The next morning, Amanda and Julie were laughing in the front room drinking their coffee.  Niall and Harry had gone to pick up some pastries for breakfast.  No one really felt like cooking.  The guys were going to take the girls skiing today, and neither Julie nor Amanda had any experience at all on snowy mountains.

"Oh, we're going to make complete fools of ourselves today."  Amanda said.

"Yeah, I'm going to play perfectly at being the damsel in distress. I need my hot boyfriend to save me."  Julie said giggling.

"You?  Damsel in distress?  Seriously?  Harry is going to see right through that crap."  Amanda said laughing.

"Well, your hot boyfriend can save me then."  Julie said.  "Geez, Panda, you could have played along at least a little."

"You stay away from my hot boyfriend.  I will save you though.  I'm hot enough, right?"  Amanda laughed.

"Too hot.  You'd melt the snow."  Julie said smiling at Amanda.  "Oh, my god. Look at all these clothes we have to put on."  Julie said looking at all the ski gear the boys had gotten for them.  They had just finished laying it out to examine all of it

"It's cute though."  Amanda said.  "At least they have good taste."

"Pink.  He got me pink."  Julie shook her head.  "When have you ever seen me in pink?"  Julie laughed.

"Well, I know you'll look hot as hell in pink."  Harry said walking in and setting the food on the counter.  He took his jacket off and hung it up.  "Stop complaining.  Most girls love pink."

"I'm not most girls, love."  Julie said.  She looked at Amanda when Amanda started cracking up.

"That's the truth."  Harry said chuckling.  "You're right I should have known better.  But you will still look hot as hell."

"A pink stay puft Marshmallow man.  Yes, hot as hell.  You can roll me down the hill."  Julie said amused.

"Oh, shut up already."  Harry said coming over and kissing her quick.  "Just eat your damn breakfast."

"Well someone's feeling awful brave this morning."  Amanda said about Harry, laughing and giving Niall a kiss when he walked up.

"I'm not scared."  Harry said.  He took Julie's hand and walked her to the counter.  "We got lots of different pastries.  Let's eat so we can hit the slopes."

"Hitting them is probably all I will do.  Hard."  Julie said laughing and taking a pastry.  "Yummy carbs.  I can feel it on my hips already."

"More to hold onto."  Harry joked.  Amanda laughed even harder.

"Little fucker."  Julie said slapping at his hands which had gone to her waist.

"Little isn't what you were saying last night."  Harry laughed

"Let me amend.  Cocky little fucker."  Julie said shaking her head.

"Oh, my god.  You two need to stop.  You're killing me here."  Amanda said.  She was crying she was laughing so hard.  Maybe it wasn't the most humorous exchange she had ever heard, but it had been a long time.  She was enjoying JJ in the moment and her being sassy to Harry.  This is how she expected it to be.  Harry always took it so well.

Niall laughed harder at Amanda than he did at JJ and Harry.  He was happy though.  He loved when the four of them were together and got on so well.  It was nice to see everyone happy and playful.  It had been way too long.  "Let's just eat.  I don't want anyone to get hurt before we leave the cabin."

"Oh, so you'd rather wait until I can fall off a mountain?"  Julie said looking at Niall.

"No," he laughed.  "That's not what I meant.  Just eat, would you?"

About an hour later, the girls had finally gotten into all their ski gear.  Apparently, the boys thought they were going to be cold.  They had way too many layers.  They skipped a few pieces of clothing.  After all, Julie was originally from Wisconsin and Amanda from Iowa.  This was hardly freezing cold temperatures

They were meeting the guys at the ski lodge as they were getting their skis and everything together.  When they walked in, they saw Harry and Niall with everything waiting for them.

"Ok, let's go kill ourselves."  Julie said walking up to them.

"Always so positive."  Niall said laughing and handing Amanda her stuff.  

Amanda laughed.  "She might be right.  Are you sure we can't just watch?"

"No, you cannot."  Harry said.  "We got you."

"That's what I'm afraid of."  Julie said.  "I've seen the two of you.  Not exactly swift of foot.  In fact, we met Niall when he hurt his knee, and well dear, you've never been very good at staying on your feet on stage."

"Shut up.  Now."  Harry laughed.  He'd missed her sassiness.  He knelt down and helped her clip her ski boots on.  "Can you stand?"  He chuckled.

Julie glared at him.  "Watch yourself Styles."  She got up.  "I'm gonna go play with the little kids."  She laughed.  She so did not want to make a fool out of herself.

Niall helped Amanda stand up after she had her ski boots on.  "Ok, but they won't carry your skis for you like we will."

"Oh, such a gentleman, Niall."  Amanda laughed.  She reached out for Julie's hand and they walked in front of Niall and Harry out into the snow.  "We'll be ok.  We've got lots of padding."

"True.  Good thing for thick clothing.  It has nothing to do with the pastries going to my hips."  Julie said.

Harry laughed out loud.  "Oh, let it go.  It was a joke."  He helped her put her goggles on and put his on.  He got her onto the ski lift and sat beside her.

"Not a chance.  I'm not done with it yet."  She said leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes.  She wasn't a fan of heights.  He probably didn't know that yet.

"Oh, you're afraid of heights."  He laughed as he watched her hold onto his arm and close her eyes.  "It's ok, love. I would never let you fall."  He leaned his head on hers.  It was so nice to have some sort of normalcy back.

"Be nice Harry, or you won't like the consequences."  She said to him but held onto his arm tighter.

"Oh, more punishment from you.  I'm looking forward to it."  He sighed happily. 

"Oh, not this time.  This time, no touching will be involved."  She said to him amused.

"Oh, shit, well then I better behave."  He chuckled as they made their way up the mountain.

Niall helped Amanda into the lift.  He sat beside her.  "So, Princess, is this vacation all you thought it would be?" 

"Better."  Amanda said.  "I didn't think Harry would be here.  Now that he is, I have everything I want.  You and the two of them.  I just hope it stays this way for a while now.  I know I have more to worry about; but for now, here, we're all good."

"She needs you, no doubt."  He kissed the side of her head.  "But yes, right now you have Harry and me here to help.  So, no stress, Princess."

"Except for the fact that I may fall and break my face."  Amanda said.

"Oh, I won't let anything happen to that gorgeous face.  Maybe a leg, or an arm, but never that face."  Niall laughed as Amanda swatted him.  He helped her off the lift, and they went over by Harry and Julie.

The day was spent on the slopes, and it was fun.  After a while though, the girls had had enough.  They were tired of falling on their asses.  They went and got some hot chocolate and food and sat and talked.

"You seem to be doing pretty well, JJ."  Amanda said.  "You doing ok?"

"Yeah, I mean.  I still have a lot on my mind.  I still think about way more than I should, but I'm learning.  I'm glad to be back with you, and have Niall and Harry here.  As much as I want to hide my struggles right now so everyone can have a good time, I know I shouldn't.  So far, since we've gotten here though, I've been pretty good.  Harry has once again proven how much of a stand-up guy he is by forgiving me for leaving.  For supporting me completely through what was probably my biggest break ever.  How can I not feel lucky?  I know this is not how it will always be, but for now, it is.  For now, I'm comfortable."  She reached over and put her hand on Amanda's on the table.  "It's not all Harry either Panda. You are the best friend I've ever had.  Ever.  And I mean that.  No one has ever understood me.  No one had ever cared to even wonder why I was so cold.  You never stopped."

"Ok, no more."  Amanda sniffled.  "My tears will freeze to my cheeks."  She put her other hand on top of JJ's.  "Believe it or not, you were always there for me.  Crazy as it sounds, sometimes your abrupt, unemotional response is exactly what I needed.  I'm too emotional sometimes.  We even each other out.  Although you've become more emotional, you still have the spunk and that sass.  We are the perfect friends, JJ.  We always will be."

"Until you marry Niall, and have beautiful babies and travel the world."  Julie said sitting back.

"Right."  Amanda laughed.  "We really should worry about that now, JJ."

"Hey, you never know.  Look where we are 4 months after we went to that first concert."  Julie said.  "It could happen anytime."

"I wouldn't worry about that now, JJ.  I'm all yours while our boyfriends tour the world."  Amanda said.  She laughed, but it was a bit of a sad thought too.

"Yeah, let's not talk about that right now.  The new emotional me might not be able to deal with that thought just yet."  Julie laughed.

The boys came up to them awhile later.  They sat behind each of them and wrapped their arms around them.

"How are our little snow bunnies?"  Harry asked.

"My ass hurts."  Julie said to him.

"I will rub your ass later, babe."  He kissed the side of her neck.

Julie just rolled her eyes.  "Oh, you wish.  I'm thinking hot tub.  With Amanda."

"Yeah, nice try JJ; but I will not leave you and Amanda alone in a hot tub."  Niall said.  "I don't trust the two of you."

"Niall!"  Amanda laughed.

"He shouldn't."  Julie said.  She laughed when Harry bit her neck playfully.

"Ok, then I suppose we can let you two take us into the hot tub.  Long as it includes champagne and you as our man servants."  Julie said standing up and pulling Harry up by the hands.

"Oh yes!"  Amanda agreed.  "And strawberries."

"Are there two separate hot tubs? 'Cuz I like the sound of that, but I'm not sure I want anyone else in the hot tub with us when it leads to where it is definitely going to go."  Harry said to Julie.

"Pervert."  Julie said holding his hands when he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Oh, you were thinking it, too."  He said to her laughing.

"I know I was."  Amanda said laughing.

"Yeah, me too.  There's only one hot tub, but there's a whirl pool bath tub in our room, so I think we can make do with that."  Niall said wrapping his arm around Amanda's waist.

They were laughing and walking back towards the cabin when some fans spotted Harry and Niall.  It was only a matter of time.  There was quite a group with their phones out taking pictures and asking for selfies with them.

Julie pulled her hood up and tighter around her.  This was not a moment she wanted.  She took a few deep breaths.  She watched the ground.  This was it.  There was no doubt, going to be pictures on social media now.  Did they catch her face?  Oh god, what was going to happen?  She was starting to panic a little.  She wanted to just run back to the cabin.  "Harry."  She said.

Harry watched Julie pull her hood around her tighter.  He could hear the panic in her voice from her simply saying his name.  "It's ok.  Baby.  It's ok."  He looked at Amanda.  "Take her back to the cabin?  We will occupy them and meet you there."

Amanda nodded.  "Of course," she took JJ's arm and walked with her quickly to the cabin.  She noticed some of the girls followed behind them and were snapping pictures.  Of course, she put her arm around JJ's back and led her to the door.  She kept herself between JJ and the girls as much as possible.  She unlocked the door and got her inside.  JJ hadn't said anything but slowly began removing her snow clothes.  "JJ, you ok?"

"I'm, I don't know."  She said.  Hands shaking some as she took everything off and hung it up.  "I don't think I could have ever prepared myself for that."  She took a deep breath.  "And that wasn't even bad really."

"It will be ok."  Amanda said making them some coffee.  She finished it and brought the mug to JJ.  "You're being quiet again."

"I know."  She held the mug.  "It's just, new."

"I know."  Amanda said hugging her.  "Things will be fine."

"What if Johnny sees?  I'm still so scared of that."  Julie said.

Harry and Niall walked in right when Julie said that.

"Hey," Harry said taking his ski clothes off as quickly as possible.  "He can't get to you here.  I promise."

Amanda could see the fear on her face.  "You are safe here, JJ."

"You are."  Niall said.  "People can't just drive up here and be let in on a whim."

When Harry walked up to Julie, he watched her take a step back.  He took a deep breath and watched her pick her head up slowly and look him in the eyes.  He kept calm.  "Baby, you're ok.  We got this."  He said quietly.

Julie kept lock on his eyes.  She nodded slowly when he spoke so calmly and quietly.  She took a few deep breaths.  She shook her head after a minute though and started breathing harder.  She couldn't stop the panic.  He was going to find her.  The one fear she couldn't shake.  He was going to find her again.  He was going to take it all out on her.  She kept trying to calm down.  She didn't want to panic.

Harry watched her.  Dammit.  Her anxiety was increasing by the second.  He wasn't going to back her into a corner though.  He took a step back.  "Baby, listen to me.  It's going to be ok.  It's ok to be scared.  But let me help you with your fear."

It's ok to be scared.  It's ok to show fear.  It's ok. Those words.  They were the ones she needed to accept.  She had a reason to be scared.  It wasn't irrational.  Fear was ok.  Deal with the fear.  Let someone help with the fear.  She swallowed hard.  She looked from Harry to Amanda and Niall.  It was ok.  They can know that she felt scared.  It didn't mean they thought she was weak.  She kept running through the steps in her brain.  Let them help.  She looked back into Harry's eyes.

Harry smiled when she looked back into his eyes.  That's it.  Come to me.  We can do this together. Harry thought.  He didn't say anything though.  He just calmly took a few breaths, so she could see his breathing was even and steady.  He had read some of her book that morning before she woke up.  He wanted to learn how to help her.  Seemed he'd read the right part.  Good thing.  He never broke eye contact.  He could see her breathing slowing down.

Amanda was amazed.  Harry had taken a step back and remained extremely calm.  She had questioned when he took a step back, but it seemed it was exactly what JJ needed.  How did he know to do that?  She had to find out.  If she was going to be alone with JJ while the guys were touring, she needed to learn how to calm JJ's panic.  She looked at Niall.

Niall kissed Amanda's head.  "Just stay calm, baby." Niall whispered to her  "She's doing ok.  Harry seems to have a handle on this."  He wrapped his arms around Amanda.

"He does.  I need to learn."  She said.

Julie closed her eyes and reopened them.  She looked up into Harry's eyes again.  And then, it happened.  She felt the panic slowly dissipate.  She took one more deep breath and then moved quickly to him.  She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried herself into his chest.  He'd pulled her right out of her panic attack.  Thank god she had him.

Amanda took a deep breath.  It was so good to see.  She took Niall's hand, and they nodded at Harry and went to their room.  It could have been a lot worse.  She was glad it wasn't.

"I told you we got this, baby."  Harry said rubbing her back.  "You're so strong."

*if you are enjoying the story please vote/comment/share. I would love to be able to respond.

*the story is complete fan fiction