A Reason to Love

It’s now Friday morning and I need to finish preparing my condo for Harry’s stay as well as for my siblings. I used all day yesterday to clean, but also I’m a girl who is easily distracted so I was not able to finish it all, which I expected. I don’t have to pick Harry up form the airport until noon so I have a lot of time to kill. Keen’s game isn’t until seven tonight so after picking Harry up I’m taking Harry to my mom and dad’s house and we’re going to pick up August, Andrew, and Amaya up from school. Every Friday I pick them up from school and take them somewhere for an hour before bringing them back to mom’s and dad’s. Today I think Harry and I are going to take them mini golfing since it’s a rainy day and nobody likes being rained on. Well at least my younger siblings and Harry don’t like it. I really don’t mind getting rained on.

When I started cleaning it was nine and twoish hours later I finally finished all the way and got ready to go pick up Harry. It took me thirty minutes to get to the airport and once there I checked my phone and saw a text from Harry telling me that he was going to Camille’s apartment and that he would be staying there all weekend. I instantly began the thirty minute drive back home. If I said this didn’t hurt me I would be lying. I’ve been excited all week to spend a whole weekend with my best friend and it all crumbled. We’ve planned this months ago and it sucks that plans changed for a girl, but he’s in love and I have to respect that. No matter what I’d rather have him put her first because she is his girlfriend in the end and I’m just the best friend. I know some may disagree with me, but I’d never get in the way of a relationship.

This actually isn’t the first time this has happened with Harry. The first time this happened was when he was supposed to come with me to Bella’s birthday party, but instead he went out with Camille. Whenever Harry is in a new relationship she gets all of his attention, which is understandable at the beginning of a new relationship. It’s the part where you are infatuated with them and being apart from them is the worst thing in the world. I can’t fault Harry for his actions, because I’m pretty sure I was the same way with Cameron when we first started dating. Actually now that I think about it I was that way through our whole relationship. I know there was a point where I was either in the studio or at his house. I never hung out with my friends and barley texted them. He was my whole world for wayyy too long.

Since I didn’t have to get Harry I just drove to mom’s and dad’s and when I got inside the house was empty so I’m assuming they’re either running errands or they’re on set. Either way I didn’t care and just went up to my room and laid down. I actually ended up taking a nap and was only woken up when I felt someone gently shaking me. When I opened my eyes I found Peter sitting on the edge of my bed smiling at me.

“Hey daddy,” I said stretching and letting out a yawn.

“Hey Elliebug. How long have you been here?” He asked as I sat up. I checked my phone and saw that it was now two.

“About two hours. I figured you were either running errands or were on set so I just came up here,”

“Gotcha. Where’s Harry? I thought you said he was going to be with you,” I explained to him that Harry will be staying with Camille instead this weekend. It kind of saddened my dad because over the years he’s grown to treat Harry like one of his own and he always enjoys when he visits.

“Well Eli should be here any second actually,” Peter said and I nodded my head. He stood up and kissed the top of my head before leaving the room. Much like Sunrise he has stepped up as a father figure to myself and Eliot even though we had Papa. He accepted the two of us as much as he accepted our mom and he doesn’t treat us any different than he does the three children that he has with our mom. When my dad was sick and couldn’t go to my father daughter dance when I was in second grade Peter took me instead.

Being raised by two parents can be heard especially when step-parents come into the picture, but Eliot and I are blessed enough to have adults that cared about our best interest. We were also lucky that they all got along well, and still continue to get along well. I remember once that I asked my mom why we took vacations with Papa and Sunrise and she told me it was because as soon as they got married we were all one big family. At the time this confused me because Madison’s parents were divorced and they hated each other and barley spoke to each other. As I got older I understood that they did it all for us. They wanted what was best for us and for them that was being a big mixed family. Not only has this had a positive impact on myself and Eliot, but our other siblings as well. Since August and Odette are around the same age they’ve become really close and are basically best friends.

“Doofus get down here!” I heard Eli shout and I rolled my eyes and sighed as I got out of my bed and headed downstairs.

“Doofus? Really Eliot?” I asked as I hugged my brother.

“Yup,” He said smiling proudly and I gently punched him in his side.

“Okay you two calm it down,” Peter said laughing at us.

“Dad, I was wondering if it would be okay if I had the kids all weekend,” Eliot said.

“I don’t see why not. We’ll have to check with your mom when she gets home, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Dad said and Eli nodded his head before turning to look at me.

“I know you’re keeping Dette, Bella, and Keen this weekend. I was wondering if I could have them as well. I need all six of them to help me with a project for the wedding. Plus Madison wants to take them to try on their dressed and tuxes,” He said.

“I guess so, but I want to help,” I whineed and he laughed.
“Of course you can help sis. I’ll pick up the kids from school today and I guess meet you at the game tonight. Is Harry still coming it?” He asked and I shrugged my shoulders. I was hoping Harry would still want to come to the game since I mentioned it to Keen earlier this week, but who knows at this point. I know that he’ll act like he’s not disappointed by Harry’s absences, but I know Keen better than that. Harry’s like an older brother to him so as soon as I informed him that he was coming Keen’s face lit up. I don’t want to be the one to break it to my brother, but I know I’ll have to if Harry doesn’t come.

“Not really sure. I’ll try calling or texting him in a bit, but I think he’s with Camille right now so who knows if he’ll answer,”

“Have you met her yet? They’ve been dating for like six months,” Eliot said.

“Not yet. I guess I’m going to meet her at some point this weekend, but who really knows,” I said just as our mom walked in.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” she said coming and hugging both of us at once.

“Are you okay with me taking the kids for the whole weekend? I’ll have them back to you by Sunday evening,” Eliot asked once we were released.

“It’s okay with me,” She said going and setting the bags in her arms in the kitchen. The three of us followed her into the kitchen and I instantly, out of habit, began to put away the groceries and so did Eliot. Growing up it would have been easy for my mom to hire someone to do everything in the house, but she and papa wanted us to have as normal as a childhood as possible so we did everything ourselves, which I’m not mad abou. We didn’t need a maid, we were able bodied. They also agreed that we didn’t need a nanny so we were completely raised by our parents and step-parents.

“What are you doing this weekend Elliebug?” She asked me.

“Not really sure. I’ll either me writing songs or I’ll be hanging out with Eliot and the kids,” I said as I put the apple juice she bought in the fridge.

“Sound productive,” she said and I nodded my head. To be honest when I’m not doing either of those two I’ll most likely be moping about the fact that my best friend won’t be under the same roof as me all weekend.

“Ellie your phone is ringing,” Peter said pulling me out of my thoughts. I finished putting the eggs in the fridge and then hurried over to where my phone was on the counter and answered it.

“Hello?” I questioned upon answering it.

“Ellie Bellie,” I heard Harry said in a cheerful tone.

“Oh hey Haz. What are you up to?” I asked him.

“Well I’m glad that you asked that great question. I’m currently sitting outside your condo. Where are you?”

“I’m at mom’s and dad’s. Why are you at my condo? Aren’t you supposed to be with Camille?” I asked in confusion.

“That was a lie so I could surprise you! Do you really think I’d ditch our plans?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Oh sush! Now, should I just stay here and wait for you or should I head over to your parent’s house?”

“Just wait there. I’ll be there soon. Do you remember where the spare key is hidden?”

“In the dirt in the flower pot on the left?” He questioned and I confirmed that he was right. After hanging up with him I said goodbye to my mom, dad, and Eliot and the headed back to my condo. It took me ten minutes and when I got inside I found him sitting on my couch with a bag of pretzels next to him.

“I leave you alone in my house for ten minutes and you’ve already broke into the food,” I said startling him and this made me bust up laughing.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. Now come hug before before I decide to leave you,” He said standing up. I went to my best friend and was engulfed into his embrace. Right after papa, Harry is my second favorite person to hug. I don’t know how to explain it, but it instantly makes me feel safe and protected. Actually being around Harry in general causes me to feel this way.

“I missed you so much,” I said as we continued to hug.

“I missed you too Elliana. Promise me we won’t go this long without seeing each other again,”

“Okay I know I can be dramatic, but it’s only been about six months since we’ve seen each other in person Harry,”

“I know and it’s been six months too long Elliana,” He said releasing me from his embrace.

“Whatever you say Haz. Oh, tonight Keen has a soccer game so we’re going to that,” I said warning him.

“Beanie and sunglasses it is then,” he replied sitting back down on the couch and I nodded my head while sitting down next to him. The two of us then spent the next three hours catching up with each other. I had learned that he and Camille have officially used the big “L” word. He really thinks she’s the one for him, but I’m warry. He’s said this about all of his other girlfriends, so I just have to always be ready and prepared to pick him up incase he gets knocked down. He even asked me how my relationship search was going and I informed him that the search was nonexistent at this point.

“Come on Ellie. Let me set you up with one of my friends. It’ll be fun I promise,” He said for the fifth time in the conversation.

“If I say yes will you stop bugging me about it?”

“Duh. I can even get it set up for tomorrow,”

“Fine. What’s his name and what does he look like?” I questioned already regretting agreeing to this date. That’s the thing about Harry though, I can not say no to him. He knows exactly how to get me everytime.

“His name is Jack and you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to see what he looks like,” He replied winking at me. Not being able to see him before the date made me nervous, but I know Harry being the protective best friend he is, wouldn’t set me up on a date with a creep. At least I hope he wouldn’t, but I guess I’ll find that out tomorrow. For now I just enjoy the time with my best friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Harry!” Odette exclaimed at the sight of him. I swear my siblings like Harry more than they like me most days, but I don’t blame them to be honest.

“It’s my swan,” He said hugging her. Harry has called Odette his swan since she made him watch Barbie In Swan Lake years ago. While he talked with Odette I looked around at the seating for my parents or at least Bella. I finally spotted Bella sitting down next to a redhead and I noticed it was the same girl who’s house I took her to. My smile grew and I felt the big sister pride set in. As I was watch them I made eye contact with Bella and she waved me over.

“I’m going to see Bella really quick if you just want to stay here,” I said to Harry.

“I’ll come with you. Are you tagging along swan?” He asked Odette who opted to go back to her friends to play. After he sat her back down on the ground Harry and I made our way over to Bella and I hugged my sister before stepping aside so she could hug Harry.

“Ellie this is Katie, my girlfriend,” Bella said with so much pride that my heart was about to explode out of my chest.

“Nice to meet you Kaite. I’m Bella’s much cooler older sister and this is one of my best friends, Harry,” I said shaking her hands.

“Nice to meet you both,” Katie said after shaking hands with Harry. I noticed the exact moment that she realized that Harry was THE Harry Styles and I suppressed my laughter.

“Well I’ll leave you two to it. Where’s papa and smom?” I asked her. She pointed to them in the section over. Harry and I said goodbye once again and headed over to where my papa was sitting.

“I was starting to think you weren’t going to make it,” my papa said with a chuckle as Harry and I sat down.

“Sorry just got caught up with the youngers,” I replied and he nodded his head. Soon the game started and by the end of the first quarter I was really cold. I tried to move to stay warm, but it was failing and both my dad and Harry noticed. My dad handed Harry the extra blanket he had brought with him and Harry wrapped it around me and himself. He then held me close and rubbed my arms to warm me up and it really helped.

“Better?” Harry questioned after a little while and I nodded my head. We sat like this until the end of the game, which Keen’s team ended up winning. Once the game was over Bella came over to us with Katie next to her.

“Can I go get ice cream with Katie and her mom? They can bring me back to your condo once we’re done,” Bella asked looking at me.

“Sure Bells,” I said and she hugged me before the pair went off to find Katie’s mom I’m assuming.

“She didn’t even say good bye,” My papa said in mock hurt.

“She’s growing up,” Sonny said and I nodded my head in agreement.

“That’s it. I’m keeping Odette forever. She’s officially my favorite daughter,” Papa said and I stuck my tongue out at him as he laughed. Once Odette was back with us we went to find Keen and I congratulated him as he hugged papa and Sonny. Once we all said our goodbyes I informed Odette and Keen that they’d be spending the weekend with Eliot since he has plans for them. I drove them to the apartment Eliot shares with Madison. Once I made sure they were inside I drove off and back to my condo. Once inside I went to change into pajamas and then came back to the living room and sat down on the couch. Soon Harry joined me and I turned on my TV. It was already on E and just as I went to turn a story about Camille popped up.

“Keep it here,” Harry said in an instant so I sat the remote down and watched it with him.

“Here we have Camille Rowe, rumored girlfriend of Harry Styles, kissing the Weeknd during this past weekend. Is there trouble in paradise for Styles and Rowe?” The host said before a commercial came on.

Notes

Three chapters in the matter of four hours! I really hope you're enjoying it so far :)