“Harry, I will throw your phone out the window if you don’t answer it!” I groan as I shake the sleeping boy awake. It has been going off for a good five minutes now, and he hasn’t even flinched! Damn, he’s a heavy sleeper.

He slowly sits up and rubs the sleep from his eyes before he grabs his phone off the table and calls whoever woke me up from my peaceful rest.

“What the hell do you want, Lou?” He says and I lay back down.

“Yeah, we’ll come, now let me sleep” He says and hangs up the phone. Oh gosh, where has he volunteered us to go?

“Where are we going?” I ask and pull him back down to snuggle with me.

“Louis’ house tonight. He wants to have everyone over before we go back”

Oh good! I’ve been wanting to hang out with them since the last time we did. I nod and cuddle into his side before we drift back into a much needed slumber. We stayed up late last night watching crap television and enjoying each other’s company.

---

“I can’t believe you are already leaving! I wish we could have seen each other more!” I am greeted by Eleanor when we get to Louis’ humble abode.

“I know!” I agree and hug them all. We all head downstairs and pile on the couches.

“So how was your Christmas?” Liam sweetly asks while Harry, Niall, Louis and Zayn team up to play pool and the girls gossip about something that happened at their school.

“It was really, really good” I smile and grab the heart pendant on my chest between my fingers, remembering the wonderful day.

“How was yours?”

“It was pretty low key, Danielle came over and we had dinner with my family. But it was nice”

“That’s good!”

It seems like an hour before the boys finish their game and come join us again. Liam and I chatted about my family, California, his family, and England. It was quite nice talking to him. I would say I have become pretty close to him in this short time here. He’s kind and really made an effort to make me feel welcome—not that the other boys haven’t, he is just such a gentleman—and he makes me laugh. Such a nice guy.

We put in a movie, but end up talking to each other more than watching it. The topic of conversation ranges from school to the weirdest places we’ve had sex. I love how they’re all so close and can just discuss that! I learned some very interesting things about Harry’s friends this week, that’s for sure!

---

“Well, I guess we’ll see ya soon, mate” Niall says somberly to Harry as we decide it’s time to go. We are catching the red eye tonight, and we promised we’d save some time to hang out
with gran before going to the airport.

The rest of the boys hug Harry and I’m bid farewell by the girls. I can’t help but feel a little sad. I know I’ve not known them for long, but they honestly feel like some of my closest friends.

“I’m glad you brought Aubrey, Harry, bring her next time!” Perrie says as we walk down the sidewalk to the car.

“Bye guys!” Harry throws over his shoulder before we get in to the black vehicle.

“Are you sad?” I ask Harry when he’s quiet as he hits the road.

“Not sad, I just wish I didn’t have to always say bye to them” He answers honestly. I rest my hand on his thigh and shoot him an apologetic smile.

“I’m glad you brought me, too, thank you”

“Sorry my family is dysfunctional” He laughs before looking at me when we stop at the light. “But thank you for coming, Aubs. I had a really great time”

“Me too, I don’t want to go home” I admit and he smiles.

“Maybe we should just move here” He sends me a teasing smile and we both giggle. Oh how I wish. If only my family, friends and dream school weren’t located in another country.

“I am so tired” The first thing he does when we get up to his bedroom is fall back on the mattress.

“Same here” I let out a sigh and do the same. “I should probably call my parents though”

“Alright, I think I’m going to have a shower, feel free to join when you’re done”

I roll my eyes and take my phone from my purse as he heads to the bathroom.

When I dial my mom’s number, the phone rings five times before rolling to voicemail, and does the same when I call my dad. Ugh, I just want to talk to them! I know I already live on the opposite end of the country as them, but being here makes me feel even further away. I text my mom to see what they’re doing and see the message from Ethan that I never responded to. Oh yeah, he said he was going to call me but never did? I’ll call him now, maybe it was important.

The phone goes to voicemail and I hang up. Damn, what is it? Ignore Aubrey’s calls day? It’s only evening in the U.S..

My question is answered when my phone vibrates on my stomach and I pick it back up to see Ethan calling me again.

“Sorry I just got out of the shower, what’s up?” He answers.

“That’s alright, I uh, you just said you were going to call me the other day, but I saw that you hadn’t”

I sound so desperate, why the hell did I call him?

“Oh, I just didn’t want to bother you, I figured you were busy when you didn’t text back”

“Well I’m not now, what did you need?”

He takes a few seconds to respond.

“My mom just wanted to know if you wanted to come over and have dinner with us sometime.” He nervously laughs. “If that’s weird, you don’t have to, she just said she was happy to see you before you left and wants to catch up”

What.

“Oh, umm—“

“Yeah I knew it was a bad idea, but she practically threatened me to ask you” We both laugh over the phone.

“No, I just… Harry..”

Why am I stuttering?

“I figured, it’s fine, I just promised her I’d ask”

“I’ll come” I blurt out. Shit, why did I say that? I mentally ask myself before my self conscience answers for me: It’s not only with Ethan, but his parents, who I did become close with as well. Harry will understand.

“Really?”

“Well, if your mother really wants to?”

“Yeah, she’ll be really excited..” He says nonchalantly.

“Alright, just text me the details? I’m coming home tomorrow, so maybe Saturday or Sunday?”

“Okay, I’ll let her know. Sorry if this is weird” He laughs again. “You know how she is though,
Aubrey”

Yes I do, and he’s right. That woman is very persistent, but I do love her and wouldn’t mind indulging in one of her delicious meals for a few hours even if my ex is there.

“Yeah, Erica is relentless!” I laugh. “See you soon Ethan”

“Goodnight Aubrey”

I hang up and plug my phone into the charger. Maybe I will take Harry up on his offer… A shower sounds pleasant, and it may soften the blow when I tell him about my dinner plans with the Tuckers.

---

“Welcome to Los Angeles” A large sign reads in the airport. We are finally home. I smile and take Harry’s hand as we walk through the terminal and outside to the car waiting to take us home. Harry’s informed me that Ryan is having a “get together” tonight in honor of our return. Let’s be honest, it’s his excuse to party, but I don’t mind. I’ve missed everyone here and I can’t wait to see them.

The driver drops me off at my house, and takes Harry to his so we can each unpack and get ready for tonight. Man this jet lag is already throwing me off.

I shower and change into some skinny jeans and a new top I acquired in London. Sophie will die when she hears about the shopping there… Soon enough Harry has made his way back to my house in his sexy tight jeans and white t shirt, and we are headed to Ryan’s.

Fuck. What if Ethan’s there? …I never told Harry about the dinner. The color drains from my face.

“Aubrey? You look like you’ve seen a ghost… Talk to me” How does he always know when something is on my mind!

“I’m having dinner with the Tucker’s tomorrow” I spit out, hoping my honesty will save me.

“Uh, like Ethan Tucker?”

“Yeah, but before you get mad, it was his mother’s idea. I told you we got very close when Ethan and I dated, and she just wants to catch up.”

His runs his hands through his hair and I tense up, waiting for him to yell, but he does the opposite. He takes a deep breath and speaks calmly.

“Do you want me to drive you there?”

“Did you hear me correctly?” I smile with confusion, what is happening?

“Yes, Aubrey, do you need a ride there?”

“Why aren’t you yelling at me?”

“Believe me, I want to, but I’m trying to be better about him, remember Aubs. I trust you, and if it’s with his family…”

“…So you’re not mad?”

“No, you should’ve told me earlier though/”

“I know, sorry”

I knit my eyebrows together as we pull up to Ryan’s house.

“Harry..” I know he’s mad at me, he has to be? “I won’t go if you don’t want me to, it’s just Erica has been like a mother to me” I say on our way to the house.

“No, it’s fine. Baby, I’m not mad, I just… I just wish he wasn’t apart of your life. But he is and I understand, don’t worry”

“Promise?”

“Pinky.” He chuckles.

“Do you still love me?” I tease.

“Ehh, you’re alright?”

“Oh shut up!” I push him as we walk up to the door.

He takes me by surprise and pulls me to his chest.

“I love you, Aubrey, you know that, right?” His eyes are intensly staring into mine. Woah.


Harry’s POV

“Of course I do” She brushes her soft thumb across my cheek as I force her against me. “Harry?” She asks as I remain silent, looking into her eyes.

I can’t lose her.

I had to use every fiber of my being to not get angry when that fucker’s name left her mouth. I hate Ethan. But I love her, I trust her.

I know it’s just dinner, and it’s with his parents as well, so he can’t pull any of his petty shit on her. She wanted me to stay on good terms with him, so I need to let her go to show her I’m trying. It's not her fault he's a dick, so I can't take it out on her like I did in the past.

“Let’s head in, yeah?” I release my grip from her waist as my brain stops going crazy. It will be alright, I tell myself.

She kisses my cheek, and I take that as her way of thanking me. She knows how I feel about him.

Notes

Sorry if this is terrible... I have so much homework! And it's only the second day of school! haha, I guess that's to be expected senior year of high school.

However, I hope you all enjoy this and you don't have as much homework as I do! haha!

Please comment! I would like to know what you guys think so far :)