Mirrors (A Harry Styles Fanfic)

I turn on the ignition, type in the address Harry gave me on the maps app on my phone and make my way out of the parking space in Nan's car. I was a little afraid she wouldn't let me take the car this late out but after I told her I had an argument with my father she let me go. Mark stayed behind, I told him to stay with him and Jane and I asked to be driven back home. I don't even know why I'm doing this anymore, I guess I need some time to think but I feel like I run away every time something doesn't feel right.

I turn on the radio in hopes of distracting my mind and helping me focus as I drive. Three hours and forty minutes later I'm outside the drive way of my destination. I text Harry to inform him I'm outside, a minute later the front door opens and he comes out. I smile at his attire; he's wearing grey sweat pants, a burgundy jumper and a grey beanie covering his curls. I step out of the car and lean on the door as I wait for him, the cold air hits me and I'm aware of the fact that I didn't bring a sweater. As I watch Harry walk over I wonder if his parents are okay with me being here.
He smiles as his warm arms wrap around me

"How was the drive?" he asks into the hug

"Calming" I say into the crook of his neck, he smells like those cinnamon candles Nan always has on during the holidays.

"So what happened?" he asks as he pulls away, my skin instantly missing his warmth.
I tell him everything that my father did, everything that I said, and he listens to everything I say before speaking.

"Do you really think he doesn't care about your brother Mark" he asks me

I think about everything my brother and I have gone through because of that man and realize that Mark has it a lot worse, "Yes," at least my father tried to make it up to me in his own twisted way, but he still never truly gave my brother the attention he deserved. I feel the little anger I tried to push away as I drove here boiling up, and just remembering what he did just fuels the fire even more. "It's like all he's doing is trying to make it up to me and the only reason he will let my brother stay is because I told him to; he just wants to please me and fix everything I tell him he's done wrong because I tell him about it" I realize I've been throwing my arms in the air as I explain and proceed to folding my arms to keep them at bay. "He doesn't even think about what my brother needs; he needs a father, it's too late to make it up to me"

"Are you sure it's too late for you? You're 18 Piper, you still need a father, even after you're eighty" he says. I look down at my shoes and ponder on his words...Maybe he's right, maybe I shouldn't push him away

"That still doesn't change the fact that he isn't trying for Mark" I say to try and steer the subject away from me.

"Maybe you should call him and talk to him about Mark, but don't push him away. He's trying to do the right thing, and you letting him know that you don't care for him will probably make him give up on both of you" I replay my father's words in my head and remember him saying that Mark reminds him of mum

"He feels guilty when he looks at him" I whisper to myself

"What do you mean?" he grabs the back of my arm, gesturing for me to look at him

"He said my brother looks like my mum; he doesn't want to connect with him because he's guilty" I recall telling something about his guilt and wonder if I was too harsh on him. Yeah he's done pretty awful things, I'm not ready to forgive him just like that, but it gives me some peace to know that he's realizing he made mistakes.

"Maybe you should give him a chance" If I give him a chance I would have to give Jane a chance

"I hate Jane" I turn and kick the car wheel with my pumps, Harry's hands pull me away from the car and into his chest

"I don't think Luna will like that" he says laughing, I rest my forehead on his chest and my hands mirror the action, "and I take Jane is the girlfriend?"

"Yes" I whisper, I shiver from the cold and his arms wrap around my back, pulling me closer to him. "I've only said a couple of words to her in all the years that I've known her. She knew who she was to me, she knew who my mother was"

"Do you think she has anything to do with your father's realization that he needs to have a relationship with you?" his hand starts rubbing my back and I feel my eyes heavy,what time is it? Like ten, eleven...

"When I decided to go to Uni he thought he could make it up by giving me money, but he's never tried to have a relationship with me until now" my arms fall and wrap around his waist, I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. I didn't realize how tired I was, all the yelling, crying, anger and driving definitely had a toll on me today.

"Piper, you want to come inside already?" Harry whispers in my ear, I shot up and pull away from him. I don't think me staying here would be a good idea, I'm taking him away from his family as it is and me staying here, throwing my problems at him would only distract him from them.

"No, I should go back" I say and walk towards the cat door

"Are you insane!" Harry's footsteps trail behind me, "It's too late for you to be driving, you can leave tomorrow morning but stay here for the night" he grabs my arm and starts pulling me towards his house

"No, no, I'll stay at a hotel or something" I tell him, "I don't want to bother your family" he turns and gives me a small smile

"My mum went to another town for a party, plus she won't mind she actually said she wanted to meet you" he said looking down at his feet,

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! Plus Gemma knows you were coming and she got excited for some reason" I've never actually hung out much with her but it would be nice to make a new girl friend, if I get to see her before I leave.

"Let me at least get my phone" he lets go of my hand and walks over to the car with me. Once I have my purse, in case I need anything else, we walk back towards his house. He opens the door and we walk into a large living room, he guides me towards the hallway on the left, we reach a flight of stairs and just before we climb them I catch sight of the kitchen; rather small but very cute and a bit colonial. I catch a glance of a glass door leading to the yard.

"Is your yard big?" I ask him

"Yeah" he says, "we have a trampoline" he smiles excitedly. I can't help but smile,Child.
We reach the top of the stairs and he opens the first door, "Here's the guest room" he says with a smile.

"Thanks" I walk inside; a queen bed is in the middle of the left wall with a black modern frame, two side tables, a dresser on the right wall next to what I believe to be the closet, and there's a small window right above the desk on the far wall.

"I would ask Gemma to lend you some pyjamas but she went out with friends about an hour ago, and she'd beat me up if I went into her room" he says with a smile

"That's fine I cou-"

"No, I mean you'll have to wear something of mine, if you don't mind, I'm not letting you sleep with that" he says pointing at my outfit, "It's nice but looks uncomfortable Pipes" he says and walks towards the door across the hall, I place my bag on one of the side tables.

A couple seconds later Harry shows up with black sweat pants, a white t shirt in hand and some really bright yellow socks. He shows me to the bathroom, I take my small traveling tooth brush and use some of the mouth wash next to the sink to try and clean my teeth properly of that horrible turkey I ate this afternoon.Who has turkey in the middle of August? I walk back to the room after changing and find Harry sitting on the bed, using his phone. He looks up as I walk towards my bag and put my things next to it on the side table

"Your phone rang, twice" he says looking at me with concern.

Hoping it's Nan, I take out my phone. I have one missed call from her and one missed call from my father. I decide to call me Nan first rather than him.

"Piper" she answers after one ring, her strict voice making my insides turn

"Hello Nan" I hope I'm not getting into any trouble, I look up and see Harry looking at me

"I just wanted to call to check where you're staying" shoot. I look at Harry and gesture for him to give me some space next to him on the bed

"I'm staying in a hotel Nan," I look at Harry, his eyebrows furrowed, and he mouths why? "I'll be going back tomorrow" if I were to tell her that I'm staying at his house, no matter how many times I say he's just my friend, she will go nuts.

"Did you talk to Harry"

"Yes, I just left his place. Nan I have to go," I bite the side of my bottom lip as I think of an excuse, "my father called me and I think I should call back"

"Yes you should" her voice changes, sounding a bit more serious but calmer than before

"He called you didn't he?" I guess

"Yes, you should talk to him and you'll know what he said" she sights and I hear shuffling on the other end, "I'm going to bed now honey, have a good night"

"Night Nan" I hang up and look at the missed call form my father. I don't want to call him, I just calmed down.

"Why did you lie?" I'd forgotten he was right next to me, his quietness making me think I was here alone.

"Erm, if I were to tell her that I was staying with you she'd come pick me up herself" I say with a forced laugh, I don't find it amusing in any way.

"But you stayed at my place back in London" I look up at him, I bite my underlip and raise my brows, "how much trouble did you get into?" he says with a dimpled smile

"Not much actually, because I made pancakes, but I still had a very unique conversation with her" I look down at my phone and stare at my father's name in the contact list.

"Pancakes solve everything!" He leans in closer, his right hand resting on the bed, right behind me, "Are you going to call him?"

"Dunno" I honestly say.

"I think you should, maybe he'll apologize" his minty breath fans my hair and cheek, I smile up at him and I realize his face is a little too close to mine "I'll leave so you can talk to him" he takes my face between his hands and his lips press against my forehead

"Please don't," I say as he pulls away and begins to stand, "stay... just in case he upsets me again" he smiles lightly and takes his place next to me again. I press the call symbol and wait impatiently as it rings.

"Piper, thank you for calling"

"Hm" is all I say.

"I just wanted to call because I don't want you to be mad at me anymore," his voice is quiet, calm and foreign, "What I did to your mother is unforgivable and inexcusable, I don't expect you to forgive me entirely but I want you to know that I was a different man with her. I did love your mum one day but once I didn'tImade the mistake of staying and hurting her, and I will always regret hurting you"

"This isn't just about me Marcus" I say harshly, Harry begins to rub my back and my brain begins to focus again. Maybe I shouldn't had referred to him like that

"I know I've been hard on your brother but you have to understand that he's just like-"

"I don't care how much Mark looks like her, dad! You were supposed to be our father, specially when she was lying in bed dying! Not only because of that fucking sickness but because of all the heartbreak you caused" tears start forming in my eyes and try really hard to keep them there, "You left us, and you only try to contact me. From the moment he was born you did not care for him, he needs you dad, he wants you there!" I find it hard to breathe, my chest rising and lowering from the anger. All the anger I've been holding in for him is about to burst and I cannot stop it, and I as bloody hell won't "I couldn't care less if you weren't around for me anymore,"

"I understand Piper, and I will give him a chance. I need both of you around, so please give me a chance"

"Why now dad? What, did you finally earn enough money to realize that you're practically alone with a woman who is an absolute-"

"Piper don't" Harry squeezes my left shoulder to get my attention, his eyes are wide and cautious

"Don't please, she gave me a chance to finally do this right. But I am also aware of the past and I want to fix it, and the only way I can do that is if you also give me a chance"

I know my brother would have given him a chance, but I'm not sure I want to. I don't want Jane in my life, she will only remind me of what he did to mum. She changed once she found out; she was depressed and faked smiles more often, I couldn't tell if she was in pain because of him or the disease.

I know I'm not being irrational for not completely having faith in him. I guess it means something that he wants to fix it, he could've moved on and forget about what he did but he wants to make it right this time. He can finally do it right, but how... it's too late for that, we can't just be small children again.

"What do you mean she's gave you chance to do it right this time?"

"She opened my eyes to what we had done"well props to the bitch,"and made me realize that as I get a chance to do this right, my kids should be there too" what the fuck does he mean as he does it right?

"Dad, are you going to marry her?" I stand from the bed and begin to pace, he stays quiet for way too fucking long. Harry grabs my arm and pulls me to stand in front of him

"It's okay" he mouths

"Yes Piper," WHAT? "but there's something else" he takes a deep long breath, "Jane is pregnant"

I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. He's having a kid? He's making a family of his own but he wants us included... he's having a kid with his ally in the "let's break my family apart" mission. I don't even know how to take this

"We want you both to be there for everything, please Piper, giveusa chance. Don't be harsh on her, she's caring your baby sibling"

"My baby sibling" Mark is the only person I've known, other than Nan, that I can call family after mum. I look at Harry, green bright eyes wide and a dimpled smile plastered across his face. He sees the good in this, and maybe I should see the good in this too. I'm not forgiving my father nor Jane, I don't know when or if I will, but I can try and have a relationship with him, them; for Mark and for the baby.

"Dad, I'll call you later okay"

"Piper please,"

"Dad I need time to think okay? Goodnight" I hang up and toss the phone on the bed. My head begins to hurt and I wonder how long I've been up.

Harry stands from the bed, he pulls me in close to his chest and starts rubbing my arms. It's comforting yet nostalgic; I would do that to Mark whenever he was crying. I bring my hand up to my cheek and realize that I actually am still crying.

"Everything is going to be fine" he says into my head.

I don't know why the tears are still coming; is it the engagement, Jane and the baby, or just my father.

"How do you know that?" I look up at him, he cups my chin with hand

"Because, you'll be fine. It won't hurt that much anymore, and you'll try to put it behind you and try to be happy for once"

"I will" I whisper

"Yes, you need to"

I've never had a friend even remotely like Harry; he knows exactly what to say and when to say it, he makes me feel comfortable to speak about things I wouldn't even speak with my brother. I trust him, and I trust his words.

I will try to put it behind me, although it won't overturn the views the experiences have glued in my brain about everything like marriage, relationships, and life, but maybe this will allow me to deal with things better. Maybe I will be happy again.

I bury my head on the crook of his neck and fill my lungs with my best friend's soothing sent. I wrap my arms around him and close my eyes.

"Piper?" he whispers

"Hmm"

"I want you to know that I will always be here for you, and that you're one of the first people in so long that I can call my best friend" I smile at his words, "The boys are my brothers and it's nice to have someone else I can confide in, even if I am with them. I think we both needed something like this" his voice becomes lower and I hear the exhaustion in it

"Yes, I think so too"

Notes