The rest of my week with Harry was spent lounging in my bed, watching movies and Skyping James when Harry fell asleep. “You don’t mind him being here, do you?” I asked after the second night of Harry falling asleep in my bed. It was only noon but Harry had passed out again after only being up for an hour. So much for not being able to sleep as much.

"I’d be an idiot if I said it didn’t bother me, but even if I didn’t trust Harry, I trust you. I just wish it was me instead." He smiled softly. He paused a moment, looking uncertain, like he wanted to ask me something but wasn’t sure how. "Can you do me a favour though? Next time Harry’s awake for more than ten minutes, can you guys Skype me? I have a few questions for him, if he doesn’t mind that is…" I hoped that the smile I shot him eased his worries. James wasn’t a nervous person, but he’d been nervous to ask me and I didn’t want him to be.

"I’m sure he’ll be fine with it, I mean his management might not, but I am sure he will. I’m guessing it’s for class?" I questioned. I couldn’t imagine why else James would have any questions for Harry.

"Yeah, basically the teacher will be the only one to see it anyway. They’re not even personal questions, more like practical questions about what he actually does and what it’s like being on tour."

I kept my word, and when Harry woke up he Skyped James and gave him the answers he needed. By the time they’d done it was nearly two in the afternoon and Hannah was going to be here soon.

On Monday night I’d got a text from Hannah letting me know she’s be here Wednesday between six and seven, and I’d been nervous ever since.

"Why is she coming?" Harry asked as he munched on a bowl of cereal.

"I don’t really know. She just said she had something to ask me in person, so I said it was okay." I shrugged. It had been playing on my mind since she had asked me, but I’d tried to put it out of my head. What could she have to ask me that I wasn’t going to like?

"Are we planning on doing anything when she gets here?" Harry groaned. He was still in the same pair of sweats from the day before and he was beginning to stink. At least it proved he was still a teenage boy. He didn’t look like he planned on moving unless I made him.

"I don’t know Harry. We live in the middle of nowhere, there isn’t really much to do here. Now go shower while I make these damn cupcakes!" I sighed. There was flour everywhere and I wasn’t sure how it was even possible.

"Chill! Why are you baking her cupcakes?" He laughed.

"Harry, you really aren’t helping me! Please just go for a shower? And I’m baking her cupcakes because I want to bake her cupcakes!" I stressed. Harry looked at me like I’d gone crazy, but without another word he went to go for a shower. It was nearly five which meant I had just over an hour before she got here. She’d called me just before she left to let me know that assuming that the traffic was light she’d be here in three hours, and that was two hours ago.

I finished with the cupcake mixture and put it in the oven. Harry still hadn’t returned from his shower and I took that as a good thing, it meant he was actually washing.

I tidied the kitchen meticulously, making sure every surface and appliance was spotless.

"Jesus Christ Amelia! I’ve only been gone half an hour!" Harry gasped as he walked into the kitchen. "Why are you on the floor?" He asked, puzzled.

"I need to get this mark off the floor!" I growled.

"Are you trying to date Hannah?" He laughed, only stressing me more.

"What?"

"Well, are you trying to impress her or something? I don’t think she’s going to care that much." He slurred. Why did he talk so slowly? It was annoying. I thought to myself.

"You live to annoy me, don’t you?" I snapped. I wasn’t even really that annoyed, but for some reason I couldn’t help myself, and I honestly couldn’t tell you why I cared so much about the kitchen being tidy or the cupcakes being perfect. It wasn’t like me in the slightest. I was a slob.
"I think she already likes you, you know…I mean, she’s put up with you thus far." he smirked as he pulled me up off the floor. "You’re being kinda ridiculous. She really isn’t going to care about a scuff mark on the kitchen floor."

"You don’t know that!" I barked.

"Amelia, seriously, what has gotten into you?" He frowned, looking me in the eyes.

"Nothing. I don’t know. I’m stressed!" I shrugged away from him. Checking on the cupcakes. They were nearly done, a few more minutes and they’d be golden on top and ready to take out.

“Why are you stressed?” I didn’t really know…I mean I was anxious about what she had to talk to me about. Who wouldn’t be?

"She wants to talk to me about something and she didn’t say what, and it’s stressing me out!" I admitted.

"You’re an idiot. The girl wouldn’t travel all this way, agreeing to stay here for a week, to give you bad news or ask you something you aren’t going to like." He reasoned as he picked at the fruit. Did he ever stop eating?

I sighed, logically I knew he was right, but I couldn’t let go of that part of me that said I wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “Why do you even care? You’ve known this girl for like a week.” Yet again I knew he was right, but there had been something about her, and I wanted her to like me. I needed more friends.

I was about to make a comment when the oven dinged, letting me know the cupcakes were ready. I’d decided on something simple and gone for lemon drizzle cupcakes, because who didn’t like them? They were simple and refreshing, and I could at least trick myself into believing they were somewhat healthy.

Harry simply rolled his eyes at my lack of reply and took a seat at the dining table. “Are you not going to go home at any point?” I asked.

"Do you want me to go home?” he asked, avoiding my question.

"Of course I don’t! I love you being here, but don’t you want to see your mum?" He’d popped home briefly yesterday, but he’d only been gone an hour when he came back. I’d expected him to be a lot longer.

"I’ll go home when Hannah gets here. I’ll leave you two to talk." I bit back my response. He needed to go home, I just wish he wouldn’t choose the one time I needed him with me.

"Okay, are you coming back?" I asked as I handed him the cup of tea I’d made for him, without even realising I’d done it.

"Yeah, mum will drive me nuts otherwise." He smirked. He could try and deny it all he liked, but he loved when his mum smothered him and mothered him. He missed it on tour. So did Anne, which was why Gemma and I ended up with the brunt of it, and I wasn’t even her daughter.
I sat with Harry a while longer, sipping on our tea’s and flicking through months old magazines that my dad had yet to throw away. I was just about to make another cup when the doorbell rang. I felt my stomach flip. She was here.

"I’ll take that as my leave. Come on, I’ll walk you to the door." Harry said as he pulled me towards the front door.

I opened it to find a very anxious looking Hannah stood there. Her hair flapping in her face as she fiddled with her hands and gnawing on her lip. She was just as nervous as I was.

"Hey!" I beamed, a sudden wave of calm washing over me. "You want to come in?" I offered, stepping aside.

"I’m just leaving. It’s nice to see you again, Hannah!" Harry smiled as he stepped out the door, jogging towards his car that was still parked in my drive.

"Is he leaving because of me?" Hannah asked, slightly shocked.

"No! He’ll be back in a bit, he just has to go and see his mum." I smiled, showing her into the living room.

"He’s been here the whole time?" She asked, a smirk playing on the corner of her mouth. I chose to ignore it.

"What was it you had to ask me anyway?" I said, changing the subject.

"Well, I was wondering…see…my parents…they have a flat up in Dundee, and I was wondering…if…you know, maybe you wanted to share it with me?" She muttered the last bit so low I almost couldn’t hear it.

"Did you just ask me if I wanted to live with you?" I smirked. Had I been working myself up over that?

"Well, you don’t HAVE to, I just thought I’d ask. I mean the rent wouldn’t be anything more than to cover utilities and food bill. They own it so no rent needed, and yeah. Please don’t feel like you can’t say no!" She babbled which only caused me to laugh.

"Hannah! Calm down! I’m actually really glad you asked because so far I have nowhere sorted! I’d love to move in with you." I smiled.

"Are you sure?" She breathed a sigh of relief. I laughed lightly, she looked so relived.

“Of course! Did you think I’d say no?”

She shrugged, “I mean, I don’t know! Why would you say yes? You hardly know me, and you’re friends with One Direction.” I stared at her incredulously.

“Seriously? Okay, I mean yeah, I barely know you, but at the same time, you’re like the only person other than James and the boys that I talk to! As for being friends with the boys, that isn’t going to make a difference as to where I live while I’m at uni!” I scowled, I wasn’t angry, just confused as to why she would think it would really matter.

“Yeah, I guess. Thank you anyway!” She grinned, relaxing. “Oh cupcakes!” she squealed as she grabbed one, shoving it in her face. I laughed. I was glad she was feeling comfortable and making herself at home. The fact she made herself so at ease around me made it hard for me not to be the same with her, and I hoped that meant that living with her would be the same. Spending a week with her was probably going to be the best way to find out though. I could always change my mind at the end of the week if things weren’t working out.

Hannah and I sat and talked in my kitchen until Harry returned three hours later, looking slightly dishevelled and running his hands through his hair, tugging at it. “What’s wrong?” I asked as he sat down, grabbing a cupcake as he did so.

“What’s right?” he huffed. “My mother, I mean I love her, but she stresses me out so much! We had an argument and it was over the stupidest thing, but she just never listens! Oh, and I got a call from my management and they aren’t happy with me, and I’m not sure what I’ve even done wrong!” he was talking with his mouthful and it took everything I had not to reach over and smack him. He was already in a bad mood, he didn’t need me to add to it.

“What did you argue about?” Hannah asked, as she stared at him intently.

“The fact I don’t have a girlfriend.” He rolled his eyes. Anne just wanted him to be happy, and Harry was always happier when he had a girl in his life. Unless her name was Taylor Swift, in which case he was miserable and stressed all the time. It wasn’t even really Taylor herself, from what I gathered. Gemma had told me they both knew it was a publicity stunt, and everything that happened after had been too, but the whole idea of pretending to date someone had completely stressed him out, and he hated the shit she got because of it even more. He’d been the one to call an end to it, everyone who knew him had been glad. He was happier without her. I didn’t know if they still spoke but I knew he didn’t have anything against her. Louis on the other hand could not stand her.

“Why does she care so much?” I asked, knowing the answer really. I just wanted to know what Harry thought. I was sure he thought she was just meddling, and in a way she was but she was doing it because she cared about his happiness, not because she cared about what she wanted.

“She just likes to meddle! She can’t understand that I’m just happy being single.” I could tell from the look on his face that he was keeping something from me, and judging by the look Hannah shot me, she could tell too. I thought about pushing it, but thought again. If he wanted me to know he’d tell me. Since we’d started talking again he rarely kept things from me, but when he did he always had a reason behind it, and I didn’t want to push that.

“What about management?” Hannah asked. I wanted to lean over and smack her this time. Did she have no manners? If he wanted to talk about it he would. The fact he was opening up with her there made me feel positive though, Harry was a very good judge of character, he had to be, so if he was okay talking in front of her it meant I could probably trust her.

“Pretty much the same thing. They think that the gay rumours are getting too much and that I should be seen with another girl, they’re trying to set me up with Kendell Jenner. I’ve told them no. I mean, I’m seen with girls enough. Amelia and I get pictured together all the time, but the fans don’t want us to be more than friends and ignore it! Yet when I get seen with some celebrity, or Louis, instantly I must be dating them! THEN they complain that none of us date normal girls. I mean I’m not being funny, but Sophia is hardly famous and nor was Louis ex, El was a fucking uni student, how much more normal do you get than that? Nothing is ever good enough for any of them!” he ranted. Hannah and I both stared at him wide eyed. “I’m sorry, they just frustrate me sometimes, because nothing I ever do is good enough.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes. I knew he’d been looking stressed and ill, but I’d not seen him look this bad. Despite the fact he’d showered only a few hours ago his hair and skin were greasy again, and his face was grey. He wasn’t looking good, and he only had a couple more days before he went away again. I was beginning to get seriously worried about him.

“Tell you what, why don’t we turn the lounge into a den and watch movies today?” I offered.

“I need a drink.” Harry smirked.

“Okay, well why don’t we turn the longue into a den and then tonight we can all go to the pub. It’s a Wednesday so it won’t be too busy, but it’ll be fun.” I offered. I couldn’t deny I needed a drink too, and getting drunk with Harry could prove to be a lot of fun.

“Slight problem,” Hannah interjected. “I am only seventeen!”

“Johnny still owns the place right?” Harry asked.

“Of course he does. He’d never give that place up.” I replied, “You’re fine Hannah. He won’t care.” I shrugged. Johnny had been serving Harry and I since we were both fifteen. He’d known us both since we were kids. He also didn’t care about serving people underage, not really, not if he knew you.

So we did exactly that, spent the next few hours watching Ferris Bueller before we all went to get ready to go out. It was nearing ten by the time we actually went out, which wasn’t unusual. Nothing interesting happened until that time anyway. Harry offered to drive us down, and then he could pick the car up in the morning, but Hannah and I both decided it was pointless. It was only a ten minute walk into town from mine, not far at all, and neither of us were wearing stupid heels like Gemma or Jen would have.

When we arrived at the pub it was mostly filled with the regulars, but there were a few people that I didn’t recognise, most were closer to our age, but there was a group of adults in suits sat in the corner that neither I or Harry recognised. Which was odd for around here if I were honest, it’s not like there was much business here, or even really anywhere to stay, but I ignored it and turned my attention back to Hannah and Harry.

"What does everyone want?" I asked as I propped myself up against the bar. I could tell Harry was about to argue with me, but I shot him a look that told him not to dare and he backed off.

"I’ll have a vodka and coke." Hannah smiled, before checking her phone nervously.

"JD and coke." Harry shrugged.

The bar tender was someone I didn’t know. She was skinny and blonde and tall, but that was because she was wearing the most ridiculous heels I’d ever seen. How she was still able to stand was beyond me. I worked in a bar in my spare time and I’d quickly learned you only wear heels if you’re an idiot. “I.D, please?” she didn’t even smile. What kind of bartender doesn’t smile?

"Do I actually need any?" I laughed. I’d never needed I.D in this place. I hadn’t bothered to bring any with me for that reason.

"Well, duh. How am I supposed to know you’re over 18 otherwise?" She snapped. "I mean I can serve him, everyone knows how old he is, but how am I supposed to know you’re legal?" I rolled my eyes. This was ridiculous.

"Is Johnny here?" I asked, ignoring her.

She shrugged, “I don’t know. Now if you don’t mind I have actual customers to serve.” She smirked before making her way to the opposite end of the bar.

"Wow, he is just hiring anyone these days isn’t he?" Harry laughed before pulling out his phone to drop Johnny a text. "Why don’t you two go and sit down and I’ll wait for Johnny." He offered, motioning us towards the free table in the corner.

I was too frustrated to bother protesting, and Hannah followed me over to the table. “Do you want to meet my sister?” I offered, realising I hadn’t seen her since I’d been back.

"I don’t mind." Hannah smiled. She looked nervous and I didn’t know why.

I hesitated, if she was worried she’d tell me, right? I realised I was being stupid though, of course she wouldn’t. “Are you okay?” I asked.

"I’m fine." She lied. I didn’t say anything, just gave her a look that let her know I didn’t believe her. She didn’t say anything for a minute, but soon the silence between us became too uncomfortable and she sighed, "I just never expect anything like this to happen to me. When I started working at longleat I thought that I’d be helping animals and making children happy. I never imagined I’d be sat in a pub with one fifth of the world’s most famous boy band, and moving in with his best friend, it’s all just slightly daunting. It’s not bad, just unexpected and I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to deal with it, especially not if I get even a fraction of the attention you get." She sighed, finally admitting the truth. "I’m slightly star struck too." She laughed, a blush creeping up her face.

I didn’t really know what to say to that, I mean, I’d never really expected Harry to become one fifth of the world’s most famous pop band…I mean he always used to tell me he’d be famous.

"I’m going to be a rockstar!" Eight year old Harry beamed at me, as we sat in his back garden. He was playing the guitar my dad had got him for his birthday. He sang along to ‘Minority’ by Green Day, and I joined in completely out of tune, banging on the upturned flower pots as if they were drums.

"We could start a band and tour the world!" he beamed. I laughed, we weren’t going to be famous. Harry was silly. What was he thinking? We were going to grow up and get real jobs, that’s what my mummy told me. I was going to be a teacher and Harry, well I didn’t know what Harry was going to do, but he’d figure something out. Maybe he’d be a doctor, or a bank man.

"You’re so silly, Harry." I laughed, but he ignored me and continued to strum the guitar he didn’t know how to play and I continued to bang on my make shift drum set.

I should have realised sooner that Harry would make it, I didn’t doubt his talent, never. I just didn’t know if he had it in him to make it in the industry. I should have realised sooner that of course he did.

"I understand what you mean, I mean I never thought he’d be famous, and it kinda came as a shock to me when he walked back into my life and drew me into the firing line, but it’s really not that bad. I thought it would be worse than it is, but it’s really okay. Yeah there are times when they get to me, but for the most part it’s not too bad. Please don’t be star stuck over him, his ego is big enough, and spend enough time with him and you realise he is no different than any other boy his age, he’s still a massive slob." I joked. Well, kind of, because he really could be a slob.

"I know, it’s just not how I envisioned my life you know?" She sighed as she played with her hands under the table.

I just shrugged, “I don’t think its how he did either, and it’s certainly not how I pictured mine. You’ll get used to it.”

She nodded in agreement and we began to talk about other things instead. A few minutes later Harry returned with our drinks. “How did you manage that?” I asked as I took a sip from my JD and coke.

"Called Johnny and he told her to stop being an idiot and serve us basically." He laughed. "What have you ladies been discussing?" He drawled.

"Oh, not much. Just girl stuff, you know, like how we’re going to decorate the flat." I lied.

"I have a really good interior designer, I can give you her number if you want?" He offered, I was about to tell him it wasn’t necessary but Hannah interrupted me.

"I’m studying interior design." She smirked, "You can still give me her number though, could be useful to get some work experience." She shrugged, taking a long sip of her drink. Dutch courage.

"Seriously? That’s so cool! Yeah, I’ll contact her and let her know! I’m sure she would be willing to take you on." I couldn’t help but smile at Harry’s genuine enthusiasm and kindness.
The night continued slowly till nearly half eleven when the other pubs in the town shut, and the staff made their way here. We were about to call it quits when the door chimed and in walked Jenna and Ben.

"You didn't tell me you were here!" She squealed as she pulled me into a hug.

"I was actually going to see if you wanted to come out tonight but we were about to go home so I didn’t see the point." I shrugged, pulling away to give Ben a hug too.

"How long have you been in town?" She asked.

"Since Monday." I admitted sheepishly as I watched her face fall.

"Why haven’t you come to see me, and why hasn’t dad mentioned anything?" She asked as she gave Harry a hug hello. Ben was the only one who had bothered to introduce himself to Hannah, he was the polite one after all.

"Harry’s been staying with me. I haven’t actually left the house, and dads been really busy at work. He’s barely been home. This is Hannah by the way, my new roommate." One of the men in suits got up from his table and made his way over to this side of the bar, he was on his phone, but he wasn’t talking. I wasn’t sure why I noticed, but something about it struck me as odd. I felt a shiver run up my spine as he brushed passed me, I didn’t say anything and neither did he. He just stood by the door, his phone to his ear, still not talking.

"Oh I’m sorry! I’m Jenna, Amelia’s sister, though sometimes I think she forgets that." She sniped as she introduced herself. "Seriously though, you two couldn’t drag yourself away from…what were you even doing that meant you couldn’t come see me?" She huffed as Ben went to order their drinks.

"Nothing. Lying in her bed watching movies." Harry shrugged, ignoring Jenna’s mini outburst and turning to talk to Hannah who had begun to look more uncomfortable than I ever thought possible. The man in the suit turned around leaving to go back to his table. I found them to be very odd, none of them were really drinking and only minimal conversation passed between them. It struck me that they might be here for a funeral and I suddenly felt guilty. Of course they’d be acting weird if they were grieving.

I realised I’d been so engrossed in the people in suits that I hadn’t replied to Jen. “Harry hasn’t got dressed in three days! He wouldn’t leave the house!” I protested, trying to shift the blame but knowing it wouldn’t work. Not only did the fans think that the sun shone out of Harry’s arse, so did my sister.

"Oh no! You are not children anymore! You cannot blame Harry for everything and get away with it!" She huffed, and Harry stuck his tongue out at me like the annoyingly smug child he was.

"I shall come and see you tomorrow!" I promised, knowing it was too late.

"You better." She sighed, dropping the subject.

"Shots?" Ben asked as he returned with a tray of tequila shots, and jagerbombs. You see Ben was quit and sweet and polite, but he could drink you under the table in seconds. He liked to drink. Well, when he drank, he liked to drink. Not that he drank often.

"You are going to be the death of me." Harry chuckled, as he pulled two shots from the tray. "Come on guys, bottoms up." He smirked as we all picked up our drinks.

"Just do me a favour Harry. Don’t talk to much once you’ve had a drink. I don’t want to be here all night." Ben joked. Harry talked slowly enough as it was, but after a few drinks he struggled to get a sentence out every minute or so.

"So fucking funny." He rolled his eyes and downed the shot of tequila, wincing as he shoved the lemon in his mouth. "I never understood why you chose drink that." He shuddered, shooting me a weird look.

"I didn’t order it!" Why were people blaming me for everything? I sighed, picking up the jagerbomb and downing it straight away. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched Hannah sip on it.

"Hannah, you don’t sip it you down it!" I laughed as she pulled the same face Harry had pulled seconds earlier.

The night continued like that, shots one after the other. Ben never ordering the same thing twice. I was sure that went against all advice you were given about drinking. Weren’t you supposed to find a drink and stick to it? Not that it bothered me, because by the end of the night we were all stood on the table singing along to the jukebox. Someone had decided it would be funny to play ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ but instead of being embarrassed like they had hoped Harry just grabbed my hand and dragged me around as he sang at the top of his lungs, “The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed!” he chanted as he flipped my hair in my face. He was still surprisingly in tune and in time considering how drunk we both were. I looked around and noticed people filming but Harry didn’t seem to care and nor did I. I continued to go along with it until the song was over and he planted a sloppy kiss on my face and pulled me into a bone crushing hug. Everyone in the pub was laughing, and I couldn’t blame them, we must have been a right sight.

"You really are beautiful." He slurred in my ear, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. I didn’t know if it was because we were both drunk, but it gave me a warm feeling in my stomach.

"So are you!" I giggled, as I pulled him back towards our table. He still hadn’t let go of my hand, and I wasn’t sure why, it was all sweaty and horrible. Hannah proceeded to tell me that we both looked like idiots, but I reminded her she’d been twerking only minutes before and she shut up. We didn’t stay much longer, it was nearly two in the morning and we wanted to get up and do something tomorrow, and if we continued as we were going there was no way we were going to be able to get up at all. We said goodbye to Jenna and Ben and head in the direction of home. I could barely see in front of my face so luckily Hannah had managed to sober up and bit. Unfortunately she’d not done this walk before and we ended up heading in the completely wrong direction.

"Daddy?" I giggled down the phone after we realised we were lost. The walk that should have taken ten minutes had already taken twenty.

"Where are you?" He sighed groggily.

"I don’t know!" I slurred as Harry snatched the phone from my hand.

"Sorry Sir, we got lost on the way back from the pub." Harry hiccupped. "We can’t be that far, we’ll find our way!" He offered, but I could already hear my dad protesting and telling him not to be so silly.

"He says he’ll be here in ten." Harry sighed as he sunk down onto the grass verge at the side of the road, Hannah and I following suit.

"How did we manage to get lost?" I giggled. Harry and I had made that walk countless times before in previous years.

"I guess it’s been longer than I thought…I guess this really isn’t home to either of us anymore." He seemed upset and I wanted to know why. I thought we were both okay with not belonging here anymore.

"It’ll always be home, as long as we want it to be. It’s just not where we belong anymore, least not right now. Maybe one day we’ll find our way back." I whispered as I leaned my head on his shoulders, my eyes tearing up.

Hannah sat silently trying not to intrude. Less than ten minutes later I spotted headlights coming down the road, it was my dad.

We clambered into the car, Harry pulling himself into the front seat. The ride was silent, I could tell my dad wasn’t happy, but he didn’t say anything and I was thankful because I was too drunk to argue with him. When we got back to the house my dad left us and went back to bed. I’d sorted out the spare mattress for Hannah earlier in the day. She managed to get changed, but Harry and I just collapsed on top of my duvet, still fully dressed. Before I could even count to ten we were both passed out, completely comatose.

Notes

Hey! Sorry for the wait guys! I hope you enjoyed it though, and let me know what you think. I think this is my longest chapter yet at nearly 6,000 words! A lot happened here….well I think so anyway ;) Please drop me a message letting me know what you think and feel about this story because so har there has been very little feedback, I even edited this chapter! ;)
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=113169798 Her outfit!