Make All This Pain Go

Chapter Nineteen

 Day 57: Harry's POV

As I put the last suitcase into my car, I turned to see Ashleigh staring at me.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're quite odd, you know that?"

She nods and smiles, then gets into the passenger's seat of the car. I close the boot, then get into the car as well.

"You ready?"

"I'm so nervous."

"I know. But don't be. They'll love you, because I love you."

"Shush. I am really excited but I'm also so nervous. I really hope your mom likes me.."

"Well we've got quite a ways to go until we get there so just breathe."

I see her inhale deeply, then exhale through her mouth. I smile at her, starting up the car, then pulling away from the hotel. The rest of the boys were following behind us in Zayn's car. I could feel Ashleigh's tension filling the car. I reach out my right hand, enveloping her hand in mine. She smiles, grabbing my hand back. I know my mom and Gemma will love her, but I can understand why she's so nervous. I would be too, if it were me meeting her parents. Which will happen. Eventually. Probably. I wish she would tell me what I didn't know. I'd confronted her about it a week ago but she skated around it. All she'd say was that something happened a few years ago that wasn't in her control and it was bad and she got all the blame for it. I could tell she was going to freak out on me if I pushed the subject so I let it be. She'd tell me when she was ready. It had to be pretty damn bad if she was that sensitive about it.

When we got to the airport, our security was waiting for us to escort us in.

"Everything has been prearranged this time, so we won't have another incident like we did getting here."

On my way to New York, I'd gotten mobbed by particularly aggressive fans. I didn't mind it too much, but security had a panic attack, then proceeded to get cursed at by Modest! so I knew they'd have everything crazy arranged and organized. Plus, I didn't want Ash around that. As much as she hated to admit it, I know she hates it when I get attacked by girls and she just has to sit there and watch. She handled the paps and rumors and gossip surprisingly well, though. We all entered the airport together, surrounded by security. There were girls there, per usual, but there was an aisle roped off for us to walk through. We made it through check in and security rather well, getting to the gate quickly. We had a private room to wait for the plane, which security dropped us off at, then stood outside of the door. Perrie and Eleanor were waiting, their luggage with ours, waiting and separated in the corner of the room. We were all flying into London, staying for 2 days, then going our separate ways for 6 days. Then returning to London for another 2 days, then coming back to New York. Management has decided to invest in a little condo thing with a recording studio in it, for all of us to stay together. I'd gotten the okay for Ashleigh to stay until her college started in a month. It was 8:45 so we still had 10 minutes until we had to board.

"Anyone want coffee?"

I could see Ashleigh's eyes light up at El's question.

"You have a serious problem."

"Shut it. I'll go get coffee with you Eleanor."

"Yay! Anyone want anything?"

Everyone muttered 'no', too preoccupied with pre-plane stuff.

"Okeeyyyy. I guess it's just us then!"

El turns to Ashleigh, grabbing her wrist.

"We'll be right back then."