(A/N: I know my timeline is all whacky, but this is Christmas of 2013, we’re not into 2014 yet just so you know. Sorry for any confusion!)

“You wore it!” Harry smiled as he tangled his fingers through mine. “I told you to wear it on the right hand.”

“It doesn’t fit on the right finger.” I shrugged.

“So we’re engaged.” Harry laughed.

“Let them think what they want.”

Harry and I had gone to bed angry at each other, which we hated doing. We woke up still angry. After a little fooling around in the shower, things were tolerable. I know sex isn’t the answer, but it helped. I was still mad at him for walking out last night and he was still mad at me for partying and doing drugs, we none the less we had to get out and buy Christmas presents for our families. And we needed to look in love for the media.

We decided that we weren’t going to let on to any of our problems. To anyone, not even our family. We were going to front as the happiest couple in the world when people could see us. We didn’t need any added stress of breaking up rumors, or whatever. It was easier said than done, but we were doing it. So far all of the media and fans we had encountered today believed our façade.

It wasn’t that we didn’t love each other anymore, we just had a few problems to solve before anything would be relatively close to normal. Harry still had my heart, and I had his.

“Where next?” Harry asked.

“Well Ry is obsessed with Ted Baker, so let’s pop over there.”

“I’ll hail the cab.” He smiled.

As he walked to the curb, a younger girl approached me.

“Excuse me…” she said shyly.

“Hey.” I smiled.

“Well I don’t meant to ruin your day, but I think you’re so pretty.”

“That’s not ruining my day at all! Thank you! You’re very beautiful yourself.” I kneeled to her level.

“Well I know you’re busy and I know you’re Harry Styles’ girlfriend but I heard you’re coming out with a fashion line.”

“Not yet, but maybe one day.” I smiled again.

“Okay, that’s cool.” The girl smiled back. “Can I get a picture?”

“With Harry?” I asked, unsure.

“No, with you! I mean Harry is awesome and cute and perfect but you… I can’t believe I’m meeting you.” I glanced over at Harry, who was watching the whole scene unfold. “He’s busy so I know I can’t possibly get one with him.”

“I’m sure he’d be more than excited to get a picture with you!”

“I’m so sorry, really, come on Sophie.” An older woman said.

“I’m assuming you’re mom?” I asked.

“Yes, and I’m so sorry. She stormed over here away from me saying she had to get to Spencer!” the mom chuckled. “I’m really sorry, I know you’re just trying to enjoy your day as well.”

“Not a problem at all. Sophie, was it?” the girl smiled bright. “How about the picture I promised?”

She nodded her head eagerly. The girl handed her mom her phone, posing next to me. I smiled big with one arm wrapped around the girl. I loved fans like Sophie, polite and discreet.

“Harry!” I called him over. “This is Sophie, she’s the sweetest. Would you mind taking a picture, she’s a huge fan.”

“Of course!” Harry knelt next to her just as I did. I watched as she gleamed as Harry talked to her. He was so perfect with fans. He paid attention to every word they said, as if his life depended on it.

I eventually got a cab to stop, pulling Harry from his conversation with Sophie. I smiled as he hugged her goodbye and came back over. Actually, I did more than smile. My ovaries did flips. The way Harry interacted with kids of any age, did crazy things to my inside. I loved the boy and seeing him with children made me want him even more. Even though I was currently pissed to hell and back with him, it still made my insides tingle.

“I’m sorry.” I said as he slid into the cab next to me.

“For?”

“Just leave it at that for now.” I nodded towards the cabbie.

“Ted Baker on 5th Ave, please.” Harry told the driver, without another word about my random apology.

Once we made our way to the store Harry got out first, helping me out. I smiled up at him as he laced his fingers through mine again. We were really good at pretending not to mad at each other. Maybe I wasn’t even mad anymore, maybe I was just being stubborn.

We browsed the store, top to bottom a few times before I finally decided on a few things for Ryanne and something for Charlie, that Harry insisted she’d love.

“Are you sure?” I asked for the millionth time.

“Positive, you know Char! She will absolutely love it.”

“Okay, but if she hates it I’m blaming you.” I joked, the lady helping us out laughed along. She had been all googley eyes over Harry the entire time we’d been there.

“So is this everything then? Or do you want to look some more?” she smiled.

“No, this is it this time. I think.” I laughed.

“Okay, you’re total comes to $1,126.00.”

I began to dig for my card when Harry stopped me. “Babe, let me.”

“No way! These are from me!” I protested.

“Can’t they be from both of us?” Harry shrugged. “Better yet you buy the next round of stuff.”

“No!” I pouted. “I wanted to pay for this stuff because it’s for my sister.”

“Yes, part of it is for my sister.” He shrugged.

“I’m paying.” I stared him down. “You get the next store.”

“Fine.” He huffed, returning his card to his wallet.

I smiled, handing my card over to the cashier.

“Oh my god, your ring is gorgeous.” She practically squealed.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“You’re so welcome! I didn’t know you guys were engaged!” she grinned like she had just got some of the hottest gossip. Well I guess she sort of did.

“Oh.” Was all I said, looking at Harry. Do I correct her?

“We’re not, it just fits best on this finger.” Harry shrugged. “I had it miss sized so she’s wearing it there until we get back to London next week.”

“OH London!” the girl sighed. “I’m so jealous.”

“Yeah, I sort of live there.” Harry said dryly.

“Right, so here’s this back.” She handed me my card. “Let me bag this stuff up.”

---------------------------------------------------------------



CHRISTMAS DAY – (Harry POV)

“Seriously, calm down.” I watched as Spencer rolled her eyes for the hundredth time today.

“How am I supposed to calm down?” Cee Cee looked between the two of us.

“Cee, we’re not engaged. I promise.” I said.

She held up a picture from our shopping trip she had printed off a paparazzi website then pointed at Spencers hand. “Not engaged?”

“Mom. You’re being insane. I told you, Harry’s a dumbass and he got it sized for the wrong finger. I like it so much I want to wear it. This is the only finger it fits on. Seriously.”

“Let me read this….” Her mom started.

As soon as we walked in the door, Cee Cee had both of us in the living room on separate couches, interrogating us. Ryanne was laughing from the kitchen and every now and then Leland would tell her to quit it. We had insured her a million times that it wasn’t an engagement ring, but she wasn’t buying it.

“Headline: ‘Is Spencer McMichael Engaged To Boyfriend Harry Styles?’” she paused.

“Well hey! This one is about me! Not Harry, that’s a first!” Spencer smiled, only pissing her mother off more.

“Article: Spencer McMichael may be engaged to her boyfriend of almost a year, Harry Styles, Us Weekly exclusively reports. The 20-year-old fashion mogul has been dating the 20-year-old British pop star since early 2013. A few months into the relationship, Us Weekly reported that McMichael was not yet ready to settle down, and though Styles wanted to “lock her down for life,” she was in no rush. There had been reports of Styles popping the question while the couple vacationed in Martinique last month, however, McMichael had never been spotted with a ring. If the rumor this time around is true, it seems like McMichael has waited long enough. Us Weekly has reached out to McMichael’s rep and will update with comment once one comes through. Other than Styles, McMichael has been linked to Zac Efron. Styles on the other hand has had his fair share of romances, including Ella George, Selena Gomez, and Georgia May Jagger.”

“Literally woman, you are being the most ridiculous person I have ever met. And I’ve met some weird people thanks to this idiot.” Spencer pointed at me. “You’d be the first person I’d call if we got engaged, trust me. You’re my mother. You’d know before anyone, including Kas, Ana, Rach or Emily.

“Sorry.” Cee Cee sat down next to Spencer on the couch. “I just worry.”

“I know mom, but I love you.” Spencer pulled her in for a hug.

“Get over here Harry.” Cee Cee laughed.

I sat down on the open side of her. I smiled as she pulled me into the huge hug.

“You’re going to scare him off before he has a chance to propose anyways.” Spencer laughed.

“Not a chance. Your family is tame compared to mine.” I laughed.

“Wait until we get them together. Oh dear god.” Spencer smiled.

“I can’t wait to meet your family Harry.” Cee Cee smiled.

“You’ll both be in for a treat, that’s for sure.” I joked.

“So um, now that we know Harry isn’t insane enough to propose, can we eat?” Ryanne plopped down in the chair across from us.

“Yes dear, patience.” Cee Cee rolled her eyes.

“Ah.” I stated. “I see where Spencer gets her eye rolling habit from.”

“Oh hush.” Cee Cee and Spencer said at the same time.

“You guys are lame.” Ryanne said, standing up. “But seriously, I’m getting the food out and eating.”

“Gran isn’t here yet!” Spencer shouted.

“She can eat when she gets here.” Ryanne shrugged. I loved watching Spencer with her family, she was completely comfortable. Just as Spencer was about to answer, the doorbell rang. “Good, now we eat.”

Dinner – (Spencer POV)

“Pass me the rolls, Ry.” Dad asked.

So far so good. Harry had already met my Gran at my graduation celebration so everything was going well there. We were all so preoccupied with our food, we didn’t have time to make small talk, or so I thought. Leave it to Gran to ruin it.

“So Spencer, Ryanne tells me you and Zac Efron are close.”

I glared at Ry. “I mean I know him.” I shrugged.

“Seems like from what I see on the internet, you are close.” Gran added. “You know I google you guys.”

“I made a suit for him.” Was all I said. This was still such a rough topic for us.

“I saw a picture of you two holding hands!”

“Where? I bet it was photoshopped.” I rolled my eyes.

“You were in his car!”

“Gran.” I said flatly. Harry hadn’t mentioned ever seeing those, so I had assumed he hadn’t to this day.

“No, I need to know!”

“Gran, Harry is sitting right here. Don’t you think if I had broken up with him he wouldn’t be here?”

“As far as I know we’re still together.” Harry joked.

“Yes, we are. There is absolutely nothing between Zac and I.”

“Well you know you can tell me anything.” Gran continued.

“I know.” I smiled.

“So how about that drug problem then?” she spat out next.

“What?” I stopped, setting my fork down.

“You can try and lie to your parents, sister, Harry and whoever else you feel the need to keep secrets from. But I watched you pop more than a couple pills before dinner. I’ve seen what you’ve been up too. I’ve seen pictures. You’re getting into your old habits.”

“Mom, this is Christmas, a time for cheer.” My mom tried.

“Cee Cee, this is between Spencer and myself.”

“Mom.” She tried again, but was waved off.

“Now dear, what do you have to say about that?”

“I’m fine, I was prescribed something for my anxiety.” I answered.

“Oh really?”

“Yes.” I tried her to carry on.

“So Harry dear, is she lying to me?”

Harry glanced between me and my Gran. He lowered his eyes to the table and sighed.

“No need to answer dear, that was enough of one.” My Gran smirked. “We’ll get you into a rehab facility. I’ll pay.”

“What the fuck Gran? Did you come here to ruin to Christmas? Because you did an awfully good job at it.” I stood up throwing my napkin onto the table. I stormed out of the dining room, up the stairs to my bedroom, making sure I slammed the door.

I sat on my bed, letting the first tear fall. What was her problem? Zac, then drugs? I thought this was Christmas. I dug through the duffle bag on the bed full of Harry and my stuff. We had planned on spending the night here. I heard a soft knock on the door before it opened slowly.

“Come here babe.” Harry said trying to scoop me up off the bed.

“No, don’t you fucking touch me.” I grumbled.

“Why now?” he lowered his head.

“You couldn’t have stood up for me? Said I was fine?!”

“I can’t lie to your Gran Spencer!” he said.

“YES YOU FUCKING CAN!” I shouted. “THANK YOU FOR BEING USELESS.”

“Yes, I’m sorry I’m useless.”

“Good, you should be! You can’t ever do anything to help me out, can you?!”

“I feel like I help you out as much as I can. Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Well too late for that. I can’t believe you wouldn’t just say I’m fine!”

“YOU’RE NOT FINE SPENCER.” He shouted at me.

“You’re right. I’m not, maybe without you I’d be okay.” I shrugged.

“Take another pill.” Was his reply. “You need it.”

“Fuck you, you don’ know what I need. I do, and it’s not you.”

I dug my fingernails into my palm as I headed for the door.

“Don’t leave.” Harry stood up.

“You can’t tell me what to do. I’m not yours anymore.”

I stormed out of the room and down the steps. I grabbed my coat off the rack and headed for the garage. I took the keys out of my back pocket, unlocking the car and getting in. I didn’t know where I was going. I threw the car in reverse and took off down my driveway. I needed to get away. I had no clue where to go. It was Christmas, everything was closed and all my friends were busy.

I drove for a few minutes before I realized what I had just done. I had just broken up with Harry. What was I thinking? I just get so mad so fast. I don’t think.




-----------------------------------------------

(Harry POV)

“Are you okay?” Leland asked as I came down the stairs. “Where’s she going?”

“I’m fine, did she leave?” I panicked. “She took my keys.”

“Was she drinking at all today?” Cee Cee asked.

I nodded yes. “And she took her pills.”

“Oh no.” Cee Cee began to cry.

“Can I borrow a car? I have to go find her!” I was worried out of my mind. Technically she had just broken up with me but I knew she didn’t mean it. I didn’t care if she really did, I just needed to make sure she was okay.

“I know where she usually goes when she’s pissed. I used to follow her to make sure she was fine when she did this growing up. She usually ran there so we can try those places first.” Ryanne added.

“Ryanne, you drive. Harry is too hysterical.” Leland said. “Can you tell us what happened?”

“She was mad I didn’t stand up for her about the drugs, but I don’t feel right lying.” I let my first tear drop. I was so worried. “She told me it was over, that she didn’t want to be with me anymore and took off faster than a bat out of hell.”

“You know she didn’t mean it, right? Breaking up with you.” Cee Cee said teary eyed.

“I know, at least I’m hoping not.” I sighed. Now is the time to be honest with her family Harry, I scolded myself. “We’ve been having a lot of problems lately. So I wouldn’t rule out her being serious. It’s all over the damn drugs!” I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. “I can’t get her to stop no matter what. She went to a rehab program for a couple weeks, but it obviously didn’t help.”

“Harry, you should have said something sooner.” Cee Cee hugged me.

“I didn’t know what to do, I thought I could fix her.”

“Nobody but Spencer can fix herself.” Leland stated. “Now go before she gets too far away. Ryanne drive safely.” Leland kissed Ryannes forward and shook my hand.

“Bring my baby home safe.” Cee Cee cried as Leland embraced her.

“She’s my baby now too.” I whispered softly. I better find her safe.

Happy Christmas. At least this would be a holiday I’d never forget.

Notes

Sorry for the long wait! I had a crazy busy and awful week!

I hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't hate me too much.

*sigh*

xx