Things We Don't Normally Do

EIGHTEEN

They ate some tacos, which were now a bit cold after sitting out for a while. They attempted to heat up what they could, but Alex have always been absolutely hopeless in the kitchen.

Alex, who still refused to take Harry's shirt off because she thought it smelled nice, sat on the couch watching a wine documentary when Harry's phone started going off. Alex was curious because while he did tend to busy himself with his phone whenever he was bored, his phone was just absolutely blowing up.

Harry was in the bathroom, checking to see if there was any way his pants were dry (no such luck). So instead, he comes back out in nothing but his underwear, contemplating putting his jumper on, except it was a bit warm and he just couldn't be bothered.

Harry's phone was still going off when he sat down next to her. It was almost 11 in Calgary, but she wasn't sure what time it would've been in London. But despite the curiosity, she tried to bite her tongue, not wanting to pry.

"Sorry." he said, locking his phone.

She smiled, "No don't worry about it."

It was then that his phone rang. He hesitated but she nodded, telling him to pick up. So he did. "Hey. Yeah. Thanks. Yes, I did. Yeah still in Canada. I know." she pretended to busy herself with some chips and guacamole, while still overhearing Harry's side of the conversation. He was adorable in his mannerism, pacing as he spoke on the phone, occasionally running his hand over his hair, "Yeah, tomorrow. Tell them I said thanks. Okay. Bye."

After he hung up, he turned to Alex, "Sorry, it was my mom."

"Oh yeah?" was all she said. As someone who has been estranged from her family for a little while, she wasn't really sure what to say. The family dynamic that she grew up in didn't really provide a good framework from which to view families and family relationships.

"Yeah." he looked awkward as if debating whether he should say more, she reached for the back of his head, "Sorry. My phones been annoying. It's just people saying happy birthday."

"Oh yeah." she said again before pausing upon realizing what he just said, "Wait, it's your birthday?"

He looked down, "Yeah, I guess it's the 24th in the UK now."

"It's your birthday?" she repeated, "You should've told me! Why are you spending it here? Having cold tacos? You should be out doing something more fun!"

He made a face, "I want to be here."

She smirked at him, "Really? Because you don't have to feel like you gotta stay and take care of me or anything."

"Staying with you is what I want to do." he smiled, "I know how that sounds, but I mean it."

"Stop being like that!" she slapped his arm hard enough that it stung both his arm and her hand, "If you keep being sweet like that, I might just start believing you."

He pouted, rubbing his arm which was starting to get red, "But I mean it."

"Alright. Sure." she said, going to the kitchen for a beer. She had decided to steer clear from tequila for the night.

Alex had set an alarm for midnight to remind them when the day changes from the 23rd to the 24th. It was a bit cheesy, but it's something she always liked to do, waiting for midnight to greet people on their birthday, even though in this case, she wouldn't even be the first to greet him, since his friends and family had already been bombarding him with messages.

Shortly before the alarm went off, she went to her bedroom to get something. She also banned Harry from entering, despite all the pouting.

Then when the alarm went off, she called for him to come in. She sat on the bed with her massive bong between her legs.