I was forced into consciousness before my eyes were ready to peel themselves open. I opened my eyes and read the clock on the bedside table, 6:08 a.m. We had been in bed for about four hours but my body decided it was time to wake. I was aware of Harry’s sleeping body next to mine so I gently rolled out of bed and grabbed my sweatpants, pulling them on and quietly making my way downstairs.
I made myself some tea and perched myself in the window seat opposite the dining room table, watching the sunrise. My mind revisited the events of the night, the feelings of disgust and fear rising again. I traced my fingers gently across my collarbone where the marks were and tears sprang to my eyes. I shook my head of the memories and sat there in quiet until I heard soft feet padding down the stairs.
“Good morning Love,” Harry greeted in his deep, raspy morning voice as he poured himself tea. “You feeling alright?” He came over and sat on the edge next to me.
“I’m fine,” I answered watching him over the lip of my cup as I took a drink.
“Are you sure?” he raised his eyebrows and tilted his head sideways a bit.
I chuckled at him, “I’m sure, Haz. I appreciate your concern.”
He smiled at me, “Alright, alright.” He paused a moment before he continued, “Hey what do you say to having the lads over for dinner tonight?” He smiled wide as he watched my unsure reaction. “C’mon I know Perrie wanted to meet Jen and Niall has been begging for your cooking lately. It would be perfect!” His eyes were hopeful and slightly closing, dimples stamped into his cheeks and teeth a bright array between his lips. He was using that “child begging his mum for something” look that he knew I couldn’t say no to.
I rolled my eyes and reciprocated his smile, “Yea, it sounds like fun.”
“Great, I’ll go call the lads!” he exclaimed as he jumped up and started out of the kitchen.
“Harry.”
“Yea?” he said turning on his heel.
“It’s half seven in the morning. The guys won’t even be up yet.”
His face slightly fell a he realized I was right. “But hey,” I said standing and walking towards him. “Why don’t we take a trip to the market, get what we need for dinner, then you can call them when we get back, yea?”
“Okay.”
We deposited our cups in the sink and made our way back to his room. I walked straight to his closet and started rummaging through it. “Harry, I’m stealing one of your jumpers.”
I heard him laugh, “It’s going to swallow you.”
“So, even better.” I pulled out a light grey one with pads on the elbows and a square pocket on the left side. I threw it over my head as Harry came into view fully clothed.
He looked over to me and pointed to the hem of his jumper, “See I told you it would swallow you.” he smiled.
I poked my tongue out at him, “So what!”
We laughed as we made our way down the stairs and to his car.

We strolled the aisles of the supermarket, cart full of ingredients for a dinner to feed ten.
“Alright I still need…” I said running my finger down the list, “Chocolate chips, peanut butter and all the cheeses.”
I led the way towards the baking aisle with Harry in tow, pushing the heavy cart. “All the cheeses? What kinds of cheese do you need?”
I picked up the peanut butter and tossed it to him, “Parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella.” I tossed the chocolate chips in the basket and started towards the dairy section. “Have I never made you my homemade mac and cheese?” I turned to glance at him briefly.
“Not that I can recall.”
“Really? Hmmm. Well you’ll have it tonight. Fer has been practically begging me to make it since she told me she was coming to visit. It’s her favorite.”
“Well,” he looked at me like he was hurt. “I see you can only make it when your sister comes.” He fake pouted.
I rolled my eyes, “You’ll live Haz.” I chuckled as I dropped the cheeses into the cart.
He stuck his tongue out at me as we made our way to check out.

I heard the bell as I was stirring the green beans into the caramelized bacon and roasted almond mixture. “Hazza! Can you get that?” I yelled to him as I felt the heat from the stove tickle at my hairline, causing beads of sweat to form.
“Sure.” I heard the front door open followed by greetings, then footsteps approaching.
“Mmmmmm, smells delicious Natalie.” I heard Louis’ familiar appreciation.
“Yes, it really does.”
I felt a light peck on my cheek followed by Perrie’s lovely voice by my side, “Anything I can help with?”
I replaced the lid to the greenbeans, “Oh, no. I’m almost finished.” I grabbed the pot of pasta, “Excuse me. You guys go make yourselves at home, dinner will be shortly.” I called over my shoulder to them as I strained the pasta.
“Okay, alright” I heard as they left the kitchen and I made my way back to the stove, the pasta replaced in the pot. I glanced at the timer on the oven, 7 minutes. Perfect, I thought. I poured the heavy cream into a pot to heat up while I stirred the butter into the hot pasta followed by the cheeses. When the cream was heated I shredded a generous amount of parmesan into it along with some chopped scallions and stirred it all together. I took another look at the timer, 2 minutes. Alright.
I heard the bell again and the second the door opened, “FOOD!!! I can smell it, oh my god it smells so good.” Niall shouted as he entered the house.
“Hi, Niall.”
“Hey Hun,” said Liam, with a hand on my hip and a peck to the side of my forehead.
I subtly moved away from his hand as I poured the mac and cheese into a large bowl. “Can you set that on the table Li?” I avoided his eyes as I asked him.
“Sure.”
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
I sauntered to the stove and pulled the chicken out, piling it onto a larger plate. “Ni, can you call the others in please?” I asked as I set the chicken on the table.
“Yea; hey you crazy mofos, its dinnertime!”
I set the green beans and cheese sauce on the table as everyone minus two took their seats. “I will be right back.” I said excusing myself and bolting up the stairs.
“Hey Fer, Tanya, everyone is here and waiting at the table.” I said as I rushed around trying to change out of my sweaty clothes.
“Okay we will see you down there.” Tanya said, as they exited the room.
I ran out of the room shortly after them and we all walked into the kitchen together.
“Natalie, that must be your sister.” Perrie said with a big grin as everyone glanced up.
“How’d you know?” I scrunched my eyebrows together tilting my head to the side and smiling.
“You have the same beautiful hazel eyes.”
I giggled, “Well thank you. And yes, this is my sister Jennifer and her girlfriend Tanya. And this is Perrie, Zayn, Louis, Eleanor, Liam, and Niall.” I pointed around the table as everyone greeted one another and we took our seats.
“Shall we dig in.”
“YES!” Niall shouted and we all laughed.
We all served our own food and began eating. It was unusually silent for having all of us here and it made me slightly nervous. Until Niall startled me with a deep groan, “Mmm, This is amazing Natalie.”
“Is the mac and cheese homemade?”
“Yup.”
“Yea our grandpa taught her.”
“That’s where I learned to cook.”
“It really is amazing sweetie,” Perrie said after she swallowed her bite. “Have you ever thought of catering?”
I shrugged, “Not really… cooking is more something I do for fun, for friends and family.
“Well…” she looked into my eyes. “Would you cater, I don’t know,” she shrugged and I scrunched my eyebrows at her, “Say maybe a friend’s wedding?”
Everyone but Zayn looked up at her in curiosity. She held up her left hand and there was a ring around her third finger, “We’re engaged!” There were squeals and claps and slaps on the back of congratulations as Zayn and Perrie each wore a huge grin of satisfaction.
Once the noise died down I answered, “Of course I will cater your wedding.”
We brought out the champagne as our night of togetherness and friendship turned into one of celebration.