Thank You For Today [H.S]

Forelsket

Whenever Harry wasn't at work or busy doing something else, he was with Dahlia, either at the local park or in his room watching a movie. Often times, Dahlia would visit him at work, spending his lunch hour with him and, he didn't mind. He had grown to love her company, thought he was still struggling to come to terms with her dreary sense of humour. Dahlia also spent a lot her free time with Harry's mother, even if he wasn't at home, the two women growing to enjoy each others company. This was something Harry greatly appreciated, his mother meant the world to him and anyone who treated her with respect and dignity already gained a plus point in his eyes. Anne didn't want to hope but she couldn't help but smile every time Harry and Dahlia would playfully bicker when she stayed for dinner, hoping that this would be the girl Harry would settle down with, the girl who would allow Harry to let his guard down, come out of his shell and truly be himself. Harry didn't know how they had fallen into this natural routine it just happened, neither of them ever planning this, it kind of just happened. It wasn't all good though, sometimes Dahlia would feel sick or start coughing heavily, Harry would get alarmed and try to help her but she always refuse and then rush home, leaving without saying a word only to appear again days later. This was something Harry hated, not knowing whether she was ok for days only to see her sitting at the dinning table, laughing with his mother, when he came from work. He hated the sense of relief he'd get when he saw she was ok, he hated that she was getting sick in the first place but he especially hated that he was slowly starting to become dependent on Dahlia, missing her company whenever she wasn't around.

The sun was slowly setting one late Sunday evening and Harry was sitting on the rocking chair that decorated his porch. Rocking himself lazily, earphones plugged in as he aimlessly scrolled through the apps on his phone. It was hot, extremely so, despite it approaching night time, and Harry couldn't remember the last time he had encountered weather like this in the small town of Cramend. Humming softly to himself, enjoying the tranquility brought about by the peaceful strumming of a guitar as his mind relaxed, slowly becoming oblivious to his surroundings as his eyes became heavy, fatigue taking over. That is until the loud beeping of a car startled him from his sleep and he looked up to see that a black range rover had just pulled into his drive way.

"Get in loser, we're going shopping." Dahlia yelled as she poked her head out through the window. This was the first Harry had seen or heard of her in a week. The last time they saw each other, they were skate boarding in the park when Dahlia suddenly got pale and started vomiting, she didn't give Harry the chance to approach her, running away before he could do anything. Harry hated this, he hated that she'd get sick and disappear, leaving all his calls and texts unanswered until she'd suddenly show up pretending everything was fine, when they both knew things weren't fine. Yet, Harry chose not to say anything about it.

"What?" He questioned in confusion, slowly and cautiously making his way towards her. Again, she looked healthy, as if nothing had ever happened.

"How do you not know that reference?" She gasped, appalled as if Harry had just committed the worst crime of his generation.

"I, I don't know?" Harry didn't know what to say, simply shrugging as he stuffed his earphones and phone into his pocket.

"It's from mean girls you uncultured swine." She huffed with an eye roll. "Anyway, get in, we're going on an adventure." She said excitedly, opening the passenger side so that Harry could get in. Harry looked at her before peering into the car, his mind conflicted. He really wasn't the spontaneous type and preferred structure and order, and what if she got sick again and left suddenly? Then what would he do?

"I don't know, it's quite late." Harry trailed off, glancing at his house and hoping the girl would get the hint.

"Oh come on Styles, just get in. I promise it'll be fun, please, do it for me." After a moment's hesitation, Harry got into the car with a sigh, sending his mother a quick message while Dahlia clapped happily before starting the car and driving off. Yet again, Harry found himself in complete submission towards Dahlia Somers, completely enthralled by her and apparently incapable of making his pwn decisions. He hated it, he absolutely hated that she had this effect on him but at the same time, he couldn't deny that a part of him loved that Dahlia was forcing him out of his comfort zone, forcing him to actually have fun. If not for her, Harry's summer would have consisted of him going to work and back, an ongoing cycle until school started again, a cycle he wouldn't have minded. But, change was good sometimes, and though he hated to admit it, he liked this change and he would soon grow to love it.