a stirring invitation: (dear Harry Styles)

a promise

One year, three days later.....

I was so hungover. Kim had taken me out for my 21st birthday. Kyle and I had been apart since August but we still spoke occasionally. He was in what was supposed to be his last year of school; however, he would need another semester to finish.

"Need some aspirin?" Zayn flashed his pearly whites at me.

"No, but some sunglasses would be great," I whined. He laughed at me, then placed an aspirin and glass of water on the counter.

I thanked him before returning to the guest room. Kyle and I had moved in together in May; but by August, he was flirting again and his parent wanted us to split up. We had been sleeping in separate rooms, and I couldn't handle his frat brothers visiting our apartment, so Zayn and Kim offered me the guest room in their house.

I insisted on paying for my half of living there; I helped cook & clean, but also worked part time. Zayn and Kim had a great routine as well as relationship. His family had money, so he wasn't really paying for much other than food and gas for his car - I still would've felt bad living there for free.

"Hey, we are going out for breakfast. Want us to grab you anything?" Kim asked stepping into my room.

"Argh," I groaned. "No food, please."

She laughed and left me alone to wallow in my discomfort. The front door opened and closed.

"I will never drink again!" I yelled out loud to myself.

I unlocked my phone and checked Twitter. Harry Styles was spotted in Miami shopping with Lou Teasdale. I liked a few pictures, then stared into his eyes.

"I would love to meet you someday," I whispered at my phone. "Any man that can be friends with a woman is perfect for me."

I shut off the screen, closed my eyes, then drifted off to sleep.

An hour later....

My phone buzzed on my nightstand. Only Kyle would call at the worst possible time.

"What is it?" I said into the phone.

"Mona, I miss you. I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I promise it won't happen again," he said.

"I've heard it before," I said, thinking about how disappointed I was.

"Let me come over and show you. I have a gift for you," he explained.

"No," I answered firmly, knowing it wouldn't keep him away.

A knock at the door made me jump.

"I gotta go, someone is here," I hung up on him to answer the door. To him. I sighed.

"Hey babe, I know we have our ups and downs, but I really do love you," he tried to convince me. "I don't care what my parents say. I want to be with you."

I started to roll my eyes until something in his hand caught my eye.

"Mona, this is a promise ring. I promise to marry you and make you the happiest woman alive someday. I just need you to give me the chance," he got down on a knee.

I gasped - my hands covered my mouth.

"Just say yes," he begged. "I'm going to change for you."

I nodded slowly. He kissed me as he placed the ring on my finger and just like that a promise was made.

____

"Mom? Kyle gave me a promise ring!" I shrieked.

"Oh really, sweetie? That's great. Very happy for you," she said tiredly.

"Aren't you excited?" I asked, confused.

"Honey, your father and I love you, but you have broken up with Kyle so many times..."

"I know, it this time is different," I argued.

"Sure, honey," she said softly.

"Well, I'm going to call Kim next. I will call soon," I said feeling absolutely heartbroken. I hadn't realized how much my relationship with Kyle had affected my family.

___________________

Author's Note: I hope the time jumps don't bother anyone...their relationship is so filled with drama that I don't feel it necessary to mention every break up and make up...just the major ones. Thank you for reading! Please comment and vote.