Count the stars - 1D HS LT

The new but old life

It's almost Christmas, all the shops have come to life with sparkles, brightly coloured baubles and twinkling lights. It felt magical. "When do you leave?" Lana asks me from the fitting room. I was sat just outside the curtain on a stall while Lana is searching for the perfect dress to wear to an awards show that evening, as Niall's date and girlfriend. They had made it official only a few weeks ago but it's been almost 3 months since they first got together. 
"H said the day after Boxing Day," I smile slightly; we were heading back to LA. I almost felt relieved, I was glad to be getting out of London and It was time Harry and I finally restarted our lives, only this time it will be slightly different, we'll be a couple. "Well, at least we have Christmas together." Lana steps out from the curtain in a stunning black and white dress. It's almost 50s inspired - fitted at the top, pulled in at the waist and then flows perfectly out. "Wow. Lana." I say with my mouth open. 
"Do you think?" She spins on the spot trying to look at herself from all angles in the mirror. "Yes!"  She squeals excitedly and goes back into the changing room. 
"Mum says she will have us all at home. It'll be the first time that she gets meet Niall. I will feel so much better if you guys were there too," Lana calls out through the curtain. "Unless you and Harry have other plans?" 
"I don't think so. Anne is already in LA with Gemma so we'll see them when we're out there, then my family are joining us for New Years." 
"Amazing!"
"Looks like it's Christmas at Mamma Wyatt's for the Styles'" Lana whips the curtain open so fast barely able to contain her excitement. "And a Sanderson!" I add.
"You're thinking about it though aren't you, Mrs Paige Styles?" She asks fishing. I roll my eyes at her.
"No, it's way too early. We're only just moving in together."
"You've lived together before. You know what it's like." She shrugs and closes the curtain again. 
"Don't be ridiculous that was different. We weren't a couple then." 
"Well the bookies have odds on whether your Christmas present from Harry will be a ring and he was caught papped looking through a jewellery store window!" she says, her excitement building.  
"We've only been together almost two months, it's too early to start thinking about engagements stop being so silly. You're acting like a school girl." The Voice of reason even shocks myself. 
"Oh, come on! Everyone knows your endgame." I frown. Do they? Harry has said that to me in the past but I've never really thought about it. I change the subject. "What about you Mrs Lana Horan?" The curtain opens again and she's fully dressed with the ball gown draped lovingly over her arm. "Now that really is too soon." She brushes off the comment. 
"How did you get on Miss Wyatt?" A shop assistant comes bustling over to Lana. 
"Oh it's perfect thank you so much. I will take it," She hands over the dress. 
"Of course. If you need something to go with it then the shoe department is just this way," the assistant says. Lana's green eyes widen causing me to roll mine. I hate shopping. "Lead the way!" She says and I reluctantly follow them both. My phone vibrates and I pause to read the message.
Been in the studio all day. Starving and tired. Miss you lots! - H xx
I smile at my phone and instead of replying I ring him. "Hi Baby," He answers and I hear some guitars in the background. "You okay?"
"Yeah I just wanted to let you know that we've been invited to Mrs Wyatt's for Christmas..." sound of drums and more guitars. 
"Mitch, mate, stop for a second it's Paige on the phone." someone says something and then the music stops. "Sorry love what was that?" 
"We've been invited to Mrs Wyatt's for Christmas." I say again and he doesn't respond. "Lana's mum." 
"Oh, oh yeah, Niall said something about that to me, sounds great babe. Mum and Gem are already in LA so we'll see them when we get over there and..."
"And my family are coming for New Years." I finish his sentence and he laughs down the phone. 
"Christmas together in the Cotswolds, sounds great. Super romantic," I smile and I hear an Irish tone in the background.
"Sure i'll ask... Niall wants to know if Lana has a dress yet?" 
"Yeah, we've found the one and it's stunning! Niall is going to have to clean up his drool as he walks." 
"Yes she has and she looks hot," Harry repeats what I said in his own words. "Oh that's good for you, shopping done?" He asks and I sigh.
"Nope. We are now heading to the shoe department." The guitars start up again. "I'll let you get on."
"Sure P. See you later. I love you." My butterflies flutter in my stomach.
"I love you too," I respond and he hangs up.Before putting my phone away, I order four large pizzas to be sent to the studio for them; I'd rather not have a grumpy boyfriend tonight. My heart races at the word boyfriend. "Paige!" I look up to see Lana, arms crossed tapping her foot impatiently, "Shoes!" I sigh and follow her. 

"You're seriously not going to take this?" I look up at Lana who is sat on my bed helping me pack. "It looks so comfortable!" She's holding a grey Vetements Antwerpen hoodie. My heart aches. "No." I say matter-of-factly. 
"Why not?!" She cries. 
"Well first off, I'm moving to LA where it's hot, like all the bloody time and..." I break off. 
"And...?" She pushes for more.
"That's Louis'"
"Oh," She folds it up nicely and puts it to one side. Oh indeed Lana. My phone vibrates next to us.
Thanks for the pizza love. - H xx
I smile and look over at Lana who is also scrolling on her phone. "Have you checked your insta?" She says laughing. I tap the Instagram app and notice that I've been tagged in a story. Up comes a picture of Niall with his face full of pizza and the caption '@paigesanderson fucking legend!' I laugh too. "Well at least the boys are happy," I shrug. "Yeah unlike us." Lana says filling her cheeks with air and looking around the room which was a complete tip. I nod and make a face. "You're completely right!" 

A few days later, I was sat on our sofa watching a Christmas movie after successfully packing the rest of my stuff. I was wrapped up in the turquoise blanket, the one Louis used to snuggle under - It would have broken my heart to get rid of it; it still smells like him. Suddenly I decided I'd like a hot chocolate. Although we, of course, had some in the cupboard, I decided that I'd like to take a walk in the cold winter air. It was only a few weeks until Christmas and this would be the last one I was going to spend in London for a while. So, I grabbed my purse, wallet, keys, shrugged into my thick coat and headed down the stairs into the street.  Everyone around me looked anxious, rushing around trying to get all their Christmas gifts sorted. I, knowing full well I had completely finished mine, smiled smugly. I love the streets of London at this time of year: the shop windows full of beautiful festive displays, strings of twinkling fairy-lights criss-crossing from side to side above the streets and the fragrant smell of mulled wine in the air.  
I breath in the crisp, cool air and take it deep into my lungs. All of a sudden, a wave of sadness washes over me; this really will be the last Christmas I'll spend in England for a few years at least. Our future together looks to be set in LA; I've got a gig writing for a top TV show and Harry is well on the way to making a new album, which will mostly be produced in LA. As I walk, my mind wanders; past conversations with Lana about LA and possible engagements, celebrity gossip, Harry and I being crowned the new power couple and lastly, Louis leaving. Without realising, I had walked off the street and straight into a small café. "Oh Miss Sanderson! It's so lovely to see you again" I look up dazed, to see the familiar face of Irene. I had wandered into Polly's. 
"Hello Irene and call me Paige please." I say warmly. "Is it possible to get a hot chocolate to take away?" 
"Of course, Paige," she turns to the machine and it whirs into life. I look around the cafe and spot a blank photo frame hanging on the wall, with a small plaque underneath captioned, 'Harry Styles, Paige Sanderson and Irene Carter - Oct 2020'. "Irene?"  
"Mmhmm?" She asks while still working away at the hot drink. 
"Where's the pic of us? This frame is empty now?" I ask curiously. 
"Oh, you'll never guess who came in here about a week ago now," she pauses while putting whipped cream on the top of the drink for me. "The cute little one with the high cheek bones... Louis Tomlinson." I stop breathing for a second. 
"Oh." I say, trying the keep my voice level. 
"Yeah, he was lovely although he looked a bit sad, bless him. He gave me £10 for the photo and said I could give it to charity. I was going to get another one printed but the poor devil looked so down when he saw it that I haven't had the heart to yet." I nod at her not allowing myself to speak. "Here we are, that will be £2.50 please." I hand over the money. "Do you still talk to him?" I shake my head. 
"No. unfortunately not. Thank you, Irene." I turn about to walk out when I hear Irene again.  "I think it's lovely that you are Harry are together." I smile at her. 
"Thank you."
"Are you happy?" She asks. I smile at her and then frown. "Ah."
"No I am. Of course I am!" I quickly say before running out of the door. 

"I'm sorry, did you say Louis?" Lana glances at me confused in between having her make-up done. 
"Yeah, paid her £10 for it," I reply, shifting on the beanbag in front of her. She breathes out slowly. "Why would he want it?" 
I shrug. "I have no idea." I start biting at the side of my cheek. I'm with Harry now but the thought of Louis looking sad makes my heart ache.
"P, can I talk to you for a bit?" Harry pokes his head round the door. I nod and stand up. "You okay babe?" I ask.
"So, someone has dropped out of the show tonight..." He starts to say. 
"The show? This show?" I throw my hands round indicating the circus of events going on around us, "The one that Lana and Niall are going to?" As we speak Niall is getting a suit fitted in his bedroom and as I've mentioned Lana is having her make-up done. "Yeah, they've asked me to stand in last minute." He finishes. 
"Oh." I say. We weren't meant to be going to the show tonight as Harry declined his invitation, because we were so close to moving, he wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly. Also, we were going to try and enjoy the last few days where we're both not completely rushed off our feet with work; what it's likely to be like when we get back over to America. So my 'oh' may have sounded pretty disappointed. "Yeah so I told them that I wasn't going to come unless I could bring my girlfriend." He smiles his gorgeous smile. "I have nothing to wear!" I throw my hands up in the air thinking I have got out of it but no. Harry's stylist pops up next to him as if it was magic. "Of course you do. I'm here!" He says and I roll my eyes. The stylist put me in a yellow ball gown. It reminded me a lot of belle from beauty and the beast. It confirmed it even more when I saw Harry dressed in a light blue double breasted suit with gold buttons. He grinned at my appearance. "You look beautiful love." I smile. 
"You really do look stunning." Lana said looking sad. This was going to be the first award show that she has attended and I feel bad for taking it away from her. "Not as stunning as you!" I say taking her hands, she smiles at me.
"She's right!" I look over and see Niall in leaning in the door way with his arms crossed. He looks handsome in a chequered suit. His blue eyes twinkling at Lana, she blushes slightly. Harry puts his arm around me and I take a deep breath. I haven't been to one of these for a while either and definitely not as Harry Styles' girlfriend!

The red carpet scares me slightly. Normally I'm blended into the background but Harry held me tightly around my waist and took me with him everywhere. "It's okay love," He whispers in my ear. "I'm here and I'm not letting you go." I smile as more cameras flash in my face. Lana and Niall also stayed close to us as Lana was also very nervous. The crowd is screaming so loud. "So, Harry, how long have you and Paige been together now?" Asks the interviewer who is dressed in a beautiful blue gown. Harry flashes her a dazzling smile. "Two months." He says into the microphone. The crowd screams louder and I smile and wave. "How about you two, Niall?" She turns to Niall. Harry lets go of my waist taking my hand instead and squeezes it. "Lana and I have been together..." 
"Three months!" Lana shouts into the microphone. Niall laughs. 
"How did you two meet?" She asks.
"Well actually, it's all down to Paige here. Lana and her are good friends," Niall gives me a wink. The interviewer turns back to us.
"And what's next for you two?" 
Harry answers her again. "Well we are moving back to LA just after Christmas." More screams and catcalls from the crowd. 
"So maybe a Christmas engagement then?" The interviewer says cheekily. I laugh and hide behind Harry's arm. "Umm... it's not something that we've discussed yet as it's still early." Thank god. 
"Yeah maybe someday just not yet," I add. Harry smiles down at me whilst Niall whispers into Lana's ear, she is giggling like a school girl. Someone motions to us to move on. "Oh, someone is calling us on. Thank you." Harry pulls me by the hand and leads me into the building, closely followed by Lana and Niall. Lana lets out a deep breath. "Wow, is this what your life is like all the time." Niall laughs then shrugs.
"Pretty much." 

The award show was king and we drank, a lot. Soon, it was time for Harry to go and get ready. "I'll see you in a bit baby." He kisses me. The other people on our table smile at us then whisper. I lean back on my chair and look at Lana and Niall; they are sat very close together and whispering to each other too. They look so in love and happy. "So welcome to the stage Mr Harry Styyyyyllllleeeeesssss!" The host announces as Harry walks out on stage, the crowd going wild. "Thank you. Thank you." He places his hands together and walks from one side of the stage to the other. Quietly his whispers into the mic. "This song is called Falling and it is about the love of my life - who's here tonight. Paigeeeee!" The crowd scream again as Harry points to me.

The music starts and I get lost in the tune.