I pulled my hair into a side braid.
Black or white dress…? White.
I set the dress down and went downstairs to cook breakfast.
I decided on pancakes.
I snapped my head up as the doorbell rang.
I didn’t want them waking up dad.
I raced barefoot.
I looked confused when I opened the door to Harry.
Okay this guy has to stop showing up like this.
“Please help me.” he groaned.
“What?”
He pointed down to Lux.
She had a puffy face.
“Her braids came out. Please fix them.” Harry begged.
I giggled.
“Why up so early?” I yawned.
It was six am.
I was only up because I wanted to eat something hot for breakfast.
“Her bus leaves in twenty minutes.”
I looked her over. She was totally ready with her bag and everything, besides the tears and braids.
“Come on.” I grabbed Lux.
“Stay.” I said as Harry tried to follow us.
I pulled Lux up to my room.
“Here. Clean up while I redo your hair.” I handed her a face wipe.
I quickly rebraided her hair.
“Five minutes left. I’m awesome. Come on let’s get Harry.” I pulled her.
We found Harry...in the recliner, asleep.
His mouth agape, snoring.
He looked…adorable! I just wanted to take a picture.
Which I did.
Lux laughed as I took a picture.
This was so going under the blackmail column bitch.
“Why don’t I take you?” I held out my hand.
She nodded.
She lead me to her bus stop. Which was in front of her house.
“You will wake up Haz right? He gets crazy when he wakes up late.” Lux smiled.
“I promise.” I rubbed her shoulder.
Her bus pulled up.
“Thanks Emily!” She hugged my legs and ran to the bus.
I waved as the bus drove off.
I walked back to my house.
“Dad.” I said startled, jumping back slightly as I closed the door.
He was leaned over the recliner.
“Emily…who is this strange boy?” He looked down at Harry.
Dad was only in pajamas, cup of coffee in hand.
“Um, dad meet Harry.” I bit my lip.
“Well what’s he doing here?”
“He um, he’s our neighbor and I- I did his sister’s hair last night but then it came out so while I was about to make breakfast they showed up at our door so being nice I just redid her hair because, dad come on Harry can’t do hair. So while I was doing it, I guess he dozed off so I just took Lux to the bus stop which was only two houses down. Then I came back which leads us up till now.” I blabbered.
He took a moment to take it all in.
“Why did you do her hair in the first place?”
I took a deep breath to start it again.
“Well his parents died in a car crash just like mom and Hal. And he’s supporting Lux on his own. Well anyways his hot water heater broke and he needed to give Lux a bath so I let them because come on dad try saying no to a little 8 year old girl like awe! So I let them then I was making pizza so I invited them to stay for Lux because like I said she’s Lux! So before eating I did her hair.”
I took a few deep breaths to calm my breathing down to normal.
“So…why is he still here?” He looked at him.
“Not sure.” I crossed my arms peering down at the curly haired boy.
He looked so innocent asleep. Too bad he was anything but.
“Harry.” I shook him with my foot.
“Well that’s not a nice way to wake someone up.” Dad commented.
“Well I don’t wanna touch him!”
“Emily.” Dad looked at me.
“Well you wake him up.” I stuck my tongue out.
“Nah. Continue the foot.” He nodded.
I smiled and continued shaking him.
“Geez this guy won’t budge.” I groaned.
I wonder if a good punch would do the trick?
Dad and I looked at each other.
“Water bucket.” We nodded.
I grabbed the bucket and dad turned on the water.
We filled the bucket up.
This is how we used to wake Halle up. Ah good times.
Oh Harry is going to hate me.
“One, two, three!” Dad and I counted down till we poured the water on Harry.
He shot up and shook himself off.
Harry looked up at us, resembling the Incredible Hulk before he ‘shifted’.
He looked attractive I’ll give him that.
Wet white tee shirt, wet mop of curls…okay I give in.
Geez Emily you shouldn’t be thinking this way with your dad here.
But...but-
Emily Rae!
Fine. But admit it, he looks very good wet.
Touché.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
He had tattoos on his chest!
I only saw the one on his wrist because he always had a jacket on when I’d seen him.
The padlock.
“Emily…what’s going on?” Harry huffed.
I high fived dad.
“Dad this is Harry.” I laughed.
“Harold Styles.” Harry stuck an arm out, smiling forcefully.
I could tell he wanted to blow up, but it made me smile that he stayed retained.
“Mason Hale.”
“Harry, why don’t you go home and get changed?” I laughed.
“Sure. Wait! Where’s Lux?” He started looking around frantically.
“Calm down. I took her to the bus stop already.”
He took a breath of relief.
“Well. I’m going to go…change. Do you…want a ride to school?” He asked, slightly unsure.
I looked at dad.
“Don’t look at me. I just smelled coffee. I’m going back to bed. I’ll be at your school later. Later bud!” He shook my hair and went upstairs.
“Dad! I just did my hair!” I groaned.
Harry smiled at me.
“So?” He looked up at me.
“Sure.” I nodded. "But no touching!" I added.
“Be ready by eight.” he smirked.
“School starts at eight!” I gasped.
“I was kidding. Seven-thirty.” he said before leaving the house.
I fell back onto the couch.
I cannot believe what this guy is doing to me.
Touchy, deceptive asshole.