Homecoming

Realization

Riley's P.O.V

After our shower I told Harry to go home and get dressed so that I could get ready on my own. I decided to get a bit more dressed up since we were also going to a party afterward. I scanned my closet for a few minutes before pulling out a black long sleeve button up shirt that was a kind of shear material, I also picked out my favorite dark red skirt with a thin brown belt. I loved the way these two items looked together. I laced out my clothes on the bed and turned on my curling iron, deciding on putting my hair in loose curls.

As I got dressed I allowed my mind to wander. I just then came to the realization that my mum doesn't know me and Harry are officially together. I laugh to myself at a conversation her and I had a week or so ago.

FLASHBACK

I closed the door behind Harry after struggling to get him out, he was being his usual pest self and acting like the kid that he secretly is. My mum called me from the kitchen and I skipped over there.

"Yes mum?" I said plopping my bum in one of the stools.

She glanced at me as she chopped some vegetables for the stew she was making. "So..." She says raising her eyebrows.

I chuckle at her weirdness, "Soooo..." I reply. I am starting to get nervous of what this conversation will turn into.

"You and Harry seem to be spending an awful lot of time together lately." She continues, a sly smile appearing on her face.

I chuckle and grab a piece of carrot that she chopped. "Yes we have. What are you trying to insinuate mother?" I ask nibbling on the carrot I stole.

Raises her eyebrow at me "I think you two would make quite the couple." She tells me.

I nearly choke on the carrot I was in the middle of swallowing. "Uuuh, what makes you say that?" I ask now completely taken by surprise. My mum has always been very observant but i never expected her to come to this type of conclusion.

"Well you two are extremely close. You both have a lot in common. There doesn't seem to be anything you don't know about each other." She explains. She's right in pretty much every aspect. "I can tell you like him quite a bit Riley. I can also see that he returns those feelings." she adds.

I shake my head "We're just friends mum, I have no idea what you've been seeing but I can tell you there's nothing there other than a very close friendship." I half lie. My feelings for Harry have intensified but I know all he wants is to be friends.

She chuckles and I shoot her a questioning look "Alright Riley. All I'm saying is that I have amazing judgement, and I can practically see the future." We both laugh at her ending statement. "Jokes aside, if you two do get involved just be careful love. I like Harry and I wouldn't want to have to have him beaten up for hurting my baby girl." She says to me.

I laugh and shake my head. "Okay mum, whatever you say."

END OF FLASHBACK

I guess my mum really can see the future. I laugh to myself as I slip my heels on. I head back to the bathroom to touch up my hair and makeup. My phone startles me when I hear it vibrate on the sink.

Curly <3: you ready love?

Me: yes sir, just finished.

Curly <3: good cuz I just pulled up. Come outside.

After putting away my makeup and grabbing my bag i head downstairs and out the door. Harry is waiting for me by his car and his eyes nearly pop out of his head when he sees me. "Careful there Harry, open your eyes any wider and your eyes will fall out." I tease. I give him a quick kiss and climb in the car.

"You look amazing Ri." He says as he gets in the car himself.

I smile "Thanks babe, you look sexy as usual." I compliment, winking as well. He smiles and takes my hand in his and makes our way to his house.

"So I guess tonight would be a good night to tell everyone that we're together right?" He asks me halfway to his house. I turn my head quickly to him. I thought he told his mum already. "What?" He asks, concern now lacing his voice.

"You haven't told your mum yet?" I asked now beginning to get nervous. What if she doesn't approve?

"Uh not really but I think she kind of knows. She's been hinting at it. I wanted to wait and tell everyone at the same time, make it special. Ya know?" Butterflies erupted in my stomach at his words.

Harry is really the romantic type, always putting in so much thought to things. I smile at him and he smiles back. "Yea that makes sense. But now I'm nervous. What if they don't approve? I don't know how I would handle our relationship being frowned upon." I admit to him.

He squeezes my hand reassuringly "Hey, don't worry. My mum loves you, Robin loves you, who cares what Gem thinks." He says making us both chuckle.

"My mum loves you too. She's not going to have a problem, she predicted it weeks ago." I admit laughing again.

"See everything is fine, we're fine. Nothing is breaking us apart." His words reassure me and I am put at ease. He brings my hand up to his mouth kissing it several times before rubbing his thumb soothingly where his lips just were.

-

Dinner went really quickly and we were just sitting at the table chatting and eating dessert. Harry looked to me and I saw the question in his eyes so I nodded giving him the go ahead. He cleared his throat and all eyes were on him. "So, since everyone we care about is here, except Gemma, I wanted to tell you all something." Harry starts. "Riley and I are dating." He says grabbing my hand. I smile at his simplicity, getting straight to the point, good job styles.

Both my mum and Anne laugh and Harry and I look at them in confusion. "Loves, we're mums. We knew this already. I'm glad you're telling us but we both knew." Anne tells us. I smile and shake my head, of course they knew.

"Well I wasn't aware but I am happy for you two. You are both great kids and I can see how well you get on with one another." Robin says. I smile at his kind words.

"I want to say one thing." My mum interjects. Now I'm afraid. "Harry, you know what my daughter has gone through. You know her history from Arizona and you know what happened this past week." She continues. I tense at her words and Harry squeezes my hand in an attempt to comfort me. "As strong as she is, she is fragile as well. You need to promise me that you will try your hardest not to break my baby's heart." She finishes.

Harry does not hesitate to answer. "Mrs.Starrke, your daughter is one of the strongest people I know. I know what she's been through and it kills me everyday that I couldn't protect her from any of it but if I can do anything it will be to promise not just you but her as well that I will do everything in my power to stop anymore pain to be inflicted upon her." He says as he looks directly at my mum but directing the words to me as well. "Granted, I am a 17 year old boy so I am bound to screw up at some point but if I do I would run on hot coals if it thats what it took to fix things." He finishes. The table is silent at this moment as we all take in what Harry just said.

This moment is when I realize that I am completely in love with this boy sitting next to me.