The Reinvention of Harry Styles

Molly and Harry landed in New York the next day, before Harry headed off to London on his own. They had both slept on the plane, so there was no need to pretend just because Jeff was around. However, when it was time for the two to part, they both made eye contact as they realized it would be appropriate for them to kiss goodbye. Jeff, as always, was nearby, and even though he was on the phone, he kept a close eye on the couple’s actions.

Molly leaned into Harry for a hug, and he rested his chin on her head. As she pulled away, she looked up at him, wide eyed, as she realized she was going to have to kiss Harry Styles. The many times her younger self had imagined this, it never played out like this. She was nervous, but they were both sleepy and still waking up after the long flight. Without thinking about it too much, they both leaned in and briefly touched lips, paused half a second, before pulling away.

“I’m going to miss you,” Molly said as they pulled out of their hug.

“I already miss you, Molls.” Harry smiled, and Molly nearly laughed at how cheesy that sounded.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Molly turned to leave, accidentally catching Jeff’s eyes as he surreptitiously watched the pair.

“Don’t forget your passport!” Harry called after her, knowing she actually needed that reminder. He watched her leave before turning to Jeff and seeing the same expression on his face he’d seen the other day when he told him he and Molly were dating. “What?” Harry asked.

“That was some kiss,” Jeff said sarcastically. “Are you two practicing for the world record of shortest kiss?”

Harry rolled his eyes. “We’re not really into PDA. Besides, you never know who could see us.”

“Harry, I’m the only one here.”

“We’re just tired, okay?” Harry shrugged him off and walked back toward the plane. Honestly, he was tired. He and Molly had been up late talking about what they needed to do to fix his image. After watching ‘Deadpool’ Molly sobered up a bit and had a few ideas, so they spent the next few hours figuring out how to implement them.

One thing Molly brought up that Harry would need to look into was the legality behind some of the things Jeff had planned for Harry and whether or not he could get out of it. Specifically, his deal with Gucci and other designers to make the ‘70s rock star suits. As Molly pointed out, people do like them (most of them), but they were another part in his faux rock star image they were trying to fix. If he had to wear whatever they told him to, he would. But if he had a say in what he wore, he would try to suggest something more….appropriate? Molly kept reminding him ‘what would 1D Harry do?’ 1D Harry would not have worn nearly half of the suits Harry had worn the past few months. On the other hand, as Molly pointed out, his suits were the most exciting part of his solo career to some. But they were, after all, a costume more than anything.

However, he had a couple of ‘Dunkirk’ premieres to attend over the next week, and it was probably too late to change those outfits. He’d been fitted for dozens of different suits months ago, and couldn’t remember what exactly he’d be wearing, but they were probably not as extravagant as the outfits he wore on the ‘Late Late Show’.

His blood froze at the thought of the London premier. Why had he thought it was a good idea for Molly to come? She said she hadn’t gotten to see the movie before interviewing he and Fionn in LA, because she was a last minute replacement. So without thinking, Harry said she could come to one of the premiers with him. Not with him, as in, a date, but as one of his guests, like his mom and Gemma. Or Jeff and his girlfriend, because they would be there too. They always were.

Harry sighed and looked out the window at the clouds below. He really hoped Molly and Gemma hit it off - he was really relying on it. It had been his ‘bright’ idea to suggest his sister be friends with his fake girlfriend, so if she was ever seen with them publicly it would explain her presence. So, publicly, Molly was Gemma’s friend. Privately (ie, around his management), Molly was Harry’s girlfriend. In reality, Molly was a former 1D fan with a degree in management, and Harry was in trouble.

Big trouble. Harry constantly doubted whether or not he could pull this off, and consistently questioned his sanity the day he met Molly and asked her to be his ‘girlfriend.’ What had he gotten himself into? What had he dragged Molly into? So far, she seemed more than willing to go along with this, but this was just the beginning. He was about to put her out in front of thousands of people this weekend at the premier, where people would speculate and scrutinize her. She would be with his mom and his sister, two people Harry trusted more than anyone. Molly had that ebullient personality that allowed her to get along with practically anyone, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?

This thought plagued Harry until he fell asleep, and thought nothing of Molly confronting her parents, informing them she would be moving to London immediately for a job.

“Honey, I’m so proud of you, but…. London? That’s so far away, sweetie,” her mom said with sad eyes.

“I’ll be around New York occasionally, I think.” She swallowed and realized she had no idea what Harry’s plans were. “Maybe.”

“Well, I for one am glad we finally get to turn your bedroom into that exercise room,” her dad stated.

“Stephen, not right now.” Her mom glared at him.

“Well, Deborah, when I graduated college I would not have dared move back in with my parents.” He shrugged, and put his hands in his pockets.

“Thanks dad.” Molly said flatly. “But I’m not sure how long this job will last.” She got a feeling in the pit of her stomach when she realized this could be temporary, like, only a few weeks. She might have to come home and live in that ‘exercise’ room. “I have to pack,” she said suddenly and excused herself from her bickering parents.

She grabbed anything she thought she would need and stuffed whatever she could fit into her two suitcases. Everything seemed to be happening so fast, but she tried to keep her head on straight. In college, she had only lived an hour or so away from home, and saw her parents frequently. Being an only child, she was used to her parents (her mom, mostly) being over protective and just a phone call away. Now, she would be living across the ocean with a guy she used to idolize, though realistically, she barely knew him.

Molly tried to keep all of this out of her head as she and her parents went out for dinner before they dropped her off at the airport that night. Blinking back tears, she gave her mom a hug goodbye and said she’d call when she landed.

“Did you pack your toothbrush,” her mom asked.

“Yes, mom.” Molly rolled her eyes.

“And your birth control,” her mom added quietly.

“Yes, mom!” Molly laughed and stepped out of her embrace. “I have to go now, you know how long it take to get through customs.”

“Love you honey!” Her mom shouted after her, and Molly turned to wave one more time.

Halfway through her flight she got a text from Harry.

H: How’s your flight?

M: It’s lovely, thanks. I’ve never flown first class

H: Are you ready for the premier tomorrow?

M: Shit, no I don’t think I have anything to wear

H: You and Gemma can go shopping together for something. It’ll be a good way for you two to bond, and maybe be seen together.

M: Smart move. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it myself.

H: ; )

H: Have you two been talking?

M: Yup. About you, of course

H: No! Nothing embarrassing, I hope?

M: Only embarrassing stuff, duh

H: Great, at least you get along, though.

M: Very much so

M: See you in a couple of hours

H: Actually, I’m going to see if she can pick you up at the airport and take you shopping straight away.

Molly soon fell asleep, knowing she had a long day ahead of her tomorrow. This time change was really going to get to her. As Harry planned, Gemma picked Molly up at the airport like she was greeting an old friend.

Once safely in the car, Gemma turned to Molly to properly introduce herself. “So, how are you finding my brother?”

Molly sighed. “He’s not quite what my 16 year old self thought he was. But I guess that’s a good thing, considering he’s 23 now?”

Gemma laughed, “So you’re a fan?”

“I was huge 1D fan for a couple years.” Molly didn’t even feel embarrassed to admit this to Gemma, she just thought the whole situation was funny.

“Harry kind of explained it to me, and I’m happy you’re trying to help him. I’ve seen what people say about the ‘new Harry’ so I’m glad I could assist.” Gemma explained, and added with a smirk, “And you seem pretty fun; I’m happy you’re my brother’s pretend girlfriend.”

“I’m happy I get to pretend to be your friend.” Molly giggled, and the two chatted for a bit until they arrived at their destination. Molly was expecting to go to a mall to find a dress, but Gemma took her to a very nice looking store.

“So, what do you want to wear?” Gemma asked and Molly looked wide-eyed around the store.

“I’m not even sure what’s appropriate to wear to this kind of thing,” Molly admitted. She usually had no trouble with fashion, but she was a bit out of her league.

“Nothing too fancy or formal, but still classy.” Gemma described the outfits she and Anne were wearing while Molly looked through clothes.

“And Harry’s wearing black, too, so I guess black is the theme,” Molly said as she pulled out a dress and held it up.

“Girl, you have to try that on!” Gemma smiled and pushed Molly toward the dressing rooms.

Molly eyed herself carefully in the mirror before stepping out to show it off to Gemma. “It’s not too….much, is it?”

Gemma shook her head. “Not at all, that looks fabulous, and really shows off your curves.”

“Yeah?” Molly turned in front of the mirror to view the back. “This would look great with some red heels.”

Gemma reappeared next to Molly and held up some shiny red stilettos. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

Molly slipped on the shoes and the two stared at her reflection in the mirror as she modeled her outfit.

“Harry might actually fall for you when he sees you in that,” Gemma complimented.

“Oh shut up.” Molly rolled her eyes. “That’s not my intention, you know that, right?”

Gemma shrugged. “I’m just saying! If I were him, I’d be all over that.”

Molly slipped out of the heels. “Doesn’t he like tall, leggy blonds?”

“Just because those are the kinds of girls he’s been seen with doesn’t mean that’s his type,” Gemma replied.

“Okay, but for the sake of my sanity, I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. I had to kiss him yesterday, and that was bad enough.” Molly closed the curtain to the changing booth while Gemma stood outside, still talking to her.

“You guys kissed?!?!” Gemma giggled to herself.

“It was for Jeff, because he won’t stop watching us. He doesn’t believe Harry and I are actually dating, so we had to do it. It was like a millisecond long, and we were both tired after sleeping on the plane. I really wish I’d had some gum, or something.” Molly furrowed her eyebrows as she replayed that moment. She opened the curtain and Gemma took the dress before she could say anything.

“I’ve got little brother’s credit card, he said to buy you whatever you needed.” Gemma smiled and they rang up the dress and shoes.

“Oh really? Then I think I need a few new purses, and couple more pairs of shoes,” Molly joked as she joined Gemma at the register.

“I know you’re joking, but if we weren’t pressed for time I’d say go for it. What’s he going to make you do, return them? You’re his girlfriend, after all.” Gemma winked and handed ‘little brother’s credit card’ to the cashier.

“We are definitely going to get along,” Molly smiled back at Gemma.

“Totally. Now, time to get your hair done,” she smiled, and the two left, still giggling about Harry.

Notes

thank you for reading, voting, and commenting! : )

PS. I actually loved what Harry wore to the Dunkirk premieres!