Two Pieces

"Fuck It"

"SOFIA!" Harry cried, barging into her room, "Let's goo- holy shit."

Sofia stood there in her bra and underwear, not even bothering to cover up as she turned to see Harry standing there with his jaw on the floor.

"You should really learn how to knock," Sofia said.

"And miss this view?" Harry asked, with a smirk.

Sofia rolled her eyes, before stepping into her school skirt. Harry had been flirting with her for weeks. For weeks they kept having these tension filled conversations that led to nowhere. Sofia couldn't help but wonder if this was all it was ever going to be with him, flirting and tension.

"I assume you came in here for a reason?" she asked, putting her hand on her hip, and narrowing her eyes as she watched him look her up and down.

"Yeah, to tell you that you should never wear anything else but that for the rest of your life," Harry said.

"That would go over well with school and Liam," Sofia scoffed, before throwing her school shirt over herself.

"Stop staring, Styles," she snapped, "Show's over."

"Doesn't have to be," Harry said, with a smirk, stepping forward.

"All talk and no bite makes Sofia a very cynical girl," Sofia said, stepping away from him and picking up her bag.

Harry paused, biting his lip slightly. He could come back with a witty remark, but he heard the frustration in her voice. They had been playing this game for weeks, since they had gotten back from vacation and Sofia started school again. The truth was, they just didn't have much time alone and they were both very busy. And the idea of it being the right time got stuck in Harry's head every time he thought about kissing her. He always came up with an excuse not to.

"Liam says to hurry up," Harry said, changing the conversation subject, "He thinks you're going to be late. Do you need a ride?"

"Nope," Sofia said, with a wide smile, "Katie's driving, it's been so great since she got her license."

Sofia slipped past him and out her bedroom door, and Harry followed closely behind him.

"I don't know how I feel about you, Katie, and Emily in a car together," Harry said, his eyebrows knitted together in concern. Sofia snorted at his words but didn't say anything.

"There you are!" Liam said, giving his sister a wide-eyed and frustrated look, "Cutting it a little close this morning aren't you?"

"I haven't been late yet," Sofia said, picking up an apple off the counter.

"It's only been like a week," Niall said, causing Sofia to give him the middle finger.

"Do you want to go to the gym after school?" Harry asked, "We haven't been in the ring much lately."

"Can't, I have plans," Sofia said, as she poured coffee into her morning cup, "Shopping."

"Shopping before training?" Harry asked, "You haven't trained in awhile, you shouldn't be slacking off on that."

"Okay, Geoff," Sofia said, giving him a weird look. Harry's eyes narrowed, but as he opened his mouth to respond a car beeped outside.

'That's Kate," Sofia said, "See you later!"

"Be careful in that car!" Liam called behind her, but Sofia was already out the door.

"You seem desperate to train," Liam said, giving Harry a knowing look.

"She should be training!" Harry said, defensively.

"Yeah, with you, alone," Niall said, snorting, "You're just trying to get some time with her."

"Yeah, well," Harry said, "It's kind of been impossible lately."

"Things will slow down," Liam said, returning to his newspaper, "Start of school is always kind of busy."

But Harry was wondering if Sofia was avoiding him. Yeah, they were flirting, and closer then ever. But maybe she didn't want it to go further. Maybe she kept busy so that they couldn't be alone and he couldn't make a move. Maybe she wasn't ready for that step yet.


***


"Things are different," Isaac said, buttoning his shirt up, as Sofia pulled on her skirt and sat up in his car.

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked.

"I mean, between you and me," Isaac said, "It's different. It's like you're not even with me when you're with me. I feel like we used to look forward to our time together, and get excited. Now I just feel like we meet up out of habit."

"It's not like that.." Sofia said, quietly, "I just have other stuff on my mind..."

"Like Harry?" Isaac asked, as he climbed out of the car, holding the door open so that Sofia could climb out after him.

"Who told you about Harry?" Sofia said.

"Emily," Isaac said.

"Of course she did," Sofia answered, rolling her eyes, "What did she say?"

"Just that you two seem to have a thing for each other," Isaac said.

"Yeah, well, maybe not," Sofia said, quietly.

"What's up?" Isaac asked.

"He hasn't made a move," Sofia said, "Like we flirt, and talk, and we have fun, but he hasn't done anything about it. I'm starting to wonder if I'm imagining things in my head. Like, is there really something between us or is he just a really good friend?"

"Maybe he did like you, but your crazy scared him off,' Isaac suggested. Sofia hit him hard with her fist, causing him to laugh.

"'Shut up!" Sofia hissed.

"Listen, any guy on this planet would be crazy not to make a move on you, I'm sure if he's holding off, he has his reasons..."

"Who has what reasons?" Katie asked, walking up to Isaac and Sofia with Emily.

"No one," Sofia said, rolling her eyes at her friends.

"I can't believe you two are skipping already," Katie said, giving a pointed look to Sofia, "You better hope Liam doesn't find out."

"Find out what?" Sofia asked, eyes wide. She was certain Katie didn't know about her and Isaac, and she was positive she didn't want Katie to know.

"That you Isaac are skipping to get high," Katie said, giving Sofia a look that said 'duh.'

Sofia and Isaac both laughed, but they were both relieved as well. If Katie thought that's what they were doing, fine. It was better then her finding out the truth. The less people who knew the better. As far as Sofia was concerned, Emily knowing was too many people.

"So Isaac, I heard you and Naomi hit it off the other night," Emily said, looking over at Isaac and changing the subject. Sofia could tell she wanted to get off the subject of Sofia and Isaac; it made her uncomfortable. Sofia was grateful to her for changing the subject, but confused as to who Naomi was.

"Naomi as in our shot girl?" Sofia asked, looking over at Isaac with curious eyes.

"Yeah, that Naomi. And before you ask, yes, she is the one that Zayn was sleeping with," Isaac said.

"Your sleeping with a girl Zayn slept with?" Sofia said, her jaw dropping.

"Wouldn't be his first," Emily said quietly, so only Sofia could hear her. Sofia sent her a quick glare and dirty look before turning back to Isaac.

"Seriously? Sleeping with Zayns leftovers?" Sofia asked, and again Emily coughed loudly.

"I'm not sleeping with her," Isaac said, "She picked up a 2nd job at one of our bars, and she's cool. We've been hanging out, talking. No sleeping. Yet."

"Does my brother know about this?" Sofia asked.

"He told her he couldn't get her more hours and he was okay with her working at another bar. It's not like she knows anything. And Zayn pretty much dropped her anyway, so it's not like she's involved with anyone."

"So do you like this girl?" Sofia asked, there wasn't a hint of jealousy in her voice. She liked Isaac, he was her friend. And if he found someone who could give him what he wanted, Sofia was happy for him. She wouldn't have thought this a few months ago, but a few months ago she was thinking about Harry.

"Yeah," Isaac said, shrugging, "She's cool. I wouldn't mind seeing where it goes."

Isaac gave Sofia a questioning look. As though asking her if that was okay. Sofia wasn't sure she was ready to give Isaac up completely, but it would be cruel to keep him to herself when she wasn't in the same headspace as he was. She had already done that with Zayn, and she didn't want to do it again. Plus, as much as she enjoyed Isaac and had fun with him and enjoyed the rush she got out of hooking up in his car. Isaac wasn't Harry. Even when she was with Isaac, she was thinking about Harry.

"I think that's awesome," Sofia said, "Good for you, Isaac."

Isaac smiled at her sweetly, before holding the door open to the school.

"Shit," Emily mumbled to herself, "He's staring at us again..."

Isaac turned to see Antonio Lucas staring at the group of them from across the hallway. When Katie walked away, Emily turned to Isaac and Sofia.

"He's still got those pictures," Emily said, she looked scared.

"We bought some time," Sofia said, "We'll figure something out."

"He's not going to rat on us," Isaac said, "He's too much of a pussy."

"I hope you're right," Emily said, "Because if he tells about the two of you, it's game over. For all of us."

"I'll take care of it," Isaac said, "Don't worry about it. No one's going to find out anything."

Emily didn't say anything, she just walked away but Sofia could tell she was worried and frustrated. She felt like thing with Isaac had gone too far, and it wasn't worth the destruction it was going to bring if anyone found out.

"You know I could get him the money and the meeting with Liam," Sofia said quietly, "But I'd have to tell them why I needed it."

"That's out of question," Isaac said, "Just leave it. I'm telling you, this kid is calling our bluff."

"Okay," Sofia sighed, with a shrug, "I'm just saying coming clean is an option."

"It's not," Isaac snapped, "I'll text you later."


***

"Jesus Christ, Harry!" Louis cried, stepping to the punching bag and pulling it from him, "It's a punching bag, you can't kill it, you know."

Harry sighed deeply, before stepping away from the bag and grabbing his bottle of water. Niall and Louis exchanged looks while Harry collapsed on the bench.

"You want to tell us what's bothering you?" Niall asked.

"Nothing," Harry said, shrugging.

"Try again," Louis said.

"I'm just thinking about..."

"Sofia." Both Niall and Louis answered, causing Harry to look up them surprised.

"That obvious?" Harry asked

"Kind of, yeah," Niall said.

"Did something happen between you two?" Louis asked.

"Not a damn thing," Harry growled, "I just.. I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it."

"Overthinking what?" Louis asked.

"Kissing her," Harry said, "I just want to grab her and kiss her all the time. It's constantly in my head. I think about being with her on loop."

"Gross," Niall said, wrinkling his nose.

"So what's the problem?" Louis asked.

"I just haven't found the right moment. We're never alone anymore. And I just want it to be perfect. I don't want it to some cheap kiss out of nowhere, you know? I want it to mean something. But I just haven't found the moment, and every time I try and get her out by herself, she's busy. I keep thinking I should ask her out, but that doesn't seem right either. She's not really a date kind of person, and then I'd have to sit through whole God damn date..."

"Which would be a problem, because?" Louis asked.

"Because I can't even think straight anymore," Harry snapped, "She walks into a fucking room and all I can think about is grabbing her and –"

"WHOA!" Louis cried, throwing his hands up, "We don't need details into your fantasy life, Harry."

"I just keep reminding myself that she's different then all the other girls, so I have to make sure that the kiss is different. You know? Like it should perfect, with candles and roses and shit. It should mean something. It should be one that she'll remember," Harry said, his anxiety about kissing her was overwhelming him.

"First of all, I think if there were candles and roses and shit, Sofia might actually throw up," Niall said.

"Yeah, true," Louis agreed, "Also, you've already proved she's not like the other girls. You've never taken time to get to know a girl. Or cared so much about a girls well being. Or cared more about how she is feeling then you are. And I think she knows that, Harry. I think everyone knows how special she is. But if you keep working yourself up about the perfect moment, it's never going to come. There's no such thing as the perfect moment."

"Yeah man," Niall said, "You will always find reasons not to kiss her if you're looking for them. If you keep looking for a sign or a moment, it's never going to happen. You gotta make your own moment. Who cares where it is or how it happens? There doesn't have to flowers and fireworks. Sofia's not that type of girl."

"I just want to prove myself..." Harry said, "And I want it to be good for her."

"Harry, you've already proven yourself," Louis said, "I see the way she looks at you. She's suffering just as much as you are."

"Yeah, dude," Niall said, "And you know Sofia, she doesn't wait around for much. If you don't make a move soon, she'll find someone who will..."

Harry's nostrils flared, and he glared at Niall before standing up and punching the bag again.

"Yeah, that's not helpful Niall," Louis said.

"But he's right," Harry cried, "She's got guys tripping over her. She probably hasn't even noticed that I haven't kissed her yet, because she's got 15 guys lined up out the door."

"You're letting your anxieties take over," Louis said.

"Am I?" Harry asked, "I keep trying to get her to hang out and she's busy.."

"That's cause she's actually busy, Harry," Louis said.

"Or she's avoiding me because she doesn't want to take the next step. Hell, she freaked out on our fake date..."

"Harry, I don't think she's the one freaking out," Niall said, giving Harry a look that said are you crazy, "I think you are. You're building this up in our head way too much."

"Take your own advice, Harry," Louis said, "Get out of your head."

"When did you first kiss Eleanor?" Harry asked.

"She came to my apartment," Louis said, "She was wet from the rain, and she looked stunning. And she had walked all the way to my place. She was pissed about something, made her look really hot. But it was clear she came over to kiss me. I mean, we had both wanted to for awhile I think but I was trying to be a gentlemen, cause you know, she didn't like me at first and I had finally gotten on her good and I wanted to keep it that way. But she pissed that I hadn't kissed her yet, and she made it clear she wanted it to happen. So mid sentence while she was yelling at me, I just grabbed her and kissed her."

"So she came to you, she initiated the kiss," Harry grumbled, "Of course. And fucking Liam kissed Danielle in the middle of Main Street after a nice dinner. These all sound romantic and memorable. I want it to be that way with Sofia."

"Harry, just ask Sofia out to dinner," Niall said, throwing his hands up, "It's not that big a deal. Ask her, take her, and then kiss her over chocolate and champagne. I'm sure she'll remember it."

"Yeah," Harry said, nodding confidently, "You're right. I'll just ask her out, and you know, make sure she knows that I want to spend some time with her, and then I'll just do it. It'll be nice and sweet and romantic."

"There you go!" Louis cried out, happily.

"Good game plan," Niall said, rolling his eyes, "So glad we could help."

"Yeah, this will be good," Harry said, "Dinner and I'll kiss her. And then we can just see where it goes from there. This is good."

"Then why do you look like your still panicking?" Louis asked.

"You weren't nervous about kissing Eleanor?" Harry asked.

"Oh, I was hell of nervous. You don't kiss a girl like Eleanor and not get nervous," Louis said.

"But I would suggest maybe not looking like your about to pass out when you kiss her," Niall said, "I don't think that'll be a turn on."

"Shut the fuck up," Harry snapped, pushing Niall a bit, before turning back to the punching bag.




***


The next night, Sofia, Emily, and Katie were all on the couch with a movie in. There was food everywhere, and their eyes were glued to the television.

"What are you watching?" Zayn asked, coming in and plopping down next to Emily. Harry, Louis, and Liam all followed him in.

"Pride and Prejudice," Emily said, sighing, "It's the best."

"Isn't that the book you're supposed to be reading for English?" Liam asked, looking at Sofia.

"Mmmhm," Sofia said, her eyes not coming off the screen.

"How do you know that?" Katie asked, looking up at Liam confused.

"I pay attention," Liam said.

"He's stalking my school work this year," Sofia mumbled, "Doesn't want me messing around."

"Which is why I'm hoping that you're not watching this movie instead of reading the book," Liam said, in a very parental tone.

"I've already read the book," Sofia said, before taking a handful of popcorn and stuffing it in her face.

"You've read the book already?" Louis asked, skeptically.

"Yeah, like three times," Sofia said.

"You've read Pride and Prejudice three times?" Harry asked, blinking at her surprised.

Every time he thought he had her figured out, she surprised him with something new.

"I read!" Sofia cried out, slightly offended.

"I didn't say you didn't read," Harry said, moving in and taking some popcorn from her hand before sitting on the other couch, "I'm just surprised you've read this book. And, are you wearing my sweatshirt? Where did you get that? I've been looking for it."

"Yeah," Sofia said, nodding, "It was in my room, I guess you left it in there one night. It's really comfortable, by the way."

"Yeah, I know," Harry said, "That's why I bought it."

"Do you want it back?" Sofia asked.

"No, you look damn good in my clothes," Harry said, with a cocky smile, causing Sofia to scoff and roll her eyes, and Liam to groan from his spot on the couch, "So why have you read this book 3 times?"

"Because Elizabeth and Darcy are the best literary couple ever," Sofia said as though it were obvious, "And Darcy is like the hottest guy on the planet. He's so grouchy and snippy. But then he can be really sweet. Except for when he's being an asshole. Sound familiar?"

Sofia looked over at Harry with a cocky look, and Harry's eyes narrowed on her.

"Funny," he quipped, "And isn't Elizabeth a know it all who thinks she's right about everything?"

"Not quite, no," Sofia said, "You should really read the book if your that interested."

"No thanks," Harry scoffed, leaning back into the couch.

"Is there any action in this movie?" Zayn asked, "Seems kind of boring, what's with the dancing?"

"That was time period!" Emily cried out, "It's romantic!"

"If you say so," Zayn said.

Harry looked up at Louis who was moving his eyes and head around a lot. Harry bit his lip hard because he knew that Louis was trying to get him to just fucking do it already. Harry took a deep breath. Just ask her out. It's no big deal. She's just a girl. Why are you making such a huge thing out of this?

"So I was thinking," Harry said, sitting forward on the couch, and leaning towards Sofia.

"I didn't know you did that," Sofia quipped, before smiling proudly to herself.

"Well aren't you just a bag of funny tonight?" Harry asked, rolling his eyes, "Anyway, I was thinking that maybe –"

"AH!" Katie screeched, interrupting Harry and causing everyone to turn and look at her. Katie grabbed Sofia excitedly.

"Adam texted back," Katie squealed, "He said that he would love to us at the party, and that you should definitely come and tear up the dance floor."

"Did he?" Sofia asked, grabbing the phone from Katie and looking at it.

Louis watched as Harry's whole body went stiff, and then he sank down into the couch, completely looking defeated.

"He's so hot," Emily said, "We should totally go."

"Who's Adam?" Liam asked.

"He's new this year," Katie said, "Transfer. And he's totally been hitting on Sofia all week."

"Has he?" Harry said, his voice thin. Sofia glanced at him, before looking down at the phone.

"I wouldn't say he was hitting on me," Sofia said.

"Oh please," Katie scoffed, not seeing as Emily tried to get her to shut up, "He would have jumped you in the hallway today if it weren't Mr. Bearn."

"Okay, seriously?" Liam cried out, disgusted.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," Emily said, glancing over at Harry who looked like he was both
furious and upset.

"So, what should I tell him?" Katie asked, looking at Sofia, "Are we going or not?"

"Uh..." Sofia said, looking at Harry again, before looking at Katie, "I don't know –"

"Harry!" Eleanor cried walking into the room, "Your phone is going off again. It's Caroline. She's been calling all night."

Sofia felt jealousy flow up in her, as she took in Harry's face as he took the phone.

"Just pick it up already, mate," Liam said, causing Harry to glare at him. Harry answered the phone, while Sofia looked back down at her popcorn.

"Hi," Harry said, "Yeah, I know, sorry. Listen; can I call you back in a bit? Yeah, I know. Okay. All right, I will. Okay, Bye."

Sofia didn't know they were still talking. Why was he calling her back? What did she want? Is this why Harry hadn't made a move yet? Caroline was older, and more then willing to go to bed with Harry. She was easy, while Harry and Sofia were very complicated.

Sofia felt her brain cloud with questions and more jealously. Why was she jealous? She didn't have a right to be. It's not like she wasn't seeing other guys as well. It's not like Harry was anything. He was just a friend. She really had to stop wondering if they were going to be anything else, especially if Caroline was still in the picture.

"SOFIA!" Katie cried out, frustrated, snapping Sofia out of her thoughts.

"What?" Sofia asked, looking at Katie and
avoiding looking at Harry at all costs.

"The party? Do you want to go?" Katie asked again, giving her friend a frustrated look.

"Yeah," Sofia said, nodding her head, "Tell Adam I'll be there."

Sofia glanced at Harry who's eyes were narrowed on her, and she wasn't quite sure what that meant or why he was looking at her like that.

"You look like you want to say something," Sofia snapped at him, "So just say it..."

"I –"

"We got to go," Liam said glancing at his phone, before Harry could say anything, "The new guns just got in."

Zayn stood up immediately, and Harry looked at Louis who was waving his hands for him to say something, but Harry couldn't bring himself to do it. His confidence was totally shot, and he figured that asking Sofia after Caroline had just called him was probably one of the worst moves he could make. So, he just stood up quietly and followed Liam and Zayn out of the room.

"That didn't go as planned," Louis said quietly, as he walked beside him.

"Fuck you," Harry growled.

"I'm not Sofia, Harry," Louis said, "She's the one you want to fuck."

"I fucking hate you," Harry spat out.

"Probably not as much as you hate yourself right now," Louis said, "Or Caroline. Why was she calling anyway?"

"Because apparently she doesn't get that I don't want to see her anymore," Harry said, "I don't know how many time I have to tell her that it's over before she gets it. But if she calls one more time, I'm going to lose my shit."

"Terrible timing too," Louis said, "You know, in front of Sofia and all."

"Seriously, fuck you," Harry snapped.

"Seriously, I'm still not Sofia," Louis answered, laughing and moving before Harry could hit his arm.



***


"How late are they supposed to be out?" Sofia asked, as Danielle and Eleanor came to sit next to her by the pool.

"Probably all night," Danielle said, "They have the gun shipment and they're meeting with new buyers."

"It's been a busy few weeks," Eleanor said, "I'm glad we took that vacation because I feel like none of us have been in the same room or on the same time table since we got home."

"I agree," Danielle said.

"Well, I'd stay up with you guys but I have school tomorrow, and Liam is being a police officer when it comes to school," Sofia said, splashing her foot.

"He just wants to make sure you do well," Danielle said, "But I'll have a chat with him, see if I can get him to cut you some slack."

Sofia snorted at her words, before lying down next to the pool.

"This one of the last nights we'll be able to enjoy the pool and these warm nights," Sofia said.

"Seems like this year is just flying by," Eleanor said, shaking her head, "I can't believe summer is over already."

"Tell me about it," Sofia scoffed.

"So, how are things with you and Harry?" Danielle asked quietly and cautiously.

"What do you mean?" Sofia said, looking over at her.

"Well, on vacation you guys looked like maybe it could go somewhere," Danielle said.

"Yeah, I thought so too," Sofia said, "But I don't know, he hasn't really made a move. So maybe he's not interested."

"Or maybe he's just being careful," Eleanor said, "I mean, you do live together, that could get complicated."

"My life is already complicated, adding Harry to it wouldn't make it more so," Sofia said, "But like, I don't know. This sounds awful and conceited, but I've never had to wait this long for a guy. Like, I know we're attracted to each other. And we're close too. So, the only thing I can think.. is maybe he's not interested. Maybe he thought he was, or maybe I was challenge. Or maybe he just wants to stay friends."

"But you want more?" Danielle asked.

"I didn't say that," Sofia said pointing at her defensively, "But like, I'm attracted to him. I don't know if I want him to be my boyfriend. I don't do boyfriends. But friends hook up. And when you're as hot as Harry, I'd take it."

"So you want to be friends who hook up?" Eleanor asked, looking at Danielle as though she knew something Sofia didn't.

"Is that weird?" Sofia asked, "I just want to see if I'm actually attracted to him. Or if it's just the mystery of not knowing. Like, usually I have guys wrapped around my finger. But with him, it's different. So like, am I attracted to him? Or is a challenge? Is he attracted to me? Or am I challenge? Are we just friends or is there more? And all of this could be figured out, if he would just fucking do something about it. But he hasn't, so like, he probably doesn't want to."

"So you don't want to date him?" Eleanor asked.

"I don't date," Sofia said, "I don't see the point. No offense. But like, if your friends with someone and you can sleep with them, why bother putting a label on it? That just boxes you in so you can't explore other things."

"But you and Harry are practically already dating," Danielle cried out, frustrated.

"We are not!" Sofia said.

"Yes you are," Danielle said, "You're doing everything except making out and hooking up."

"Does that scare you?" Eleanor asked, looking down at Sofia, "The idea of dating?"

"I've never been a one guy kind of girl," Sofia said, "I don't like to be tied down, or have some depend on me, or depend on someone else. I think people just end up disappointed if they do that. You know? Why can't people just have fun? Why does it have to be so serious?"

"But you want to have fun with Harry?" Danielle asked.

"Yeah," Sofia said, "I mean, at least just once. Just to know what it's like, and so I can turn my brain off. I just have so many questions in my head. And I keep playing out all of the things that could happen or that I could want to happen. And I just feel like, if he had the same questions or the same loop in his head, he would have kissed me by now. But he hasn't, so like, maybe I'm just reading way too much into it. Which is new for me, I've never thought about one guy this much in my life. Maybe if I kissed him, I'll stop thinking about him. Maybe I just need to get it over with, and then I won't be curious, and then I can move on."

"So why don't you just kiss him?" Danielle asked.

"Yeah, it's not like you haven't kissed guys before," Eleanor said, "It's not like your shy about doing it."

Sofia paused and thought. She had never really thought about being the one to kiss him. Maybe it was because Harry liked control, and Sofia liked to follow his lead. Or maybe it was because she wasn't sure how he'd feel if he kissed her. Would that be a turn off for him? Especially since he liked to be in charge in the bedroom?

Danielle and Eleanor were right, it's not like she had ever had a problem kissing a guy before. And Harry was just another guy. It's not like there was anything special about him. I mean, sure, they were friends. But she had kissed her friends before. She had kissed Isaac, and Niall, and Zayn. So why was she so hesitant. If she wanted the questions to stop so bad and if she was so curious about it, why didn't she just kiss him?

Sofia hated the answer she came up with. Because it made her sound like a total girl.

"I guess I just really wanted him to kiss me," Sofia said quietly.

Danielle and Eleanor shared a look. They heard it in Sofia's voice. It wasn't just that Sofia wanted Harry to kiss her, because all girls wanted that. They wanted the boy to initiate it. Sofia wanted to know that Harry wanted it just as much as she did, and was just as curious and into it as she was. She wanted to know that it wasn't all in her head, and that she wasn't reading too much into it. If Harry kissed her, all her fears and insecurities would go away. Because she would know he wanted her too.

"Yeah," Sofia said, although at this point she was just thinking out loud, "I really wanted him to kiss me."




***


"What do you mean, you're going to come clean?" Emily snapped over the phone the next night.

"I mean, Antonio upped the price again," Sofia hissed quietly, "He's got those pictures, and I just have to tell Liam what's going on and why. Then this whole thing could be over."

"What did Isaac say?" Emily asked.

"He freaked out," Sofia whispered, "I mean he went off in the middle of the hallway. He told me I was gonna get myself killed and he wouldn't allow it. He told me to keep my mouth shut and that he would take care of it."

"What does that mean?" Emily asked.

"I don't fucking know," Sofia snapped, looking around the kitchen. She wasn't sure why she was whispering. No one was home because the boys were on a last minute gun job, and Danielle and Eleanor went out to eat dinner somewhere.

"Well, what are you going to do?" Emily asked, "I knew this something like this was going to happen! I told you!"

"I don't need you to rub it in, Em," Sofia barked, "I know you told me. I just don't know what to do. Because this could start a war, and it would be a war over nothing."

"What do you mean?" Emily asked.

"I mean, Isaac and I are totally cooling off, we don't even really want to hook up anymore. We're friends, but like he has Naomi and I have Harry..."

"What do you mean you have Harry?" Emily asked, "Did something happen?"

"Well okay, no I don't have Harry," Sofia said, "But he has Naomi!"

"And you have feelings for Harry," Emily said.

"I didn't say that," Sofia snapped, "You're totally getting off the subject here."

"Am I? Because you just made it seem like you don't want to hook up with Isaac because you're interested in Harry..."

"I don't know what's going on with Harry," Sofia yelled over the phone, "Forget Harry! I'm just saying that if Lucas does this, our whole truce could go to hell and it would literally be over nothing."

"Well, are you and Isaac still hooking up?" Emily asked

"I mean, yeah," Sofia said, "But like, it's not even a big deal. It's not like we're going to run away together or something. We're just having fun. Honestly, it's something to do while everyone else is in gym."

"How romantic of you," Emily scoffed.

"So what do you think?" Sofia asked, "Should I just get ahead of Antonio and tell Liam?"

"Liam's going to flip out," Emily said, "And Harry will lose his shit, not to mention everyone else."

"I know, but I don't see another way around this. We can't come up with the money, and Liam would never take a meeting with this kid without a good reason," Sofia said, "I mean, what else could we possibly do? We need this kid to go away."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure starting a gang war is the way to do that," Emily said, "The town is just starting to like us again, and if we cause a blood bath on their streets with their own people, they might not like us so much anymore."

"So you think I should keep my mouth shut?" Sofia asked

"I think you shouldn't have hooked up with Isaac in the first place!" Emily squawked through the phone.

"Okay, well, we're a little past that!" Sofia barked, as a loud knock came on the door.

"Who's knocking at your door?" Emily asked

"I don't know," Sofia scoffed, walking to the door and swinging it open. Isaac was standing there, out of breath and covered in blood.

"Oh my God!" Sofia gasped, "Isaac what happened?!"

"Isaac is at your house?!" Emily cried over the phone.

"I'll call you back," Sofia said, still staring at Isaac with wide eyes, and hanging up the phone before Emily could respond.

"Isaac what are you doing here?" Sofia asked, her voice panicked as she looked around. He didn't say anything, he just stared at her.

"What the hell happened to you?" Sofia asked, looking around, "What are you doing here?"

"Take this," Isaac said, handing her a textbook.

"What is this? Isaac, what happened?" Sofia asked again, he just shook his head at her.

"I got to go, before someone catches me here," Isaac said.

"You're not going to tell me what happened?" Sofia snapped, "Why are you covered in blood? Isaac, are you hurt? Just tell me what happened!!"

"Just take the book and go inside," Isaac said, before turning and running from the house. Sofia could feel her heart pounding as she watched him run. She looked around the outside of the house again, before stepping back in the house, and closing the door behind her.

Sofia stared down at the science textbook he had handed her, and opened it up. Inside were the pictures. Isaac and Sofia kissing in his car. Sofia flipped through them quickly. He had gotten the pictures back. Sofia wondered for a second what he did to get them back, and then decided she didn't care. They were safe again, and they didn't have to tell anyone their secret.

Sofia's hand stopped as she got to the last picture, there was a piece of paper and on it was Isaacs's handwriting.

"We can't do this anymore. Burn everything. I miss you already. Xx"

And just like that, everything she had with Isaac was over. She wasn't sad as much disappointed. This wasn't how it was supposed to go with Isaac. And truthfully, she was hoping he would distract her from Harry for just a little longer. But it wasn't worth the danger they were putting themselves in. It wasn't worth people finding out. It certainly wasn't worth people dying over. So, it was over.

Sofia knew that as she burned the pictures she should be thinking about Isaac, worrying about him, sad that it was over. But the whole time she burned them she only thought about Harry. She couldn't help but wonder if with Harry it was over before it even begun.



***


"UGH!" Sofia yelled out, as she sat at the kitchen table staring at her math homework.

"Problem?" Niall asked, entering with Louis.

"I don't understand this fucking equation," Sofia said, not looking up as Harry stepped into the kitchen and to the fridge, "And all of these fucking questions are due on Monday, and I can't even get through the first one. This is not how I want to spend my fucking weekend."

"Okay, well yelling isn't going to help," Niall said, sitting next to her and taking the paper from her, "You just have to solve for x," Niall said.

"Yeah, I fucking know," Sofia said, "But I'm not getting an answer that is remotely close to looking right. I should just drop out."

"You're not dropping out," Louis said, rolling his eyes at her.

"Well, then you should let me do what I have been doing which is getting people who are smarter then me to do my work," Sofia said, throwing her arms in the air.

"Sexual favors for school work again?" Harry barked, "I don't fucking think so."

"How's Caroline?" Sofia snapped back at him, "What are you giving her sexual favors for in exchange
of?"

Harry's jaw locked as Sofia glared at him, before turning back to her math homework. Louis looked up at Harry giving him a look that said 'are you fucking kidding me? Do it now.'

"I'm too stupid for this," Sofia cried out, even more frustrated as she threw her hands on her head.

"Hey!" Harry barked, "You're not stupid. You just have to relax."

"Relaxing isn't going to help me grow brain cells," Sofia hissed, still staring at the paper in front of her.

"Hey," Harry said, sitting next to her, "You're not stupid, Sofia. You're one of the smartest people I know. Don't sell yourself short."

"You did this part wrong," Niall said, "You added when you were supposed to subtract, that's what threw the whole thing off."

"Are you kidding me?" Sofia cried, looking down at where Niall was pointing, "ALL OF THIS OVER THAT?! THAT'S WHAT I DID WRONG?!"

"Maybe take a break, Sof," Louis said, "What do you think Harry? Think she should take a break?"

Louis had wide eyes and was glaring at Harry, who
was just picking up what he was trying to do, as Sofia looked at Louis like he was crazy.

"Yeah," Harry said, "I think a break would be good, why don't you go on a run with me?"

"Actually a run sounds good," Sofia said, perking up a little bit, "Yeah, that'd be nice."

"Great, I'll wait down here and you can go get changed," Harry said. Sofia nodded, before grabbing her homework and walking out of the kitchen. Louis stared at Harry like he was an idiot.

"What?" Harry asked.

"A run?" Louis cried, throwing his hands in the air.

"You're a fucking idiot," Niall mumbled, shaking his head.

"What's wrong with a run?" Harry asked.

"I said she should take a break, and that was your cue to ask her to get something to eat with you," Louis said, his eyes still wide in disbelief, "I don't even know why I try, you're a dumbass."

"Oh," Harry said, his eyebrows coming together in confusion, "I guess I could have asked her out to dinner..."

"You think?" Niall said, exasperated.

"Well, I just ask her on the run," Harry said, shrugging, "That'll be good. We'll be alone, and have some time, and it won't be weird or in front of you guys. I'll just ask her then."

"Jesus Christ," Niall mumbled into his hands, shaking his head.

"We have a run to go on," Liam announced, coming into the kitchen with Zayn right behind him.

"Now?" Harry asked

"Yeah," Liam said, "Last buyer for the guns. They want to meet in 20 minutes. We should go now."

"Go where?" Sofia asked, coming into the kitchen in a sports bra and a pair of his gym shorts. Harry's jaw dropped when he saw her, she smirked at him as she put up her hair.

"Fuck me," Harry mumbled to himself.

"We gotta go on a run," Liam said, "Let Dani know we won't be back till later."

"Oh," Sofia said, not able to hide the disappointment from her voice, "Yeah, okay."

All the boys shuffled out of the kitchen, while Harry stood there still staring at her.

"I gotta go," Harry said quietly, "Sorry."

"No, it's okay," Sofia said, waving her hand like it was no big deal, "I'll just take Andy with me."

"Yeah okay," Harry said, "Nice shorts."

"Thanks," Sofia said, with a small smile, "They're comfy too."

"Yeah, I know," Harry said, "Alright, well, we'll be back later. Don't wait up, okay? I mean, not just you – not that you would wait up – I just meant all the girls. You know, you shouldn't all wait up..."

"Yeah, I got it," Sofia said with an awkward laugh.

"I just don't know how late we'll be," Harry said.

"Right," Sofia said, with a nod, "Well, be careful."

"Yeah," Harry said, before turning and heading towards the door. Then he turned back, "By the way... Caroline. She isn't a thing anymore. Not that you cared, but I just thought you should know."

Sofia was surprised that he would tell her that, and then she wondered why he would tell her that, but before she could say anything, he had slipped out the back door and away.

"Well," Louis said, as Harry approached the car, "Maybe it's good you asked her on a run. Standing up a girl on a run, is a hell of a lot better then standing her up for dinner."

"Shut the fuck up already," Harry said, causing Louis to laugh loudly.



***


"Liam," Harry said, as Liam drove to the meeting spot, "I'm asking your sister out. Tonight."

Liam looked over at Harry, then back at the road, and then back at Harry again.

"You are?" Liam asked.

"Yup, just wanted you to know," Harry said.

"Well, thanks," Liam said, "I think."

"Don't take it to seriously, Liam," Niall said from the backseat, "Harry's been trying for days now to actually do it. So..."

"Shut up," Harry snapped, "I'm gonna do it. Tonight."

"You know, Sofia's not really a date person," Liam said slowly, "I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything, but there's a good chance asking her out might kind freak her out."

"You think I shouldn't ask her out?" Harry said, he had a panicked look in his eye again, glancing back at Niall who just shrugged.

"I mean, I don't know," Liam said, "I don't really get my sister. I don't think she's ever been on a date. She just kinda... finds boys and has fun."

"You think she's gonna say no?" Harry asked.

"I mean, I don't know," Liam said, shrugging, "Are you even a date guy anyway?"

"Well, no..." Harry said, "But I just figured it was the right thing to do..."

"So you're asking her out because you think it's the right thing to do?" Liam asked, looking over at Harry, "For society? Or for you and Sofia?"

"Well, I don't know," Harry said, throwing his hands in the air, "Isn't that what your supposed to do when you like a girl? Ask her out?"

"I mean, yeah, most girls," Liam said with a laugh, "But most girls aren't my sister."

"What does that even mean?" Harry asked, looking at Liam wide eyed.

"I just think you should think about your next move carefully," Liam said, sighing, "She's not most girls, Harry. So whatever you do, it has to be something that won't freak her out, or get her to run. Whatever your next move is, it should be specifically designed for Sofia."

"I don't envy you, Haz," Niall said, "Sofia is a tough bird to understand."

"Fuck you all," Harry groaned, throwing his head in his hands, "You are not making this any easier."

"I warned you, buddy," Liam said with a laugh while he slapped Harry on the back.

And just like that, Harry was back to thinking about what the hell his next move should be. Just like that, all of his anxiety and insecurities came back.
He hated this. This wasn't him. He didn't get anxious and insecure over girls. He didn't think about girls this much. He didn't care this much. Everyone thought that he was changing Sofia, but Harry knew better. Sofia was changing him too. And it was driving him a little bit crazy.


***


Sofia rolled out of her bed as a loud knock came on her door. She opened it to find Harry leaning against the door with a sloppy grin on his face.

"Look at you knocking and everything," Sofia said with a small laugh. Harry grinned wider.

"Told you not to wait up for me," Harry said, his words were slightly slurred.

"Since when do I do what I'm told?" Sofia asked, "Are you drunk?"

"I'm a little tipsy," Harry said, "The boys and I went out celebrating because we finally got all our buyers locked down."

"That's great," Sofia said, "That'll make things easier."

"You look beautiful," Harry said, and Sofia raised her eyebrows at him, laughing and shaking her head.

"I look like a hot mess right now," Sofia scoffed, rolling her eyes, "You're just drunk and have beer goggles on."

"I do not," Harry protested, "What are you doing?"

"Reading Pride and Prejudice," Sofia said.

"I should really read this damn book," Harry replied.

He was working himself up. He was going to do it. He was going to ask her out to dinner. He didn't care what anyone said. He just had to do it. He couldn't keep stalling. Dinner would be the perfect time to kiss her, and so he was going to ask her.

"I was just about to watch some TV," Sofia said, "Want to join me?"

"Yes please," Harry said, stepping into the room as Sofia stepped aside. Harry was now just getting a look at what she was wearing. Just a t-shirt. Just a simple white t-shirt with nothing else. His breath caught as he stared at her. How was it that she looked that good in just a t-shirt?

"What do you want to watch?" She asked, leaning down to look through her DVD's.

Her shirt moved, and Harry saw all of her curves. His heart began to pound, as he looked her up and down. He told himself now was not the time. This wasn't the moment. Pull yourself together, he told himself. She was getting ready for bed. This wasn't romantic at all. He couldn't just come into her room and take her.

"Harry?" Sofia asked, turning around to him. Her hair fell over her face perfectly, and the t-shirt moved so he could see her collarbone. She was beautiful. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. Just standing there, with no make up, her hair a mess, in a white t-shirt. Harry's eyes narrowed as he looked at the shirt. It was very big on her, and Harry recognized it immediately.

"Is that my shirt?" Harry asked, and Sofia smiled at him playfully.

"Yeah," Sofia said quietly, "You don't mind do you?"

She held the hem of the shirt, and wrapped it around her finger. As she did so, she showed off her hip and the black underwear she was wearing.

Harry couldn't breathe. She was standing there, in his t-shirt, looking hot as hell. And she wasn't even trying. She didn't even know how beautiful she was.

"I can change if you want it back," Sofia said, looking at him a little wide eyed. Harry snapped out of his thoughts and realized he looked like an idiot by not responding to her.

"No, it's okay," Harry said.

"So what do you want to watch?" Sofia asked, turning back to the DVDs. She began to talk about what she had to watch, but Harry wasn't even hearing her. He was too busy trying to get his heart rate in check, and remind himself about that perfect moment he had been waiting for.

But when she turned back to him, and smiled at him with her eyes twinkling, he couldn't help himself. He had to do it. He didn't care about moments, or timing, or if it was the right move, he just had to do it.

"Fuck it," he said, causing Sofia's eyes to go wide with confusion.

"Wha –" she began to ask, but before she could get the words out, he grabbed her face, and he kissed her.

He kissed her hard, and passionately, and then he moved his arms and pulled into his body. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, and pulled him as though trying to get him as close as she could. She gasped against his lips when he slammed her into the wall behind them, and he used that opportunity to push his tongue into her mouth. He had to taste her. His body was completely on top of hers, and his fingers were digging into her hips.

He wasn't sure what he thought kissing Sofia would be like, but this was better then he imagined. She tasted better then he imagined. She felt better then he imagined. And in that moment he realized, he never wanted to stop kissing her.

He tried to slow down, and he tried to think. But he didn't want to. He only knew one thing after kissing her.

Kissing wasn't enough. He had to have her.