to hold until he arrives.
Huh? I thought to myself.
“You will be paid via Mark. If anything in the contract is broken or ignored then you won’t get paid .”
“Okay,” I said as I trailed off confused at how descriptive but elusive Damien was being about what was in the contract that I’m sure would sell my soul to the devil.
“Check your email in the next few hours. Pleasure talking to you,” Damien said as the phone went silent.
“Okay...” I said as there was a click on the other end and a dial tone. Setting my phone down on the table I felt like I had been punched in the gut and needed to catch my breath.
Niall cocked his head. “Interesting conversation?”
I looked at the contract and then up at Niall, “I’m fucked.”