*one month later

Lana's POV

"Dad?" I run down the stairs as the smell of smoke gets stronger. I start coughing when I turn into the kitchen to see my dad trying to put out a small fire in a pan on the stove. I run over to help, first removing the pan from the burner and turning it off. I take one of the oven mitts and start whacking whatever is in the pan until the fire goes out. My ears are ringing from the high pitch of he smoke detector, which my dad fans for a while until it turns off. We start opening all the windows.

"What were you trying to make?" I ask, trying to see what the black lump in the pan was supposed to be.

"Grilled cheese," he says, looking at it the same way as me. I laugh and shake my head.

"Well, it's done about ten minutes before it looks like that," I say pointing to the charred bread. My dad had moved back in with me about a week after my mom had left. Neither of us had spoken to her yet. We were both still really angry. Turns out mom leaving was the best thing for us, though. Suddenly he's been a lot happier and he actually talks to me. We even went to a movie together.

"I guess I don't really have this whole cooking thing down yet," he says, laughing at himself. I think I've seen him smile more times in the last three weeks than in the entire time we've lived in Holmes Chapel. I help him clean up and take out a new pan to show him how to make it.

I have to admit, my life is awesome right now despite the fact that my mother abandoned me. My dad and I are getting along, he loves Harry, and Harry has been amazing through all of this. He was skeptical at first when my dad started trying with me; he didn't want me to get hurt again. After my dad had proved that he wanted to have a relationship with me Harry started to lighten up, and he and my dad actually got along really well. It's kind of scary sometimes.

My life has been so chaotic for the last few weeks that Harry and I haven't had a chance to get away for a night or two. Problem is, my dad is now enforcing some rules with me. I can't do whatever I want anymore, and Anne isn't about to help us get out of town so we can have a special night together.

"What happened here?" I hear the door open. Harry must be referring to the smoke that is still hovering in the house. He comes into the kitchen and starts laughing when he sees me and my dad. "Oh, trying to cook again are we?"

"Watch it, Harry," my dad says, pointing a finger at him. Harry throw his hands up and comes and kisses the top of my head while I flip the sandwich. "How do you get it like that?"

"Well, you can't have it on the highest possible heat. That's how you set things on fire." I put the sandwich on the plate beside the stove.

"Thanks, Lana. I'm going to go eat this in my office. Don't forget, we have dinner at the club tomorrow night. Harry, you're welcome to join us."

"Thanks, sir," Harry says as my dad makes his way to his office at the back of the house. I turn the stove off and turn to Harry, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Hi," I say, standing on my tip toes and kissing him quickly.

"Hi yourself. What do you want to do tonight?"

I shrug and walk to the fridge to put the cheese away. "I don't care. What are El and Lou doing?"

"Louis said they might go to the movies."

"Boring." I jump up and sit on the counter in front of Harry and he stands between my legs. "We should go bowling!" I say suddenly, clapping my hands.

He chuckles at my excitement and puts his hands on my legs. "Alright, I'll call Louis." He pulls out his phone and dials Lou's number. After a minute I hear him pick up. "Hey, you guys want to go bowling tonight? I don't know, like an hour? Okay, yea. We'll meet you there." He hangs up and sets the phone down beside me. "We are meeting them at 7:30."

"Why? It's like six o'clock. Why don't we just go now and get some food at the bowling alley."

He smirks and moves his hands up to my waist. "Because my mum and Robin are both at work. Can't pass up the opportunity to be in an empty house, can we?"

I smile and wrap my arms around his neck. "I guess not." He throws me over his shoulder and I laugh as we walk across the street. I'd grown used to Harry carrying me like this. It was his go-to for some reason.

"You know," I say, still hanging over his shoulder, "This kind of goes against the whole you being on top thing." I squeal when he suddenly sets me down on the lawn.

"You're right," he says. He's got that look in his eye a little kid gets when they're about to do something bad and before I can guess what it is he runs behind me and jumps onto my back. I stumble forward a little but manage to keep myself from falling over.

"What are you doing!" I yell, laughing and trying to keep myself upright.

"Your idea, babe," he says, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck. "Now let's go!"

I continue laughing as I try to make my way to the front door. The step onto the porch is a problem. Harry holds onto the post and pulls us up as I take the step. "You are so weak. I weigh like one pound," he teases as I take two more steps towards the door. He reaches forward and pushes it open. I walk as quickly as I can manage and turn around at the arm rest of the couch. falling backwards so I land on him.

"Holy shit I'm tired," I breathe, going limp against his body. "You really are fat, Styles," I tease.

"Oh yea?" he says, sliding out from under me and standing up. I sit and lean back against the couch and start laughing when he takes off his shirt. "Show me where the fat is, babe."

I stand up and run my fingers up and down his front. I feel his eyes watching me. I know he's smirking, too. I continue to examine him by walking in a slow circle around his body, trailing along his skin with the tips of my fingers. When I've gone in a complete circle I look up at him and slowly move my hands up from his stomach to his face. He leans down to kiss me, but I pinch both his cheeks between my fingers.

"Right here!" I say, then run away.

"You are so dead, Lana," he states calmly, running after me as I run through the kitchen. I turn the corner into the dining room and as I'm going back into the living room I turn to see if he's behind me. I turn to my right again to make another circle when I suddenly slam into him. He quickly wraps his arms tightly around my waist, keeping me pressed up against him. He chuckles at the shocked expression I'm sure is on my face.

"Like a ninja, remember?"

I think back to the time I threw grapes at him. He suddenly kisses me and I laugh against his lips. I pull away and he looks down at me, confused.

"I'm starving," I tell him, taking his hands from behind my back and pulling him into the kitchen. I release them and open the fridge to look for food.

"Did you miss the part where my house is empty?" he asks, folding his arms and leaning against the counter behind me. I take out a container of leftovers from the fridge.

"Did you miss the part where my dad almost burnt the house down? We don't eat real food. I'm dying for some of your mother's cooking."

"Food is more important than making out with me?"

I turn and pat his arm. "You catch on fast." He rolls his eyes and gets a plate out of the cupboard for me. I dump all of the food on it. He laughs. "I wasn't kidding, Harry. I'm starving. I could eat you if I wanted."

"Calm down, Forester. Try not to set anything on fire." He turns and walks out. I put the plate in the microwave and hit the reheat button. Harry comes back in the kitchen, pulling his shirt over his head. He sits at the island and I lean against the counter to wait for the food to be done.

"So, did you hear that there's a new kid in school?" He leans his elbow on the counter, resting his chin on his hand and shaking his head. "Yea, Brooke told me. She said he moved in to a house on her street. Apparently he was beat up or something so he had to move to get away."

"Sounds dramatic."

"I know. Brooke loves her drama, though, so I'm sure she'll be quick to take him under her wing." I laugh as the microwave beeps. I take the food out and sit beside Harry. He leans next to my plate, mouth hanging open. "Are you five?" He nods, mouth still wide open. I laugh and put a fork full of food in his mouth. He starts chewing and kisses my cheek. As I'm stuffing my face I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hey! It's Brooke."

"I know," I say to her, laughing. "I have caller ID, my friend. What's up? Want to go bowling tonight?"

"You know I suck at bowling, Lana. But fine, I'll come. I'm assuming it's the five of us?"

"Yep. We're going at 7:30."

"When did we get this lame? Friday night and we're going bowling like sixty year olds. See you in an hour!" She hangs pup quickly and I shake my head and set my phone down. I continue to eat and Harry plays with my hair. My phone vibrates again and I see a message from Brooke.

B: Is it cool if I bring someone?

I raise my eyebrows when I read the message. Brooke didn't have anyone she was interested in right now.

L: Of course. Who is it?

B: Someone fabulous, of course. You'll have to wait and see. See you tonight! xx

"Brooke is bringing someone," I tell Harry, leaning my elbows on the counter and looking at him.

"Really? Like a guy?"

"I guess so. She doesn't have any other girl friends."

"Who is it?"

I shrug and pick my fork up again. "I have no idea. Do you want to come with me and my dad tomorrow night? You don't have to if you don't want to. It's just dinner at the club with some people from his work."

Harry's POV

"Sounds like a blast," I say, smirking as she attempts to put a huge fork full of food into her mouth. I laugh and shake my head.

"Don't laugh at me. I know I'm disgusting," she slurs, mouth full. When she finally finishes chewing she continues. "It's not going to be fun. Boring old guys talking about the economy. Ew. I'm only going because my mom isn't here so he'd be alone otherwise."

"I don't want to steal his time with you." I really want to go with her. I love being in public with her because I want everyone to know that she's mine. Only mine.

"He won't care about that. He told me the only thing he wants is for me to ask him to leave as soon as dinner is over." She laughs at the logic. I'm glad she finally has a parent, even if it does make it harder for us to get away.

"Do you want me to come?"

"No."

I stare at her with eyebrows raised. "Well, then." I start to get up but she pulls be back down with both hands.

"I'm kidding, you goof. Of course I want you to come. I just didn't think you would want to."

"If you're there that's all I need." Did I just say that?

She laughs and puts her hand on my cheek. "I could actually vomit at how corny that was, but I won't. Thanks baby," she kisses my cheek and puts her plate in the sink. If I had known having Lana as my girlfriend was going to be this amazing I would never have suggested being friends. It's so easy with us. I want to be around her all the time and I have to stop myself from asking her to hang out every single night because I know she has other friends. And a father.

"Well, looks like we've got some time to kill," I say, standing up and walking over to her.

"What ever will we do?" She asks, smiling up at me. I trace her bottom lip with my thumb.

"I was thinking Scrabble."

She laughs and jumps up to sit on the counter in front of me, wrapping her legs around my torso and putting her fingers through the belt loops on my jeans to tug me closer to her. "I was not."

I look down at her grip on my jeans. "I think I like your idea better," I say, looking back to her face and kissing her. I cup her face in my hands as she releases my jeans and puts her hands under my shirt, against my bare skin. I move my hands down her back and scoop her up, holding her against me. She pulls back as I start to walk up the stairs.

"Is this a good idea?" She asks, putting her hands on the back of my neck.

"Babe, it's an amazing idea."

She laughs and shakes her head. "That's not what I meant. I mean going to your bedroom."

"Well it's a little late for that," I say, pushing the door open and laying her down on my bed. She sits up a little and crawls backwards, laying her head down against my pillows. I follow and lower myself onto her, putting my lips back against hers. I quickly move down to her neck. I no longer had any difficulty finding places that would make her crazy. I had them memorized. I know I've found one when I hear her moan softly and tug on my hair.

"Harry, I think we should stop," she whispers quietly. I smile against her skin but continue what I'm doing.

"Why's that?" I ask against the bottom of her ear. I feel her shudder. Suddenly she pushes me back. I hover over her, looking in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, that's the problem," she says, sitting up and pushing me off of her. She sits against the headboard and hugs a pillow to her stomach. I laugh and sit up as well, leaning my elbow against the pillows so my head is at the height of her shoulder. I look up at her and wait for an explanation. She doesn't look at me or say anything, she just fiddles with the pillow.

"Lana, are you going to tell me why you don't want to kiss me or do I have to force it out of you?"

"Have you figured out any time that we can...get away?" she asks quietly. I know what she means right away.

"No, love, I haven't. I'm trying." She lets out a frustrated sigh and turns over, flopping her face into the pillows. I laugh and rub her back. So that's the problem. Looks like she's going as crazy as I am that we've had to wait this long.

"Maybe you just shouldn't touch me at all until we can," she says, her voice muffled from talking into the pillows. I laugh, removing my hand and laying on my back with one hand behind my head and the other on my chest.

"I don't think that's the best solution."

She turns over and lays beside me, lacing her fingers and putting them on her stomach. "Probably not. Why do you have to be so damn sexy," she says, smacking my chest with the back of her hand. I laugh and put both hands behind my head.

"Can't help it, babe. Better get used to it."

"Don't count on that."

I turn onto my side, leaning on my hand and looking down at her. She smiles up at me ad pushes some hair away from my face. "How do you have prettier hair than I do?"

I roll my eyes and run my hand through my hair. "It's an incredible gift, I know." She laughs and pokes my stomach. "What do you want to do?"

She turns on her side and wraps her arms around my waist, snuggling against me. "Cant we just lay here for a while?" I nod and lay my head beside hers, brushing her hair away from her face. This girl is beyond gorgeous. I really don't think I could be any luckier. I know I don't deserve this. I don't deserve her.

I open my eyes when I feel my pocket vibrating. Shit. We fell asleep? I reach into my back pocket and pull my phone out without waking Lana. We're still in the same position as when we fell asleep. I answer without checking who it is.

"Hello?" I whisper.

"Mate, where are you? We've been here for like twenty minutes!"

"Lou?"

"Yes, smarty. Whatever you two are doing, try and pull yourselves apart so we can bowl!"

"Sorry, mate, I guess we fell asleep. We'll be there in ten minutes." He laughs and we both hang up. I put my phone on the bed and look down at Lana. She looks so peaceful. I feel bad to wake her. I rub her back and kiss her forehead.

"Lana. Babe, wake up." She starts to stir. "We have to go."

"Did I fall asleep?" she asks groggily. I chuckle.

"We both did. We're late to meet the others. Louis just called."

"Shit. Okay, let me just use the bathroom." She suddenly jumps up and runs to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I decide to put a warmer shirt on. The alley is always freezing (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/22/article-2266268-17177B16000005DC-229_634x879.jpg.

She comes out of the bathroom. (Lana's outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/there_are_sunny_days_ahead/set?id=101690080) We go into my car and get to the bowling alley pretty quick. We go inside to find Lou has already paid for everyone. We walk to the lane we've been assigned to, the next to last one. We walk up hand in hand. Lou sees us and claps his hands.

"Well done, you two. Way to show up."

"Yea, yea, Louis we get it. Let's just-" I stop short when I see Brooke sitting next to the person Lana said she was bringing. Lana sees him at the same time as me, and I know she must be as shocked as I am. We both stop walking.

"Hey, Harry."

Notes

who is it??? wait and see :) hopefully will do the next chapter tonight! this one isnt that exciting, i know. i just needed a filler so i could jump forward and explain everything that had happened.

let me know what you think. suggestions? what you like? any comments are welcome and very much appreciated :)

thanks for reading!!