Make This Feel Like Home

Chapter 18

Note before reading// hey, just wanted to let you know that the chunks of italics are to indicate the lyrics Harry is singing. And in case you were wondering... he's singing "What Do I Know" by Ed Sheeran. And the italics that are underlined toward the end of the story are Mal having flash backs!! Ok that's all! Hope you enjoy <3

Mal's POV:

I wake up to the smell of bacon. I had been tossing and turning for the last half hour, trying to go back to sleep because I woke up with a pounding in my head that hasn't settled since I closed my eyes about 8 hours ago. I decided to just say screw it and get up anyway.

I'm jumping on one foot trying to put my sweatpants on so I can go down stairs and socialize with Anne, Robin and Harry until I remember..

Harry.

Oh god.

Did I really try to dance with him at that party? Did that actually happen?

As I'm pulling on a hoodie I remember that Harry and I had danced in the kitchen that night. How his hands were on my waste and my brain was a little foggy. I remember looking up and seeing his face, the shadows casted upon it, while the dull light of the kitchen made his eyes sparkle. I remember putting my head on his chest while we swayed, it felt like hours but was over too fast.

The thought makes me smile.. I much prefer that dance to the sloppy one I tried to conduct.

I try not to overthink these feelings but I also reflect on how mine and Harry's friendship has grown.. he is truly one of my favourite people and I think I've taken that title in his life too. It's good to know that it's mutual. I shouldn't let myself over think these things, it's a friendship that we're both clearly comfortable in so it doesn't need to be over thought.

"Morning princess" Well I was not expecting that. Harry says it with a smile as he's standing at the sink  and I'm a little taken back by the nickname but okay. Harry sees my slight confusion and says "it's on your jumper" he says with a smile kind of chuckling. "Oh" I say laughing lightly to myself, looking down to my sweat shirt and seeing that it says "call me princess".... This is not mine.. this is Ree's for sure.

"Alright folks what are we doing" I say rubbing my hands together, getting hungry by the delicious smell. Robin is at the stove top making pancakes and Anne is sitting at the kitchen island. "Wanna help with dishes?" He asks as he makes room for me to join him at the sink. "Sure" I say with a smile. "Good morning Anne" I say with a sweet smile "oh good morning dear" she says returning the smile. She looks refreshed. I look over to robin and send him a nod, we haven't spoken much, he's nice but this is kind of the first time we're meeting. He was at work when we got here, then we went out and when we got back it was so late that they were both in bed already.

"So I think this is our thing now.." I say smiling at Harry as we stand at the sink together, "doing dishes I mean" he smiles down at me and says "oh Yeahh.. and you were caught up in all my prettiness.. your words.. not mine" he says with a smirk. "Ok, I need to stop drinking around you.. and maybe just all together.."  I shake my head, and suddenly he looks serious "I support you" he says and I bump him with my arm, drying a dish.. "oh shut up" I say and we both laugh.

As we sit at the kitchen island, eating away at the food that robin had made, the conversation seems easy. It's crazy to understand how my anxiety is under control right now. When I sit and think about it I feel like I could genuinely throw up but in the moment, being with Harry and his family... I feel like my heart slows down for the first time in a little while.

I'm brought out of my thoughts as Harry puts his hand right above my knee, I know he's checking in on me, as I knew before, I've never told him about my mental health struggles but he just knows how to help me. I look at him and give him a little nod, showing him that I'm okay as he removes his hand. "So I was never told how you and H met," Robin says, looking at me.