ANNA’S POV:
“What the hell does that even mean, ‘watch yourself?’ Are we in like, a stupid teen soap opera or something?” Molly ranted on about what I had told her about Poppy as we sat at a café for breakfast.
“Molls, I know. Believe me I know, but what am I supposed to do? I’m really not interested in causing drama.”
“Well if I were you I’d set that bitch straight.” She said simply.
“Yeah; because that’s SOO me…” I said, smirking at her from across the table.
“Still! If you won’t, I will.”
“Maybe I should just talk to Harry and see what happens. I’m not ready to go to Zayn yet. I mean – he seems to like her. I would hate myself if I broke them up, as much as I don’t like the girl.”
“Yeah, fine. Do the nice and civil thing and talk to Harry. If that still doesn’t work, though, we’re going with my plan. Deal?”
I just laughed. “Yeah, deal.”

HARRY’S POV:
“DID SOMEONE HAVE A NICE TIME LAST NIGHT?!” Louis screamed in a high voice when Zayn practically stumbled into our flat on Saturday morning.
“Ugh, shut up mate! My head’s throbbing.” Zayn said, flopping facedown onto the couch.
“You do have your own flat you know? I’m sure it’ll be nice and quiet for your hangover.” Louis laughed.
“Yeah, well…” Zayn sat up, ruffling his hair. Surprisingly, it wasn’t in its usual perfect quiff.
“So it was a good time after we left?” I asked.
“Ehh. The party was alright…”
“How about the AFTER- party?” Louis asked.
Zayn just raised his eyebrows, “What do you think?”
“Do you guys ever like, talk?” I asked jokingly. Zayn just waved his hand through the air, pretty much ignoring my question. Instead, he got up and shuffled into the kitchen, putting two pieces of bread in the toaster.
“Hey, uh, did Poppy mention something she might’ve said to Anna?” I finally asked, knowing putting it off was pointless.
“We weren’t really interested in casual conversation when you lads left.” He said with a smirk. “But why do you ask?”
“I dunno. I saw them talking and Anna seemed kinda weird afterwards. It’s probably nothing. I guess I was just curious.”
“Nah, she didn’t say anything.”
By the way that Zayn turned his back to me, pulling a carton of orange juice out of the fridge; I assumed that that was the end of that.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Interested in a sleepover tonight?

Ugh, I wish. But I need to start packing for home. Sorry L

Nah it’s okay, I just want to see you as much as possible before you leave J

How do you feel about an early holiday party? We could all exchange gifts before I leave. And maybe after the party I could give you your gift…

I think I sort of LOVE the sound of that. We could have it here at our flat.

How does next Wednesday sound? It’s my last day of school before break, we only have a half-day, and I’m flying out the next morning.

Brilliant.

Yay! Don’t worry; I’ll plan the whole thing. Just make sure you and the boys have plenty of drinks. And wear Christmas colors or you’re not allowed to come!
Yes, ma’am! ANNA’S POV:
“Boy’s are impossible to shop for…” I muttered as Eleanor and I made our way through Harrod’s. Danielle was at dance class so it was just the two of us, trying to find suitable Christmas gifts for two of the most famous boy’s in the country who could have absolutely anything they could possibly want.
So, you can see why it would be difficult.
“I know! Louis can be so picky about clothes and stuff so I never know what to get him!” Eleanor said, picking up a cashmere beanie, glancing at the price tag, and dropping it back onto the table.
“At least Louis CARES about clothes. Sometimes, I swear Harry looks like he got dressed in the dark.”
“Well, he pulls that look of quite well.” Eleanor giggled.
“True.” I nodded. “So uh, the thing I told you about what Poppy said at the party. I just – I need some help with this. Molly’s all for just like, exposing her to everyone; but I don’t know, that’s just not really me.”
“Look, she’s clearly not a nice person. We have tons of reason to believe that, but I agree that blowing this out of proportion isn’t the right thing to do right now. Honestly, I would just try and talk to Harry and see what happens.”
“What do you think he’ll say?”
“Oh, to talk to Zayn. For sure.”
“Exactly.”
“Still, give him the chance to at least say it.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Okay, come on! We need to try and do some serious shopping!”
An hour later Eleanor and I were squishing ourselves (plus several shopping bags) into a booth at our favorite diner. We ordered hot chocolates and were talking and laughing when two girls came walking up to our table, nervous looks on their faces.
“Uh, hi. We’re really sorry to bother you but do you think we could get a picture?” One of the girls asked. She looked about 15; with dark curly hair, a bit too much eyeliner, but pretty nonetheless. The other girl had short blonde hair that was partially hidden under a red knit beanie.
“Yeah, of course!” Eleanor said cheerily, getting up from her seat. This had never happened to me before, so I just followed her motions.
“Excuse me? Do you think you could take a picture of us?” Eleanor asked the waiter, handing him the girl’s cell phones. He quickly snapped to pictures, handing it back to her.
“So, where’s Danielle?” One girl asked.
“Oh, she’s at dance class.”
“Do you guys ever hang out with Poppy Upton?” Eleanor and I immediately looked at each other. I just let her take that one –
“Um, we haven’t ever really hung out with her. We don’t know her too well, but she seems like a sweet girl.” She said, a smile never leaving her face.
“Oh, okay. Well, thanks for the pictures. We love you guys.” They smiled and we waved goodbye.
“Oh my god! They were so nice!” I said, the whole thing really surprising me.
“Yeah, really! I have to say, they’re not all like that.” She said, shaking her head.
“Yeah, I try to stay away from that kind of stuff.”
“Absolutely. You can’t let it bother you.” She took a sip of her drink. “So! Are you excited to go home?”
“Ehh, sort of. I’m really excited to see my brother, Max, but my parents are a different story. I’ve barely talked to them; I don’t even think we’re all going to be together for Christmas.”
“I’m sorry, babe. That’s really hard.”
“Yeah. I just – I don’t really want to focus on it, you know? I LOVE this time of year and the last thing I want to do is ruin it with family drama. Or really drama at all.”
“Alright, well I can take a hint.” She said, giggling at the transparency of my statement.

The few days right before any break from school are always hard to get through, but honestly, these few days before Winter break were actually torturous.
“Anna?” I heard someone say. I was broken out of my daydream and looked up to see Oliver standing above me. I had been sitting in one of the Library’s big leather armchairs, reading.
“Hey Oliver! What’s up?” I asked. I did have to admit, I hadn’t spent as much time with Oliver after the whole kiss incident occurred. I did miss him, though; he was a great friend.
“I just wanted to wish you a Merry Early Christmas. I’m leaving for home tomorrow so I won’t see you for a bit.”
“You’re leaving tomorrow?! That means you won’t be able to come to the party!”
“Yeah, I know. Sorry. My mum is dying for me to come home though, I think she misses having people to cook and clean for if you can believe that.” I laughed, standing up to give him a hug; but before I had the chance, he was handing me a small flat wrapped gift.
“It’s nothing major, but I thought you might like it.”
“Oh my god you didn’t have to get me anything!”
“Nah, of course I did!”
“Well I did actually get you something but it’s up in my room. I can give it to you when you get back though. Or mail it something.” I said, taking the gift from him.
“Well, go on and open it then!” He urged.
“Can I assume you didn’t wrap this yourself?” I giggled, sliding a perfectly tied bow off. He just laughed and shrugged.
“Oh, wow, this is awesome!” I said, grinning at what a held. They were those mint green Urban Outfitters Urbaneers headphones that Molly and I had obsessed over for forever.
“Keenan got her the same ones, but in pink I think.” He said.
“Aww thank you so much! This will be PERFECT for the flight home!”
“That’s exactly what I thought!” I pulled him in for a hug and a quick peck on the cheek.
“Thank you so much Olly. You’re awesome. I know things have been kinda weird lately, but I really want to be able to get back to where we were.”
“It’s already planned for my New Year’s resolution.” He said jokingly.
“Mine too. On top of a mountain of other things.” He just smiled and gave me one last hug before he told me he needed to finish the packing he should’ve been done with day’s ago.

HARRY’S POV:
“So, a party?” Niall asked excitedly. Louis had just gotten back from the Liqueur store, which was an outing that I technically couldn’t take part in.
“Yes, Niall a party.” I said, laughing at his bright eyes and excited smile. “It was Anna’s idea.”
“Do you think you’ve got enough booze?” He laughed at the bottle after bottle Louis was pulling out of paper bags.
“I just wanted to be prepared!”
“So who’s invited exactly?” Niall asked from the living room, flipping through channels on the TV.
“I dunno, all of us, Anna’s friends from school, El and Dani, I guess whoever you want to invite.”
“Poppy?” He said absentmindedly.
“Does someone have a little crush Nialler?” Louis asked.
“No! I’m just asking. I mean – the girls haven’t exactly become fast friends with her.”
“Yeah, I’m sure Poppy can come.” The truth was, I wasn’t sure. Even though I had never brought it up again, when I saw her and Anna talking at the party, the look on Anna’s face was not good. I didn’t want to mess anything up in the few day’s we had until she left, but I felt like eventually I was going to have to ask her about it.

It was around 5:30 on Wednesday and I haven’t seen Anna since the night of Poppy’s party. I didn’t want to focus too much on it, but the little promise she had made over text a few days ago was constantly in the back of my mind. Okay, I’m sorry; I’m an 18-year-old guy.
There was a knock on the door. I was the only one home, and only dressed in jeans and no shirt, but ran to answer the door anyway, expecting it to be Anna. It wasn’t.
“Poppy!” I said, completely surprised and suddenly aware of my lack of clothing.
“Harry! What a nice surprise.” She said suggestively.
“Uh, yeah…-“I quickly ran into my room and grabbed the first t-shirt I could find. “- You know Zayn isn’t here, he doesn’t live here.”
“Oh, I know. I actually came by to see you. Wanna sit?” She asked. She stepped into our flat, walking over to our sofa, swinging her hips in a way that made me think she knew exactly what she was doing.
“Um, I guess so. What’s going on?”
“Well, I assume Anna told you about our little chat at my party…”
“No, she didn’t actually. I saw you two talking, what was that about?” I could see her expression change the moment I said that Anna hadn’t told me anything about it.
“She sort of ambushed me, going on and on about how I was trying to steal HER boyfriend! It was completely mad. I mean, you’re cute Harry, but I have Zayn!” She put a hand to her chest in mock-astonishment.
“Look, Poppy, I’ve really got to get ready – “The truth was, I’m not sure I believed her. That just didn’t sound anything like Anna to me at all.
“Don’t you see what’s going on here!? She THREATENED me. She said if I got anywhere near you that she would make a move on Zayn.”
“Poppy, I know Anna. She would never do anything like that.”
“Well clearly you don’t know her as well as you think you do, because I am telling you the truth. You know what I think, though?”
I let out a sign, “What?”
“I think we should give her exactly what she wants –“And then, without warning, Poppy slid her hand on my leg and smashed her lips against mine. Her lip-gloss was sticky and her perfume was overpowering my nostrils.
“What the FU-“I pushed her away lightly, not wanting to be too forceful. “What the hell was that?!”
“C’mon Harry, I know you want to.”
“No, I really don’t. You’re dating one of my best mates, but now, as far as I can tell, he deserves much better. Are you insane, do you really think I was going to kiss you?!”
“Ugh, so moody. Geez.”
“I think you just should go.” I said, standing up and walking over to the front door, opening it.
“Fine, whatever you say Harry.” She said, making her way over to the door. Right before she stepped out into the hallway, patting me on the cheek.
I slammed the door. Hard.