Chapter 23

ROSALIE'S P.O.V

I rubbed my eyes instantly as I heard my annoying alarm beeping. It was 9am, and I had to get ready since today is Christmas! Harry invited me to spend lunch with his family, which was lovely for him to consider that. I've always wanted to meet Anne as well as Harry has told me numerous times of her wanting to meet me. I heard his whole family would be there, including uncles and aunties and cousins but I feel quite bad since I only got him, Anne, Gemma and his step-dad Rob gifts. I haven't met them at all, but I'm sure they are absolutely wonderful. I immediately got out of bed and got dressed up. It was going to be quite cold, and Harry said to dress more semi-formal so I decided to wear dark wash high waisted skinny jeans, a white loose singlet tucked in with a hot pink blazer on the outside. I have a really unhealthy obsession with blazers; I honestly have every colour in my wardrobe. I teamed it up with a cute pair of flats and brought a clutch along as well as 3 gift bags for the pressies. I put on my watch as well as the matching bracelets me and Harry have to go along with it. I did a braid on my fringe and curled my hair yet I decided to do a messy side bun with loose short curls falling out on the sides of my head.

I looked outside and it was going to be absolutely freezing, so I added a really thick grey wool circle scarf and added a short black cardigan underneath my blazer. Harry was going to pick me up and take me and him to his home in Cheshire, which was more than a 3 hour drive. What a joy, and including maybe a few minutes of awkward tension because of what happened last night. I felt something, and I think he did too. We were so close to kissing, and I can't believe it was going to happen. But I'm sure we'll just leave it and move on, though part of me just wants to tell him. My feelings, everything but it is too late. Far too late.

Ring Ring.

"Hello?" I chimed in a very enthusiastic tone. "Merry Christmas Rose!" shouted Harry on the other line. His husky voice ran through the phone, and for a particular reason it soothed me no matter how it was deep and raspy in an attractive way.
"Merry Christmas to you too Harold" I smiled through the phone.
"I'm picking you up in 5, meet me outside"
"Alright, see you!"

I did some last minute touch ups with my make-up and marched down the stairs. Amy was downstairs getting ready to meet her boyfriend's parents and by the look of her face, she was nervous.

"Don't be nervous" I said as I rubbed her back.
"I know, but this is my first serious relationship. It's a big step, what if they don't like me. What if I mess up?" she mumbled.
"Amy, you are amazing. Don't worry! If he loves you, then definitely his parents will feel the same. Plus, how are you getting there?"
"He's picking me up, should be about now" she said as she stared at the clock.

Ding Dong.

"Must be him!" she said as her face lit up immediately. You could immediately see the sparkle in her eye when the door bell rang. I knew she loved Dave a lot, and the way she always tells me about their dates, he seems like a lovely bloke. And now I finally get to meet him!

"You must be Dave" I said as I walked towards him and let my hand out.
"You must be Amy's beautiful Australian cousin, Rosalie! Nice to meet you" he smiled. I looked at him and he was very handsome. Quite masculine yet has a nice, smart, sophisticated look about him. Good choice Amy, I thought.
"Hold on, let me get my purse!" Amy said as she walked in the room to get it.
"Lovely to meet you, you do know Amy admires you a lot"
"I reciprocate the same" he replied sweetly.
"Take care of her"
"Of course I will, why...? Will there be some punishment?" he chuckled.
"Yes..." I said bluntly, as I noticed his face dropping. I started giggling and patted his shoulder.
"I'm only joking! Not about the taking care of her part, but have fun! My rides here" I replied as I noticed Harry beep the car horn. Dave looked at me and smiled and waved back. "BYE AMY!" I shouted, but heard no response. I shrugged my shoulders and ran towards the new, black Range Rover. Very fancy, and since Harry just got his full license about 2 weeks ago, I'm quite nervous. He gave me a cheeky smile and let me in the front passenger seat.

"Impressive." I said as I got in the car and it was massive. Luxurious leather seats, with massive feet space, not bad for a first car.
"Thanks" he chuckled as he started pushing the pedal. He looked absolutely gorgeous as always. He was wearing a pair of dark chinos with a grey sweater and a blazer on top. We looked strangely matching which made my heart flutter a bit. He grinned his amazing smile, and he just looked hot. Damn it. I buckled my seat belt and felt comfortable. He turned on the radio, and for the first few minutes it was a bit silent. We were never like this, we would talk so much but for some reason there was some.. sexual tension. Oh my gosh, I don't know if he felt it, but there's so weird aura around us. I'm not the type to start conversations so I sat quietly looking out the window. The rain drops were racing down the glass window and as we had to stop at the red light, I felt Harry's body facing me.

"You look nice" he whispered softly. I looked at him, and he smiled his cheeky smile.
"Same as you" I replied sweetly, smiling back.
"About last night, forget about it. I know it's awkward, but hey, we get over it right? Thank God it didn't happen though yeah?"
"Yeah.. yeah of course!" I replied a bit too reluctantly. He did a half-smile and faced the front as he accelerated down the road. I stared outside the window again and was feeling a bit down. He was thankful it didn't happen, so it was just me. I mean, as if a guy like him would ever fall for a girl like me. I bit my thumb and held onto my clutch a bit tighter, trying to get rid of this feeling of disappointment.

"Rose?" Harry asked.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Well, we are going to drive for a very long time, so let's talk about something interesting"
"Yeah, sorry I'm just a bit blank at the moment" I giggled softly.
"I can see that, let's play.. 10 questions!" He smiled.

"Ok, I'll start" he said. He began humming and tapping on the driving wheel, trying to figure out a good question to come out of me. I had a weird butterfly feeling in my stomach, hoping he won't ask something that would pull on my tear ducts or just make me uncomfortable. But then again, I have told him most things about me so why not?

"Are you a virigin?" He asked. I choked on my saliva and coughed out ferociously and began hitting on my chest. "Whoa whoa, are you ok?" Harry asked with concern in his eyes. "Yeah, sorry that was a bit straight forward" I giggled uncontrollably. He smiled softly and waited as the silence went over us.
"Um.. no I'm not" I replied softly.
"Really?!" He asked.
"Is it that bad?"
"No no, but who?"
"Guess... I've only been with someone who I've been in a relationship with"
"Ahhh.. him" Harry answered as he emphasised the "him". He knew exactly who I was talking about.
"Lucky guy" he whispered really softly. I wasn't sure if he said it, but that was what I heard. I looked at him with confusion.
"Pardon?"
"No no, nothing" he answered quickly. I noticed his hands clutching on the steering wheel harder as he tried to see through the pouring rain. I smiled silently to myself and felt my cheeks burning a crimson red.

"How, when, was it good?" He asked curiously. I stared at him for a little while, it was a bit awkward because he seemed so into this whole sex topic, but then again he is a teenage boy, why wouldn't you be?
"It was on my 16th birthday, at his place after we had dinner and it was ok. I mean, it was special and stuff but you know, yeah ok." I mumbled. "How about you, Mr. Ladies man?" I asked playfully.
"What do you think? I'm... Harry Styles" he answered in an attempted seductive voice. But it came out really cocky. And he knows I absolutely loathe cocky people. He looked at me and did his stupid cheeky grin which I secretly love and did a soft wink. I wacked him across the head with one of the gift bags, as I started laughing.
"HEY! What was that for?" He moaned playfully, rubbing it sarcastically with his hand.
"You know I hate it when you act cocky"
"No, you secretly love it" I do secretly love it...I thought to myself.
"Who?" I asked.
"A girl in high school, before One Direction. But I've had advantages in the band too, if you know what I mean" He chuckled attractively.
"You are a slut"
"Thank you, but the correct term should be a Man-whore" he answered with a matter-of-fact tone.

I started laughing and as a few sets of minutes passed, we really just started to get comfortable with each other. We talked about our most embarrassing moments, childhood memories, reminiscing of events recently and just bitching about other people or celebrities we know. I felt so chilled and relax, and the awkwardness was hardly brought up ever again. It was already 12, and surprisingly the traffic wasn't so bad. We got off at the nearest petrol station which was deserted.

"Let's get slurpees!" Harry exclaimed.
"It's freeeezing" I moaned, as I shivered, rubbing my arms as I entered into the store.
"C'mon, we'll share a large one!"
"Fine" I grinned, and went to the machine to do it self-serve style. Harry loved Cola flavoured, whereas I liked Bubblegum so we decided to do 2 layers. Harry re-fuelled his car and payed for the drink and we both ran back in the car. Thank the lord I remembered to bring gloves in my bag, so I grabbed it out to wear it incase my hand falls off for clutching on the frozen slurpee. There was approximately an hour left in this road trip so I decided to update my twitter.

Loverosalie
Merry Christmas everyone! My hands are literally going to freeze off from this stupid slurpee! Brrrrrrr...

"Hey, can you tweet for me?" Harry asked.
"What?" I mumbled as I payed more attention, scrolling down my news feed.
"Say Merry Christmas to the fans, bad to do while driving"
"Sure, hand it over mister"

Harry grabbed his iPhone out of his pocket and clicked on the twitter account. I took my gloves off and placed it right infront of the heater to warm it up so I could tweet properly. My phone had the keypad so it wasn't that hard, but with a touch screen and gloves that could be impossible. I grabbed his phone and began tweeting.

"What do you want it to say?"
"Um... Merry Christmas to everyone and to the fans! Love you all"
"Alright"

Harry_Styles:
Merry Christmas to everyone and to the fans! Love you all

I paused for a second and my cheeky personality started thinking of some things to do.. I decided to tweet again without Harry knowing.

Harry_Styles:
I like to eat poop.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from giggling to loud and put his phone on lock mode and returned it. He didn't suspect anything, so we continued playing games to make up the time. I stared outside the window and went through a nice cosy looking street filled with Christmas decorations. This felt so much like being in Australia, minus the snow and the cold weather. I miss going to my uncles house, going down their street with homes filled with Christmas spirit. I missed them so much.

HARRY'S P.O.V:

After a good 3 hour road trip, with rare traffic, we finally arrived at my house. I was driving along my street and I instantly felt some sort of warmth in my body. It was such a good time to talk with Rose, just being us. It was so easy to be with her. I looked at her and noticed how she looked so home-sick as she analysed all the homes that were filled with Christmas decorations and lights. My present for her was hidden at the back of the car, and I cannot wait until she opens it. She's going to love it. As I slowed down, I realised a mob-like-crowd outside my house.

"Shit" I muttered as I noticed all the fans looking at the car and screaming. Rosalie looked at me with concern in her eyes because I honestly did not expect any fans to come over. It's Christmas. C'mon. I knew Rose was really self-conscious and I've seen the messages people send her, it's quite horrible but she's a strong person. She would always tell me how she didn't like it when fans see us out together because there would be so many rumours and hate directed at her and it's quite difficult for me to even have a female friend because of all the press. And to make it a bit awkward, Caroline didn't exactly know that Rose was coming over to my home to meet my family. She had plans already, and I didn't think I had to tell her about it, I mean she's being quite clingy lately. I stopped outside my front yard and saw the fans swarming around my range rover.

I looked at Rose and she was quite nervous. She was clutching on the gift bags and the clutch and gave me a half-smile.
"You can like, be the bait and attract them somewhere with your curls and I'll run in" she mumbled nervously.
"I ain't being your bait!" I shouted playfully, laughing. She cracked her beautiful smile and nodded.
"Sorry, I'm just. What if they get angry or jealous? I don't want them to be!" she pleaded. I understood what she meant. Exactly.
"Don't worry, just come out the same time. You have me, AND I'll explain. They'll understand" I said, she nodded softly and took hold of all her things.

I removed all my key from the engine and got out first. All the fans were swarming me with gifts and cards and it was so sweet. I gave them hugs and autographs until I noticed Rosalie slowly coming out. They all looked at her as her bright pink blazer stood out amongst everyone. I grinned as she looked quite embarrassed. Surprisngly all the fans ran to greet her.

"Rosalie! Oh my god!"
"Hey Rose! Nice to meet you"
"Rose! Hey!"

I could tell by her face that she was so overwhelmed yet so thankful for their lovely greetings. I was talking to a group of girls who travelled a long way to come to my home. They were so dedicated and I love my fans, so so much. I stood to face Rosalie, just to make sure she was coping well. I could see she was signing a few pages and taking a lot of photos with fans as well as people just shoving cameras in her face. She was politely talking to all of them, and it looked as though she hung out with them for a long time. She looked like she was getting along with everyone and I admired that she could put up with everyone and everything in my career. The fans slowly migrated to go talk to Rose and I was standing there by myself, staring at Rose and the group of fans.

She was adorable. I felt myself get embarrassed when I accidently muttered, "lucky guy" after she admitted about her virginity in the car earlier. When I instantly knew who she was talking about, I felt my tummy twisting, as though the stupid, same jealousy feeling was coming back. And I keep trying to fight back the feelings, but I just don't think she would feel the same. I looked at her, and just saw how beautiful she was. She was my best friend, and she was absolutely gorgeous. She was just the type of girl I'd consider bringing her home to my mum and it kinda feels like I am doing it now. But at the same time, I love Caroline. I do, she's beautiful but it's like I'm 50/50 of these two gorgeous girls. And I don't ever want to pick between them two.

"You fancy her don't you?" said a fan as she nudged softly on my rib. I looked at her with confusion and shocked as it was so straight forward.
"Wh...at?" I mumbled, clearly dumb-founded at what she just said.
"All the directioners notice, but I won't tell. I can keep secrets" the fan smiled. She gave me a secretive wink and ran off to her friend who was taking a photo with Rosalie. I was taken back at what she just said and tried to keep my feet steady on the floor. Rosalie looked up and gave me a concerning look, as she realised I looked a bit... lost there. I shook my head and went into a deep thought.

Was it really that obvious? Was I that naive not to notice? Maybe it was time to take a step back, to prevent myself to hurt anyone, especially Rose. Maybe it's time to protect myself for falling for her even more...

Authors Note: Sorry for such a delay on updating this story! A new school year has started and I got a stack of work to do. I hope you're enjoying the story, and there's going to be definitely a twist soon. Lots of love xx