Never Is A Promise

“Aly!!!! I need help finding a shirt to wear with this!” I yelled standing in the skirt and red heels.

Aly came flying up the stairs and immediately squealed “I have the perfect thing!” She threw a black fringe hand bag at me and a few bangles before running over to a bag and throwing a cashmere leopard print drape wrap sweater at me I pulled it on the sleeves were long and the neck line in a v-neck that flattered me well, even with a small amount of midriff showing in a triangle above the skirt.

“Damn MJ!” Louis said from the doorway. I looked over at him his eyes wide “If I didn’t have a girlfriend… Harry is going to have to watch himself today.”

“Lou why are you up here?” I asked interrupting his rant as I put on a light coat of makeup, and a selecting a wig deciding it was easier for today and putting it on changing my hair from flat and damp to full with a gentle wave.

“Oh right Anne is here, and she’d like to meet the new PR Managers.” Louis said before running back down stair yelling that he told us and we’d be down as soon as we got done dressing. I smirked tossing a pair of printed leggings, a grey bralet, a dark purple sweater and black wedges to Aly her face lit up as she pulled the clothes on, while I found a long silver chain to put the old promise ring Harry’d given me on.

“Why are you putting the ring on a chain?” Aly asked brushing out her hair.

“Because there is a good chance Anne is going to know I’m Mick and I want to give myself at least a chance.” I explained making sure the ring was well hidden in my shirt resting on the skin between my breasts. “Ready?” Aly nodded leading the way. Niall was waiting in the kitchen with the rest of the boys I watched from behind as his mouth opened a little before turning up into a grin as Aly walked over to him.

My reaction was a little different I heard Liam cough choking on his water and Zayn stopped eating swallowing hard. Louis laughed poking Harry trying to close his mouth. “I probably should have warned you MJ looks fit today.” He said pushing on Harry’s mouth.

He shook his head standing up to hug me looking me over once more. “You look great MJ” He said hugging me. He turned to the couch where Anne was sitting in jeans, a green shirt and a white blazer with gold heels.

“Hi, I’m MJ and this is Aly we’re the boys PR Managers.”

“And the gnomes that live upstairs” Louis said.

“You let us live there.” Aly countered smirking and waving her phone at him and he immediately glared but stopped talking.

I looked back at her. “Aly babe what do you have on your phone that can get Louis Tomlinson to shut up.”

She smirked at me “Stuff” she said shrugging.

I laughed rolling my eyes, turning back to Anne mouthing sorry she just smiled and waved it
off “ Not a problem dear, I’m Anne,”

“Its good to finally be able to meet you,”

“You too Harry told me you’d be joining us today.” She said.

“Well they need some management with them when they go out and Paul is already watching the others for today,”

“You weren’t complaining when I asked.” Harry smirked as I turned a smacked his chest lightly.

“I never said I was complaining Harry, are we taking my car?” he nodded. Leading the way out of the bus and to my car I unlocked it Anne climbed in the back after waving Harry off telling him to take the front seat.

“The others are in the van with Paul and you know the schedule?”

I looked at him pointedly “Yes I have to get you to the Arena by 16:00 we have 5 hours. We’re to first?”

“Lunch.”

“Styles you just ate,”

“So I’m a growing boy” I poked his side and nodded “Hey!” he called swatting at my hand as Anne laughed at our antics in the back seat. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the mall that Harry’s phone was directing us to. As soon as I pulled up Harry was out of the car, yelling he’d meet us at the food court.

I shook my head “Wow if he ran any faster they’d think we starve them or something.” I said.
Anne laughed as she walked with me into the mall. “Well Niall did eat his breakfast because he didn’t get out of the shower fast enough,” I laughed nodding. “So Harry doesn’t know your Mickole. How’d you keep that one?” Anne asked I froze how did she know?

“I- I uh.” I stopped shaking my head. “He thinks I’m dead and I never said otherwise and the people who know aren’t telling him because we all agreed it will only hurt him more at this point. I don’t have any right to come back in and turn his world upside down again, I don’t plan on him finding out but if he does I’ll deal with it then and lucky for me Simon, Louis and Liam agree.” I said looking over she nodded slowly. “How did you know?” I asked.

Anne smiled “Mick you grew up in my house too, you were always close with Harry and it was the small things way when he shifts you match, and the promise ring you’re trying to hide around your neck, and you look different but the eyes are the same.” Anne explained as we walked.

“Do you think he knows?”

Anne thought for a second before nodding “Yes, but he doesn’t want to know so even though a part of him knows, its not the conscious part.”

“So you won’t tell him?” she shook her head.

“This isn’t mine to tell, but I do hope you tell him before either of you get hurt. That and Simon may have clued me in after the whole Sugarscape thing incase they contacted me, he told me your reasons,” She said hugging me “Just watch out for him, for me, ” I nodded.

“I will.”

“Its good to have you back, Mick.” She said wrapping me in a comforting hug, as we turned into the food court. “You look great.”

I smiled and nodded “Considering everything I’ve gone through I’d have to argee,” She raised her eyebrow in a silent question. “I’m alive.” I laughed craning my neck in search of the curly haired boy.

“Well considering that you could be dead you look very good.” Anne smiled chuckling to herself.

“Found him.” I said pointing to the boy hunched over a plate of food turned away from the rest of the crowd a dark green beanie cramed onto his head. He was mostly done with his food. My eyes flashed as I thought of all the fun and hilarious things we could do to the boy who was currently zoned out eating his Chinese food.

“What are you thinking Mickole?” Anne asked seeing my smirk.

“Two options, sneaking up behind him and tickling him, or sneaking up behind and screaming in a high pitch voice oh my god its Harry Styles and tackling him.” Anne laughed “But ticking him means we don’t have to deal with fan girls all day.”

Anne was still laughing but shook her head “Nope he laughs and yelps to loudly it’ll draw the same amount of attention.”

“Alright then so scream tackle and the tickle?” I asked as we walked around behind the slouched over boy. She nodded in agreement with the plan. “I wish we had a camera.”

“Security camera’s.” Anne said pointing up. “I’m sure they’ll let the PR Manager and mom get the footage for blackmail.”

I smirked at her she reached out a squeezed my hand, she always had been a second mother to me, I was still shocked Simon had told her about me and she hadn’t told Harry then again she knew him as well as I did and how much a secret like that would hurt him once he found out, I’d be lucky if he ever acknowledged me again if he knew I was his Mick. I took a deep breath once we were a few feet behind Harry. “OH OH! OH MY GAWD! ITS HARRY STYLES!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!” I screamed Anne joining me as we tackled the surprised brunette out of his chair.

“Get him!” Anne laughed as we pinned him down tickling him as he squirmed and laughed loudly.

He was gasping for breath when Anne and I stopped high fiving each other over a very grumpy looking green eyed boy who was glaring up at us for where he was sprawled on the floor. “I was having a peaceful lunch until that.” He whined.

“Yeah slouched over being anti social and trying to hide in the middle of a crowded mall.” I laughed nudging him.

“I’m going to go grab us food. Same thing?” Anne said I nodded.

Harry looked between us. Raising an eyebrow “So you’re now besties with my mum?” I shrugged “She knows you’re food order, MJ, don’t just shrug at me.”

I laughed leaning on him “You ran off for food we had to talk about something. We realized we like a lot of the same foods.” I explained. He just laughed hugging me to his side as he shook off the comment turning back to shoveling food into his mouth.

We were right when we thought that we’d never have a peaceful shopping day. Harry and sometimes even Anne and I would get asked for pictures or autographs as well, we were getting a bunch of fans who loved the boys and who wanted to go to the show but didn’t have the money. I looked into my purse and smiled I still had a few passes for the show that night.

I walked up behind Harry, wrapping an arm around Harry’s waist ducking under his arm as I tucked the passes into his back pant pocket. “Hey MJ. Are those?” I nodded, before he finished knowing he was on the same page as me, he smiled down at me. “You are good at this job.”

“I would hope so. You do pay me well to take care of you guys.” I laughed. “Besides its worth it to say you pay me to hang out with you.”

Anne laughed “Can I get paid to hang out with you too Harry?”

“Mum!” Harry whined. The girls around us giggled as we embarrassed the taller boy.

“Be nice Harry you can’t fly your Mum out just to be mean to her.” I laughed poking him.

“Awww” he groaned smiling at the teasing “Careful MJ I know where you sleep.”

“I know where you sleep too.” I laughed. “And I cook you food”

“Yep in Louis’ bed.” He said smirking.

“Lou’s gonna kill you” I muttered as the girls squealed. “Passes?”

“Later,” He said as he finished the autographs, smiling and winking at the group of girls who squealed again causing the store managers to glare at us.

“Excuse me but you’re causing quite the disturbance” An older lady said glaring at us as we entered the store. “If you cause a ruckus we will ask you to leave.” I nodded as Harry scoffed under his breath at the empty threat.

“Behave.” I hissed as we walked toward the dressing rooms that Anne was currently occupying. Harry was buying his mum cloths not that’d told her that yet. “I’m not throwing around your name in here just so you can get your way,” I said poking him.

“Aww why not?” Harry whined as we sat down waiting for his Mum to come out in the clothes she’d found and loved since Harry wanted to see them first.

“Because its turning you into a self centered twat, you can’t always have your cake, and everyone else’s and eat it too.” I reasoned.

“But what if she’s mean to me first?”

“Then act like a normal person and either ignore it, follow her directions or argue but don’t bring up your fame or I will record it and start a rumor about you being a stuck up brat.” I said matter of factly.

“You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am until it changes you into an arrogant asshole.”

Harry opened his mouth to argue when his Mum cut in “Harry I’m with MJ on this one,” he shut his mouth if his Mum was in on the whole thing then he had no chance of winning and he knew she was probably a good voice of reason.

Instead of arguing he looked at his Mum who had on the clothes she had liked, he walked over to the older woman who had just walked back to the changing room area. “Hi, can I get all those cloths in her dressing room packed up and rung up at the register? I’ll be up in a few minutes to pay for them.”

She laughed at him “Ok, sweetheart, you do know how much all of that is going to be right?” Harry smirked and nodded once.

He took a deep breath and smiled “Or if you just want to put it on hold we can come get it all at once since we are going to grab a few other things as well.“ he said smiling at her before coming back to sit next to me. I sighed shaking my head “What”

“Nothing, Styles, you’re just a twat.” I said laughing. “And we have 15 minutes until we have to start heading back. And I need to change since Aly and I are introducing you tonight.“ I said as I got up to look at a scarf that had caught my eye.


******


I pushed Harry along in front of me as we walked into the stadium, he was walking slowly as
he talked and he was already late, after I’d gotten him back in time and everything.

Paul finally found us walking through the hall it being quite obvious that Harry was being difficult. “Harry, Don’t piss of the PR they have the most dirt on you.” Paul said gently pushing Harry into the dressing rooms.

I glared at the door as it closed. “That’s what I told him.” I muttered as I followed Paul into the dressing room. Aly had my clothes bag with her, the one for the show and dinner after. Since everyone else was going to different restaurants, Aly and Niall on a date, Louis, Zayn, Paul and Liam to fast food most likely, and Harry Anne and myself to a fancy dessert place then back to the bus for pizza, movies and games. I glared at Aly she was dressed perfect for her whole day. Sure I could have worn the same outfit for the whole day but what fun are a ton of clothes if you never wear them. Aly and I announced each of the acts Little Mix then Ed Sheeran. Who decided to play James Bond and walk out with his arms around us, and did a fairly good impression of James Bond. I must say it worked quite well when Aly decided to pull off her Jumper and swap her leggings for jean shorts. Aly and I announced him and then walked back off stage

“So I’d love to sing you a few songs but I’ll need my two lovely Bond Girls back out here.” Ed called as He came to the last song of his set. The boys walking on back stage as we headed back out to see Ed.

“Hey!” Niall yelled grabbing a microphone and tailing us out “Aly babe. What are you wearing.” Niall asked as he followed us out causing everyone to scream.

“Jealous?” Ed laughed Niall looked over at him and nodded.

“She’s had on leggings and a sweater all day and you get her and MJ into less clothing in an hour than we did all day.” Niall said joking with Ed.

“I’ve never heard you complain before” Aly teased smirking at her boyfriend giving him a kiss on the cheek earning screams and awws from the crowd as well as a few laughes.

“As long as you fix this later.” Niall said. I busted up laughing as Ed snickered and Aly turned bright red as Niall headed off stage. Ed finished his last song before the boys came on.

Ed exited while Aly and I stayed on to say that the boys would be on in a few minutes. Darren was standing right next to the stage. He yanked me off to the side as the boys ran on stage behind the curtains I heard a low growl from Louis who also glared pointedly at Darren who was sporting a black eye. Darren curled a lip back in a scowl as a response as he dragged me back away from side stage to a place where no one could hear us. “You told them?” he roared. I shook my head ”Then how did they know?!?!”

“I don’t know they guessed it I’m not that hard to read!” I yelled back I felt my head fly to the side with a sound of skin to skin, and even with that it took me a second to realize Darren had just back handed me.

My mouth dropped as he stopped and grabbed my hands. As he pulled me close whispering that he was sorry, and that he was just mad that the boys believed a lie about our interactions. How he never meant to hurt me and how he was sorry and it would never happen again. And I was about to be the good girl and push him away and leave him to torment someone else when Simon’s words that my bonus and job depended on dating Darren flashed through my head as well as a picture of a miserable sad torn apart Harry that I had glimpses of whenever I came up. I’d done so much to him, this was the least I could do to try and fix it I thought as I agreed with Darren, before going and finding a spot next to Aly and Anne to watch the show after using some heavy duty concealer on the slowly forming bruise on my cheek.


******


“You’ve been quiet since the boys started playing.” Anne said as we walked back to the car to go to dessert I had changed again since I wasn’t dressed for the fancy dessert place.

I nodded. “What did Darren want?” Harry asked his voice low and dark I saw his hand twitch toward me I put my hand up onto his bicep, to let him know that I was ok.

“Just to talk about Louis and Liam today.”

Harry nodded “He didn’t try anything or do anything did he?” I took a deep breath and sighed shaking my head. “Good,” He said as we hopped into my car, heading out of the parking lot behind the Little Mix and Ed Sheeran buses who were headed to Norway hoping to get there before midnight. But where they turned left I turned right and headed down the street to the restaurant. I parked out front as Harry got the Valet to take the car for us. I was zoned out for most of dessert.

“Alright what really happened Mickole.” Anne said. My head snapped up to see Harry wasn’t at the table. “He’s in the bathroom,” Anne said answering her question.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mick you have a hand print on your face.” Anne sighed, my eyes shot up “Harry can’t tell but as another girl I can tell your concealer doesn’t quite cover it.”

“We were talking and well,” I gestured to my face.

“Mick you need to leave once is all it takes.” Anne said taking my hand.

I shook my head “I can’t… its complicated” I said shrugging.

Anne was quiet for a few moments “its only complicated if you make it complex.” She shook her head as she saw Harry heading back over “Just be safe Mick” I nodded as she gave my hand a squeeze.

“Ready?” Harry asked Anne and I nodded as he raised his hand taking the bill. He gave me a worried look I smiled and waved him off. I knew better than to think he would drop it completely, and I was right I spent the rest of the night tucked into his side. Before bed time where I gave her my bed deciding to sleep next to Harry again that night, after reapplying my concealer using a liquid cover up instead of powder.

As soon as Aly and Niall got back we took off driving to Norway. Harry was asleep as Aly climbed up the ladder after Niall. “Hey how was your night?” She asked stopping on the ladder.


“It was good, Anne knows though, but I would have been naïve to think she wouldn’t notice.”
Aly laughed, “Simon gave her a heads up” I nodded. “Alright well I’ll talk to you in the morning.” She said I nodded before she climbed up the rest of the way into Niall’s bunk.

“Don’t keep me up though!” I hissed earning a giggle before I closed my eyes and snuggling into Harry’s chest, drifting off to sleep.

Notes

9 more chapters til Harry finds out!!! Pretty much everyone knows except Harry, Zayn, Niall and the fans!!!

Let me know what you think sorry the update was slow its been a busy few days.

xx my sunshines!!!