Hearts Desire (Harry Styles)

Chapter 3 - Corner Booth

A couple of days had passed since the studio, everyone having a small break as Harry needed to be in New York for something that sounded way more important than anything I would ever be involved in. I made the crucial decision that I was going to become one with the couch today, beginning my job hunting journey that I probably should have started before this point, but it had begun nonetheless. 

"Whatcha doin?" Mitch asked, plopping himself down onto the other side the couch. 

I barely looked up at him as I continued scrolling through the hundreds of indeed listings. "Job hunting...can I help you with something?" 

"No need for that-" He replied nonchalantly as he took a bite out of an apple. "You have a job." 

My face scrunched at his words as I lowered my knees and computer to get a better look at him. "What are you talking about? I don't know what you identify as a job, but I'm not bringing in any money so..." 

"We were all having a general discussion in the group chat..." I shifted so my back was leaning up against the armrest, placing my computer on the cushion in front of me before sitting crisscross. Mitch eyed me warily before continuing, "Everyone loves you, Mia. They want you to continue to be a part of this process....the album." 

"Mit-" He raised his free hand in front of him asking me to stop, to which I leaned back further into the couch. "Nope. Ya gotta hear me out before you get to talk. You're talented, whether you want to hear it or not, everyone realized that when you helped with Golden." My lips twitched as words threatened to spill from my lips, in which I only received a look of warning. "As hard as I know this is for you, you need to leave it in the past. You deserve to move on from everything, to do the things that used to bring you so much joy." My eyes drifted down towards my lap as I began chewing on the inside of my cheek. I wasn't going to cry, not over this, not today. "You may make a comment now if you'd like." 

There were so many different thoughts running through my mind, but I knew I needed to choose my argument wisely. "I don't want everything handed to me." Shaking my head from side to side, I let myself look at him, realizing he was now sitting just as I was across from me. "I got to move into this gorgeous home because of you two...Dustin just gave me his mustang...and now I'm being handed yet another opportunity because if you guys...that's not-" 

"And I'm gonna have to stop you again." After placing his apple on the coffee table, he leaned forward resting his arms on his thighs. "If anyone in this world deserves these things, it's you." His finger pointed in my direction, nothing but seriousness dripping from his tone. "Maybe everyone just see's it before you even realize it. They love you because you're you...trust me, they haven't felt this way about everyone that has been brought into the studio, I promise you that. You also know I'm not going to throw you any bullshit-You're not just like my little sister, Mia, you are my sister. You're one of the best friends I've ever had and I wanna see you succeed. I wanna see you shine, but you have to let yourself step back into the light for that to happen. Healing takes time, everyone knows this, but you need to allow yourself to heal for it to begin." 

I snatched the pillow that sat next to my laptop, hugging it tightly to my chest. "Wow, maybe I don't need to pay for a therapist since I have you." 

He let a small scoff slip before pressing his lips together once again. "So, you in? I promise it'll be way better than any job you see on there, and you never know what opportunities may come out of it. Don't forget, both your brother and I have gotten gigs because of each other, nothing to be ashamed of. And if by the end you aren't interested in the industry at all, you find something else that fits better, easy peasy." 

"Do I realistically have a choice?" I asked with a raised brow. My fingers anxiously tapping against the pillow that I was still holding hostage against my chest.