I hesitantly raise my fist to the door, knocking rather quietly. I debated on not knocking at all and calling Audrey long enough for it to ring, before hanging up, so she was left with a missed call from me. By the time she'd call me back, I'd already be home and I'd explain how I knocked but got no answer. Of course, I didn't have the guts to go through with my imaginary plan, so here I am standing outside in the cold, waiting for someone to approach me. I heard quick footsteps from behind the door, before it opened, revealing Audrey.

"Emma, I'm so sorry..." She spilled, stepping outside and quietly closing the door behind her. "I had no idea he was coming, he planned it without telling me to surprise me." Her words were rushed and her face was holding nothing but guilt. "Do you want to invite Harry?"

I thought about it for a few seconds before shaking my head. As much as I'd love to have Harry with me, and how I'd be much more comfortable with him by my side, the last time he and Seth were together didn't turn out great, and since it's Christmas Eve, I don't want to let that happen again. I followed Audrey inside, kicking off my boots and hanging up my jacket before slowly walking into the living room. I took a deep breath before turning my gaze over to Seth, who was sat on the couch opposite from Linda and Dave (Mrs and Mr. Butler.) He had a beer sitting in his one hand, his other arm stretched out, resting above the sofa. He looked over at me and gave me a toothy smile. I awkwardly returned the smile, and mentally thanked Linda and Steve the minute they rushed over to me.

"Oh Emma, sweetie!" Linda engulfed me in a tight hug, Dave smiling at me from over her shoulder. "How are you? Oh, it's been so long!"

I smiled and only realized now how much I had missed them. They were always so welcoming, and they have practically been a part of my family for as long as I can remember. After briefly catching up with them, Linda ran back into the kitchen to finish off dinner. I awkwardly shuffled my feet towards the single chair that was sitting diagonal from Audrey and Seth. Dave sat back down on the couch across from them and him and Seth automatically spoke amongst each other. While they got lost in the conversation, I finally let my eyes focus on Seth. He was actually really attractive, with his bright blue eyes and dark hair, it's what first attracted me to him when we first met. His eyes locked with mine and a small smirk played along his lips, causing me to quickly look away. I felt my cheeks begin to heat, as I looked down at my knotted fingers in my lap.

"So Emma, how's your break been going?" He asked, causing me to lift my head back up.

"Good thanks, and yours?" I asked, my voice small, looking into his bright eyes.

He smiled and draped his arm around Audrey's shoulder, staring back at me. "Mine's been going great, not looking forward to going back though." He chuckled, causing Dave to start up another conversation about school.

I reached for my phone out of my pocket and unlocked the front screen. I decided on sending a small message to Harry, so he knew I was missing him. I tucked my phone back into my pocket and played with a loose strand on my jeans. After I turned down Audrey's offer of inviting Harry, I decided I wouldn't tell him I even had the option. I know he would just get upset with me and wouldn't understand why I don't think him and Seth in the same room would be a good idea. Linda's distant voice calling us from the dining room caught my attention. Dave and Audrey stood up and rushed towards the food, while I sluggishly followed behind them. I felt a presence shadowing behind me, making me pick up my pace. A warm hand was placed down on my hip, causing me to freeze in my spot. I slowly turned around to see Seth standing tall above me with a sly smirk on his lips. He darted his tongue out and licked his lips, before bringing his face closer to mine.

"Merry Christmas, Emma." He whispered, before walking past me and into the dining room. I stood there startled; shocked, confused and disgusted. I quietly groaned under my breath and quickly followed behind him, hoping that this dinner would go by as fast as possible. Linda and Dave were sat at one side of the table, Audrey and Seth across from them, and an empty seat at the head of the table waiting for me. I sat down quickly and scanned my eyes over the mouth watering dishes that were scattered along the table. One of the many things I loved about coming over to the Butlers house, is Linda's cooking. Dave began to fill each of our glasses tall with wine, before raising his up in the air.

"I just want to say Merry Christmas Eve to all four of you, it is always lovely to see you Emma, and it is a pleasure to meet the new man in Audrey's life." He teasingly sent daggers towards Seth, before raising the glass to his lips. "Here's to a New Year, let's dig in!"

Conversations varied through out the dinner. I spoke whenever I was asked a question, but most of the dinner I smiled and nodded, pretending that I was listening. I caught Seth staring at me a couple of times, but I did my best to ignore it. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I knew that it was probably Harry replying back to me, but I didn't want to be rude so I continued to eat my meal. I helped myself to seconds, because the food was truthfully the only part of this whole get together that I was actually enjoying. I normally spent every Christmas Eve with Audrey, but this year was not the same. As much as I didn't want to blame her, she knew how I felt about Seth. Every year we sang along to Christmas carols, had a delicious dinner, and then cuddled up by the fireplace and watched Christmas movie after Christmas movie until the clock striked midnight. This year they welcomed another person to join us, a person I happen to not be very fond of. I felt my phone vibrate again and finished the last piece of potato on my plate before excusing myself to the washroom. I closed the door behind me and typed in my passcode, opening up the 3 awaiting iMessages from Harry.

From: Harry Styles
I miss you too. Is everything going okay?

From: Harry Styles
Emmaaaaa

From: Harry Styles
I keep thinking about our encounter in the car.

I laughed at the hideous looking wink face that was added at the end of his message. I reread each text and smiled before typing a quick reply back.

To: Harry Styles
Just finished dinner. Leave in 5? Oh no, it looks like we'll both be in that same car again...

I cringed as I added the same winky face at the end of my message. I smiled and tucked my phone back into my pocket before washing my hands. I quickly fixed my hair and took a deep breath before exiting the washroom. Everyone except for Audrey were sat in the living room, looking over the different movies on Netflix. I heard water running from the kitchen so I avoided the living room and walked towards the sound. Audrey was hunched over the sink washing the dishes, her back faced to me.

"Let me help." I smiled and stood beside her with a dry cloth. She nodded and started handing me plate after plate once she was finished rinsing them, but she never once looked up at me.

"Audrey, are you okay?" I asked, tilting my head to the side to get a better look at her. She sighed and lifted her head up to look at me, her face holding a frown.

"I just feel so bad... I'm sorry about everything." Her frown deepened with each word. I laughed quietly and shook my head, causing confusion to take over her face.

"It's okay Auds, Harry's coming to pick me up now, but I promise I enjoyed myself," I half lied. "You know how much I love your moms cooking..."

She laughed and wrapped her petite arms around me. "Ugh, I love you, you're literally the best friend ever." She took a step back and a huge smile was spread across her lips. "Let me just go get you your present!" And with that, she was gone. I smiled and walked towards the front foyer and slid on my jacket and docs before walking back into the living room to say my goodbyes. After thanking Linda for dinner and giving both parents hugs, I stood off to the side waiting for Audrey to come back. I could see headlights pulling into the driveway, and I knew that it was Harry. I watched as Seth glanced out the window before looking over at me.

"Leaving so soon?" He asked, a small smile playing on his lips. I nodded my head and retrieved my vibrating phone from my pocket, to see a text from Harry, saying that he was here.

"So what, I get no hug?" Seth teased, his tall body standing up from the couch and slowly walking towards me. I froze, feeling incredibly uncomfortable, praying that Audrey would come back downstairs right now. A loud knock came from the front door, making my face break out into a smile. I quickly walked into the foyer and opened the door, ignoring the cold air that immediately hit my face, and wrapped my arms around Harry the second I saw him. He was taken back, but his arms instantly found their way around my waist.

"It's lovely to see you too." He teased, pulling back enough to leave a small kiss on my now cold lips. I reached for his hand and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him. He intertwined his fingers in mine and looked down at me with an adoring smile that instantly gave me butterflies. The minute I felt my cheeks heat up, a frown took over my face.

"Hey, why the lousy face?" He asked, amused at the dirty look I was now giving him.

"Why is it you make me blush so easily? It's literally annoying, all you did was smile at me and now look!" I huffed, causing a loud chuckle to come from beside me. I rolled my eyes and walked towards Audrey, dragging Harry behind me. She was smiling, holding a neatly wrapped object in her hands.

"Hey Harry, Merry Christmas." She glanced up at him, before placing the gift in my hands.

"Merry Christmas to you as well." He smiled before turning his head over to me. "You ready, love?" I smiled and nodded my head, before giving Audrey another quick hug. I thanked her and told her I would open my gift in the morning, and give her hers the next time I saw her. Harry reached back down for my hand and started leading us towards the front door, making my smile grow.

"Hey pal, Merry Christmas." Seth's voice came from behind us, his hand extended out to Harry, a small smirk set on his lips. I watched as Harry looked down at his hand and then back up at his face.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas, pal." His words were filled with disgust and I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my lips. The second we were outside, I stopped Harry from going down the front steps and wrapped my arms around his stomach. He draped his arms around my waist and I closed my eyes, nuzzling my head further into his chest. After a few seconds, I tilted my chin up to see that he was already looking down at me. A small smile was hiding on his plump lips, his green eyes boring into mine.

"I love you, and I'm really excited to be spending Christmas with you, Harry." A shy smile took over my lips and I watched as his grew. He leaned down and closed the space between our faces, pressing his cold lips onto mine. I felt him smile against my lips, his arms slightly tightening around me.

"Waking up beside you on Christmas morning will be the best gift I have ever received." He murmured against my lips, causing my heart to swell more than he will ever know.

Notes

Hi guys, I am incredibly sorry I haven't posted in over a week, but I got bitten by a dog and my entire finger is in so much pain, it's been really hard to type/text/etc. I am working tomorrow, but I will be writing once I finish, which won't be until late, but the next chapter should be up either tomorrow night, or early Wednesday morning. (like 1-2am) I'm sorry this chapter isn't so great, but I wanted to at least post something to make up for the passing days. I promise I have a lot more to come, that you will not expect. Please comment what you think!

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Love you all, and thank you for being patient!