Holy schmoly. That was the cleanest shower I’d ever taken, especially given the somewhat dirty circumstances. Harry had hardly laid a hand on me aside from a kiss and helping me lather my back and shoulders. I, of course, returned the favor. Even though he drove me (and my hormones) crazy, he remained the ever perfect gentleman. I definitely got lucky, I thought as I blow-dried my hair, clad only in my essentials. I snuck a peek out of the corner of my eye to see Harry beside me, pulling on khaki shorts and a charcoal tee.
“Haz, could you hand me my bag?” He looked up from shaking his hair dry and handed me my canvas overnight bag with a quizzical look. “My nickname’s rubbed off on you, huh?” I blushed. I hadn’t even realized it. “Guess so.” I played it off, throwing the finishing touches on my makeup. Harry started to pick up the mess in the bathroom and was hanging up towels as he sang deeply, “Don’t try to make me stay, or ask if I’m okay. I don’t have the answer..” While I pulled on my white tee and navy/white polka-dotted skirt I remarked casually, “You know, you’re quite good. You should consider singing professionally.” His eyes lit up and he ran into me, pulling me tight. “Never heard that, but I’ll keep it in mind.” He leaned in closer and his heady cologne got the best of me. I felt breathless. “Ahem.” The sound came from two well-dressed young men standing awkwardly in the bathroom door frame. I broke apart from Harry’s grip and pulled myself together. “Oh, hey guys!” at the same time Harry began, “We were just..” but we were both cut off by Zak’s “Save it.” He shared a look with Louis before Louis prompted us. “Come up with any ideas or were your thoughts elsewhere, friends?” He winked.
We regrouped in the living room and decided on a movie night at home. Zak and Louis exclaimed in unison, “DISNEY OR DIE.” I don’t think any of us were prepared for that suggestion or expected it to be perfectly synchronized so it set us off into a fit of laughter. Once it died down, Harry and I left the kooky pair to pick out a DVD from Harry’s collection. I only caught a little of their conversation as we left the room. “Peter Pan all the way” then “Close second. But we’re going with Aladdin.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing, knowing it’d offend one or both of our friends. Harry opened a cupboard and handed me some microwave popcorn to start while he located bowls. “I figure we’ll need two at this rate. They’re getting on well..?” He framed it like a question, but I knew it was just a prompt for further discussion. “Yeah. They are. I just worry that it’s happening too fast. Maybe I shouldn’t be one to judge seeing as you and I are doing alright but it just seems fast.” I left it at that. Harry nodded and said, “True. Louis needs someone.. we all do… but you could be right.” When the popcorn was popped and divided into the two bowls we each carried one out to the living room.
The DVD was in place, Zak and Louis were seated close on the large leather couch. After one look at Harry, we squeezed in between them so we were flanked by our besties. I could tell from Zak’s glare and Louis’ uneasy weight shift that our intrusion was just that, an unwelcome arrival. I found it a little hard to concentrate on Aladdin’s quest for love and belonging with Zak mouthing all the words, practically into my ear. Harry nudged me and I could see that Louis was committing the same heinous movie crime. Once the “Prince” made his grand entrance into the kingdom Harry and I made our grand exit and relocated to the couch on the side.
To be honest, it was late when Aladdin finished and I had school the following afternoon. Zak and Louis practically pouted when I mentioned this so I told them to keep watching movies since it was their break week and I’d just hit the hay. Harry said he’d do the same and make sure I got to class on time. Before I left the room I gave Zak a look to see if that would be alright and he nodded with a slight smile. That was hard to read but it was good enough for me. Harry set our bowl on the kitchen counter and we made our way back to his bedroom upstairs. After flicking on the light I realized this was my first time actually seeing the room and I took the master bedroom in with a long sweep. The bed was as I remembered it and he had a large bathroom branching off to the left like the guest rooms did. He had simple wood furnishings and gold accents. It was very tasteful but masculine. It seemed like Harry to me.
He’d taken his clothes off in record time as I’d checked out the room so he came over and gently removed my shirt and skirt before placing a soft kiss at the base of my neck and taking my hand, leading me to bed. We got comfortable in a spoon-like position and we slowly but surely fell asleep. I think I heard him whisper “Thank you” but I couldn’t be sure. My last thoughts were spent wondering what the boys downstairs were up to.
