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Harry's POV: Chapter 6

Later that evening, Harry is in the kitchen making dinner while Niall is on the couch in the living room studying for a test coming up.

Harry's phone suddenly buzzes with a text where it's sitting on the counter, and he just stares at it. He glances back at Niall in the living room, who is staring intently at his notes.

Only Niall texts me. Harry thinks, staring down at the number he doesn't recognize on his phone screen. He tentatively clicks on the notification and the chat pops up.

?: Hello darling, how'd you like to meet for coffee tomorrow?

Surprisingly, Harry isn't creeped out by this text. The nickname 'darling' brings memories from that morning to mind, and Harry smiles at the image of Louis that comes with them.

H: Louis?
L: That's right, sunshine.
H: How'd you get my number?
L: I have my ways. So, how about that coffee?
H: At Anna's?
L: That's the one, how's 10?
H: Sounds good.
L: See you then luv ;)

Harry puts the phone back down on the counter and smiles, blushing at the texts, as Niall walks into the kitchen. Harry turns around, not realizing that Niall is there.

Niall catches the red in Harry's cheeks and then looks at the phone that Harry had just set down.

"He texted you, didn't he?" Niall says, laughing at the red stain on Harry's cheeks as Harry nods, confirming Niall's suspicions. "What did he say?"

"He asked to meet for coffee tomorrow morning." Harry says, and Niall looks impressed.

"You didn't tell me you gave him your number." Niall says, wandering to the stove where the pasta Harry was cooking was finished. He takes it off the stove and strains it before scooping himself a bowl.

"I didn't." Niall turns around slowly at Harry's answer, pasta half-hanging out of his mouth.

"So, how did he get it?" Niall asks around the food and Harry just shrugs.

"I don't know. I asked him, and he just said 'I have my ways.'" Niall looks skeptical, and Harry gives him a look.

"Well, you said yes?" Niall asks, and Harry nods, oblivious to the suspicious tone in Niall's voice. Niall just shakes his head.

"What?" Harry asks.

"Nothing. Just be careful. You don't really know who this guy is." Niall says.

Niall looks apprehensive as he continues. "You went through a lot with Luke, ok, he was really controlling, and that messed with you. You know it did. I just don't want you to get hurt again."

Harry walks over and hugs him. "I'll be careful, I promise." Harry says softly as Niall hugs him back. "Louis isn't like Luke."

Niall pulls away, looking up at him. "You have no way of knowing that." He says, and Harry nods.

"I know, but I have a feeling. I promise I'll be safe. I don't think he's going to hurt me." Harry says and Niall hugs him back for a moment before shoving him off.

"Ok, but if he hurts you, I'll kill him. Now let me eat." Niall says, and that was the end of that.

He leaves Harry laughing in the kitchen.