Mom came back home on Sunday evening and was full of energy because of her super successful business trip. She was showing me pictures and fabrics of the clothes she had chosen for the summer period to the store. I was happy to see her so excited and bubbly.

"And that was it, basically. Glad you liked them too. Well, everything seems to be in order here. Did you have a good party?" Mom smirked at me.

"Haha, of course everything is in order! The party was amazing and I got some really nice gifts." I told mom and showed her everything I had gotten from my friends.

"The music sheets are from... Harry? That new boy, right? Wow, this is definitely something different. Is he nice?" Mom started with her teasing.

"Yeah, I was really surprised to get those from him. Totally unexpected. He is really nice, mom. But just a friend, okay?"

"Fine, fine. Whatever you say." Mom put her hands up and gave in. "I actually have something to tell you... Promise to listen before saying anything." Mom continued.

"Okay..." I said slowly and raised my eyebrows a bit.

"I've been seeing this man, Johnny, and we've gone out a few times." Mom said carefully.

"Few times or you are actually dating?" I felt like she was making it less meaningful than it truly was.

"Well yes, we are dating. Johnny lives currently in London but is actually moving here soon. His own place, of course. And you will be seeing him around when that happens. He is a really nice man and lovely to me. I'm sure you will like him. What do you think?"

"This came a bit fast for me to say anything and naturally I want to see it for myself. But I'm happy if you are happy. I have nothing against you dating, mom." I smiled and meant it.

"You are so grown up, Gracie. I was worried about having this discussion with you and you react like that. You are amazing honey." Mom responded, got up from the chair and came to hug me.

---

The next few days went normally and I spent a lot of time with my friends. Naomi and I were pretty much back to normal and she was actually trying to change herself. She told me a few times how grateful she had been about our little discussion and how I opened her eyes. We even went to a home party on Wednesday and she only drank two pints of cider. She was way more sober than me and still had a great time. It was great to see her healthier and obviously happier too.

On the other hand, I had started to feel worse about myself. My mind had been a mess for a few days and I was constantly thinking about none other than Harry. I just couldn't keep myself from thinking about him and I hated myself for it. I found myself picturing him and me in different surroundings doing some really naughty things to each other. I thought how Naomi would hate me if she knew my thoughts. But the worst part was that I actually liked thinking about Harry, I enjoyed it in some sick way. There was some crazy sexual tension between us that was pulling me closer and closer to him.

Harry had become a normal addition to our group of friends and he was fun to be hang with. Everyone liked him a lot. It felt like he had always been there with us. However, I thought him and me came along a little too well with each other and he seemed to be always smiling when he was talking to me or just looking at me. Whenever Naomi came close, he closed up and tried to get his way out of any situation that involved both me and Naomi. And I felt like I was doing something really bad behind her back because of it. And because of my unspoken fantasies.

We still had the weekend off before school started so I was going to the mall with Naomi on Friday. I had gotten my drivers' license and started to drive my own car. Everyone thought it was the cutest thing they had ever seen and I loved my new baby too. I called it my baby. Crazy, huh?

I honked the horn once as I got to Naomi's driveway. She came out soon after but had a really sad look on her face and walked somewhat slowly towards my car. She opened the passenger door and sat next to me. And after I said 'hi' to her, she bursted out crying.

"He... He doesn't want to date me! Can you believe it? I told you he only wants sex!" Naomi was very upset and cried. I handed her a napkin from my bag and she wiped the corners of her eyes to it.

"Um... You talked with Harry, I assume?" I simply asked with a quiet voice.

"Yes, last night. I feel like shit. Why doesn't he want me?"

"Honey... You went on a few dates and that was it. He doesn't even know you so he doesn't hate you or anything. Sometimes things just don't work out. Don't worry, I've been there too!" I tried to comfort her and felt like I failed miserably.

"Cut the bullshit! Obviously, there is something wrong with me. I just really kind of liked him... A bit. I never like anyone for real." She said quietly. I felt like my heart was going to break.

"I'm so sorry about this Naomi, I feel terrible for you. Come here." I said and pulled her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around me and cried a little bit more. I just held her and felt really, really bad for her. It was true, she never liked anyone for real.

Eventually, she calmed down and we went shopping. It seemed to be good therapy for her because we were able to joke around a little while later and had a great time. Before we left, we went to have some food at an Asian restaurant inside the mall.

"Hmm... I'm going to be okay, I feel better already. It's not the end. There's plenty more boys to date out there, right?" Naomi asked me looking thoughtful.

"You bet there's more boys out there! They are just waiting to be found by you. And hey, this kind of shit happens to all of us. You remember that guy before my ex, Nick? I got over him too, didn't I?"

"You did. Alright, the hell with Harry! I'm single and ready to mingle, as they say. How corny was that?" Naomi bursted out laughing and I joined her.

"I think I'm going to spend some time with my other friends too. I just need not to see him for a little while. Just so you know. And you are always welcome to hang with us." Naomi announced.

"Yeah, of course. But don't stay away for too long either. And you were a part of our group way before him so you shouldn't even be the one staying away from it." I said seriously.

"I know, I know. But this is a good reason for me to see that other gang, I miss them too." Naomi was talking about her childhood friends that lived on the other side of the town. I had always thought that they were somewhat gansta and I didn't really enjoy their company too much. One of them had even done drugs and had been hospitalized because of it. I just didn't want to be a part of situations like those.

---

Naomi wasted no time reuniting with her old friends as she spent the whole weekend with them and stayed the night with one of the girls there. I remembered her name was Michelle and she had her own place. She was a year older than us. But she always seemed to be the most normal one of them so I didn't worry about it.

We were hanging at Liam's house that Saturday. Zayn and Perrie were visiting her grandparents and Louis and Eleanor were on a date celebrating their anniversary. I was the only girl there but had no problem dealing with the loud boys. I even managed to win against Niall when we played FIFA on Playstation. Although I thought he just made it easy on me on purpose.

I went to the kitchen to grab more soda from the fridge. As I turned around and was about to close the door, I saw Harry standing behind me.

"Oh, did you want some?" I asked and held the door of the fridge open for him.

"Yeah, thanks." He said and I got the bottle and poured soda to his glass. For some reason, he was looking at me intently and made me feel nervous - again.

Harry turned to look behind him obviously to check out that no one saw us or was coming to the kitchen. Before I realized what exactly he was going to do, he put his free hand to the back of my neck, never taking his eyes off of mine. I looked at him astonished, trying to figure out whether to stop him from doing anything more or to just respond to his touch. I wanted to go with the latter option but managed to open my mouth.

"Harry... What... We can't do this." I said and took his hand off of me. I turned around, put the bottle back to the fridge and took a sip from my glass.

"Don't tell me you don't want to." He said, almost whispering. My heart was starting to race like mad. Of course I wanted!

"Really, I mean it. I don't want to do anything like this with you. Let's go back to the living room." I lied and tried to walk out of the kitchen.

Harry stopped me by taking me by my arm and pulling me closer to him. I almost dropped my glass, which he noticed and chuckled at my clumsiness. He took the glass from me and placed it next to his own on the kitchen counter. His perfume invaded my nose and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. But I didn't hesitate any longer, he was too likable.

His hand brushed up my arm slowly, sending tingles straight to my brain. Butterflies filled my stomach and I felt like jumping for excitement. His hand reached my shoulder and he exposed my bare shoulder by tugging my shirt down. Then, he placed his big hand to my shoulder, cupping it and feeling my skin. I noticed we were standing very, very close to each other now. It was obvious what was going to happen.

"Guys, where the hell are you?" Liam shouted from the living room and made us snap out of it all.

"Be right there!" I yelled, freed myself from Harry and took some snacks from the table and walked over to the living room. Harry followed me with our glasses.

The lads had started watching some funny videos from YouTube. I went to sit on the sofa and of course, Harry came to sit next to me. I looked at him, questions burning in my eyes, shaking my head. He smiled a bit and shrugged his shoulders.

Suddenly, he put his left arm behind me on top of the sofa and leaned in to whisper to me.

"I'll take you home tonight." He simply said.

Notes

Another update! Thanks for the votes and subscriptions! Still hoping to get way more :) appreciate every single one of you reading this story! :)

Did everyone see the video for 'You and I'? What did you think? Personally, I loved it. The lads looked so freakin' good and the idea behind it worked amazingly. And obviously the song is just beautiful. Harry pushing his hair back had me jumping off of my chair :D

Hope you all have a great Easter! Update coming most probably again tomorrow, stay tuned :)