Hidden ➳ [h.s]

9.

"I still think you guys should go Italian" Ryan says

"No, we should go for Indian. We all love their seasoned chicken!" Mom exclaims

"Mia and I vote Chinese" Ethan says

So this was just about dinner. Phew.

They all look at each other and nod at us.

"I'll let them know" Dad says and walks out the lounge.

"Thank you for solving the problem then. Mia, go get dressed. Wear a nice dress" mom smiles.

"Who's them? Why do I need to dress nicely?" I ask

"It's a formal dinner with some of your dad's friends and their families. Dress nicely. We all are"

"Alright mom. Are Ethan and Ryan coming?" I ask. I've never seen my brothers in suits. Except for weddings.

"Ryan's skipping it, and Ethan?" She asks looking at him

"I'll stay home" he says

I walk the stairs to my room and lock the door behind me. I flip through my dresses and settle on wearing a thigh high black and white dress. The dress is black on top and has a white skirt that has lace on the edges. The skirt part of the dress is wide. The dress is off the shoulder but the sleeves are long. My mom bought it for me and I'm sure she'd be ecstatic to see me wear it. I heat up my straightener and apply some makeup. My primer is almost out, I need to go shopping sometime soon. After contouring and highlighting my cheeks, reapplying a fresh layer of mascara, dark red lipstick and apply false eyelashes, I consider applying eyeliner too.

Before I can think of the mess it will create to remove the eyeliner, I'm dragging the liquid eyeliner over my eyelid.

I brush through my hair and straighten it. I can't decide whether I want to curl it or not, but I decide it will work better for my contour to curl my hair. I use my straightener to create thick curls. I allow my hair to flow down my back and take a look at my outfit on my body length mirror. I'm pleased with the results. I take a few photos, I'll decide which one to upload later.

I take a pair of black heels and take my black wallet and phone and walk out of the door.

Mom hugs me and thanks me for wearing the dress she bought and compliments me a hundred time a minute. She takes hundreds of photos of me on her phone until it's time to go.

Dad takes out his Mercedes GLS 400, mom and I take our seats. He drives towards the city and parks into the lot of a medium sized Chinese restaurant which promises the best customer service.

"Name?" The woman behind the counter asks.

"Hayes" my dad says

She nods and leads us towards a big table. My eyes immediately find his.

What the hell is he doing here?

Dad's friends. Right. I get it now. If this isn't going to be even more awkward than recess. He smiles at me as if he knew about it all along. He's sitting next to two girls, they both look as old as us. They follow his gaze and arch their eyebrows.

I smile my biggest and best smile at them and follow my mom and dad down to the table. I take a seat across Harry, a few seats away from him. He isn't in a suit, he wears black tight jeans and a sweater with the Nike swoosh. His hair is still in its usual wave and he looks unbelievably beautiful. I can smell him from metres away, always so intriguing.

Harry is engaged in conversation with the two girls and I really can't help but think they're so gorgeous.

My thoughts are interrupted by a boy with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes.