*Harry’s POV*
*The Day of Harry’s Mother’s Party*

"Harry! Wake up!" Mom exclaimed, barging into my room and opening up the curtains. A gust of sunlight entered my room, nearly blinding me.

"Let me sleep. Please. It is summer and too early to be up!" I cried, groaning for more sleep. All night I had dreamt about Destiny. I sort liked them as well, and I just desperately wanted to go back to them.

"I can't let you sleep in any longer today. Come on. You need to help me clean and decorate the house. Today is the party, and it was already 11 am! They'll be here at 6!" Mom declared, yanking off my covers.

"Ugh, Mom," I whined covering my face with my pillow, slightly shivering now that I didn’t have my blanket on me and all I had on were my sweats.

"I want to see you downstairs in ten minutes," Mum demanded, rushing back downstairs.

"Ugh!" I moaned, falling off my bed with the pillow.

"Get up sleepyhead. Destiny will be coming, don't you want to look good for her." Gemma teased me from the doorway, laughing.

"Shut up, Gemma!" I muttered throwing my pillow at her; I missed by a mere centimetre since she ducked quickly, with that she walked away laughing.

I slowly got up and made my way to the bathroom. I threw cold water on face to walk up.

"Harry take a shower!" Mom called to me, from the kitchen as I was brushing my teeth.

"Okay!" I called back, with a mouth full of toothpaste and saliva.

After finishing up with my teeth, I stripped off my clothes and jumped into the shower. Turning on the water, I let the warm water spill over my bare body. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the dream from last night. All I could remember was that Destiny was in it, and I was very triumphal about it. As hard as I tried, I just could not recall the dream.

Climbing out of the shower, I dried myself and pulled on fresh, clean clothes. Before heading downstairs to begin the decorations, I straightened up my room.

*Destiny’s POV*

“Hey, David. What time are we supposed to be at Anne’s?” Mom asked Dad, while Dad and I were watching How to Train Your Dragon 2, and Mom made lunch.

“At 6,” Dad replied, with his eye glued to the television and his arms spread across the couch.

“In like 6 hours,” I added, crouched up in a ball on the one person couch. My family enjoys watching these animated shows.

“Alright. Lunch is served!” Mom announced. Dad and I made a mad dash for the table, as we were both starving.

*2 hours later*

“Destiny. After I take a shower. I want you to go and take yours. Then, your Dad will get it.” Mom says to me, as she starts up the staircase and I’m texting away on my phone, talking to Mable and Nicki, separately, in my room. This morning, the workers finally finished up the rest of the house, and now I got myself a beautiful place. All it needed was this wall mural I was going to paint on it, a photo banner, and the white decorate LED lights.

“Okay, mum!” I called back.

Mable and I were talking about the party at Harry’s house and was teaching my a bunch of random things I’ll need to know about the neighbourhood. Nicki and I were catching up on time lost.

Nicki had moved to America the day after I left Canada. She met a dark brown haired girl our age, named Stefanie. They seem to get along really well, Nicki thinks they’ll become good friends. I am so glad for her, just as she is with me. So, no hard feelings, thankfully. I guess in the end, everything did work its self out, fortunately.

Soon after, both Mable and Nicki needed to leave and do whatever they were required to complete. So, I put my phone aside and lay down for a while.

Moments late, just as I was about to doze off my phone made a ring noise. Sitting up, I checked it. It was Harry, he had messaged me. I opened it up, reading it, I replied back, and our conversation took off.

Harry: Hey, Destiny.

Destiny: Hi, Harry! Wassup?

Harry: Nm. U are coming over today. Right?

Destiny: Yup!

Harry: U excited?

Destiny: Meh.

Harry: Lol. Meh?

Destiny: Yeah, meh. Still trying to learn about this place you know.

Harry: So, what are you doing now?

Destiny: Talking to u until my mum gets out of the shower.

Harry: Cool. Lol

Destiny: Yup. :P

Harry: Mhmm …

“Destiny. You turn for a shower!” Mom called me, getting out of the bathroom.

“Okay, Mom! I am going!” I called back.

Destiny: Well, gtg. Mom just came out.

Harry: Okay. See you.

Destiny: Bye!

I turned off my phone and put it in charge, as I took my things and went to take a shower.

Peeling off my clothing, I climbed into the shower. Afterwards, I wiggled into clean clothes, wrapping my hair in my towel, I went to my room and searched through my closet for a cute outfit to wear.

“Hey, Destiny,” Mom says from my doorway, just as Dad gets into the shower.

“What should I wear, Mom?” I asked her, flipping through my dresses.

“Oh. It was a black and white party. So, something black and white.” Mom smiled.

“Okie Dokie,” I nodded, with that mum left to get dressed.

I searched through my closet for black and/or white dress. Several minutes after, I settled with a black high-waist draped Bal skirt, with a Talia lace top.

I let out the braids I had on all morning, now my hair looked wore very loose curls. I brushed it out to make it look more smooth.

Applying pink and white eyeshadow, black eyeliner and black mascara, I painted on a matte lipstick, along with the foundation, concealer, and contouring, I slipped into my black pump patent heels.

Searching through my jewellery box, I put on circular silver earrings and my 5-pack embellished ring bracelets.

Destiny’s Outfit:


Mum dressed in a long black and white, colour-block gown. Along with black metal heel ankle-tie heels, a long 3 layers necklace, silver hoop earrings, and a rose gold & navy watch, with bangles.

Dressing her hair into simple waves, just like mine, she caked her face with an elegant makeup style.



Faith’s Outfit:


Dad wore a black and white suit, with black dress shoes. He wore his hair with gel, shaved his face clean and applied lotion.










David’s Outfit:


“Come here, you two,” Mom called to Dad and me. She sprayed on perfume for me, as well as herself and cologne for Dad.

“Everyone set? It’s six, we should get going.” Dad declared.

“Oh, hold up!” I exclaimed, rushing back upstairs to grab my iPhone. “Family Selfie!” I insisted cheerfully. Happily, my parents stood on either side of me and we huddled together for a smiled for the camera.

“How is it?” Dad asked, peering over my shoulder, as I opened up the photo.

“Perfect!” I smiled.

“Did you get your Polaroid camera?” Mom asked.

“Oh, no! I almost forgot.” I announced, speeding back upstairs to snatch my camera.

“Alright, ready?” Mom questioned me, as I came back downstairs.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Let’s get going,” Mom announced.

Walking out the door, we noticed the girls’ families making their way to Harry’s home.

“Hey!” I waved to them, brightly smiling to them.

“Hey, Destiny!” They called back.

I walked over to them, eyeing each one of their beautiful outfits. We each traded several compliments as we arrived at Harry’s door.

Mable:


Elizabeth:


Ally:


Elizabeth’s mother knocked on their front door and waited for someone to let us in. Moments later, we were greeted by a girl, who looked very much like Harry, but older. She was dressed in a royal purple coloured, cold shoulder draped dress, with royal purple leather platform heels. Her fingers were decorated with many rings, her neck with two long gold necklaces. Her makeup seemed as though it were done by a professional makeup artist, with her royal purple lip-gloss and Purple Smokey eye makeup. She even wore her hair up in an intricate bun design, pinned together with beautiful, silver, decorative clips.

Gemma’s Outfit:


“That’s Gemma. Harry’s older sister.” Ally whispered to me, have we followed our parents into the house.

“Woah, really? She is so beautiful!” I expressed beatifically. Ally nodded empathically.

The girls and I sort of awkwardly stood there in the room next to our parents, looking at one another and wondering what to do. Fortunately, Gemma saved us from our doomed selves, or else we probably would have ended up standing there all night.

“Why don’t you girls with me?” Gemma chuckled, motioning for us to follow her. We were led into her room.

“Wow! I love your room!’ Mable declaimed in awe. We all nodded, completely agreeing, as our eyes grazed the room.

Her walls were all painted a light, soft grey colour, except the wall which the bed was against. This wall was painted in the same soft grey pigment and plain white in stripes. Her name was painted in a golden colour just above the queen-sized bed, which was covered with black and white bed sheets. In the corner, she had a nook, that had a cute couch and bookshelf, overhead, as well as black and white curtains. This nook was situated next to her white desk and dressing table.

Gemma’s Room:

“It’s like your room, got dressed in this black and white themed party too.” Elizabeth giggled.

Gemma plopped down in her desk chair, while Ally, Elizabeth and Mable sat on her couch, and June and I settled on the edge of her bed.

“Thank you so much.” Gemma smiled. “You girls so look beautiful.”

“So do you.” June returned with a bright lit smile.

“Just out of curiosity … weren’t we all supposed to wear black and white?” I shyly asked, trying not to sound rude, as I eyed Gemma’s outfit.

“Oh yeah.” Gemma laughed. “I am not staying for the party. It is my best friend’s birthday, today. So, I am going over to her house, in some time.”

“How about the suitcases …?” Ally asked, as her gaze fell upon the black Stella Mccartney suitcase, which bore a gold jewelled lining around the edges of the luggage, along with a matching handbag. Next to the suitcase lay her brown buckled flap backpack and her iPhone 7, which was dressed in a sparkly rose gold case.

Gemma’s bags:

“Oh! Those things. After the party, we are going straight to the airport. We are flying to France for the summer!” Gemma grinned, happily.

“Oh my gosh, that’s so cool. Is it going to be only the two of you?” Elizabeth asked.

“No. Our boyfriends will come as well.” Gemma casually says with a smile.

“So I guess you guys will be going to the fence with all the locks of couples on it. To seal your love forever.” I dreamily say, teasing Gemma.

“Absolutely.” Gemma laughed, alongside with my friends.

“Where are you going to stay?” Mabel asked.

“My friend has a cousin in France, with this huge house!” Gemma explained. “We will be staying there, in their guest rooms. Oh, it's going to be so much fun!”

“Oh, that’s amazing.” June nodded.

“What are your plans?” Ally questioned her, as we had nothing better to do.

“Well, we will be there for almost the entire summer. My friend’s cousin is giving us all a tour around France, so we are going to see as much as possible in the time we have, and practically everything. Then, we’ll be home about two weeks before school starts in September.” Gemma says, enlightening us, with her well thought out plan.

“Wow. You have everything planned perfectly.” Elizabeth commented.

“Yup. We have been planning this trip for years now.” Gemma smiled brightly, the excitement beaming from her face.

“BUZZ! BUZZ!” The loud blaring of the small alarm clock jarred us out of our quiet conversation. Immediately, Gemma jolted up and shut off the alarm.

“Shoot! I have to get going. I’ll see you girlies soon. Have fun!” Gemma exclaimed, springing up and snatching all her things and exited the room in a great rush.

“Bye!” we all call back after her, in scattered voices.

“She’s nice.” I smiled. “I like her.”

“Yeah. Gemma is way better than Harry. I wonder how they could even be related.” Ally pointed out.

“Who is way better than me?” a husky, British voice queried. The voice came from the doorway. Turning our heads to see who had said that, we see Harry, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and a smirk plastered on his face.

He wore a slim studded leather patch denim jeans, along with a solid black, silk necktie and a Rado Men’s Swiss Diamond wrist watch. He had even slipped on a pair of black high-top Casual Sneakers from Finish Line. Finally, he has thrown on a casual white coloured long sleeved slim fit dress shirt, which defined all of his muscles very well.

Harry’s Outfit:

I found myself in awe, of his hard, lean frame as he stood with a muscular figure. The sleeves of his shirt fit too tight over his muscular arms. The way his shirt hugged his upper body and broad shoulders, looked very much attractive.

I was suddenly jolted from my gazing, by June shaking me vigorously, my attention immediately directly back into reality.

“Destiny, you alright?” June laughed.

‘Damn it.’ I swore in my head.

“Yeah, sorry. I, uh, was thinking about something.” I stuttered, quickly making up a lie.

“Mhmm.” Harry hummed, as to say he didn’t believe a word I had said. I turned back to see Harry’s devious knowing smirk, as he had caught me staring.

“I swear!” I exclaimed, defending myself.

“Alright. Alright.” Ally chuckled.

*Harry’s POV*

“Harry. I am leaving now, and the girls are in my room.” Gemma said from the doorway, with her bag flung over her shoulder, her phone clutched in her one hand and her suitcase and handbag in the other.

“Oh, they are? Why didn’t you tell me before?” I asked, thinking that they had ditched the party, as I gotten up and walked over to my older sister.

“I wanted to get to meet Destiny, calm down.” Gemma shushed me. “She’s really nice too. So I don’t want you to mess up her life like those other girls.”

“Whatever. Have fun. And don’t forget to get me something from France.” I sighed, reminding her.

“I won’t. Goodbye Harry.” Gemma says giving me a quick hug. Then, waving friends, who were all gathered around my room. “Bye boys.”

“I’ll be back with the girls,” I informed my friends, as I left to Gemma’s room.

I strolled down the hall to Gemma’s room, to find the girls chatting away. They hadn’t noticed me standing by the doorway, so I decided to hear in on their conversation.

Looking around the room, each girl looked just like the next, but once my gaze fell upon Destiny, I was struck by awe.

The shiny black skirt, which had draped her lower body, hugging her slim figure and giving Destiny a look of sophistication and elegance. Her brunette hair hung down her back, like a waterfall, so graceful. She seemed to be a mixture of power, formality, mystery and simply an exotically beautiful natural. My eyes travelled all over her body, I was so stunned to see that anyone could look as magnificent as Destiny, did tonight. Pulling myself together, I listened in on their conversation.

“She’s nice.” Destiny smiled. “I like her.”

“Yeah. Gemma is way better than Harry. I wonder how they could even be related.” Ally pointed out.

“Who is way better than me?” I asked, immediately, gaining the girls attention, they seemed startled.

“Your sister,” June said.

“Oh, pfft. Everyone says that.” I brushed it off. “I am used to being her shadow. Also, I don’t really care.”

Then, my attention turned to Destiny, who's eyeing seemed to fixed on me, as if she were looking me over.

‘Guess, she likes what she sees too.’ I smirked, telling myself, just as June also noticed what I had. She shook Destiny out of the trance she seemed to be in.

“Destiny, you alright?” June laughed.

“Yeah, sorry. I, uh, was thinking about something.” Destiny stuttered, as she slowly pulled herself into reality.

“Mhmm.” I hummed, knowing exactly that every word she spoke was a lie, or at least hoping they were.

Destiny turned her attention back to me, only to see that the smirk I had plastered on my face.

“I swear!” Destiny exclaimed, defending herself.

“Alright. Alright.” Ally chuckled.

“Now what were we talking about?” Destiny questioned.

“Gemma. We were talking about Gemma.” Elizabeth filled her in, giggling.

“Oh, right. Harry, you should be thankful to have a sister like her,” Destiny assured me.

“Yeah? Well, don’t worry, I am. Deep, deep down, inside there may be a tiny bit of thankfulness.” I dramatically informed her, placing my hand on my heart, causing Destiny to roll her eyes.

“You’re horrible,” Destiny says, slightly giggling.

‘That giggle. Why is it so adorable?’ I thought to myself.

“Why don’t you girls come to my room? I have to lock up this room.” I say. The girls nodded, as they followed me out of the chamber.

“That bedroom,” I informed the girls, pointing them to the open door, coloured entirely in dull white colour. They nodded as they retired into the room.

Locking the door, I quickly pulled Destiny back, before she entered my bedroom.

“Destiny.” I quietly called her, grabbing hold of her arm, lightly.

“Yes.” She says, with a smile, whirling around to face me. She stood a mere 10 centimetres from me. Suddenly, looking directly into her stunning face, my legs weakened, and my heart dropped. Feeling so vulnerable, and unexpectedly self-conscious, I began losing memory of anything, as words seemed to slip away from me.

“I just wanted to say … uh,” I stuttered, unable to bring myself to tell Destiny, how amazing she looked tonight. As if something were stopping me.

“To say …?” Destiny questioned me with a smile, as to get me to continue my line and I desperately wanted to, as well.

“I just wanted to say … you know, um. I hope you have fun today …” I quickly answered, giving up on my original thoughts.

“Me too.” Destiny laughed. I nodded returning a smile, leading her to my room. It was a medium sized bedroom, with brown painted walls on three of the walls, the fourth wall was painted black, with quotes written in a tiny font all over it. A queen-sized bed was positioned in the centre of the room, just next to my built-in closet, which was covered with a light grey coloured slide door. A small bedside table was located next to my bed and a small, brown turning chair next to the big, bay windows. Different images of scenery photographs were framed up on my wall. A soft, white carpet covered the corner section, next to my bed and in front of my closet.

On the other side of my room, sat the dark grey couch, in front of the black wall, which held a wall clock. My bookshelf was settled just behind the couch, and a small white top desk was positioned against the wall, adjacent to the sofa.

Harry’s Room:

The boys had repositioned themselves on the long, upholstered furniture, while the girls settled on the edge of my bed, across from them. Destiny joined the girls, while I sat on my white desk chair.

An awkward silence filled the air, as no one knew what to say, next. Fortunately, soon after, Destiny broke it.

“So … um, what’s up with this black and white theme?” She had asked.

“Oh! My mother was saying, something about when we were younger, I think there was something similar to this …” Ally responded, unable to fulfil her answer.

“I believe, that it was a black and red themed party when we were younger.” Liam finished for her.

“Yeah. And I guess, since you’re back now, we are having a follow-up party.” I added.

“Wow. I guess, I left behind, a lot!” Destiny says.

“Yeah, you did.” Louis chuckled.

“Hands on, I can guarantee though that it would have been very different if you did stay.” Elizabeth pointed out.

“Yeah … different.” I say, trailing off, as my mind did so as well. Fortunately, no one noticed.

“So, what do you suppose we do now?” Zayn asked, jolting me out of my train of thought.

“Other than sit and talk, there isn’t much we can do.” Ally answered with a sigh.

“How about a game?” Destiny suggested.

“Like what?” Niall asked.

“I don’t know, think of one.” Destiny shrugged, nervously chuckling.

“I’ll check.” Elizabeth offered, pulling her phone out from under her leg. Moments later she exclaimed, “How about charades!”

“Perfect!” Louis declared.

“Me, first!” Niall shouted, raising his hand and standing up.

“I am keeping score!” Mabel said, pulling out her phone and writing down each of our names.

“Okay, Niall. Start.” I ordered him, with a smile.

“Hold on,” Niall said, he ran out of the room, and five minutes later he came back with a hammer.

“What the-“ Zayn began, just as muddled as the rest of us.

“The clue is Celebrity.” Niall cut him off. Then he started to make out with the hammer. Everyone exchanged glances of confusion. Moments later I noticed Destiny’s eyes lit up.

“Miley Cyrus!” Destiny exclaimed.

“Yes!” Niall nodded, pointing to Destiny cheerfully, making her victorious.

“How?” Mable questioned them.

“She was making out with a hammer in her wrecking ball video.” Destiny shrugged, getting up.

“Oh.” We laughed, as Destiny got up to begin her action.

“Alright um, the clue is an animal,” Destiny said. Soon after, she raised her elbow to her nose and commenced to sway her arm.

“Elephant!” I quickly blurted out immediately.

“Elephant!” Louis uttered seconds after me.

“Harry.” Destiny nodded, laughing at Louis’s failed attempt to win. I got up, replacing Destiny’s position in front of our friends, thinking of something or someone I could imitate as I did.

I finally decided upon vampires. So, I went around pinching everyone’s neck, making sure I didn’t hurt anyone as I did.

“An idiot!” Ally scolded me, as her eyebrows were being pulled together.

“Funny, but no.” I glared at her, with a half-smile.

“Bee?” Liam questioned me, I only shook my head in reply, continuing my pinching spear.

“Hint?” June asked.

“I stuck blood,” I replied.

“You are pinching everyone, how could you suck blood by nipping people!” Destiny cried as I pinched her. Glancing up at her, I thought about anything else I could do to express the actions of a Vampire.

“Fine,” I smirked, realising the perfect way to show everyone. Just then, I jumped on Destiny and attacked her neck with my mouth.

“Vampire!” Zayn and Niall exclaimed in unison, breaking into laughter after that.

“Get off me you big baboon.” Destiny declared, trying to shove me off her, her eyebrows pulled down together, and eyes shut tightly.

I chuckled as I slowly rolled to one of the bed, getting off of her. Sitting up, Destiny did the same, anger still plastered on her face. She smoothed out her skirt and touched her to make sure it wasn’t ruined, afterwards recovering.

I didn’t understand why she would even have to worry about how her hair and dressed were laid on her, she seemed to look amazing either way.

“Who is next?” Elizabeth asked as Destiny gave me a death glare.

“Zayn,” Niall says, “I already went.”

“Alright … uh.” Zayn thought for a while.

“Any time today.” Mable blurted out rushing Zayn to do something.

“Okay, I got it.” Zayn nodded. He threw out his arms so that they were parallel to the floor, then he began to run around the room like a child, making engine noises from his mouth.

“Aeroplane!” Mabel laughed, shouting out just as Zayn started.

“Hey kids, come downstairs I want to take some pictures now,” Mom called us from my doorway.

We all nodded, following her downstairs. The girls had exited my room first, immediately the boys broke off to go stand with the girl that originally had belonged to them.

Zayn and Niall were walking behind Mable and June, when Niall was whispering something into Zayn’s ear, making sure that no one other than he had heard what he said. With a smirk, Zayn nodded and then went for Mabel’s waist just as Niall was doing with June. Throwing the girls over their shoulders, they raced them into the living room, roaring with laughter.

Following Zayn and Niall, I had done the same with Destiny.

“Harry!” She shrieked, with laughter, as I ran down the stairs. Liam and Louis followed us down, doing the same with Elizabeth and Ally, respectively.

Reaching the living room, we carefully flung the girls on to the couch, everyone laughing uncontrollably.

“Alright, kiddos! Picture time!” Elizabeth’s father exclaimed, brightly holding his black Canon camera up to his chest, with both hands.

The girls all huddled together on the couch, while the boys and I sat on the ground in front of them, in any which order we had desired.

“Only the big kids.” Ally’s father says to his twin sons, grabbing hold of them as everyone watched Elizabeth’s father take, what felt like, a million photos. Each photo looked as aesthetic as the next, as they were a combination of silly, solemn and happy photographs. Everyone beamed with happy and cheerful smiles.

The moment we all got off the sofa, the younger kids raced to it, scattering all over it as they tried to position themselves. Ally’s twin brothers – Alvin and Andrew jumped right into the centre. Louis’s twin sisters – Felicity and Charlotte placed themselves on either side of the boys. Mabel’s younger brother, and June’s younger sister, George and Susie, sat next to one another on the ground in from on them. Liam’s sisters – Ruth and Nicola were on either side of Susie and George, just as Zayn’s sister – Waliyha and Safaa had done.

Elizabeth’s father took just as many, probably more, pictures of them. Each of them was just as silly as the next, with very few serious ones.

Our older siblings hadn’t gotten any of their photos taken, as they had all gone with Gemma to their friend’s birthday party. She was with Doniya, Zayn’s older sister, and Greg, Niall’s older brother.

Afterwards, the parents switched seats with the younger kids, as they all dashed off to go back and play. Elizabeth took control of the camera now, as the parents positioned themselves, the mothers on the couch, and their husbands on the ground in front of them. I noticed Mom cuddling next to Destiny’s mum, and her father in between the two of them, since Dad isn’t around anymore.

I sighed feeling sorry for my mother, she has a partner to love, like all her friends did. I guess Destiny had noticed the disappointed look on my face, which I tried really hard to cover up.

“Harry,” She whispered to me, gently yanking on my shit to get me attention, “Go sit there with her, for couple photos, she needs someone.”
Elizabeth had gone through nearly 20 pictures of the parents before I interrupted and sat with my mother, there after telling Elizabeth to take a couple more, as she begun taking couple photos.

“I love you,” Mum smiled at me, caressing my face gently.

“I love you too, Mum.” I smiled back, pulling her into a hug.

“Alright! Alright! That’s enough photographs.” Mum exclaimed as everyone parted off the couch.

“Thank you,” I whispered to Destiny.

“No need for that.” Destiny smiled at me. A smile that just seems so genuinely sweet sent an unexpected warmth through me, my immediate action was to smile back.

“Who wants to see some older pictures? Mum exclaimed, going over to our bookshelves with contained all our books and photo albums and then holding up a picture book.

“We do!” I shouted, grabbing the book out of her hands, and plopping myself on the couch. Destiny sat on one side of me, and Louis on the other, with everyone else, crowded around me.

“Oh they’re just so cute, you kids were absolutely adorable back then and of course still are now.” Mum dreamingly says. The parents towered around us, trying to see the photos as well.

On the first page, a photograph of ten kids – five girls and five boys, gathered on the couch, all dressed in cute little black and red dresses and suits.

“Oh my goodness. Is that us?” Destiny questioned, laughing as she pointed to the first photo.

“I think so!” Liam smiled.

“Oh gosh! Is that me?” Ally cried in laughter, indicating herself in that picture with her finger.

“Shit! I look ridiculous. Look at my hair!” Zayn exclaimed, laughing as well. Grazing over the photo, we all begin cracking up.

“Dear Lord. What are you all talking about? Look at my face.” Destiny giggled. In the picture, little Destiny had cake smeared all over her face.

“When was this?” Niall asked chuckling.

“When all you kids were 5 years old, a month before Destiny and her parents moved away to Canada, actually.” Zayn;s mother explained, smiling with joy.

“Good times.” Destiny’s Dad nodded and smiled, as he seemed to do off to memories of his past.

“Alright, enough with the pictures. Who wants to play some games?” Liam’s mum asked.

“What game?” Mabel inquired.

“Well, there are several. For the first one, it requires two or more players.” Niall’s mum explained.

“Me and Destiny,” I exclaimed, not knowing one bit what the game was about. I just wanted to do something with her, not even sure why I wanted that, but I didn’t fight it much.

“What?! Wait, why me?!” Destiny cried in shock.

“Let’s go,” I said, pulling her to the table which had been set in front of the couch.

“Alright, children. This game requires two stacks of blue cups.” Mabel’s father explained, setting two stacks of 20 blue cups in front of each of us.

“Also, a red cup for each of you. Put it on top of the pile.” Liam’s father says, giving Destiny and I each a red cup, to put on top of our stack of blue cups.

“Now, turn the pile upside down, and place it on the table in front of you.” June’s mother says, Destiny and I did as we were told.

“Alright, when Louis’s mum blows this horn, I want the both of you to flip your stack of cups, and then take the top cup and put it back onto the bottom of your stack. Continue until you get the red cup back to the top, and then flip it over onto the table. The first person to do so wins!” Zayn’s father finishes. Destiny and I nod, understanding the rules of the game.

“Alright. Ready. Set …” Louis’s mother begun, “HONK!!”, Went the horn. Immediately, Destiny and I went to work on our stack of cups. Yanking out each up and shoving it to the bottom of the pile as fast as we could.

“Destiny! Go! Go! Go!” the girls cheered for Destiny, encouraging her to move faster.

“Harry! Faster! You have to beat her!” my mates cheered for me. There was chaos everywhere with all the cheering, screaming and shouts of encouragement and discouragement. The excitement filled me with so much joy it encouraged me to try harder and move as fast as I possibly could.

Everyone was screaming and cheering. I was on to my last blue cup, quickly yanking it off the top and shoving it onto the bottom of the stack. I fast as I tried, it seemed that Destiny was much quicker, just as my stack was being flipped over, Destiny shouted: “DONE!”

“Woo Hoo!” Everyone screamed and shouted in glee.

“Yes!” Destiny smiled. “Ha, ha! I won!”

“Are you sure?” I smirked raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I clearly won –“ Destiny explained, I cut her off lifting her off the ground and shaking her vigorously.

“Harry! Harry! Put me down!” Destiny screamed and kicking, she had armed her arms around my neck, for extra precaution that she wouldn’t fall.

“Who won, again?” I shouted over her cries which were mixed with giggles, as I continued to jump around with her in my arms.

“Me.” Destiny cried, I shook her harder, “Okay! Okay! You won!”

“That’s what I thought!” I laughed, setting her back onto the ground.

“Hmph! Cheater!” Destiny declared pouting with her eyebrows pulled together in anger.

‘How does she look so adorable? The innocence on her face was just too attractive.’ I thought to myself. Destiny was more than just a beautiful face that I’ve seen on every other girl I’ve ever been with. Something about her made sure that everyone knew she was also beautiful on the inside. ‘How does she cause me to feel so good about myself?’ I thought, again, gazing at her beautiful.

“Whatever.” I laughed.

“Who’s hungry?” Mom questioned everyone. She wore a smile, a bright, beautiful smile that I haven’t seen since Dad had left us. As a matter of fact, she’s been smiling a lot more since Destiny and her family moved into town.

‘She is probably so happy to see her best friend again.’ I thought, reflecting how I would feel if one of my boys had left and moved away someone for an extended period of time. I, too, would feel so much happier after seeing them for so long. Dreading the thought of being separated from even one of them, I focused back onto reality.

Everyone filled up and begun taking their dinner, from the beautiful, buffet-style, arrangement of dishes, Gemma had done earlier, on the breakfast table. After getting their food, everyone split up and placed themselves all over the living room to finish their food. Conversation and laughter filled the air with joy and happiness.

Afterwards, we each got drinks, alcoholic beverages for the adults and soda for the kids, as conversations continued.

“I’d much rather have what they are having.” I sighed, peering over at the wine bottles next to the parents.

“But we can't! We are underage! It’s illegal!” Destiny demanded.

“You apparently don’t know who you’re talking to.” June laughed.

“What do you mean?” Destiny questioned her.

“We’ve drunk all kinds of alcoholic beverages,” Louis explained, with a chuckle.

“What! No! Ew, man. You boys are so horrible.” Destiny declares, heaving her eyebrows together in disgust.

“We’ve tried it too.” Mabel chuckled nervously.

“Of course you have. Nastiness.” Destiny grunted.

“You should try some too,” I tell her.

“Ew! Peer pressure!” Destiny yells, gently smacking my thigh. I jumped in shock, just as Alvin falls on to me, causing me to drop my drink all over Destiny’s top/

“Oh God! I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, apologising nervously getting up and not knowing what to do.

“Oh no. It’s alright. Don’t worry.” Destiny assured me, trying not to touch her top.

“I can lead you one of my shirts. Come with me.” I say, she nods, as she begins to follow me back to my bedroom.

“I’m so sorry, again.” I apologised, once more, feeling awful of what I’d done, axe I searched for a shirt for Destiny.

“It’s alright. Don’t’ worry about it, seriously. Accidents happen.” Destiny says, once again, assuring me that it really was alright.

“Do you want a sweater?” I asked, seeing that all my shirts were much too ugly to go with her skirt.

“Alright.” She nodded.

“I would give you one of Gemma’s tops but, I don’t seem to remember where I put the keys in her room,” I explained, giving her my green Calvin Klein Obsession sweat-shirt.

“It’s such a cute sweater.” Destiny smiled, as she took it from me.

“Yeah. I thought so too!” I smiled, Amanda hated this sweatshirt, as did all the other girls I’ve slept with.

Harry’s Sweatshirt:


“Aren’t you going to put it on?” I asked, wondering why she hadn’t changed into it yet.

“Gross Harry. Turn around, or leave the room, first.” Destiny giggled.

“But I don’t want to,” I say, pouting.

“Harry!” She exclaimed.

“Fine. Fine.” I sighed, turning around and closing my eyes. I heard Destiny shoving around behind me. Curiosity getting the best of me, I turned around quietly to peek at her. She had taken off her stained top, as she reached for the sweatshirt from my bed.

My attention went straight to her light complexion, of her glowing clear skin. It looked so smooth and gentle. Her hair danced over the bare skin.

‘So beautiful.’ I thought, watching her dress herself. Just before Destiny had put on the sweatshirt, I immediately turned back around, as to show that I’ve been looking away the whole time.

Waiting for Destiny to tell me that she was done, I wondered what was taking her so long. I could’ve sworn she was already done.

Suddenly, I felt a stinging on the sides of my stomach, yelping in shock, I turned around to see that Destiny laughing away, as she had been the one who tasered me.

“Funny, huh?” I asked her, only getting more laughter in reply. She struggled to catch her breath and answer to me. Taking this opportunity, I raced at her, and tackled her onto the bed, tickling her, causing her to laugh controllably.

“Harry – Please – Stop!” She choked out in between her laughs. Eventually, I stopped, still hanging over her, though.

“Punishment has been served.” I smiled, looking down at her.

“Mine was so light. You nearly killed me.” Destiny giggled, catching her breath.

*Destiny’s POV*

“Punishment is usually always more painful than the crime that’s been done,” Harry says to me, hanging over him, his arms, on either side of me, supporting him up.

“Well, I learned my lesson,” I swore, with a smile, laying underneath Harry, my arms on top of my belly, as I looked up to him.

“Good.” Harry smiled back. His green eyes glittered as he spoke as if he were so happy in this very moment. As I gazed into his eyes, I noticed something golden dangling from his neck.

“Harry? What is this?” I asked, holding the golden charm in my hands. It was a golden necklace, with gold paper aeroplane charm on the end of it.

“It’s a necklace, I’ve sort of always had it, you know,” Harry explained rolling to one side of the bed, next to me. I started over, allowing him space.

“It's beautiful.” I smiled, examining it carefully, as I twirled it around my fingers.

“Yeah, it is. My mother told me that it was a symbol of love. She said that one day, I will find someone with this exact same necklace. And that person, she said, will be my true love.” Harry explained as I continued to play with it.

“Do you believe in it?” I asked him, making sure I hadn’t taken my eyes off the charm.

“What: true love? Or the necklace?” Harry asked me.

“Both.”

“No and no,” Harry says, in a way that indicated there was more, but he cut himself off.

“But?” I asked him, wanting him to finish the sentence.

“Uhm, I don’t know. I never told this to anyone.”

“So? Doesn’t mean you can't tell me. I mean how many people actually asked?”

“You're right. Uhm. I want to have faith in it, the necklace. I like to believe sometimes that, one day that very special girl will come into my life and change everything.”

“Yeah?” I questioned him with a slight smile, finally taking my eyes off the charm and diverting my attention to his sparkling green eyes.

“Yeah.” Harry nodded, returning the small smile. “Why are you so fond of it anyway?”

“Oh, um. I don’t know. It just caught my eye. It's adorable.” I explained, lying about the part where I didn’t know why I had asked.

“Thank you.” Harry smiled at me, which was followed by a few moments of silence, as Harry and I lay on his bed, leaving a reasonable amount of space between us. As the minutes passed by, I felt my eyes become heavier, making it harder for me to keep them open. Soon enough, I had seemed to doze off,

*Harry’s POV*

“Thank you.” I smiled, as I looked down to my necklace, wondering what fascination she had towards it, which was following by a few moments of silence. Destiny and I lay on my bed, with a large gap separating the two of us. I watched her eyes, as they became droopy, shutting and opening, repeatedly, until they finally closed and Destiny had fallen into a nap.

I caught myself gazing at Destiny as she slept. Her hair falling across her face, I, gently, brushed it off to reveal her beautiful face.

As I watched her, I noticed something golden around her neck and tucked into my sweater. Curiosity took me over, compelling me to want to see the chain around her neck. Carefully remove it from inside my sweater, I took it out, holding the charm at the end of the necklace, I realised that it was the exact same aeroplane necklace I had on.

‘What the-!’ I thought to myself, examining Destiny’s charm, next to my own, ‘It’s the same thing. How? Wait. Does that mean she is the one? What? Good Lord, I’m so stupid. Shut up, Harry. True love doesn’t exist. You’re going to end up sleeping with this girl some day soon and then leave her.’

Just then I heard footsteps coming up the stairwell. Not wanting anyone to know that I had been watching Destiny sleep, I pretend to be asleep as well.

I began to hear whispered footsteps around my bed, wondering what was happening, I was startled by loud, scattered screams.

“ARGH!” Destiny and I cried, shooting up from the bed, realising that our friends had come into my room to fetch us, but decided to scare us instead. The scattered screams with now replaced with howls of laughter.

“What the heck, guys!” I exclaimed, rubbing my eyes.

“Oh my goodness. I just had a mini heart attack. Remind me to NEVER sleep when you loons are around.” Destiny muttered, throwing her hair behind her shoulders, as she got off the bed.

“Come on. We are going to play some more games, downstairs.” Niall says to us, laughing at our terrified faces.

*Harry’s POV*

The rest of the night went by with a breeze and was a huge success. All the guests with drinks in hand were chatting in the hallways, playing games in the living room, leaning against doorways. Elizabeth’s father going around snapping pictures of all the happy people.

Later that night, everyone went to the backyard. They all mingled under the glow of blue, red, and green lighting winking in the trees, their faces illuminated by the light of kerosene torches propped everywhere. I had earlier decorated a section of the yard, between two tall trees into a staging area, where each of us could laugh and sing karaoke. My face ached from the strain of smiles and laughs, plastered on my face. Yet, I didn’t mind. The night was so beautiful, the party seemed so much better than any other one I have been to. It made me realise that I didn’t need alcohol to have fun, I just needed the right people next to me.

Destiny and I were talking away, sitting on the patio in the backyard, where we were soon reunited with our other friends. We all laughed and chatted away. Just as Louis was about to say something, something had exploded, and a burst of fire lit up in the sky.

“Fireworks!” Destiny exclaimed.

Fireworks:

We all looked up to the sky. Kids hooted and scream with each crackle and whoosh. People cheered, burst into applause each time flares sizzles and exploded into bouquets of fire. Every few seconds, the backyard lit up in sudden flashes of red, green, and yellow.

In one of those brief burst of light, I saw something I’ll never forget: Destiny’s smile. The way her lips lifted upward, her one dimple crinkled. The way her teeth were perfectly aligned. The warm glow of happiness she gave off. She was filled with so much joy. Her smile seemed to illuminate the dark sky of the night. She seemed as if she were weightless, so much to the point that I would have to hold her down to keep her from flying away. All the world slowly vanished, leaving it to only her and myself. Watching her, I felt as though I was devoid of my problems, unburdened, and able to see without any filters or restrictions. Somehow, she had freed my spirit from all that, the pain seems lessened and further away. The light winked out, his and a crackle, then another flicker of orange light: and suddenly, I noticed my heart beating, as if it hasn’t done that in many years.

Then, quiet darkness.

Notes