You're My New Step-Brother? {Harry Styles}

Chapter 40; The Speech

I've got Diana on replay right now. <3 even though I knew it months ago because it got leaked I can't get enough.


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Woah guys it's chapter 40!! Holy crap! Thanks for 140k+ reads, 2000+ votes, and 400+ comments :) I love you guys! Thanks for reading, voting, and commenting. This story would be nowhere without you.
I'm gonna try to work hard on this chapter and make Harrys speech actually seem like something someone would say in a real valedictorian speech. Hope it makes sense... enjoy the story <3

Dedication to @Gizzyluvsniall.
I read all the comments and usually reply to all of them. I have been getting emails for the last couple days saying that she was commenting on the story, and she commented a lot. Thank you <3

I wanna say a thank you also to @Vanette_Sk8r_Girl and @steveelee123 as well because their comments were very sweet and thoughtful.

Chapter 40; The Speech
Harry's POV

I was nervous, graduation was in a week. I'd already wasted a week, thinking I didn't need to weeks to write a speech. But every time I sat down and tried to start writing my mind just had a block. Mia asked to help me multiple times, but I don't want her help. Not that her writing would be bad, I'm sure it would be better than mine, but I want my speech to be a surprise to her. I want her to be proud of me for coming up with it and getting selected as valedictorian.

I tugged at my curls in frustration, feeling helpless. I opened up firefox, and it opened up to Google. I typed in 'valedictorian speeches', to see if it would spark any ideas, or at least tell me how to start this damn thing.

I clicked on the first link, which went to wikihow.com. (I literally did this in real life ahaha... how am I gonna write a valedictorian speech for a story when I'm a freshman. I know nothing about that kind of stuff.)It came with 8 steps on how to write out your own valedictorian speech.. well hopefully this will be helpful.

I read through the first step, it was about keeping it in perspective and it sparked an idea inside me.

"The internet is always the answer!" I mumbled to myself, chuckling.

"Harry?" Mia said, slowly opening my door that was shut almost all the way, except for a tiny crack.

I quickly shut my laptop, turning to face her. "Yeah?"

"What were you doing?" she asked suspiciously.

"Working on my speech." I admitted. "I honestly have nothing done."

"Why don't you want me to help, Harry? I want to, really, I'm so proud of you already."

"I told you Mia, I want it to be a surprise. And I want to be able to do this on my own. I'm valedictorian, I should be able to write a speech for it."

"Fine." she sighed in defeat. "Do you want to get back to work?"

"I think I can take a little break." I said, pulling her onto my lap in the chair. I tucked her dangling hair behind her ear and placed my lips on hers. She molded into the kiss and our lips moved together. I wrapped my hands around her waist, while hers were tightly around my neck, her fingers playing around in my hair. My lip scanned her bottom lip and she let me in as we began to kiss deeper.

* * *

I sat at the computer again it was around 8:30 at night, and I had 6 days to write my speech. I started the beginning with a greeting, sort of like a little introduction.

'Welcome. ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad you could all make it tonight. I'd like to start with congratulating all the seniors here who have graduated tonight.'

I knew the whole time I'm writing this I'd be questioning how good it was. Was this the quality of someone graduating? Was this the quality of a valedictorian? I used to love poetry, ever since we did a big unit on it in eighth grade. I used poetry to write songs, and people seemed to like them. I was pretty proud of most of it as well. But a speech and a song were entirely different. I felt as if I didn't have the writing skills to do this.

I put my head in my hands, resting my elbows on my desk. I saved the work I had done, which was those two sentences. I closed the laptop, walking over to my bed and laying down on it. It was sure going to be a stressful week.



I managed to over think myself to sleep, falling asleep around 10. I woke up from my alarm clock, and the first thing that came to my head was this stupid speech. I mean, it wasn't stupid, no, what was stupid is that I couldn't manage to write anything more than a simple two sentences.

I got out of my bed, stripping down to my boxers to find clothes to wear for today. I stood in front of my dresser, digging through it for a shirt to decide on. There was a knock at my door, as I picked out 3 different shirts I liked, laying them on the bed.

"Come in.." I mumbled, moving to my pants drawer.

"Harry, why'd you say come in if you're in just your boxers?" Mia asked, trying her best to not look me up and down.

"You've seen me naked, babe." I answered with a smirk.

"Shh.." she said sounding embarrassed. "Not so loud. I don't want my mother to know that."

I just chuckled at her, pulling on a pair of skinny jeans. "Which one?" I said referring to the shirts on the bed.

She picked up a white v-neck and tossed it at me. "This one looks good on you." she mumbled.

"Oh, does it?" I teased. She nodded in response. "Maybe I'll wear it more often." I said, adding a wink.

She laughed at me, as she watched me put it over my head and pull it down my chest. "I've gotta get dressed too." she said.

"Okay," I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She began to blush as she left the room and went into her own.

I went downstairs, to make myself breakfast, but Jennifer had beat me to it.

"I made eggs." she said, with a beaming smile.

"Thank you." I replied, grabbing a plate and piling eggs onto it. I sat down at the table and began to eat.

"So," she said, joining me at the table with a cup of coffee. "How's your valedictorian speech going?"

I groaned before answering. "Not so well. I've only got two sentences so far. I've got until Friday to complete it." I said. "I just can't believe I'm finally graduating."

"Are your parents coming to see you graduate?"

"Yes. I'm very happy about that." I answered, remembering that my dad was coming and that he broke her heart.

She nodded sadly, showing me a weak smile. "Look," I said, grabbing her hand in comfort, "I know my dad hurt you, badly, and I've lost some respect for him because of that. Sorry I didn't think about that when I answered your question. I just haven't seen my mother or sister in over a year."

"That's not your fault Harry, we can't control other peoples actions. I'm fine really, I'm getting over him slowly."

"If you see him at graduation, just smile. Let him know that you're strong and you don't need him anymore." I said, causing her to smile back at me.

"Thanks, Harry. You're a really great person, and you make my daughter very happy." she said, changing the subject to Mia and I.

"She makes me happy as well." I replied.

"She's proud of you, ya know." Jennifer said.

"I know." I said, nodding my head, a smile forming on my lips.

* * *
-5 DAYS LATER-

"Harry?" My mum said into the phone as I answered it.

"Yes, mum, it's me." I replied. "I just wanted to let you guys know I've paid for a hotel room for you to stay in."

"Aww, that's sweet of you honey. I can't let you pay for it though. It's your big night."

"No big deal." I replied. "How long are you guys staying?"

"2 days. We're catching an early flight Sunday morning." she answered.

"I wish we got to see each other more often mum. I miss you."

"I know you do, baby. Ill be there in a few hours. Ill text you when we get to the airport." she said. "I'm so happy I get to see you."

"Me too, mum."

"I've gotta go, Harry. Can't be on my phone now. I love you."

"I love you too." I replied, before she hung up. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited to finally be graduating, but nervousness filled me when I thought about my speech. I managed to finish it and yes, I worked very hard, but I don't think it has the quality it should have. I'm excited to see my family, but I'm nervous there will be awkwardness with dad and Jennifer. It's my night, like mum said, hopefully he'll think about that if he runs into her.

"Mia!" I hollered, too lazy to go find her just to help me get ready.

"What do you need, Harry?" she said walking in a few seconds later. She must have been in her room.

"Can you help me get ready?" I asked, in an innocent tone.

"Now? But graduation doesn't start for two hours."

"Not for me!" I argued. "I'm valedictorian, I have to help set up, and be there early to practice my speech."

Mia smiled at that. "I'm so excited for your speech. I can't wait to hear it."

I smiled back at her, but it weakened. "I'm nervous," I admitted quietly.

"Don't be," she said, bringing her hand up to caress my cheek. She pulled me in for a kiss and our lips touched, moving together in sync. "Ill be there, everything is going to go just fine."

"I hope you're right." I said, pecking her lips again.

I let Mia pick out which tie I would wear under my gown with my dress shirt and pants. I told her I wanted my hair to look the best, so I wanted her to do it the way she liked it. She said she didn't want to touch my hair because she liked it messy, but combed to the side. I convinced her to make it look nicer since this was a huge event.

The nervousness was kicking into full gear now, id got my gown on and was sitting in a metal chair with the rest of my senior year. Soon, they would start calling names and then I'd have to make my speech. I wasn't sure I was prepared.

"Welcome to graduation of the 2013 class." the secretary said, stepping up on stage. Everyone started clapping and there were a few whistles. "I present you with, the high school principal."

"Hello, glad you all could make it. I'm going to start announcing the names of the students and hand them their diploma. I'll be going by last name A-Z." he explained.

"Congratulations to you all." he said, reading off a list. "Eli Ackerman."

Eli walked up to the stage, shaking the principals hand and taking his diploma. He walked off the other side of the stage, returning to his seat. Everyone followed what he did as their name was called. People were clapping in the audience for everyone.

"Chester Fields." the principal said, and I whistled for him, as he walked up and claimed his diploma. The principal continued calling names, and eventually he got to the last name 'S'.

"Harry Styles." I got up, and walked to the stage. I could hear whistles probably coming from mine and Mia's families. I shook the principals hand, taking my diploma. "Congrats Harry." he said in my ear and I nodded. I left the stage, returning to my seat. Now it was only a matter of last names before they called me up there again.

"Now that all the students have received their diplomas, I'd like you to give them all a big and final round of applause." Once again, tons of loud clapping and whistles. "Next up, we have a important moment for one of our students. This student has been through Student Council and multiple after school activities like Basketball and Football. He's a kind person, who cares a lot about other people. He's participated in kinship and tutoring. He's got a nice voice and was brave enough to show that in the school talent show. His GPA is a perfect 4.0 and he's this years valedictorian. I present to you, Harry Styles."

The crowd began clapping, and I raised from my seat, taking my time walking up to the stage. The principal patted my back, before heading to the back of the stage to take his seat.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I began talking. "Welcome. ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad you could all make it tonight. I'd like to start with congratulating all the seniors here who have graduated tonight." the fellow students in my class replied to that with cheering and hollering. I smiled back at them. "I'm not going to lie, I feel really excited and nervous being here right now." this part wasn't written down. "Its an honor to be valedictorian and I couldn't do it without the people around me. I'd like to thank the principal and my teachers, for helping me learn and watching me excell in my classes, and giving me an amazing opportunity like valedictorian." I looked back at the few on the stage, and shot them a small smile. "I want to thank my father, Des Styles, for bringing me with him to America. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be standing here on this stage right now. I know the reasoning for me coming to America was because of my parents divorce. I remember living in Cheshire, in the UK and being told to pack up my things and go. But this is a great place and there are great opportunities. I'd like to thank my mum, Anne, for always being strong and there for me when I needed someone to talk to. She was always just a phone call away and she never forgot about me like I thought she would when I first left. My sister Gemma was there as much as my mother and I love her for that. Thank you Gemma, mum, and dad." I smiled up at the crowd as they quietly listened to me talk. "I have two more very important people to thank. Jennifer Archibald, I'd like to thank you for letting me stay in your home when my dad went back to the UK. Thank you for the amazing meals you always made everyday, you're one of the best cooks I swear." I heard her laugh in the crowd, and I chuckled too. "Thank you for always having something smart to say. You're very good at advice, and I know I can talk to you like I can talk to my mom." I finished off her 'thanks'. I had everything sectioned off in my speech. The one with a heart next to it could only be about Mia.<3
"Mia Archibald, is someone I'd have to thank for so much. She's an amazing person, always there to listen to you when you need a talk, always there to comfort you when you're upset, always there to cheer you up when you're down. She is truly the most amazing person I've ever met, and I'm sorry I didn't notice that until this year. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about you. Sometimes when I do I even get this funny feeling in my stomach, in the back of my head I know that it's pure love. Moving in with you and your mother was probably the best thing that happened to me, I want you to know that you have made my life better each and every single day for the past 7 months. The last 7 months have been the best 7 months. I love the way you laugh at all my jokes, even if they're terrible, and laugh at the stupid things I do. You're always smiling when were together, and that makes me smile. I love you Mia, thank you for everything you've done for me."

The crowd cheered at that part, probably because I just told the whole room I was in love with her. But I didn't mind. I was about to tear up, but held it back. I couldn't cry during this speech.

"I'm sure a lot of you were scared on your first day of freshman year, but little did you know the next four years would be some of the best four years of your life. You'd make new friends, have girlfriends or boyfriends, and have a whole lot of fun. Now we've all accomplished the same thing and gone through it together. High school. It's the first day of the rest of our lives, and it's going to be a long journey. I hope each and every one of you get the happiness that you deserve. Whether it be joining a band or working at a petting zoo, you deserve to be happy. Together we've shared our passions, strengths, and ideas, making it through the last four years. Together."

I continued reading. "When I first came to this school, I was nervous. I was coming from another country and I thought the kids would hate me for that...but then I met Chester Fields. I've watched this boy grow into a man, and he's been my best friend since I got here. I'd like to thank him for actually talking to me that day. Everyone kept asking me why I talk funny, but Chester said 'I like your voice, it's beautiful.'" I read and the crowd started laughing.

"As I went from freshman year to senior year I noticed a lot about my classmates. This school is filled with dedicated and compassionate students, and someday that's going to come in handy. It only takes one person to change the world, and that person could be you." I said. "We're given so many amazing opportunities and all we can do is take them when we get them, so we have nothing to regret. Thank you to each and everyone of you who came and listened to me talk for 5 minutes. I know I'm not the best writer at speeches, but I tried my best and I really am thankful and honored to be up here." I ended my speech. "Oh, and one more thing." I added. "Congratulations seniors, you've officially graduated."

The room erupted in clapping and cheering, especially my classmates.

"Thank you Harry, for the beautiful speech." The secretary said into the mic. "That's the end of the 2013 graduation. Congratulations, and thank you for coming."

I walked around the room, being patted on the back for my speech. I looked around for Mia, I knew where she was sitting but there were so many people. I felt a tap and my shoulder and turned around to be face to face with Mia.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into a kiss. I placed my hands around her waist, and spun her around.

"I love you, Harry. That speech was beautiful. I can't believe what you said about me." She smiled brightly.

"I told you I wanted it to be a surprise." I said connecting our lips again. "And I love you too."






Sorry the speech was so horrible!!! I didn't want to bore you with making it super long, but I tried my best with help from the Internet! I wanted it to be cute for Mia too :)
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