Dakota’s POV

When we get back home, Gemma is the only one here making it a little awkward. At least for me. I kiss Harry’s cheek and run upstairs. I haven’t written in my journal for some time. I should write in something. Starting with how much has changed. I run up to my room and grab my journal. Time for some good memories. I sit down at my desk and start writing out something new.

Dear Diary,
Things are so different. Before I would say life wasn’t worth it. Before I would talk empty words. Before I had no reason to live. Now a life worth living filled with meaningful words all because of Harry. Harry Styles. A boy I wanted to push away. The boy that read through my thoughts. The boy that is giving me a reason to live. He gave me love and friendship. Zayn is my first official friend. Harry is my first and hopefully only boyfriend. Liam was the first person to actually care. Louis was the first to make me feel childish like him. And Niall was the first to call me beautiful. One Direction saved my life.
When people think of their ‘first’ they think of their first kiss or the the first time they had sex. When I think of my first, it’s the first time someone wanted me. I endured seventeen years of life feeling useless. But I guess it was fate. I went from feeling nothing to floating on Cloud Nine. All I wished was for someone to be there. Someone is there. Five someones.
-Dakota

My life has gotten so much better since Harry came along. Him and the boys are like my family. Louis and Liam are like my parents and Zayn and Niall are like my brothers. Too bad Harry's real family aren't so fond of me. Especially Gemma.

"Dakota?"

I turn around and find Gemma at my door with Harry behind her. Harry smiles at me and my lips tug into a matching grin. “Hi Harry. Hi Gemma.” I wave at them.

“I believe Gemma has something to say to you,” Harry says and pushes his sibling forward. She rolls her eyes and looks over to him. “I’m waiting. You came into my house and insulted my girlfriend. Now you apologize."

She sighs, "I'm sorry for accusing you of taking advantage of my brother and insulting you. You just sounded too broken to be true." I hang my head low feeling like crud. She still insults me. “That last part sounded mean.”

“You think?” Harry scoffs. “Apologize correctly.”

She groans, “I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. There!” She shouts at Harry. “Happy now?”

“Why don’t you like me?” I mumble and gaze down at my lap where my hands rest. The cuts are starting to show so I face it down.

She shrugs, "It's just hard to tell if a girl really likes my brother or not.”

“Well, I honestly like Harry,” I sigh and put my diary back on the shelf it was in. “What more is there to say?”

She shrugs, “I don’t know. I just, don’t like you. You’re all moody and quiet. I’m not.” Well, that hurt. I shuffle my feet to my bed and sit down. “No offense, but don’t seem like my brother’s type.” That hurts too. I feel the familiar pricks of tears at my base of my eyes and try not to cry “I mean Harry-”

I assume Harry pulls her out since I’m to busy silently crying. Why does everyone say I don’t deserve things? What did I ever do? Nothing. I just sat there letting everything happen. I guess life just hates me for just being here. For just crying and breathing. Nothing is ever fair to me. Not even my boyfriend’s sister.

“Sorry about that,” Harry sighs and closes the door behind him. I wipe my tears and look up at the lad. I can see the guilt in his eyes. His sister just insulted someone who was taught that the world was cruel and just supported that. Why can’t anyone just look at me and think, she looks like a lovely girl? Everyone in the world is judgmental no matter what they seem like. In their mind, they judge you the moment you catch their attention. It's a fact of life. A fact that's been running my life.

"Why doesn't anyone like me?" I ask as he sits down next to me. He wraps an arm around me causing me to lean against him. "It's like everyone, but you and the boys are programmed to hate me."

He sighs and holds me close making me revel in his warmth. "Sometimes all you need is a few people to make your life worth it." His eyes meet mine and smiles getting me to mimic his action. "All I need is one." I giggle and peck his lips softly. "I still can't believe you’re mine."

"I still can't believe someone likes me," I tell him.

"Believe it," He chuckles and pulls me in for a kiss. I smile against his lips and cup one of his cheeks while my other lays on his chest. His hands hold my waist as he smirks. When I was younger, I feared the touch of a man. Now, all I do is crave his loving touch. Harry is truly too good to be true.

When we pull apart, I nestle my head in the crook of his neck. We stay like that in silence just enjoying each others company. Something I always wanted to happen.

When people say One Direction saved them, I don't think they meant it like I do. They honestly saved my life. If it weren't for them, I'd be back with Blaine and Stephanie sobbing and cutting. I'd be wishing for death and too scared to end it. I can't stop cutting. It's something I've been doing since I was young, but for Harry I'll try.

I'll try to live.

*~*~*~*

Harry talks to his parents while I make dinner. I'm making Parmesan Risotto and French Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Ganache. I used to make stuff like this for Blaine and these were the ones I snuck a taste of. They’re not my favorite foods, but it’s close. I hope they like it. I add the finishing touches to the Risotto and place some into dishes. Perfect.

I wipe my hands on the dish towel and head into the living room. Him and his family hug it out in the middle of the room when I enter. Guess they made up. I shift my feet uncomfortably wondering what to do. Should I just speak up? No. No. No. I’ll have an anxiety attack if I even try to interrupt. What to do?

The best choice is to clear my throat. Hopefully they’ll hear me. I make that awkward noise getting their attention. With the eyes on me, my pulse quickens and my voice gets shaky, “D-dinner-er i-is r-ready.” Dammit! I can’t ever get a sentence right.

Harry smiles and leaves the hug to kiss my temple. I smile and hug his torso. I love how I can easily snuggle into his chest since I only reach his shoulders. I love that he’s tall. It’s cute. “What did you make?”

“Parmesan Risotto and French Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Ganache,” I answer and he raises a brow. “Your family aren’t too fond of me. The easiest way to get them to like me is if they like my cooking.”

He chuckles, “You are an amazing cook.”

I feel my cheeks get warm and giggle, “C’mon. I got everything set up.”

He looks over to his family and motions them forward. “Dakota made Parmesan Risotto and chocolate macarons with ganache,” He announces and pulls me inside the kitchen. He pulls out my seat for me and smirks. I sit down and he pushes the chair in. He sits next to me. Anne sits down next to me, Robin across from me, and Gemma next to him.

I take a bite out of mine with my nerves clear in my expression. I hope they like it. Anne is the first to eat it and her expression changes to astonishment. “This is lovely.” I smile in appreciation. “Who taught you to cook?”

“Taught myself,” I answer loud enough so they can hear.

“Brilliant,” Robin comments.

I watch as Gemma takes a bite. She shrugs, “It’s alright.” I press my lips together feeling a little worse. She really doesn’t like me.

Harry tries to brighten Gemma’s mood by telling a story about him and the boys. I try to smile here and there, but overall very quiet. Gemma doesn’t glance at me as I pass out the dessert and I return to my seat. Harry is pretty much the ice breaker for me and Gemma, but not even he can make her like me. I finish my food and take my dish to the sink. I leave for my bedroom when Harry grabs my wrist. “Just wait,” He says and takes me back to my seat.

“Gemma,” He says meeting his sister’s gaze. “Can you please be at least decent to my girlfriend?” Not this again. I snuggle into his side and hide my face. “This is not helping her or you.”

She groans, “Harry. I just don’t like her, alright. You two just don’t seem right for eachother.” I’m just gonna sit here like I can’t hear people. Just gonna pretend like words don’t hurt. “I mean seriously, Harry.”

“Gemma,” Anne scolds. "Don't be rude. Harry and Dakota are together whether you like it or not. Just be supportive for a second. See it from Dakota's perspective."

I smile briefly at Anne before looking at Gemma. "Well how am I supposed to know what goes through her mind if she doesn't talk!" She huffs in frustration. She looks into my eyes and waits for me to talk. "Tell me how you feel! What the hell do you think?!"

Harry nudges me. "I-I-I, um uh," I stutter and look up to Harry. He smiles at me for encouragement. I smile back and look back at his family and pray for courage. "I feel like the only person to love me for who I am's sister hates me. Harry is the first person to actually care about me without hurting me and the fact that his sister hates me hurts." After that, I simply stand up and walk up into my room.