How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 28

                 

The second day of the Berlin trip was for interviews and promotions. The arrangement was routine; the boys stayed in single location and different interviewers from radio stations, television stations, magazines, and newspapers would each be entitled to a maximum of twenty-five minutes with the boys.

Ruby and I were responsible for approving the questions for any interviews that were to be live streamed on social media sites like YouTube or Twitter. Management was very strict about the sorts of questions the boys could be asked and we had to make sure no inappropriate questions would be brought up during a live stream. Additionally, we supervised the interviews.

Harry was still ill, but was in much better spirits. Singing had made his voice even raspier than usual and he strained to be able to speak for a long period of time. Henry asked Harry countless times if he would prefer to rest instead of do the interviews, but Harry insisted. He didn't want to let the fans down.

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Our flight back to London was scheduled for that evening. After the interviews were over, we went back to the hotel to gather our belongings before we could drive to the airport. By the time we were ready to leave, an impenetrable force of fans had gathered outside the hotel. The screaming was perfectly audible even within the confines of the hotel lobby.

"Security is establishing a barrier," Henry explained. "Boys, you'll leave first. We don't have much time, but walk nice and slow and wave hello to fans. No time for photos. The rest of us will follow. There are three SUVs ready for everyone. We're just waiting for security."

I leaned against Harry as he took my hand. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and whispered, "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I nodded. It wasn't the whole truth; I had an uneasy feeling I couldn't quite explain, but I didn't want to bring it up. "Are you feeling any better?"

Harry cleared his throat, "Getting there."

A security guard opened the doors and nodded to the group, indicating we were able to walk to the cars now. Harry gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go. We wouldn't be able to walk in front of the fans together. The walkway security had established was very narrow. There wasn't much room for two people to walk side by side. I followed after Harry as he walked slowly. He greeted fans kindly with a smile and a wave. Liam, Louis, and Niall preceded him down the path each doing the same.

I couldn't get rid of the nervous feeling I had. Fans and photographers were still a source of anxiety for me. It was strange to me that the boys could be so immune to the invasive crowds. It was the hardest thing for me to try to get used to. I hoped one day I wouldn't be so shaken by the attention.

Outstretched arms attempted to touch the boys as they passed by. My eye caught a sign that was being held by a girl in the distance. The sign had the faces of the band and was decorated with hearts and glitter. I walked without really paying attention to anything but the sign.

It all happened quickly. I felt something close around my upper arm. It was painfully tight and forceful. I turned to look and saw a hand was gripping me. The hand pulled me and I stumbled backward, narrowly keeping my balance. I couldn't even bring myself to call out to anyone. The hand tightened around me and fingers were digging into my arm. Suddenly, I heard a voice speaking in my ear. It was harsh and heavily accented, but the words were clear, "You are pathetic if you think you belong with someone like Harry."

Panic set in as I was being pulled against the buzzing crowd. My hips met the temporary metal barriers that had been placed to protect the band and separate them from the crowd. The person was still holding onto me. The grasp was powerful and I could feel my pulse increase as I grew more afraid.