H.P.O.V.

"What are you going to get?" I ask her as she skims through the red menu.

Her long brown hair fans over her shoulders and hangs loose and wavy. Her dress is longsleeved, short, and tight. I still had trouble believing that this petite girl was my Mia and yet I knew she was. I could see it in her brown eyes. In the sound of her voice and her terribly clumsy vibe.

Mia had blossomed and every part of me knew it.

She looks up, her teeth biting down on her bottom lip, "I don't know. Is this place new? I don't remember ever coming here."

"Bella used to be here remember? They closed down about a year ago and Black Lace opened up a few weeks ago."

Her mouth forms a circle, "Well that's just confusing H." I smile involuntarily at my nickname and look up as the waiter returns with his notepad.

"Can I start you off with some drinks?"

"Um--"

"She'll have a soda." I say for her before she orders something illegal. I smirk at her when She looks at me with a puzzled expression followed by a pout. "Coke or Sprite?" I raise my brows in question.

"Coke, thank you," she sighs and smiles gently up at the waiter who flushes. Idiot.

He turns to me and I bark out, "I'll have a rum and coke." He nods, stammering his apologies before he walks away leaving me to deal with a puckered lip Mia. "What?"

"That's so rude Harry. You should have let me order a mixed drink too or at the very least a glass of wine."

I roll my eyes and can't help the grin on my face. "Oh really? Are you old enough?"

She scowls, "You're so mean to me."

"Okay gorgeous," I watch her cheeks blush, the pride in my chest for being the reason embarrassing me. "How was uni? I bet you had all the fellas after you." The thought alone is surprisingly disturbing but it is a reality. One that I have come to dislike severely.

She shakes her head and rolls her eyes, "Not as many as you think. Only one really." She sighs, "And you? Aren't you dating that pretty brunette?"

Kelly wishes. "Causally," I shrug. "Can I ask you something?" Her eyes focus on me and her lips are in a small smile. She looks at peace. Mia nods. "Where have you been?"

She mumbles a small 'oh,' and clears her throat. She looks down and shrugs. "I've been at school I guess. Dad would come up and see me so there really wasn't a reason for me to come down here."

My chest hurts from her words. There really wasn't a reason for her to come down. Okay. I think bitterly. She had no reason at all.

"I can't believe you were going to let them kick me out last night," she giggles and we both ignore the way she has just changed the subject beautifully.

"Can you blame me? Have you seen yourself recently?"

She shakes her head and shrugs, "I don't look that different H. I'm smaller, sure, but I've got the same face."

"You have the same eyes."

Her smile falters for a second before it's back. "You still look the exact same, maybe a bit older but that's my fault for not coming home."

"Why didn't you come home?" I ask before I can help myself. "Is it because you wanted to complete your transformation? Did you just not want to come back?"

She licks her ruby lips, my eyes watching her movements intently."Life got to me and I was a mess." She murmurs her eyes casted down. She only looks up when I grab a hold of her hand. Her eyes are full of twisted emotions and all I want to do is wrap my arms around her. I don't know why I feel the need to I just know that I do. "I'm okay now. The time away has helped me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Despite her answer I don't believe her.

There was more behind her transformation. Mia wasn't my Mia anymore and deep down there was a part of me that wanted to find out what had happened and protect her from it.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" It would be a hard and long day. A sad day we'd remember forever.

She shakes her head, "No. I don't think any kid is ever ready to bury their parent." She clears her throat, "How about you? Are you alright?"

I take a deep breath and shake my head. "No one is ever ready to bury their best friend either. Even adults."

"I thought I was your best friend?" Mia smiles, the light atmosphere almost back.

"You're my Mia." I clarify. Somehow I think that trumps best friend. Especially if her cheeks speckle pink the way they are now.

"And you're my best buddy." It was my turn to blush.
****
"Thank you for lunch," Mia smiles hanging her coat on the rack.

"Got any plans for the rest of the day?" I only feel the need to know for emergencies.

She nods, her grin still intact, "I've got a bit of editing to do."

My head tilts. "Editing?"

"Yes, for tomorrow." She walks up to the stairs and then turns before she walks up. "One way or another it'll be okay tomorrow." She gives me a final sad smile and begins the journey up. My eyes glued to her.

For a second my breath catches and my heart swoons. It is an overall new sensation. So new I can't decide if I like it or not.

There is a nock precisely then. One that startles me. I feel like I've been caught doing something very bad. And in a way I had been. My eyes should not be staring at Mia like that. My body should not be awaken every time she does anything like breathing.

A second later there is a hand on my shoulder. I suppress a jump and clear my throat. "Who's coming down?"

I turn and roll my eyes when I see Niall, "Why are you here?"

"I heard someone had a break in last night. Office got word that she was fit. I'm here to see the hot criminal."

"You are incredibly daft," I mutter. "Don't you have any actual work to do instead of coming to my house and invading it with your nonsense?"

"Nope," he grins.

I puff out a breath, "It wasn't a criminal. It was just Mia."

His face crumbles with disbelief, "How was Mia breaking into her own house?"

I won't be able to explain it and he wouldn't believe me anyway. So with a sigh I instruct him to go upstairs and only enter if she lets him. I follow quickly behind him and watch as he knocks hoping Mia won't grant him access.

All hope comes crashing down when she sweetly says, "Come in."

"Chunk-- woah," Niall stops walking midway and I run into his back. Mia watches with a raised brow. "No fucking way..."

She rolls her eyes and stands from her bed. She crosses her arms over her shoulder, "Nice to see you too Niall."

"Very nice," he grunts. "Mate, you sure this is Mia?" I'm about to respond when out of nowhere he walks the rest of the way to my Mia and grabs her hand. My throat dries and I've got a sudden hatred for my blonde friend. "Spin for me love," he smirks as she spins.

"Niall, enough." I all but grumble. I move forward and hold my hand out for Mia to take. My insides beam when she takes it and moves away from him and close to me. "Sorry about the idiot love."

She giggles, "It's okay. How are you Niall?"

"Very good darlin', " he boyishly grins. Niall is going to try and make a move. Niall is about to get his arm broken. "You have certainly grown up, beautifully, I might add."

"Thanks," she tuts. "Last time you saw me I was seventeen. I hope I've changed somewhat."

"Somewhat? Oh darlin' you've done a whole one-eighth on me. My monkey transformed into a siren with legs that go on for miles."

I've had enough when I see his eyes trailing down her tan legs. I suddenly hated that dress more than ever. I push Mia behind me and glare at the imbecile with fake yellow hair. "Get the fuck out and wait for me downstairs. I've got papers to give you."

It's Niall's turn to roll his eyes. But my mood is not to be tested and he can tell. He walks to Mia who is busy staring at me in surprise. She turns her attention to Niall when he picks up her hand and kisses the back of it.

Her cheeks heat up and she smiles coyly, "Bye Niall."

"See you soon beautiful." After one last kiss he leaves before I can wrap my hands around his stupid neck.

When we're alone she says, "What's your problem? Harry, that was rude, something I know very well you are not."

"Niall shouldn't treating you like that. He works for you." I argue.

"No, he works for you and dad."

"Same thing." I mumble.

We're close enough for me to smell her perfume and for me to see the brown specks in her eyes. We're so close and it seems as though I am the only one affected. I'm not allowed to be! I remind myself. I puff out a breath and cup the back of her head. I lean in and press a kiss to her cheek, my body thriving when

I hear her small gasp.

I whisper in her ear, "I'll see you for dinner sweetheart. I'm so happy you're home."

I leave without looking back and a giant grin on my lips. Fuck.

Notes

Yasssssssssssssssss
V&C
~C.