Almost Famous |h.s|

Desolation: "anguished misery or loneliness"

Looking back...I should have known better. I should have done many things differently and for that, I will always have regret. I can't say specifically what it was that could have prevented the events of July 13th from happening but...I wish that I could have done it all different anyways. Nothing could have prepared me for that night.

Nothing. 

July 13, 2018

7:30pm

The stadium in The Forum was packed full. Rumors of being sold out had Harry glowing with excitement and I couldn't have been happier for him. He was finally at the end of a huge tour and you got the sense from everyone that while they were happy to get some free time, this was still bittersweet. Harry, Mitch, Sarah, and the rest of the band were huddled around each other, arms slung over each other's backs as they heard the crowd roaring with anticipation. They broke apart cheering to one another and Harry's jade eyes found mine across the dark expanse of  the backstage area. He jogged over to me and surprised me with a fast kiss to my cheek.

"One more day and I can finally take you on a date." He winked at me, his toothy grin causing a dimple to appear and I couldn't help but giggle at his good mood.

"Oh you mean, one more day until you can kiss me properly right?" I teased and his green eyes dipped down to my lips, his pink tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip.

"Yes...that too." He said lowly, hungrily, and I felt a shiver run up my spine. He could still make me quiver, even a month and a half later. 

"You better get going! You're on in like five minutes!" I swatted at his emerald green jacket, which look unbelievable on him, and he let out a small laugh.

"As you wish Miss Kline." He poked me in the rib cage with his index finger before jogging off back to the stairs that led to the stage. I felt the giddiness he had rubbed off on me start to slip into the depths of my mind as the guilt replaced it suddenly. I still hadn't had a chance to tell Harry about the part I had played in his personal life going public. There hadn't been time. 

Since that night in Sacramento, he had been busy with promotional things for this two night stint in Inglewood. I couldn't get him away for two minutes and when he was on the bus, he was writing and playing music with the band. I didn't want to distract him and become a burden for him when he was finally looking happy again. The news cycle had died down on him, someone else's misfortunes becoming the new headlines and therefore he was getting sufficient sleep and he seemed okay. I didn't want to mess that up for him especially when this was all coming to an end anyways. I could tell him tomorrow once everything was said and done. I'd send this article in, get a full time job, tell Harry what had happened and I'd finally be able to be in a healthy relationship. I was actually feeling pretty good about everything, but the guilt was still weighing down heavily, just not as bad as before. 

8:50pm

I was out in the VIP area, recording every single detail of Harry's performance. He was running around stage more so than he had at any other show and I couldn't help but smile the whole time. He was shining brightly and I was so incredibly proud of how far he had come even in the short amount of time I'd known him. I was writing some notes down about his interaction with the crowd when I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, my stomach dropped.

"Rue! Busy working I see!" 

Sinclair.

"What....what are you doing here?" I blurted out, hoping I didn't sound rude but I was in a state of shock. Why the fuck was he here?