Seasons [h.s]

Winter - Part 6

Harry's POV

"How's your french fries, Mia?" I asked with a chuckle.

Mia was definitely hungry, almost as if she hadn't had fast food in a while. She looked up at me - ketchup smeared on her cheek - and smiled a toothy grin. I had taken them to my favorite diner in the city, Daisy's. Gemma and I used to come here all the time when things would get rough at home.

"You didn't have to do this." Grace said as she wiped Mia's cheek. I was starting to get a glimpse of how independent she was.

"I wanted to," I shrugged. "Plus, it gives me a chance to get to know you better."

"Get to know me?" She looked wary.

"Get to know the both of you, I should say." I nodded towards Mia.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"How old are you?"

"22, how about you?"

"23. You're very mature for your age."

"I've been on my own since I was 18, so I learned to grow up faster than the average teenager."

"Your parents kicked you out?" I was surprised to hear that I wasn't alone.

Grace nodded. "When they found out I was pregnant with Mia, they wanted nothing to do with me. They threw me out into the street. I haven't talked to them since." I could see the heartache on her face.

"My dad kicked me out as well." I spoke after a minute of silence. "I caught him cheating on my mom one night, and he kicked me out once I told her what I had seen. You'd think my mom would've left him, but she stayed by his side." Anger began to flood my veins.

"Are they still together?"

"No, my mom committed suicide a few years ago." My throat began to ache.

Grace covered her mouth aghast. "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry!"

"And you know what the sick part is?" I said behind gritted teeth. "He's still alive, after all of that he's still here."

"Maybe he can change?"

"No," I sighed. "We Styles men don't change."

Grace reached over and squeezed my forearm, "don't say that. Each season of our lives are different, no one stays exactly the same." Her dark brown eyes were so sincere, I couldn't help but gaze into them. But the moment was short lived, she quickly removed her hand.

"You're very easy to talk to." I grinned - reaching to steal one of her fries.

"Well, it's nice to have someone to talk to." She flashed another smile.

**

Grace and I listened to Mia talk about her ballerina Barbie for another 30 minutes before leaving the diner. She was asleep by the time we made it to their apartment complex. I picked up Mia from the backseat as Grace gathered the rest of her things. She led me inside of the complex - and noise filled our ears. One of the residents downstairs seemed to be having a party. Grace didn't seem phased, and she continued up the stairs until we turned and stopped at the end of a dark, cold hallway. She jiggled her key into the door and pushed it open. The door creaked obnoxiously.

"I'll take her." She sighed once she had put her things on the counter. I handed a drowsy Mia over to her and watched as she disappeared into a room close by.

The apartment was very tight - not to my liking. The walls were a dull baby blue, and there weren't many doors. The floor plan seemed to be pushed close together, it took only a few steps to make it into the next room. But it had all of the important necessities: a stove, refrigerator, sink, couch, tv, etc. The apartment was nothing to gawk at, but it seemed to suit the girls just fine.

"Thanks again for taking us out, I know Mia had a good time." Grace smiled graciously.

"And what about you? Did you have a good time?" I asked walking closer towards her.

She laughed pulling her hair behind her ear. "You know what? I did."

"Would you be willing to do this again then?"

Her eyes grew. "You, Mia and I?"

"I was thinking maybe just you and I." I rubbed the back of my neck. Why was I nervous? I asked girls out almost every night.

"I can't. I don't have anyone to watch Mia." She looked defeated.

"Gemma would be happy to watch her, if that's alright. Maybe we could have dinner at my house? I could hire a chef. If you'd rather bring Mia along, that's fine too-"

"Gemma can watch her." She interrupted me. "How about Saturday?"

"Saturday, it is." I was elated. I said a quick "goodbye" and exchanged numbers with her before heading out the door and back towards my car.

I didn't know what I wanted with Grace. After everything that I'd been through I wasn't looking for

a relationship, but my attraction to get her was strong. One thing was for certain, she intrigued me.

**

Hey guys, I'm sorry the chapter was so late but it's finally here! Hope you guys are enjoying to story. Love you all ❤️