I decide to wait for my friends to get here before I emerge from my room. Harry is probably still pissed at me. Doesn't he know what everyone says about him? He's a player. That's his reputation. Whether or not it's true really isn't anyones problem but his own. Until last week I didn't talk to him. How was I supposed to know what he's actually like? I hear the front door open and close and Caroline's excited voice dully through the walls. After a minute she's in my room with a huge smile on her face. I took my alone time to clean myself up a bit; now wearing leggings instead of the boxers I was in before. I didn't even want Harry to see me in them, nevermind Louis and Liam.

"Well? Come on!" Car says, tugging on my arm. I suppress a groan as I stand up from the bed. I really don't want to face Harry. It's going to be so uncomfortable. Again.

"Someone's dressed up," I note. Caroline is wearing tight jeans and a top that exposes some of her midsection. Of course she would come like this if Louis, Liam and Harry are there. I look like a homeless person compared to her.

"Well, we can't all have two of the most popular guys drooling over us. Some of us actually have to work for it." She winks and we turn the corner. The four boys are all standing in the kitchen, Louis and Tyler sitting while Harry is standing against the far counter with his arms crossed. He looks bored. What else is new.

Liam smiles when he sees me. He hugs me.

"What happened to you last night? I couldn't find you anywhere."

I give him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I umm..I wasn't feeling well."

"No worries. Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. All good." Sort of. He smiles and I walk past him and sit at the bar next to Tyler. I look at Harry so I can give him some sort of apologetic look, but he looks everywhere but me. I guess he's still angry at me.

"So, Adison." Louis leans in front of Ty so he can see me. "Why aren't you with this strapping young lad?" He pats Ty on the back and both of our mouths drop open. What?!

"Bro, no way," Ty says nervously. "Let's not even go there."

"Yeah, that would be weird," I agree.

"And gross," Ty adds.

"Well you don't have to be mean about it," I joke, punching his arm.

"Alright so not Tyler?" I shake my head, no. "Fine. Liam, then?"

I bury my now red face in my hands. Why does this boy want to embarrass me? I can hear him laugh and Tyler nudges me as a comforting gesture. Why am I hanging out with them again? Oh right, the guy who currently won't even look at me practically forced me to.

"Have you about finished?" I ask Louis when my blushing is under control.

"Just saying. He talks about you all the time. If I didn't know better-"

"Enough, Lou." Harry's stern tone catches us all off guard and results in a minute or two of awkward silence. Harry, however, seems unfazed by it.

"Why don't we all go in the pool?" Liam suggests. We all agree and go our separate ways to change. Tyler and Car come to my room and Car shuts the door and immediately whisper yells at me once Tyler is in my bathroom changing.

"Tyler? Liam? Harry? Girl, what are you doing!"

"Nothing!" I whisper yell back.

"Are they all into you?"

"Of course not! You know me and Ty would never go there."

"What about Liam?"

"I don't know!"

"Do you like him?" I shrug. "Harry?" I shrug again and she rolls her eyes. "Harry is obviously crushing on you. Why do you think he got so weird?"

"Caroline, I don't-"

"What are you whispering about?" Tyler asks, emerging from the bathroom in his bathing suit.

We look at each other and I shrug again. Car rolls her eyes and takes her turn changing.

Harry's POV

"What the fuck was that?" Louis asks when the other three are out of sight.

"What was what?"

"Why did you flip shit? I was only teasing her."

"Her fucking mom just died, Lou. Use your brain." He rolls his eyes and goes to the bathroom to change. That's not really why I was pissed. I don't like...like Adie or anything. I just don't really like the idea of one of my best friends liking her. Such as Liam. He should just back the fuck off.

"You sure you're alright?" Liam asks. I shrug and fold my arms. "Mate, is there something going on with you two?"

"Me and Adison?" He nods and I laugh sarcastically. "Of course not."

"Are you sure? You've been acting strange ever since she moved in with you."

"Because there's a stranger living in my house."

"She's no stranger, mate. Your mum told me a few days ago that you guys practically spent your whole childhood together."

I sigh and run my hands through my hair. "That was a long time ago."

"I'll admite that I'm into her," he continues. I grind my teeth together at his admittance. "But if you want me to back off, just tell me."

"I'm all good," I lie. He nods slowly and walks away to change. That probably wasn't very convincing. I'm not going to lie, I'm still pissed that Adie thinks I'm a player. Why do people believe everything they hear? I'm nothing like that. I walk to my room and change into my bathing suit. The guys are already in the pool. I put a pile of towels on a chair by the fire pit and jump in with them. I love having this pool. So warm all year around. It's fantastic.

After a few minutes of us goofing around the girls step out, wrapped in towels from Adie's bathroom. Caroline shamelessly tosses hers on a chair and slides into the pool. I sink down a little in the water and watch as Adie bites her lip. She looks nervous. She slowly slides her towel off and my mouth drops open. She looks pretty damn good in a bikini. Really good. She covers herself a bit with her arms and walks quickly to the pool, sliding in next to Caroline. I close my mouth and sink down under the water to collect myself for a moment.

When I come back up Adie is watching me. I probably shouldn't be a dick to her anymore. I give her a small smile, which she returns. She looks relieved. I'm glad. I really do need to talk to her, though. I know what people say about me, and if she believes that I need to make sure she knows it isn't true. I swim up to the group and frown when Liam takes the spot I was headed for against the wall next to her. He asked me if I wanted him to back off and I said no, so I guess it's my own fault.

Do I like her? I had the biggest crush of life on her as kids. She knew it, too. She had me wrapped around her little finger. I'm sure if the situation presented itself she would find that she still does.

"Is the hot tub even warmer than this?" Caroline asks, swimming over to the wall that separates the two.

"Yeah, three or four degrees," I reply. She smiles and hoists herself over the wall. The boys go over and join her, but I swim slower. Adie looks back and waits for me. "Hi," I say shyly.

"Hi. Look, I'm sorry about earlier."

"Don't be. Just so you know, all the things people say about me...they aren't true. I'm not like that."

She gives me a sympathetic look. "I'm really sorry, Harry. I can't believe people would spread such horrible things about you."

I shrug and smile at her. "I can handle it. I just don't want you to think I'm a dick."

"Don't worry, I don't." She giggles and points to my hair. "You look weird with wet hair."

"That's mean." She giggles again and goes over to the wall. "Nice bathing suit, by the way."

She blushes and sinks a little further into the water. "Thanks."

"Any time. Do you want help getting in?" I ask, motioning my head towards the wall of the hot tub. She's pretty small.

"I'll just walk around," she says, starting to swim towards the steps. I reach out bravely and put my hands on her waist. The feeling of my skin against hers makes me feel instantly warmer. And like..tingly.

"Don't be silly." I pull her towards me and drag her through the water to the wall. I turn her around so we're face to face. Quite close. She looks nervous and according to my heart rate I am too. "Ready?"

She nods once and I lift her up to sit on the top of the wall. "Thanks," she says quietly. I nod as she spins herself around and slides into the warmer water. I lift myself over and take a seat next to her so she's sitting between Liam and I. Just great. I feel so jealous of him. She seems so much more comfortable with him than me. I have no idea why. They talk so easily, but her and I...it's so weird most of the time. Except for a while this afternoon. Then I got pissed and we got all awkward again. I guess I'm going to have to try harder than I usually do. Maybe that's a good thing.

Addison's POV

"Ready?" he asks, his large hands wrapping around both my hips. My heart is beating extremely fast right now. Whenever he's this close to me I feel like I can't think clearly. I nod, not trusting my voice and he hoists me up so I'm sitting on the wall.

"Thanks," I manage to get out. I spin around and slide into the hot tub. I look around and see a bunch of places I could sit, but I choose the one next to Liam since there's enough room for Harry to sit beside me as well.

I don't know why I'm thinking like this. Harry would be all wrong for me. I'm not even into him like that. He just makes me nervous and gives me butterflies and stuff. That doesn't mean I like him. Liam is a really nice guy and he's actually consistently nice to me. I can read Liam. Harry, on the other hand, not so much. Why would I want to make my life even more complicated than it already is?

When Harry takes the seat next to me I can't help but feel happy, though. Even still, I follow my plan and talk to Liam instead. Of course I'm not ignoring Harry, but I just don't want him to get the wrong idea about me. Plus, he hasn't expressed any sort of interest in me. For all I know this is how he acts with every girl. He might even be lying to me about his reputation. Maybe it's just a way for him to add me to his list.

I need to stop thinking so much.

- - - - - -

"I'm going to get something to drink," I announce, standing from my spot. "Anyone want anything?"

I get everyone's drink orders and walk around the fire pit to the house.

"I'll help you," Harry says, following my inside. I give him a grateful smile but can't help but feel annoyed. What is he trying to do to me? I, once again, look like a slob, but I'm comfortable and warm so I really couldn't care. Liam said I looked 'cuddly' whatever that means. Either way it was cute.

"Are you having a good time?" Harry asks while we wait for the water to boil. Everyone wanted hot chocolate. Of course, they also want Bailey's in it.

"Yeah, your friends are nice."

He smiles and leans against the counter opposite me. "They're your friends now, too, Ads. I know Lou can be kind of a handful, but he means well. He comes off as a dick sometimes, but he really doesn't mean it that way."

"I'm not that fragile Harry. I can handle it," I laugh. He nods.

"Fair enough. Caroline is umm...interesting," he says carefully.

I laugh and nod my head in agreement. "Yeah, she's also a handful. She's great though, I love her."

"Yeah she seems like a nice girl. She loves to talk, though."

"Yeah she does. She drives Tyler crazy most of the time."

"You guys all seem really close," he observes, taking out six mugs.

"Yeah. They're like family." Especially now. My face must completely display the sudden sadness I feel, because Harry's face instantly turns worried. I attempt to give him a smile, but it probably looks pained at best. He sighs and hesitantly wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. I keep my arms folding in front of me and inhale is scent while he comforts me by rubbing circles against my back.

"I'm so sorry," he whispers against my hair. I just nod against his chest, willing myself not to cry. Tyler and Caroline really are the only family I have left. I didn't really think about that until now. We stand there in silence for a few minutes while he hugs me. I'm satisfied to realize that I don't feel uncomfortable. I hope he doesn't either. When the kettle starts to whistle he puts his hands on my shoulders and pulls back to look at me.

"Do you want me to ask them to leave?" he asks softly.

"No, I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

I nod and smile weakly. He looks between my eyes a few times and sighs, then nods in agreement.

"Come on, the water is going to get cold again," I joke weakly, stepping away and scooping chocolate into each mug. Harry brings two mugs out while I finish the rest and we both exit the house with a mug in either hand. Harry also tucks a bottle of Bailey's under his arm, as requested. Caroline announces that she's crashing here and dumps some into her cup following Louis and Liam. When everyone has some Harry holds it out to me. (I'm once again sitting between Harry and Liam.) I look at it nervously and he smirks adorably.

"Just try it. It won't kill you." I give in and hold my cup out.

"Fine. Just a little bit, though." He smiles and puts way more in that I planned. "Harry!"

"Oops." He shrugs and puts the cap back on. "It slipped." I roll my eyes and can't help but laugh. It actually tastes really good, unlike the drink Liam so graciously gave me last night. I'm actually having a really good time; Louis is hilarious. Never in a million years did I think I would be hanging out with these people and actually be enjoying myself. I guess you can't believe everything you hear.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I would like to hear some stories about the trouble these two got into as kids," Louis says, adding more baileys to his cup. I swear by now it's got to be just the alcohol. Harry laughs and looks at me. I shrug and take a sip of my drink. He gets a mischievous look in his eye and turns back to the group.

"Well, we were each other's first kiss," he announces. I choke on my drink and start coughing, face turning red as a tomato. Harry laughs as I set my drink down and pats my back a few times. "Try not to die or anything," he teases.

"Wait, are you serious?" Car asks. Everyone looks deeply invested, but all for different reasons. Louis looks completely amused, Car looks excited, Ty looks shocked and Liam looks a little discouraged. I eventually get myself under control and take a deep breath.

"Does it count if we were six?" I ask quietly, glaring at Harry.

"It was lip to lip contact," he clarifies. "It definitely counts."

"Well I want to hear this story!" Car squeals, leaning forwards in her chair. Why is she so excited and why is Harry so keen on embarrassing me?

"It's not a good story," I half-shout, cutting Harry off. He smirks at me.

"I disagree." I roll my eyes and slouch back in my chair when he starts to tell it. "At my old house we had this fantastic treehouse. It was huge. You remember it, Lou?"

"Of course," Louis says. "It was the best. If you still lived there I would still want to hang out in it."

"Okay then," Harry says. "Anyway, one time we were up there with my sister and my mom called us inside for lunch. Gemma went down the ladder first, but it fell over when she got to the bottom. So, we were stranded. It was quite traumatic."

"Yeah it was a real disaster," I comment sarcastically.

"Do you want to tell the story?" Harry asks, holding back a smile.

"By all means, go ahead."

"Thank you. As I was saying. So, Gemma decided to taunt us for a few minutes. Then she went inside. Knowing her she probably didn't tell my mum right away. It took a while for her to come help us. This one starts panicking," he says, poking my leg. "She was almost crying she was so upset. I told her we would get down eventually."

Flashback (from Harry's POV cuz hes telling the story)

"What if we don't?" Adie cried. "We're going to die in here!"

"We'll be fine, Gemma is getting my mum."

"She's taking forever. I don't want to die, Harry."

"Why not?" I ask, joining her on the floor. She wipes the tears from her cheek.

"Promise you won't tell?"

"Promise."

"Well..." she stopped and looked around a little. "I've never kissed a boy. Mum says you can't be a lady until a boy has kissed you."

"Why do you want to be a lady?" I ask, scrunching up my nose in disgust.

"Because mum is a lady," she says proudly. "I want to be just like my mum."

"Well, if you want I can kiss you," I suggested.

"Do you know how?"

"It can't be that hard. My mum and dad used to all the time."

She stood up from her spot and nodded her head. I do the same.

"Okay," she agreed. "But we can't tell anyone." She holds up her pinky finger.

"Okay." I interlocked our pinky fingers and we shake them once. "Okay so...are you ready?"

She nodded and closed her eyes, then puckered her lips. That looks weird. I took a step forwards and leaned towards her face and puckered my lips out the same way she did. I pressed them together and counted to three, then stepped back.

"All done," I announced. She opened her eyes and smiled at me.

End of Flashback

"Oh my gosh! That's so adorable!" Car says, clapping her hands. My face is probably red again. Why would he insist on telling that story out of all of them?

"I thought so," Harry says proudly, leaning back in his chair again.

"Do you remember the part where we pinky promised not to tell?" I ask, reaching out with my leg and kicking him.

"Yes," he states simply. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Well I'm pretty sure if you break a pinky promise the other person gets to kill you."

"Well that's a tad dramatic, don't you think?" He smirks again and I can see his eyes flickering to Liam on the other side of me. I turn and look at him as well. He's staring at the fire looking annoyed. I turn back to Harry and glare.

"Not at all. How would you like me to do it? Drowning? Knife? Maybe I'll just hold your pillow over your face when you're sleeping until you stop moving."

He laughs and shakes his head. "You seem to have already put some thought into ways to kill me."

"Yes, well you have a habit of breaking your pinky promises."

"There's more?" Car squeals.

"Oh we did it all the time," Harry explains. "Even the littlest things. Like on time Adie over here caught me biting my nails when my mum kept telling me not to, so I made her pinky promise not to tell."

Harry continues telling stories about all the little promisees me made. Some were silly and didn't even require a promise, but others were a little more adorable, even I have to admit. There's one that stands out in my mind that he hasn't mentioned yet. I hope he keeps it to himself.

"I can't believe my mum hasn't come back yet," Harry says after a while. "It's late." He pulls out his phone and reads a text, announcing that she won't be coming home at all. "Well, do you guys all just want to crash here, then?"

Everyone agrees and we all start to head inside. Louis practically sprints to Gemma's room to claim the bed. Liam says he's rather sleep on the couch anyway; everyone agrees it's the most comfortable thing ever. Tyler and Car will sleep in my room the same way they did the first time they came here; Car in the bed with me and Ty on the floor. Harry goes back outside to put the fire out and I finish cleaning up. After ten minutes he's still outside, so I go out there to check on him. He's sitting with his back to me facing the fire.

"What are you doing?" I ask, wrapping my cardigan around me tighter against the cold air. He jumps when he hears my voice and spins around. "Sorry," I giggle. I sit on the arm of the chair beside him and he leans forward with his elbows on his knees. He looks deep in thought.

"I was just thinking about something," he explains quietly.

"About what?"

"Just...do you remember-" he stops and shakes his head. "Never mind."

"What?" I prod, sliding my chair closer to his and to the fire. Our knees brush against each other when I sit down. After a minute he looks up at me.

"The last time we saw each other. Do you remember what you asked me?" he asks, looking back and forth between my eyes. I swallow nervously and nod my head, yes. "You remember that last promise we made each other?" I nod again and he stands a little and pulls his chair so that we're facing each other. He sits down and leans forward, placing his hands on my legs. I was already leaning forward, so our faces are only six inches apart. He continues.

"I know we were only eight. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I...I remember it like it was yesterday." I nervously look away from his eyes and he puts his fingers under my chin and gently turns my face back towards his. "I really did mean that promise," he says quietly, trailing his fingers lightly along my cheek and down my jawline. My heart is hammering inside my chest and for a moment everything seems to freeze. Our eyes lock for a few seconds before his flicker down to my lips. Before I can process what's happening he slowly leans in towards me.

"Adie, are you-"

Harry and I both jump and sit back from each other. I look at the door and Tyler awkwardly scratches the back of his head.

"Sorry I umm...I was just wondering where you were. I'll just...go." He gives me a weird look and goes back inside. Well that was awkward. When I look back at Harry he's still staring at me.

"I should get to bed...." I say slowly, standing from my chair. He stands as well and our bodies are alarmingly close.

"Okay," he whispers, reaching for a strand of hair that fell out of my braid and tucking it behind my ear. I stare into his eyes and try to figure out what he's feeling right now, but I can't. I quickly turn and walk back inside, leaving him alone without looking back.

Did he almost kiss me? Did I want him to?

I have no idea what just happened.

Notes

la laa la laaaaaaaaaaa
yeah. progress.
comment! tell me what you think! i want to know that people are interested in the story before i get too far into it. i dont want to waste my time :P

did you guys find this one cute? I did.
what do you think the last pinky promise was?

comment, vote, subscribe my lovelies :)