"Mum, I'm leaving!" I called out as I grabbed my new car keys. I was about to slip out the door and hopefully escape Mum's crushing hugs, but I was too late.

"Oh my baby, look at you!" Mum choked tearfully, walking over and cupping my face in her hands.

"You look so handsome, and I can't believe you're so grown up, going to your first ever prom!" I just smiled, hugging her.

A few seconds later, she let me go. "You do know that I'm proud of you, Harry? And I'm so sorry for the way I was before, so unsupportive. I-"

"It's alright, Mum. Let's not talk about that. And I know you are, that's makes me so happy."

Mum laughed, wiping a few tears. "Now go and pick you date up, you're going to be late!"

I grinned, jangling my keys. "Yep, I can't wait!" I spoke giddily, and waving Mum goodbye, I sped downstairs and towards the complex's parking lot, where my new baby, a second-hand black Porsche stood. I grinned when I reached my car, unlocking it and just sat inside for a while, smiling.

This car wasn't much, but it meant a lot to me. I had bought it from all of the money I was saving up for my car, along with some of my college fund. I'd bought it from the shop of a friend of Robin's, so he had offered me a great deal and a down payment for it.

And I was more than happy about the fair deal. And now I get to pick Zayn up for a change. I grinned and started my car, and it purred to life. Rolling the window down, I backed out of the parking spot and drove straight to Zayn's house.

~*~

"Hey Harry! Nice ride, mate!" Zayn commented, slipping inside the car and admiring it from the inside. I just rolled my eyes. He was the one who had went with me to look at cars and made me buy my baby.

"Thanks," I offered sarcastically, shooting an amused look at Zayn.

"No problem, it's nice. I don't have to drive for a change," Zayn spoke, grinning. And boy, did he look handsome in that tux of his, with that light stubble on his face. And now he had changed his hairstyle once again, loosing the blonde highlights and getting a side buzz cut.

And I had to do everything in my power to not pin him against the wall and run my hands though that rich black hair of his, messing it up.

"Ahem, Harreh?" Zayn waved a hand in front of my face, and when I realized I was staring, my cheeks tinted red.

"Huh, sorry? Yeah, yeah. I finally get to drive my boyfriend," I spoke, smiling lop-sidedly.

"Mhmm. Now what were you thinking before? When you had zoned out?"

"Just thinking how you look like sex with that new hairstyle of yours," I answered shamelessly. Zayn blushed, biting his lip.

"O-oh? That's, uh, nice."

I rolled my eyes and turned to him, hooking an arm around his neck, and grasping the hair on the nape of his neck. I brushed our noses together and whispered against Zayn's lips, "Kiss me."

And in less than a second I felt soft lips touch my own, sending sparks through my body and making me shiver in pleasure. I closed my eyes and moved my lips with his, slowly, just feeling it all.

We pulled away a while later, small smiles on both our faces. "Almost seven months since I've been with you, and you still manage to make me a mess with just a kiss," Zayn murmured and I smiled, my cheeks still tinted pink.

"How am I gonna stay away from you for even a month?" Zayn groaned, and I chuckled lightly, but silently agreed with him.

"It'll be hard for me too."

I had had a meeting with Simon Cowell, the music producer, and he had agreed to offer me a record deal, only I had to go to LA with him for a month to understand how everything worked. Of course, I'd told him I'd think about it.

I had told my Mum and friends the same thing, but they were all urging me to finally tell him yes.

And I will. Just as soon as school ends. Which will in two weeks.

"I guess we'll be fashionably late to the Prom now," I added, chuckling, and finally starting the car.

~*~

I pulled over in the school's crowded parking lot, and parked the car. Zayn and I stepped out and I locked the car.

"They say Prom is an important rite of passage for a teenager. So, Harry. You ready to conquer this rite of passage with me?" Zayn stuck his tongue out cutely, offering me his hand.

I chuckled lightly, taking his hand, and we walked over to the entrance of the Woodridge High gym.

"Hey lovebirds!"

"Hey Lou! Hey Ni!" I greeted my best friend and his adorable boyfriend, and couldn't help but smile at them both. Louis' grin truly is contagious.

"Hi guys. And wow, Louis, you look hot. If I didn't have Harry, I'd totally go for you. Just sayin'," Zayn drawled, winking at a smirking Louis.

"Hey!" Niall and I protested simultaneously, and the other two lads burst out laughing.

"For sure. I ship Zouis, just saying," Louis elbowed Zayn cheekily, and I rolled my eyes at them both.

"I ship Zouis too!" Dani popped up from somewhere, and wow, did she look pretty in a light pink sequined dress.

Liam, who was right behind her, snorted playfully. "Who don't you ship, Danielle?"

"I honestly don't know," Dani shrugged, looking genuinely clueless and Liam just kissed her cheek adoringly.

"Ooh, they're taking pictures. I love pictures. Let's GO!" Dani dragged Liam to the entrance, where a photographer was taking pictures of the couples passing through a gazebo.

I noticed the decorations for the first time. Thank God it wasn't a fancy, over the top theme this year. Just simple, elegant Prom.

Zayn folded his arm and offered it to me. "Shall we?"

I grinned at him, hooking my arm though his. "We shall."

Liam and Dani passed through and got their picture taken, and Dani was all smiles through that. I was actually pretty cute seeing those two so happy. Liam complimented her so well, and it was amazing seeing my best girl-friend so content.

"Next!" the photographer called and we stepped up.

"Wait, where are yer girls?" the photographer demanded.

Zayn tensed. "Actually, we want a picture of us. Together."

The guy's face turned into a scowl. "I don't take pictures of stupid fags, get outta here!"

I gaped at the man in surprise and anger, while Zayn was visibly shaking with rage beside me. I placed a hand on his chest to hold him down. "Let it go, Z. People like him are not worth it," I whispered in his ear. Zayn glared at the photographer with burning rage, and finally looked away, calming down a bit.

"Yeah, yeah. You're right," he sighed sadly, smiling weakly at me. We started walking into the gym.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT!" I heard a very familiar voice growl, followed by a few 'oohs'. We turned around to see Louis standing over the photographer, his fist clenched at his sides and an angry scowl on his face, and the guy was lying on the ground clutching his nose. I saw Niall standing beside him, a look of pure shock on his face.

A few of the students started cheering for Louis. "Thank God Louis did what I wanted to do so badly," Zayn murmured darkly. Oh. Louis had punched the guy. I felt myself smile widely.

"How dare you say that! We are NOT faggots! We are people. We're not different. Understand that, you sleazy fucker!" Louis spat at him, and turned around without a word, grabbing a still gobsmacked and teary eyed Niall's arm and stalking inside the gym.

~*~

"You showed him, mate!" I crowed, patting my best friend's shoulder approvingly. Louis just smirked proudly, nodding.

"Yeah! I wanted to bash that fucker's skull in!" Zayn growled in anger.

"I'm glad you punched him Louis, those type of people really piss me off. People including Coach," Liam spoke and Zayn snorted in agreement.

We got a few drinks and talked for a while, everyone gradually forgetting about the little incident before and bantering and laughing. I really loved spending time with my friends and boyfriend like this, and I dreaded ever being away from them, even for a short while.

"You okay, Haz?" Dani nudged me.

"Oh? Uh, yeah. Just thinking about the, uh, deal," I said, frowning a bit.

"Oh! Please tell me you're gonna say yes, Hazzabear?" Louis pleaded.

I had discussed this with Mum yesterday too, and she was supporting me a hundred percent. And it's not like I'll be leaving her all alone for a whole month, she'll be living with Robin while I'm gone. Lucky her.

I smiled at all of them. "Actually I've made a decision..." I trailed off teasingly.

"And that is?" Niall prompted.

"I'm going to take it!" I crowed and all my friends cheered, squeezing me in a group hug.

"This calls for a celebration! Let's bring out the drinks!" Louis demanded, and pulled a grinning Niall away with him towards the drinks table.

"Wow, Harry! You'll be going to LA for a whole month, eh?" Liam asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yep," I smiled. "And I'll be back just in time for Mum's wedding."

"Gah! I can't wait for that either!" Dani squealed. Yeah, I couldn't either, to be honest. I was so damn happy when I'd finally heard about the final date. I mean sure, I knew about it, but hearing about the preparations and eveything, seeing my Mum genuinely smiling, made it all so real.

As my Mum was finally getting a chance to be happy again. She and Robin had finally decided on a date, sometime in the late August. Mum preferred the perfect mid-weather.

"Will you be my date for my Mum's wedding?" I winked at Zayn, who playfully rolled his eyes. "Is that even a question?"

"Well, I was actually planning to go with Josh," I remarked cheekily, making Zayn raise an eyebrow amusedly.

"Drink up folks, our Hazza is gonna be a star!" Louis cheered, handing us all a glass with fancy champagne in it. Like I said, elegant, fancy Prom.

All of them cheered in agreement, downing the drinks. "Oh, and speaking of which," Zayn started and we all turned to him.

"My Dad actually talked to me the other day, saying he was sorry for the way he had acted when he'd learned I was gay and all that. So I was a bit surprised, but I decided to forgive him."

I smiled proudly at Zayn. "You did the right thing." Zayn smiled back.

"Thanks, Curly. Oh, and that's not all. As a way of showing he was sorry, and as Dad knows how much I love art, he actually set me up with an art dealership at the London Gallery," Zayn finished, beaming.

"Oh my God," I gasped, staring at him with my mouth slightly open. "Really?"

Zayn nodded giddily. "Really!"

"Oh my God!" I repeated, tackling Zayn in a bone crushing hug. I can't believe it! This is what he always wanted, to have his work shown in an art gallery. And now he's got an opportunity to put his work up in the London Arts Gallery, wow.

"I'm so proud of you!" I smiled widely at my boyfriend, cupping his face and kissing him softly.

The lads and Dani soon congratulated Zayn, very noisily night I add. And even more drinks were brought around after Zayn's news, by an already tipsy Louis.

~*~

"So now we both have possible future careers," I hicupped, now getting a bit tipsy, thanks to Louis. But thankfully, it was almost the end of the night.

We were a bit drunk, and we were dancing sloppily right now, but we didn't care how we looked. It was our Prom, and were were going to enjoy it.

Zayn smiled lazily and pulled me closer to him on the dance floor. "Yep, I still can't believe it." Then he pushed my head down, connecting our lips in a passionate kiss that made me forget everything for a while.

"Attention everyone! We're now announcing the Prom King and Queen!"

All of the students turned to Perrie Edwards, who was announcing the nominees.

"For Prom Queen we have, Danielle Peazer and Eleanor Calder!" The crowd cheered as both the girls went up the stage.

"And now y'all can already guess the Prom Kings? Yes! Andy Samuels and Liam Payne!"

"Woo! Go Payzer!" Louis cat-called, and we all chuckled, shushing him.

Perrie pulled the envelope open, beaming at the results. "So, this year our Prom King and Queen are... Liam and Danielle!"

Dani smiled widely, grabbing Liam for a sweet kiss, and they both got their crowns. It was honestly amazing to see both of my friends so happy.

Dani stepped up for her Prom Queen speech. "Oh. My. God. Seriously. This was the best school year ever!" Dani gushed, smiling at Liam standing beside her. Everyone laughed.

"No, seriously. I would have never imagined that I would be this year's Prom Queen, and will be so in love with a jock. Who is the most perfect person ever by the way," Dani smiled lovingly and Liam, who just looked back at Dani like a puppy in love. Awh!

"And who gets me so well. I mean, I was friends with these losers before," she pointed to us, "and- oh wait. I'm still friends with these losers. My bad! And they are the best idiotic friends I could honestly ask for. And thank you so much for choosing me as your Prom Queen. You all deserve this too, to be honest. But thank you for giving me this honor. Love you all!"

And they were met with loud cheers and applause.

"Congrats guys!" We all congratulated our two friends boisteriously.

"This calls for more drinks, so let's-" Louis started.

"NO!" And we all cut him off.

"Fine! Be that way!" he pouted, fake-crying on Niall's shoulder who patted his head comfortingly.

"I think you had a bit too many drinks, Lou," I chuckled. "Then again, you always act like this."

"Hey!" Louis protested, but didn't add anything else.

I looked around at my friends with a light smile, seeing all of us so happy. I wish we can always be like that. I know that's a bit too much to ask, so I just wish we can always deal with all the difficulties thrown our way.

I leaned into Zayn as he pulled me closer to him, kissing my temple lightly. And I wish that Zayn stays with me as long as he can. 'Cos I sure do need him around.

Now, and maybe forever as well.

~*~