"Come in," I call, stepping out of my bathroom when there's a knock on my door. Anne steps in and smiles at me. We spent the whole day today and yesterday with the three of us, watching movies, being lazy and finishing off all the Christmas goodies Harry and I baked over the last week. Harry was a little unhappy that we didn't get any alone time today after his mom was home all day for Christmas yesterday, but I was happy she was here. It's been good to spend time with her and I know Harry thinks so too.

"Adie, your hair looks incredible!"

"Thanks." I put my hand to it gently at the back; I pulled it up into a low and simply bun at the back of my head; there's a fancy Christmas Gala for Anne's law firm tonight. Harry and I are both going.

"I have something for you," she says, smile creeping onto her face.

"Anne, you've done so much for me there can't be anything else!" I protest. I love that she's doing all of this for me, but it really is too much. She's spoiling me.

"Nonsense. I know you were planning on wearing your dress from the winter formal to the event tonight, but I saw this one and I just couldn't help myself." She steps out into the hallway and comes back a minute later holding a hanger above her head to keep a gorgeous red dress from dragging on the ground. "It's just so perfect for you! What do you think?"

My mouth hangs open while I examine the gown. It's floor length and a gorgeous red colour. It has a high neckline with a pleated fabric that overlaps over the chest area. It's so simple but it's gorgeous. Absolutely stunning.

"Anne...it's amazing. It's...so expensive, it must have been. I can't accept this." I shake my head a little and she just laughs lightly.

"It's a gift, Adison. Just say thank you and try it on." She sets it down on my bed and I run the fabric between my fingers. "A beautiful dress for a beautiful girl." I nod.

"Thank you, it's incredible."

"Adison." I look up at her and she takes my hands in hers. "I know this is a hard time for you. It's your first Christmas without your mother. I know I can't replace her, and that's not why I've done this stuff for you. I love you like my own daughter, Adie. I want you to feel at home here and I want you to be happy. You've done so well, darling and I'm so proud of you. If you need anything at all, please know you can talk to me."

"Surprisingly enough...I really do. This place is my home, you guys are my home. I can't thank you enough for that," I ensure her, my voice breaking from the lump growing in my throat.

"I'm glad." She hugs me quickly and starts making her way out. "I'll let you finish getting ready. We should leave at around eight, okay?"

"Alright." I go back to my bathroom to finish my makeup, keeping it relatively simple with darker eye colours and a light lip. When I'm satisfied I go back out into the bedroom and admire the dress. I still can't believe that Anne has done so much for me.

I feel a wave of guilt rip through me. Anne has gone above and beyond to make sure that I'm coping and to make sure I feel at home here. What do I do in return? Do the one thing she has strictly said she does not approve of: being with Harry. Maybe we aren't together yet, but I'm sure Anne wouldn't approve of our actions this week. All of this kissing and hanging out usually only leads one place and I'm pretty sure it's the exact direction that Anne wouldn't want us to go. How can I do that to her?

I slide the soft material over my body and smile at the feeling of it. I've never worn something so extravagant. I turn around as I slide the zipper up my back as far as I can manage, surprised by how it makes me look, how it makes me feel. I look a lot older and I feel so elegant. The dress is absolutely perfect for me.

There's a soft knock on my door as I continue to struggle with my zipper.

"Come in," I call. Harry steps into my room and his mouth immediately drops open.

"Where did you....that dress is...." he stares at me for a moment and I smile at his inability to form a coherent sentence. "You look incredible, Ads."

"Could you help me?" He nods and I turn around, revealing my half-exposed back. My heart starts beating wildly and I feel his fingers brush gently along my spine before they land on the zipper. He slowly moves it up along the track and I close my eyes when I feel his warm breath against the back of my neck. Harry slowly moves his hands from my shoulders down my arms, pressing his lips gently to the side of my neck. I roll my head to the side and he continues placing soft kisses against the sensitive skin.

"Harry, wait." I reluctantly step forward and turn around to face him. His eyes slowly move up my body and I feel the heat in my cheeks at the way he's staring at me.

"Where did you get the dress?" he asks quietly, stepping towards me. I look up at him nervously.

"Your mother got it for me," I whisper. His mouth forms an 'O' shape and I bite my lip nervously.

"Adie I-"

"Please, let me say something." He nods and I look down at his chest when I continue. "Your mother is an incredible person, Harry. She's been so amazing to me. I can't do this to her."

"What?" he whispers. I close my eyes when he takes a step back from me. "What are you talking about?"

"She doesn't deserve to be lied to like this. She said she's not okay with this.."

"Don't." He holds up his hands and I look down at the ground. "Adie, you can't do this. I thought we agreed to wait to make this decision."

"I know I just..."

He takes a step forward and puts his hands on either side of my face. "I know you don't want to end this. Please just give me a chance, Ads. I know it seems like a bad idea, I get that. But you and I...please don't."

I look back and forth between his desperate eyes and feel my heart breaking. I don't want things to end between Harry and I, but this is wrong. Anne doesn't deserve this.

"I don't know what to do," I whisper. He leans his forehead against mine and I close my eyes. I care about Harry a lot, so much that it scares me. I don't want to end this, in fact it's the last thing that I want. How can something that feels so right also feel so wrong? I feel so cared for when I'm with Harry and I really don't want that to go away. The last thing I want to do is hurt him.

"Then don't do anything. Please. For me. I'm not ready to lose you, Ads."

I nod and he kisses my forehead. Harry means everything to me and I have no idea what to do right now. Might as well put it out of my mind for tonight.

"You look nice," I compliment, giving him my best smile. He's wearing all black; pants, shirt, tie, jacket, shoes. He looks quite handsome.

"All eyes will be on you, trust me." I wrap my arms around his middle and lean my cheek against his chest. He kisses my forehead and wraps his arms around me as well.

---

"Are you alright, Adison? You seem off tonight," Anne says. "I know these parties are boring, but at least you look pretty." She laughs and I smile as she walks away with her glass of wine. We've been here for over two hours and I haven't had a stitch of fun. I don't know anyone here and Harry and I have to act like nothing is happening, as usual. I smile at him as he makes his way over to me.

"Dance with me?"

Harry's POV

She shakes her head and holds out her hand. "No way. I don't dance, I'm the most uncoordinated person on the planet if you didn't notice. The only reason I was dancing at the formal is because of you and Caroline."

I smile and take her hand that she was holding out as a defence, dragging her towards the dance floor. "Well I'm here now, too."

"Harry, all of these people will see me and I'm going to look ridiculous!" she protests, pulling against me. When we get to the middle of the dance floor I pull her against my chest, keeping her hand in mine and sliding my other one to her back. Her eyes slowly travel from my chest up to my face.

"Who cares what they think. Besides, this is the only way we can spend time together without it looking weird." She rolls her eyes and I smile at the small progress. She's been more distant than usual with me tonight. I want to say it's because it's Christmas and she's sad, but I know that's not it. She almost ended things tonight. I think I almost had a panic attack when she started talking about how she can't hurt my mother. I can't imagine going back to being just friends. I know we're not quite more than that, but I only want to move forward with her. Taking a step back would literally break my heart.

I move around slowly, knowing she's not going to be comfortable with any fancy moves. I want to talk to her but I'm scared about what she'll say. I need to convince her that despite what my mother said about us this is a good idea. I can't lose her.

"Adie, can I ask you something?" She nods and my heart flutters a little when our eyes lock. "Have you ever broken the rules? Done something you weren't supposed to?"

"Harry, we can't talk about this now."

"Just answer the question."

She sighs and gives me a weird look before answering. "No. Actually, that's a lie. Freshman year I cheated on a math quiz. I hadn't seen my mom in weeks and she finally had a night at home so I hung out with her instead of studying."

"So you broke the rules because the other option was the best thing for you, right?"

"That was different," she says, looking down at my chest again.

"No Ads, it's not. I know that you think it's the worst thing in the world to lie to my mother, but ending this would be worse. When my mum knows that we're happy together she'll understand. She'll change her mind."

"No, Harry. She'll be hurt and angry at us. She won't be happy."

"Maybe at first, but she'll come around."

She takes a step back and releases my hand. "I can't do this right now, Harry. I'm sorry." I watch as she walks away from me, red dress flowing behind her as she walks through the crowd.

Shit.

---

"I think I'm going to make some coffee, do you two want some?" mum asks, walking towards the kitchen when we step in the door.

"I'm going to go to bed, I'm exhausted," Adie says. She gives me a long, sad look. "Goodnight."

I watch her until she disappears around the corner in her beautiful dress. I have no idea what to do. I want to talk to my mum more than anything, because that's what I would normally do. But I can't. I can't talk to anyone. Neither can Adie. Maybe she's right. this situation is messed up.

"Harry, are you going to come inside?" mum asks, smiling a little while she makes the coffee. I take off my shoes and walk to the kitchen.

"Mum, I need to ask you something."

"Sure, darling. What's on your mind?"

I open my mouth but quickly shut it again. No matter how vaguely I ask her for advice right now, she'll be able to see right through me. I'm actually surprised she hasn't already figured it out. She knows me better than anyone.

"Nothing. I'm going to bed too. I'll see you in the morning."

Notes

sorry this one is kind of short but I just wanted to get that little bit of trouble in there.

what do you think is going to happen? are they changing their minds???

comment, vote, subscribe!! please tell me what you think :) if you've subscribed but not voted, please do both :)

ALSO i kind of started writing another story. a teacher/student fanfic. i just started it. please check it out :) its called Against All Odds. please check it out and vote for that one too :) let me know if you like it :D

thanks guizz