PIPER'S P.O.V.

"Ri, are you sure I don't look too slutty?"

"No, Piper! You look gorgeous!"

I decided to buy a sailor costume for my brother's party but once I got it home, I started to have second thoughts.

"Who am I even dressing up for? Harry won't be there."

I saw her grin, obviously hiding something.

"RI! What are you not telling me?"

"Oh, erm, nothing. I was just thinking about something else. Uh, you're dressing up for you! Plus, who said you couldn't send Harry a picture? It would be a shame for him to not see you like that."

"Yeah I guess so. Oh, I think that James and Ashlee are coming with us, by the way. We're leaving at one still, right?"

"Why are they coming?"

That was rude.

"Because, they're my friends and they wanted to come?"

"Uh.. okay. Yeah, one."

I knew she wasn't crazy about my new friends but she had a good time when we hung out with them the night before! It's not like they were taking her place, Riley would always be my best friend, I just needed more of a distraction from missing Harry.

"Alright, well I'm going to study a little before I get ready."

Riley walked away, pulling out her phone and calling someone as she closed her door behind her.


HARRY'S P.O.V.

When I had stepped off of the plane, the Orlando airport wasn't too crowded, which I was thankful for. I made it to the ticketing area, only stopping to talk to three fans. The officer who escorted me hadn't even said hello; he just walked in front of me and got defensive if someone came within ten feet. I took out my phone and called Piper's mum. She picked up on the second ring and I told her that I would be outside soon. She told me to look for a large white SUV. I didn't need to get any bags because I had only brought a carry-on so I walked out to the loading and unloading area, finding it to be slightly more crowded. Without much effort I found Mrs. Nie- Marie, waving excitedly from an over-sized car. I waved the guard off and started to walk toward her. Half way to the car, she jumped out and ran to me, her face flooded with genuine glee, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Oh, it's so nice to meet you! You're even more handsome in person. Come on, let's get in the car before anyone spots you."

She tried to take my bag from me but I refused and placed it in her back seat before climbing into the passenger chair.

"Thank you for picking me up, I really appreciate it. I could have taken a cab!"

"Nonsense, I was happy to do it. I apologize in advance for the mess at the house; all of Charles' family, that's my husband by the way, is at the house taking over my kitchen and it's driving me nuts!"

I couldn't help but to laugh; her mannerisms were a mirror image of Piper. Well, I guess the other way around.

"No problem, I can help if you need it."

"Oh, there isn't much to do. I could probably use your help hanging lights outside. You and Cory could do that together; you're tall enough."

"Alright," I didn't really know what to talk about with Piper's mother, besides Piper. "So, she still has no idea I'm coming, right?"

"None, whatsoever. I talked to Riley this morning and she's still clueless."

She had some sort of worry on her face but I ignored it; she seemed pretty stressed.

"Good."

She looked over and gave me a big grin which I returned, hoping we would get to the house soon. A car was a little too confined for a first meeting with your girlfriend's mother. There was no chance for escape.

"So, I'm guessing you'll go stay with her, but if you want to stay with us, her room is free. You can both stay if you want, we don't mind. We're under no impression that you guys aren't, well- you know."

I nearly choked on my own spit. I wasn't really expecting to talk about my sex life with her.

"Erm. I'll, uh, talk to Piper about it."

She chuckled at my embarrassment and continued to drive. The rest of the ride was bearable since me and Piper's intimacy was not brought up again. We pulled up to a large home, one that didn't seem to belong in Florida; not what I pictured as Florida at least. The home looked like it had been older but renovated recently. It was a two-story white wooden home with pale blue shutters sitting on a large piece of land. There were about ten cars already parked on the lawn and I started to remember that I would have to socialize with people, and certainly someone would know who I was. Marie parked in the garage and I grabbed my bag from the back, following her through the door that connected the garage to the laundry room. Everything was extremely well decorated, all fresh looking, and very clean. As soon as we entered the living room, an older man walked up to me, extending a large hand, which I shook strongly.

"Harry, so nice to meet you. I'm Charles, Piper's old man. But, call me Charlie."

"Pleased to meet you, sir."

"No sirs here. Just Charlie. How was your flight?"

Charlie was a nice looking man but both of Piper's parents surprised me with their age. They both looked like they were in their sixties but she told me that she was the oldest. They must have had kids later on.

"It was alright, not too long compared to some flights I've taken."

"Oh, yeah. When we went to Japan, honey, how long were we travelling?"

"Oh, god, I think it was two days in all. By the way, Harry, I don't need you to do the lights. Cory is almost finished; I guess one of his friends helped. Thanks though."

I nodded to acknowledge her remark. They looked like such a happy couple even though they had to have been married for a long time. Marie was moving some things around and seemed to be distracted.

"Yeah, but I'm sure you've been to Japan, huh?"

"Yeah, I loved it. Tokyo is one of my favorite cities."

"Glad my baby found someone who likes to travel! It's her absolute favorite thing to do."

"Yeah, I actually want to take her to England after this tour and maybe visit a few places around Europe. Don't say anything to her yet, though."

He looked thrilled at that idea.

"Of course not! She'd love it though, I promise," he smiled widely and looked down at my bag, which I was still carrying, "Oh, here, let me show you to Piper's room and you can get ready there or whatever."

He tried to take my bag for me but I ensured him that I could carry it and I followed him up the stairs, somehow avoiding everyone else in the house for the time being. He opened the door to a large room with a queen sized bed and pictures all over the walls. It felt strange to be in Piper's childhood room, seeing these things when she had no idea that I was there. I laughed when I saw an old One Direction poster hanging above her desk, with a heart drawn around my face. Charlie laughed with me before leaving me alone in the room.

I dropped my bag on the bed and walked around, examining a few pictures that stood out. I saw one of her and Riley where they looked to be about 13. I couldn't resist snapping a picture on my phone and sending it to Liam. I saw one picture of her family, Piper looking to be about 8, and her brother about 5. They both had missing teeth and really blonde hair. I saw another one of Piper where she seemed to be about the same age as Andy. I took a picture of that one, too. My eyes stopped on one picture that was framed and was of Piper and a guy, at what had to have been prom. Underneath the picture was a formal printed text. 'Matthew & Piper' and under that 'There is only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved.' I had never heard anything about her exes; I had assumed she had them, but not that serious. That seemed pretty serious. Why would it still be hanging in her room though? My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the open door. A guy about my age was standing in the door.

"Hey, I'm Cory. My mom said to come introduce myself."

I walked over and shook his hand.

"I'm Harry. It's nice to meet you. Oh, and congratulations on graduating."

I pulled out the card I had gotten him from my bag which contained a hundred dollar bill and a very brief, insincere note.

"Oh, uh thanks, I guess."

He didn't seem very excited to meet me; not like his parents.

"Look, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm not impressed by who you are. To me, you're just some guy that's dating my sister, and I honestly can't trust you until you prove to me that you deserve it. I don't want to sound like an asshole, and you giving me a gift is really making me seem that way."

I interrupted him, "No, I really appreciate how much you care. I'm the same way with my sister. The second I meet one of her boyfriends, I hate him instantly. Either we become friends, or I always hate him. So, I can respect that and I hope I earn your trust."

"I'm glad. I just don't want to see her get hurt again. Whether it's your fault or not."

What did that mean? I just ignored it and shook his hand again before he walked away. Before I could close the door, two girls appeared in the doorway. One looked to be about ten but the other one was a teenager. The older one spoke.

"Hi! We're Piper's cousins. I'm Sarah and this is Rachel. We both really love One Direction."

"Oh, well it's nice to meet you! Do you want me to sign something?"

"Yeah! Please!" the younger one handed me a piece of paper and was jumping up and down. I knelt down and grabbed a pen from my bag, writing a small personal note. When I handed it back to her, she ran off down the stairs but Sarah stayed in the doorway. She leaned against the door panel and pushed her chest out.

"If you ever get bored of my dear old cousin, here's my number."

She tried to hand me a piece of paper that was folded up but I kept my hands in my pockets.

"Uh, no, thanks though."

She backed up in a huff and I started to close the door as she walked away. Once I was in the room alone again, I sifted through my things to find my costume and toiletries. I brought them all with me as well as the nicely folded towel and washcloth from the bed and walked into the hallway, quickly finding the bathroom, right next to Piper's room. I turned on the shower and stepped in, feeling the hot water wash away all of the germs from the plane.

Once I was out of the shower, I dried off and pulled on my boxers and jeans, leaving the rest off for the time being. I found the gel that I stole from Zayn and started to put large globs into my hair after I towel-dried it a little. I took a comb and ran it through my hair, pushing it all to the back, except for the very front. Finally I twirled the front around in my fingers until it was as good as I could possibly get it on my own. I threw on my white shirt and tucked it in to my pants. I walked back to Piper's room and pulled on the leather jacked and my boots, pulling out some sunglasses I found on the bus. I carried them with me and grabbed my phone from the bed and put it in my back pocket.

I found my way back down the stairs and as I enter the kitchen, I hear Piper laughing outside and I can't help but to smile brightly. As I turned the corner, I saw her from the open doorway. She was sitting on one of the folding chairs in a short sailor dress and she looked gorgeous. What the fuck? She was sitting uncomfortably close to a man. A man I had never met before but I knew exactly who he was. James.

Notes

SO, what did you think?! How pissed do you think Harry's going to be? Do you think it was fine for Piper to be there with James? They are friends, after all! COMMENT :D

This is similar to what I picture the Nielsen's house to look like :)