in time // h.s.

xxiii. harry

Twenty-one years old...

After our interesting double date, I walked Alex the short distance back to hers. Her front door was already in view when she turned to me and asked me in.

"Is it wise?" I asked, not wanting to take advantage. Up until that point we'd still been trying to keep things respectable by going on dates and getting to know each other properly. Not only was Alex a welcome distraction from other things that were going on, she was also great to be around. She lightened my mood and made the world seem like a less complicated, happier place. I wouldn't say she made me forget, but she certainly made me think about the Janet situation a lot less.

"I think, now that we're several dates in, we can resume where we started," she said with a cheeky grin.

"Oh, really?"

"Or, if you don't fancy that, we could chill on the sofa, watch a movie..." she teased.

"Your first offer was a bit more tempting, but I'll take either."

I excitedly followed her inside.

She'd been wonderful that afternoon, full of all the charm and warmth that had attracted me to her in the first place. I needed to see her like that around Matty and Janet, I needed to see that I had someone of my own who was special at last.

"So, do you think they like me?" she asked, once we were in her room and lying on her bed, facing each other. One of her housemates that I didn't know was watching TV in the lounge, so we'd decided to go up to her room instead (well, that was our excuse, anyway), but we both knew that was where we preferred to be.

"They loved you."

That was definitely true of Matty, who wasted no time in leaning in and telling me how fit he thought she was, although later on he'd also winked at me whenever Alex did something funny or cute, she'd effortlessly won him over. As for Janet, well, I'd watched her around Alex, I wanted to gauge her reaction for some reason. See how she responded to me being there with someone else. She seemed fascinated by her and watched her keenly for most of the afternoon with intrigue. I was surprised Alex had failed to notice.

"You sure?"

"What's not to love?"

"Whoa there, tiger, slow down with the love talk!" she giggled.

Putting my hands on her hips, I pulled her on top of me and gave her a kiss.

"Before we get carried away... I have something for you," she said, untangling herself from me as she pulled a large present from the side of her bed, offering it to me with a smirk.

"What's this?" I asked her, looking at the neatly wrapped gift and juggling it around, trying to work out what it was. It was soft and made no sound when I shook it. I had no idea what she was giving me.

"It's only something small," she shrugged. "I just thought it would make you smile."

I tore apart the blue wrapping paper to find a unicorn onesie and couldn't stop myself from grinning as I kissed her once more to say thank you. It was the most thoughtful gift I'd ever received, I couldn't help but be blown away by the gesture.

"You really are the cutest little thing," I said, cupping her face with my hands.

"Why, thank you! Once you experience the joy of this onesie, I swear it'll be hard to get you out of it."

"Oh, but I hope you'll try."

"Harry!" she squealed with laughter, giving me a playful slap on the arm.

"I'm joking... sort of. Seriously, though, thank you. It's so sweet of you."

"Not really, it just gives me an excuse to wear my onesie around you and not feel stupid."

"Ooh, ulterior motives, Miss Tanner?"

"Made sense for when you finally managed to make your way back into my bedroom."

"Crafty."

As we sat there grinning at each other a thought popped into my head. "Actually, Alex, I have to go home next weekend, for Janet's dad's fortieth. Fancy coming?"

If I'd spent a little more time thinking about it I'd probably have concluded it was a bad idea, but I hadn't. Sitting in front of her, basking in her sunshine, it seemed like a perfect idea.

"I can't just turn up uninvited."

"I'm inviting you."

"You can't do that."

"I can, I was given a plus one on the invite."

"But I don't know anyone."

"Alex I'm trying to ask you to come home with me and meet my mum, would you not make it so difficult?"

"Oh! I forgot she'd be there," she giggled. "I'd love to."

Every social event, ever since Janet and Matty had become an item, had turned into me being asked a million questions about my love life, which ultimately would turn into me being given sympathetic looks and told not to worry because 'it'll happen' if I just 'hang in there'. That's a whole five years of being made to feel like I was on the reject pile when it came to love.

I wasn't prepared to receive the same treatment yet again, as I watched Janet and Matty act all loved up, as though the past few weeks had never happened. I'd decided I was going to have someone wonderful on my arm to avoid the glum chat. To make me feel like an equal and, hopefully, to help me enjoy what would otherwise be a very dreary night.

I knew Janet wouldn't be overjoyed, but hoped she'd be able to understand that I couldn't just watch her walk away from me. I had to occupy myself. Keep my heart busy.