Curls [H.S. A.U.]

Curls: Chapter 8

Harry

The clock strikes five when I hear the front door open. Arabella stands in the kitchen with a ton of food on the stove. Louis struts in with Zayn behind him. They both freeze at the sight of a woman in the kitchen.

Louis smirks at me. "Y'all fuck?" I choke on my saliva. Arabella turns to look at my best friend and his boyfriend.

She wipes her hand on a paper towel before shaking hands with the two lovers. "I'm Arabella, and to answer your question yes, we did fuck. I'm making dinner. I know you usually--."

"Oh no," Louis stops her right away. "Don't apologize for giving me a day off. In fact, you should come over more often to cook."

Arabella smiles and returns to whatever she's cooking up in Louis' kitchen. Zayn greets the guest and winks at me as he follows Louis to his room.

They're disgusting.

She adds spices here and there and finally she shuts everything off and asks me to get plates. Together we serve everyone food.

Louis sprints into the dining room when he smells what's for dinner.

"Chicken and shrimp paella!"

Arabella looks at my best friend, surprised. "You knew that with just the smell?"

He rolls his eyes playfully. "Of course. Harold here brought home enough paella to feed an army from Puerto Rico. It's all we ate for months."

Arabella frowns at her plate. "Well if you're tired of it I can make--."

Zayn grips her hand to stop her from standing up. He shakes his head and tells her not to worry about it. She looks at me, worried, and I nod my head. She starts eating when suddenly there's a knock on the door.

Since I was last at 'nose goes' I have to open it. My half brother, Liam, stands at the doorway with his long time best friend, Tyga.

"Harry," my brother greets with a hug. Tyga smiles at me and I invite both of them in. Arabella laughs at some stupid dance Louis is doing with a shrimp. Liam and Louis catch each other's eyes.

Louis has always had the hots for my brother.

Liam turns to me. "Either you've brought a girl home or she's into gay guys." Arabella stands up to introduce herself to my brother and his friend.

"I'm Bella, Harry and I are--."

"We're seeing each other, Li." I shrug at his raised eyebrow. Arabella pats my back and asks the men if they'll be joining us for dinner. They accept the invitation.

Liam thanks Arabella with a smile and starts his questioning. "So, how long have you guys been seeing each other?"

She beats me to answering. "Well we've only been on a couple dates and they're pretty spaced out."

Okay, this is good. This is going well. Liam is very protective of me, even though he's only months older than me. He's a business man, he works with famous people. He's very close with the KarJenners, hence his friendship with Tyga.

"Are you seeing anyone else besides my brother?"

"Of course not," she giggles like he's asked the funniest question ever.

Liam and I share a look and I know he approves of my choice. I grip Arabella's hand and press a kiss to her knuckles.

Soon enough everyone is finished. Arabella has to leave to tend to her dogs and rest for her early awakening tomorrow. I walk her to the door, away from everyone else. I wrap her small frame in my arms. She presses a kiss to my lips.

"I'm sorry that I basically dined and dashed."

I stroke her curls. "Don't worry. They all like you, even the stone faced Zayn." She nods her head and kisses me once again. She ties her hair in a ponytail before collecting her things.

When she turns to leave I can't stop myself and grip her arm. She look back at me not sure what I'm doing. Nothing comes out of my mouth and all I can do is stare at her. She's so beautiful and I wish she would believe me when I told her.

Her gaze drops at my wandering eyes. Finally I manage to ask her what I've wanted to since I stopped her.

"When will I see you again?"

She shrugs and tucks a piece of my too long hair behind my ear. "I don't know. I'll call you when I'm free again." She goes on her tip toes and pushes me against the door. My arms wind around her waist as we share yet another kiss.

She pulls away and disappears into the stairwell.