The Things You Mean to Me // Harry Styles Series #1 - Holmes Chapel

Little Black Dress

We had a chance to be alone again about a week later, after school at my house. All our clothes came off pretty much right away, and we did some manual reconnaissance, but nothing more. We were both happy to go kind of step by step, and we were approaching virgin territory for both of us. Pun absolutely intended.

That was the same week our parents decided they should meet each other. We had dinner at Harry's, and even though the adults didn't have a whole lot in common, they got along and it was a nice evening. Harry and I groaned as baby stories were shared, and blushed as tales of our accomplishments were told.

"They're very nice people," Dad said as we walked home in the cool spring night. "And Anne's a good cook. You should get the recipe for, what did she call it? Cottage pie. Do you remember that time your mom tried to make shepherd's pie? I think that was supposed to be a lot like what we had tonight. What a disaster that was!"

It made me happy to hear him talk about Mom in a cheerful voice, to remember that there had been so much good before the bad. He still blamed himself for not realizing that something was wrong, but it had been her decision not to tell us about the tumor until it was too late.

"I'll ask her for the recipe the next time I see her. Maybe if the weather ever gets warm enough we could have them for burgers on the grill? I could make potato salad. An American cookout."

"I think that would be great." He paused a moment. "You really like Harry, don't you?"

"I do."

I wondered where he was going, and hoped it wouldn't be too embarrassing.

"Are you being safe?"

Well there went those hopes out the window.

"Dad... really?"

"Yes, really. I can't stop you from doing whatever you're doing, but I can do my best to make sure you're doing it safely. I was a teenager once, too, and I was really lucky. I want you to be really smart."

"Ew, Dad, too much information. Look, I promise that if we get to the point where it matters, we'll do the right thing, ok? Can we talk about something else?"

I thought I saw him smile a little bit. Every father likes to hear that his daughter's a virgin. I wondered how much longer it would be true.

"Actually, sweetheart, we can. Hugh and I are going to a conference in London next weekend. I'll be gone Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. If you're not comfortable staying at our house alone, he said you're welcome to stay at Hayes Hall."

I almost laughed out loud. Not comfortable staying in the house alone? I had instantly begun working on a plan to get Harry there for at least one overnighter. I'm a good kid, but when an opportunity like that knocks...

"I think I'll be fine on my own. Maybe Emma can come for a night. Can I have a party?"

Dad laughed, "Nice try. Emma, yes. Party, no. Aren't you going to ask about Harry?"

"I sort of figured if you didn't say no then it would mean yes."

"Like the loophole in the rules that lets him come over when I'm not home but doesn't stop you from doing whatever you want?"

"You know about that?"

"It was pretty obvious after I found a bra stuck between the sofa cushions. Definitely not something you'd do in normal circumstances."

Most. Embarrassing. Thing. Ever.

"How much has he been coming over when I'm at work?"

"I think only the one time. I'm sorry, Dad."