As You Are // H.S

Thirteen.

Harry Styles.

I hadn't seen Alexis properly in three days, since our date, besides a few times for coffee, and a few times in the lobby. We'd both been busy, considering it was the holiday season, I was driving home to Cheshire tomorrow to stay a few days for Christmas. Alexis had kindly declined my offer to come yesterday when we were on the phone, she had a few family members coming over, which I understood.

I was still worried about her, we hadn't talked about what was going on with her parents, and she tried to act okay, but nobody would be able to take something like this lightly, Alexis wasn't an exception.

We hadn't talked about the date either, or the kisses we shared - which I loved, it felt so nice to finally be able to kiss her, and feel her on another level, and I didn't regret doing it at all. 

I was currently out Christmas shopping with Niall, getting last minute presents for family I was going to see in the few days I was staying at home. Niall wouldn't shut up about the date, and wanted all the details. 

"So, are you going to tell me or not?" He asked for the third time. I stayed silent, small smirk on my face. 

"Did you kiss her?" He asked. 

My smirk only grew wider. 

"You totally did! Good going mate, happy for you!" I shrugged it off, changing the conversation to what he was doing over Christmas. 

-

When I finally got home, I brought all the shopping inside before pulling my phone from my jean pocket and dialing  Alexis' number, a few rings later she finally answered.

"Hello?" She asked quietly.

"Hey, Lex. Are you home? I was hoping to catch up before I left tomorrow.." I trailed off, she knew I was leaving tomorrow.

"Yeah, yeah, of course. Come up, doors unlocked." She told me, I smiled and said goodbye. After throwing a different shirt on I left my apartment and jogged up the stairs to hers. 

When I got to her apartment I pushed the door open and made my way to the living room where I saw her, sitting crossed legged on the couch, a bowl of fried rice in her hands, watching a movie on TV. When she saw me she placed the bowl on her coffee table, got up, and engulfed me in a quick hug which I returned with no hesitation. We sat down together, and caught up about the past couple of days. 

"So, have you spoken to your mum yet?" I asked gently, not wanting to push it. She sighed quietly, and shrugged. 

"I'm yet to return her twelve missed calls, but I've talked to my dad, and he clearly doesn't know yet, that much is obvious. I feel so sorry for him, he has no idea, but I don't want to tell him and ruin Christmas." Alexis told me, it was clear she was upset about all of this. I wasn't sure what to say, and I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"I understand what you mean, Lex, but it won't be you ruining Christmas, your mum just shouldn't have done what she did.. You should return her calls and get her to tell him because it's not your responsibility to fix everything, you shouldn't have to do that.." I trailed off awkwardly, I don't mean to ramble but I just wanted her to feel better. 

She breathed out a short laugh, and shook her head - "I know, I know, I just feel so bad for him.. I'll talk to her, but if she doesn't tell him, I will." I nodded in response. 

We sat in comfortable silence, I wanted to bring up our date. Just do it. I thought to myself. I looked down at my lap, fiddling with my fingers, unsure of how to bring it up. Damn me for being awkward and nervous around her.