Piper ~ H.S

~Eighteen~

A/N: Hiiiii :D Who's ready for Harah's outing?? :))

~Harry~

When Saturday finally rolled by, I have to admit – it was the first time in a long time I'd felt so excited. I couldn't help but smile at the very thought of spending more time with Leah. It's been over two weeks since we last saw each other, and...I missed her. I really did. I missed her, and I missed Piper, too.

After Leah kindly let me stay over at hers after the wedding, I was actually sad to leave. It felt weird coming from the small but cozy, welcoming home of a sweet mother and her happy daughter to my quiet, solitary house once I came back to London. When I came back home, it actually took me a while to realize that Leah and Piper were nearly two hours away – and that I couldn't just drive back and visit them again the next day – because I was stuck here in London for the next two weeks. But, finally, I could see them again.

Asking Leah to show me the Worthing beach front did make me a little nervous, I confess. I don't know – I was just worried about her saying no, when I knew that I didn't even need to. But I couldn't help it. I just felt...drawn to Leah. I enjoyed being with her, and I've always found myself looking forward to us spending more time together. And it wasn't just Leah who I was taking a shine to...it was Piper, as well.

Piper was just so sweet. She was bubbly and energetic with a beautiful smile that could easily brighten your day in an instant. I'm amazed by her, even...I can hardly imagine what that little girl is going through right now – with her still being so young, and having to grow up without the love of a father. She was lucky to have such a dedicated and loving mother who would do anything for her. That was one of the things I admired so much about Leah.

There was no way I could deny how fond I was growing of Leah. There was something in her smile, and something in her eyes that always drew me in. She was quite stunning, after all – she had a pretty face and a small but shapely figure, not to mention that glossy black hair, and those eyes...those big green eyes, soft and gentle – and yet at the same time, there was something so captivating about them.

I'm in awe of everything about her...how she was so independent, how she can still face life with a smile after getting pregnant at 17 and being kicked out of her home by her own parents, and how she turned out to be such an amazing mother, despite Heath walking out on her when Piper was barely born. She had all this optimism and resilience about her that I couldn't help but feel attracted to. She was gentle and soft-spoken...but at the same time she could also be witty and cheeky – and it was that contrast in her magnetic personality that appealed to me. And whenever I saw her blush and become all shy and flustered around me, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find that adorable...at the same time, tempting.

I wish I could see Leah and Piper more often. But putting time aside to make those long trips to Worthing too often were impractical and inconvenient for all three of us. If they didn't live so far away, I'd go to see them as often as I could, because lately, I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with them. If only there was a way I could be closer to them...then nothing would hold me back. Because, someday, I want to be one of those people that both Leah and Piper can trust with all their hearts. And the only way I can do that, is if I spend more time with them – and I don't like how I can't do that as much as I want to.

But, at least I'm seeing Leah today. And I can hardly wait. Being around Leah is very quickly becoming one of those times when I'm at my happiest.

Although we've only known each other a short time, Leah's already opened up to me so much...told me so many of her life stories that I know she wouldn't be comfortable telling to just anyone. And I loved that – because to me, it showed that she trusted me, and felt at ease around me. But I can't help but feel as if there was more to Leah's story. When she tells me stories of her past escapades with boys, or about her burdens with Heath, she speaks of them casually, and even laughs about them...but even so, I sometimes see a look of forlornness in her eyes that she's trying so hard to mask behind a soft smile.