Breaking The Ice

Ally

TJ's POV

Harry and I took Louis' car to the venue, planning on leaving it there for him to deal with since I knew I would need at least a few drinks to be able to tolerate my mother. We parked and hopped out, Harry coming around the other side of the car and giving me his arm so I didn't slip in my heels on the uneven walkway. He really could be a gentlemen when he wanted to be, and I found myself smiling up at him as we approached the doors and he held it open for me.

"Thanks." I smiled as he put his hand on my lower back, ushering me inside where we were met with some lady who took our coats.

We thanked her and took our ticket for coat check before we made our way into the main ballroom, both of us admiring the way it had all come together since that afternoon, admiring the glamourous décor as people laughed and socialised around us. I took a deep breath and did my best to prepare myself, knowing I would need to tap into whatever patience I had to avoid an argument with my mother.

"Well, here goes nothing." I sighed as I felt Harry reach down and grab my hand, squeezing it tightly.

"I'm right here with you, if you wanna leave you just let me know. Okay?" He said softly.

I swallowed hard and nodded, grateful for how sweet he was being since god knows I couldn't handle douchey Harry and my mother in the same night. I spotted her across the way, chatting away to some people I didn't recognize, and I figured if I just said hello I might be able to get away with not seeing her for the rest of the night. It wasn't likely, but a girl could dream.

"Let's do this." I sighed as I pulled Harry through the crowd with me, wanting him with me for some reason.

We approached her just as the people she was talking to were leaving, and she turned around and saw me, looking me up and down with disapproval before she sighed.

"Well, I guess I can at least be thankful you didn't put your hair in that god awful braid."

"Hello to you too, Mother." I said, putting on my fakest smile. "You look nice."

"Where is your brother?" She asked, not giving me a second look before she began to glance around for Louis.

"I haven't seen him." I replied, irritated with her already as I wondered where the hell he was and what condition he would be in when he finally showed up.

"What do you mean you haven't seen him? Did you not tell him when he was supposed to be here?" She barked.

Here we go.

"Of course I did, but we came back at different times." I said, doing my best not to snap at her. "He came back on the bus with the rest of the team."

"Well why would you do that? He should have come back with you."

Her annoyance was obvious, before I reminded her that she was the one who put us on different schedules.

"Since Louis didn't have to be here to set up, as only I was assigned that task, he wasn't required to be here until five hours after me. There was no reason he couldn't come back with the team." I said through gritted teeth.

"Honestly, Tara." She started. "I don't understand why it is so difficult for you to do a few simple things for me, you always have to make everything so difficult. You always do this, I'm so sick of having to-"

She was interrupted by the appearance of my brother, and relief washed over me that he appeared to be somewhat on time, in the suit I told him to wear, and not fighting a hangover. At the very least, he could distract her so I could make a get away.