Different (27) (Patreon)

Author's note: Hello everyone! I am back! Finally! I've had so many issues lately with the wi-fi that I am considering changing companies. Anyway, everything is fixed for now! I hoped that it continues like that. I'm trying my best to update all the stories and also upload another one shot. Stay turned! 

Harry’s heart raced with nerves as he thought about what he was about to do. He had something important to propose to Y/N, something that meant the world to him. But fear gnawed at him, the worry that she might say no casting a shadow over his hope. He could feel the anxiety tightening in his chest, but he tried to push it aside, focusing on the possibility that she might say yes.

He knew how much this meant to him, and he hoped—more than anything—that it would mean just as much to her. Still, the fear of rejection lingered, making his hands clammy and his thoughts scatter. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and silently wished with all his heart that she would accept.

Harry stood anxiously outside the auditorium, his gaze fixed on the doors, waiting for Y/N to emerge from her class. The anticipation of Christmas Break hung in the air, and Harry knew that Y/N had no concrete plans for the holidays. Thanksgiving had been rough for her—she’d spent it at her aunt’s place, but left early, frustrated and hurt by the barrage of unnecessary and unsolicited comments from her extended family.

He knew how much that experience had weighed on her, how it had dimmed her usual holiday spirit. Now, with Christmas just around the corner, he wanted to make sure she had something to look forward to—something special, just for her.

As students began to file out, Harry’s heart beat faster, a mix of nerves and determination bubbling inside him. He was determined to give Y/N the holiday she deserved, but he couldn’t shake the worry that she might still be reeling from Thanksgiving. He hoped he could lift her spirits and that she would be open to his idea.

Finally, the doors of the auditorium swung open, and students started pouring out, chatting and laughing as they left. Harry’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Y/N’s familiar face. When he spotted her, his heart skipped a beat. She looked a little tired, probably worn out from the class, but there was still that spark in her eyes that he adored.

Y/N’s expression brightened when she saw him waiting there, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Hey, you! What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised but pleased.

Harry returned her smile, though his nerves were still simmering beneath the surface. “I wanted to catch you before you left,” he said, stepping closer to her. “I’ve been thinking about Christmas… and I know you don’t have any plans yet.”

Y/N’s smile faltered slightly, the memory of Thanksgiving flickering in her mind. “Yeah, I was just going to stay here, maybe catch up on some work or watch movies.”

Harry took a deep breath, stepping closer to her. This was the moment he’d been anxious about, but he knew he had to ask. “I was thinking... I’d really like it if you spent Christmas with me and my family in England.”

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the invitation. “England? With your family?” she repeated, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Harry nodded, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. “Yeah. I know it’s a big ask, but I want you to be with me. The rest of my family would love to meet you, and it would mean a lot to me if you came. We could have a proper Christmas together—no stress, no worries, just... us.”

Y/N hesitated, the idea of spending Christmas in a completely different country, surrounded by Harry’s family, both exciting and a little intimidating. “What if they don’t like me? or what if it’s too much?”

Harry squeezed her hand gently, his expression earnest. “They’re going to love you. I really want you there with me”.

Y/N could see how much it meant to him, and despite her lingering doubts, she couldn’t deny how much she wanted to be with him, especially after the rough time she’d had over Thanksgiving. Slowly, a smile crept back onto her face as she made up her mind.

“Okay,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his. “I’ll go to England with you.”

Harry’s face lit up with joy and relief, and he pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you” he whispered, his voice full of gratitude.

Y/N hugged him back, feeling a warmth spread through her. The thought of spending Christmas in England, experiencing new traditions, and being with Harry felt like exactly what she needed. Maybe this Christmas would be everything she’d been hoping for and more.

“Hello lovebirds” Sebastian greeted them as he approached with a tray of food. It was the day before Christmas break. They were having their last meal all together at the dinning hall. “I can’t wait to get out of here” He added as he sat down.

“I really need this break. I’m exhausted,” Y/N murmured as she sipped her soup, the warmth of it soothing her tired mind. Harry sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her leg as he enjoyed the burger he’d picked out, offering her silent support.

“I’ve got so much laundry to do when I get home,” Sarah chimed in, rolling her eyes. “My mom is going to kill me.” The group erupted in laughter, sharing stories about what they planned to do as soon as they got home, the mood light and easy.

“I’m craving a proper Sunday roast,” Harry added, his English accent thickening as he spoke, the thought of home clearly making him nostalgic.

“Hello,” Ivy’s voice cut through the chatter as she pulled out a chair and sat down, her tone almost too cheerful. “What are we talking about?” Her arrival brought an awkward silence, not because they were intentionally excluding her, but because everyone was too engrossed in their meals and conversation to immediately respond.

“Just what we’re looking forward to over Christmas break,” Harry said, trying to ease the tension he felt creeping into the group. He glanced at Y/N, sensing her discomfort and noticing the group’s quietness toward Ivy. His mind raced, wondering if Y/N had confided in their friends about the tension between her and Ivy, and whether that had influenced their behavior. He hoped that wasn’t the case.

“Oh,” Ivy responded, her smile faltering for a moment. “And what are you looking forward to?”

“Mostly the food,” Harry answered, his hand giving Y/N’s leg a reassuring squeeze as he noticed her gaze harden, clearly unsettled by Ivy’s presence.

“Where’s everyone heading?” Ivy asked, her tone overly casual. “My dad wants to take us up to Vail. Are you doing the same, Y/N? Spending it with your parents?”

“No,” Y/N replied, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “My parents are out of the country on business.”

“Right,” Ivy said, her expression shifting to a mock concern. “I forgot your parents are always away, and you spend most holidays alone. That must be really tough.” There was an edge to her voice, a subtle cruelty masked by her feigned sympathy that made Y/N’s blood boil. She could see right through Ivy’s attempt to undermine her, trying to get under her skin without outright hostility.

Y/N felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she forced herself to stay composed. Ivy’s words stung, but she wasn’t about to let her see how deeply they cut. Instead, she maintained her calm demeanor, her smile unwavering as she responded.

“It can be tough,” Y/N admitted, her voice steady. “But this year, I’ll be spending Christmas with Harry in England”. Harry squeezed her hand under the table, a silent gesture of support that didn’t go unnoticed.

Ivy’s smile faltered for just a moment, a flash of irritation crossing her features before she quickly covered it up. “Oh, how lovely,” she said, though her tone was slightly strained. “It’s nice that you won’t be alone this year.”

The atmosphere at the table grew tense, and it was clear that everyone could sense the undercurrent of hostility between Y/N and Ivy. Sebastian, ever the peacemaker, quickly jumped in to change the subject.

“So, anyone else planning anything fun for the break?” he asked, his tone light and deliberately cheerful. “Besides Harry and Y/N’s romantic getaway”

Sarah and Mitch picked up on the cue, eagerly diving into their own plans, and soon the conversation shifted back to lighter topics. The tension between Y/N and Ivy lingered just beneath the surface, but for the moment, it was overshadowed by the group’s chatter.

Outside, Harry instinctively pulled Y/N closer, wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders as they walked toward the dorms. His voice was soft, filled with concern as he asked, “Are you okay?”

Y/N nodded, leaning into him, seeking comfort in his embrace. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She didn’t want to discuss Ivy, didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing she was getting under her skin. More than that, she didn’t want to bring it up with Harry—he had a habit of defending Ivy, and Y/N wasn’t in the mood for that right now.

Harry wasn’t convinced. “It doesn’t sound like it. I know Ivy gets to you.”

He sighed, wishing more than anything that his girlfriend could get along with his friends. But that wasn’t the reality, and it left him feeling caught in the middle, torn between two people he cared about.

“She does bother me,” Y/N admitted, her voice edged with frustration. “In your eyes, she can do no wrong.”

Harry felt the weight of her words, guilt gnawing at him. He knew there was truth in what she said, but he also felt trapped, torn between his loyalty to Y/N and his long-standing friendship with Ivy. “That’s not true,” he began, though the hesitation in his voice betrayed him.

Y/N shook her head, pulling away slightly to look up at him. “It is true, Harry. Every time something happens, you defend her. You see the best in her, and I get it—you’ve been friends for years. But it feels like no matter what she does, you’ll always take her side.”

The frustration and hurt in her voice cut through him, making him realize just how deep this issue had become. He didn’t want to admit that he had been blind to the tension or that he had unintentionally made her feel like she was second to Ivy.

He shook his head, growing more frustrated by the second. “She’s my friend, Y/N! Of course, I’m going to defend her. But that doesn’t mean I’m ignoring your feelings. You keep blowing this out of proportion.”

“Am I?” she shot back, her voice rising. “Because it sure feels like I’m the one who has to keep my mouth shut every time she does something shady. You always side with her!”

“That’s not true!” Harry snapped, feeling cornered. “I’m trying to balance this, Y/N. I care about you, but I can’t just throw Ivy under the bus because you two don’t get along.”

Y/N’s eyes flashed with anger, her frustration reaching its peak. “It’s not about throwing her under the bus, Harry. It’s about standing up for me when I need you to. But you’re too busy trying to keep the peace to see that she’s manipulating you.”

Harry’s face tightened, his defenses fully up. “Ivy’s not manipulating me. You’re reading too much into this.”

Y/N took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Maybe I am, or maybe you’re just too close to her to see what’s really going on. But I need you to understand that this isn’t working for me. I need you on my side.”

Harry’s anger deflated slightly as her words sank in, but the tension between them lingered, thick and unresolved. He knew he had to say something, but his pride held him back, and all he could manage was, “I’m trying”.

Y/N looked at him, the tension in the air thickening as she weighed his words. The hurt in her eyes hadn’t dissipated, and Harry could feel the gap between them widening with every second of silence.

“I don’t know if trying is enough,” she finally said, her voice softer now, tinged with resignation.

As the plane ascended into the clouds, Y/N glanced out of the window, her thoughts a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This trip was more than just a holiday; it was a test of where they stood as a couple. After everything that had happened, she hoped the change of scenery would help them find their way back to each other.

Harry sat beside her, his hand resting on hers as he gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re going to love London,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “There’s so much I want to show you. The lights, the streets, the markets”.

Y/N smiled back, trying to match his enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to see it all,” she replied, squeezing his hand.

As the plane touched down at Heathrow Airport, Y/N took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever was ahead. The bustling energy of the airport was a stark contrast to the peacefulness of the flight, and she felt a thrill of excitement as they made their way through the terminal.

Harry was practically beaming as they stepped outside, the crisp December air hitting them as they waited for a taxi. “Welcome to England,” he said, his smile wide as he wrapped an arm around her.

Y/N leaned into him, letting herself believe that maybe, just maybe, this trip would be exactly what they needed. The city was alive with festive cheer, and as they drove through the twinkling streets, she found herself beginning to relax, allowing the magic of the season to seep in.

The journey to Harry’s family home was filled with his stories about growing up, each one laced with fondness and nostalgia. Y/N listened intently, finding comfort in the familiar cadence of his voice as he shared memories of his childhood. She could tell how much this place meant to him, and it made her feel even more honored to be a part of it.

As the car wound its way through the quaint, picturesque streets of Holmes Chapel, Y/N felt a wave of calm wash over her. The charming village, with its historic brick buildings and peaceful atmosphere, was a stark contrast to the bustling city life she was used to. Harry had spoken so fondly of his hometown, and now, seeing it for herself, she could understand why. The air was crisp with the scent of winter, and the holiday decorations added a touch of festive magic to the already cozy surroundings.

"Almost there," Harry said softly, noticing her wide-eyed gaze taking in the scenery. His excitement was palpable, and it warmed her heart to see him so happy. This was a side of him she hadn’t fully experienced yet—the boy who grew up in this small village, surrounded by close-knit family and friends.

As they turned onto a quiet, tree-lined street, Y/N spotted a house at the end of the road, its windows aglow with warm, welcoming light. The house was modest but beautiful, exuding a homely charm that immediately put her at ease. She could see the silhouettes of people moving inside, hear the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation. The house seemed to radiate warmth and love, and Y/N felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as they pulled into the driveway.

“This is it,” Harry said with a grin, his eyes twinkling as he looked over at her. “Home sweet home.”