Sienna POV

It is the morning of Ezra's birthday and I am setting up breakfast for him.

He requested pancakes, eggs, and bacon with orange juice so that is what I am currently making. As I am in the kitchen, my parents are in the sun room with the party planner going over last minute details before the decorators come in, in an hour. 

I was told the Styles family will be joining breakfast too, which I expected so I am glad I am making a lot of food. 

Ellie covered my shift today so I could have the day off, which I was appreciative of. I really do like to spend Ezra's birthday home, because I try to make it as special as possible for him as his sister.

"It smells so yummy in here," I hear my brothers voice say from the doorway. 

I look over to where is small body is standing and smile. "Well thank you," I say. "Are you excited for your party?" I ask.

"Yeah, all my friends are gonna be here." He says with happiness. "When will Harry be over?" Ezra asks while sitting at the island.

"Um," I pause. I wasn't expecting his question. "I think he might be coming over for breakfast," I say with a polite smile.

After our hug yesterday I am uncertain how I am supposed to feel. We didn't talk on the car ride home, and all I said was thank you when he pulled into the driveway. I am not expecting much after it though, nothing can really come out of three meaningless words if neither party wants to change. 

"Maybe I should go next door and ask if he is coming over and to the party," Ezra says while hopping off of the bar stool. 

"Do you want me to text him?" I offer instead.

"Would you mind?" He asks, giving me his pouting eyes. I chuckle by his adorableness and wash my hands at the sink.

"You really like having him around huh?" I ask while grabbing my phone on the counter.

"Yeah," Ezra says with a giggle. "He's like an older brother I never had." I feel like he's said that to me before.

Me: Are u coming to breakfast? Ezra wants to know.

"I texted him bud," I say to my brother who smiles as his answer. "Why don't you say good morning to Mom and Dad? They are in the sun room," I offer.

"Okay. Thank you for cooking breakfast Anna," He says while hugging my waist. My heart warms at his actions and I hug him back. My brother soon walks out of the kitchen just when Harry responds to my message. 

Harry: I know u want to see me n all . u don't have to use ur brother as an excuse.

Me: ha ha

Harry: yes I will b at breakfast. I got coverage on my shift today

Me: okay I will let him know 

I suddenly remember who probably took his shift -- Michelle. She hasn't been obviously rude towards me in a while, but I am wondering what her possible motives are or if there is any. 

I snap back into reality and finish cooking breakfast.

~

The Styles Family arrive around ten minutes after I texted Harry. Anne was happy to see me, she stated she feels like I am not around as much, which is true. 

Our parents are outside gardening before the decorators come and transform out backyard. Harry, Ezra and I are in the dining room talking.

"Are you excited for your drive in movie, Ezra?" Harry asks. I see my brothers light up in excitement by the thought of their movie date.

"Yep!" My brother says happily. "I got my race car outfit all picked out." He says which causes me to smile. "Anna, have you ever been to one?" 

I feel my cheeks heat by the question I got asked, but I smile off my small embarrassment. "Yes. It is very fun." I tell my brother who is looking me in my eyes. 

"What movie did you see?" Ezra asks, sounding intrigued in my experience.

I look to Harry for a moment, and see he has his eyes on me. "You got mail--it is an older movie." I manage to say. "I am going to do dishes." I stand, and grab the plates on the table I insisted I would grab later on.

I look out of the corner of my eyes, and see Harry watching my movements, which makes me feel flushed in the inside because it was our first date.

I walk into the kitchen and start running the warm water. It is eleven a.m now and the party starts at I believe five. Surprisingly my parents haven't asked much of me today besides what I promised my brother, which was breakfast. I guess it is good that they hired people to set up because it just leaves me to enjoy the day rather than stress.

"Do you need help?" I hear a familiar voice ask behind me. I see it is Harry and turn back around.

"No, I am good. It is not a lot of dishes." I say while rinsing off our dishes and putting it into the dishwasher. 

"Okay," He says while leaning against the counter next to me. "What are you doing today?"

"Nothing really," I answer honestly. "I think all I have to do is get ready for the party later. Why?" I ask while turning to face him.

"Well, I was going to finish Ezra's gift wrapping and maybe go into town to get an outfit to match the party theme. Would you like to tag along?" Harry offers. 

"I suppose, I just can't be out past four. I told Ezra I would help him get ready," I say to Harry while turning off the sink.

"Okay," He says with a small smile. "What are you wearing tonight?" 

"Clothes," I joke. His eyes playfully roll in my direction which makes me smile. "I have a black, silk dress I am going to wear. I don't really want to dress up and be apart of his space themed party but at least I'll look cute."

"Hm, I see." Harry says while moving closer towards me. That pit in my stomach forms again and the fluttering feeling in my chest is sharp. "So I kind of was able to buy another ticket to Cars." 

"You're telling me a bunch of kids can't drive to see a kids movie?" I say sarcastically making a grin escape onto his lips. 

"I know, so inconsiderate." Harry says with wide eyes to joke along. I end up smiling back. "I wanted you to come with us."

I feel my cheeks heat for some reason. "I don't know," I mumble. If I am being honest drive thru movies just make me remember Harry and our first date and it makes me nostalgic and sad. 

"It will be fun," He nudges my shoulder which makes a small smile escape onto my lips. I turn off the sink and dry my hands since I am done the dishes I promised I would do.

"I'll think about it," I say politely. "I am ready to go if you are." I tell the boy next to me.

"Okay. We can start on the wrapping of gifts. I only have two more to do, but they are the bigger ones so it is harder for me to make them look pretty."

I shake my head by his comment and grab my flip flops a few feet away. We soon leave my house and walk over to his.

~

I have never seen Harry's bedroom.

He's always been the one to come over my house because my parents are the one who are not home more.

His bedroom is neat--which is what I wasn't expecting.

His walls are a dark gray and his comforter is white, with gray throw pillows and a gray fuzzy blanket by the foot of the bed. 

The walls have some art work, and some scripts hanging up. My eyes stare at the titles and see he has his favorites and some other movies I didn't know he cared about.

I see one that catches my eye and it is You Got Mail, which is my favorite. I like to think it is a coincidence. 

The big gifts he got Ezra were actually pretty big. He was the one to lift them while I wrap whatever part the item is turned towards.

"How do you manage to get copies of scripts?" I ask Harry randomly. "I know you find some at the film store in Saratoga Springs, but do you manage to find copies?" 

"I find some online," Harry says while making eye contact with me. "Sometimes I buy copies without knowing it though. There is a place near me and a place here where I get them mostly because they are cheaper. But, sometimes I forget what I have because I have a shelves of them at home. Whatever I find copies of at my house, I bring here to hang."

I do remember he told me he has You Got Mail at home. 

"Well if you find the Cars script I bet Ezra would think it's cool," I joke making a smile crack onto the boys lips near me. His dimples appear on his now rosy cheeks.

"I didn't think he could read much, but now this is a game changer," Harry goes with, which makes me laugh. "You never told me, where are you going to school?"

I fall silent by his question. I shouldn't feel scared to tell him or embarrassed. 

"Oregon," I say. His green eyes break eye contact with me.

"State?" He clarifies, I nod in agreement. "Wow, you must hate it here."

"I don't hate it, but I need change." I say honestly. "What about you?"

"I'm going to Penn State, they offered me the most money." Harry says with a small smile. 

"That is great," I tell him. "What will your major be?"

"I am going to be a double major in film and marketing. The only way my parents would let me do film is if I had another major with it." His eyes look disappointed after he speaks, which makes me feel sad for him. He's been talking about movies since we were kids and his love for them. 

"What do you hope to become one day?" I ask curiously.

"I think a director--or a script writer. I am not quite sure if I am being honest. I read a bunch of scripts so I would like to make my own. But I also am interested in directing too. I suppose whatever comes my way. I applied to some internships in Philly too, so I think I will be okay." Harry says. His eyes meet mine for a moment and then back to the gift he is holding. "What about you?"

"Oh," I pause. "I wanted to actually go to a uh, culinary school. But my parents said no. So my back up is pre-med." I say sadly.

"Why did they say no? You are so good at cooking and baking."

"They said I should get a real degree to be useful," I say sadly. "I hope that once I am out there longer I can take some culinary classes still behind their back."

"I have never heard you talk about wanting to go into the medical field," Harry says, making me laugh. "You should find a culinary school and apply. There are some great abroad ones--or ones that start in the states and they make you travel." 

"Maybe next year," I say. "My Mom is projecting her shit onto me and my Dad, well he's just signing the check." 

"What do you mean?" Harry says while sitting next to me.

"My Mom regrets going into teaching because she said the money is tight. She doesn't want that for me so she wants me to do more, or be more. I know she hates using my Dad's money, and part of me is why I think she stays. So she doesn't want that for me. But, that's neither here or there."

"Are your parents not happy?" He asks timidly.

"I don't know," I say honestly. "They have their moments. But this is the most time they spend together and it is only because of the summer house. At home, my dad isn't home much because he works in the city and the time he gets home and the time my Mom is in bed are opposite. Should I also mention the age gap between me and my brother? One of us wasn't planned." 

Harry chuckles by the last part making me soften up a bit. "Can you keep a secret?" He asks when our laughter falls into silence.

"Yeah," I say while nodding.

"My Mom and Dad were separated last year," He says which makes my eyes widen. "This is the first time in a year where they are together, acting normal."

"Oh wow," I say, not knowing what else to say really. "I suppose my Mom doesn't know?"

"My Mom says she's embarrassed so didn't tell anyone." 

"Do you know why they were on a break?" I ask, hoping I am not stepping on toes.

"No," Harry says with a sigh. "She said she needed space to see if she still loved him and vice versa. They got married young, and Gemma and I young, so I suppose she was never secure in her love with him."

"I mean it is good that they realized that before they were seeking out other lovers," I bring up. 

"As far as I know," Harry says. "Anyways, this got depressing, culinary school. You should go." Harry says while nudging my shoulder.

"I already enrolled in my college. I will consider it one day." The truth is I cannot afford to go against my parents wishes. If they are paying for my education, I really do not have a choice in backing out. People would kill for a free education, so I think I just have to take the loss on this one and realize sometimes passion isn't worth it. 

We finish wrapping the gifts that are left and set them aside for later. Harry helps me get up from his carpet and I adjust my clothing in the process. 

For once, our interaction felt normal, and sincere, how it used to be. 

I see his eyes meet mine, which makes my nerves act up. I can tell by his facial and body expression what he is thinking.

I see his head lean in causing my body to freeze. "We can't," I say moments before his lips are planted onto mine.

"Why not?" He asks.

"I don't do just sex," I say, setting my boundaries.

"Who said this was going to lead into sex?" Harry asks, his lips only inches from mine still.

"Then what else would this be to you?" I ask hesitantly.

"Me trying to make a move," Harry whispers, making me laugh. 

"I don't us to end up how we were last time. We make good friends, and maybe that is all we can do." I tell him. His eyes meet mine for a moment and I cannot read what is on his face. 

"It won't be the same," He says while grabbing my hands. "I am willing to try if you are."

"Try what? We never had specifics then and I want them now."

"Try us, see if we are better off friends or more. If we feel as if we are not on the same page romantically, we will end civilly and be friends." He says while stepping a bit closer. 

"I thought you said a few days ago that is all you wanted to be was friends." I bring up.

"I was in denial about my feelings," Harry tells me. "I wanted to believe I was over you and that I didn't still care. But after our talk and I realized in the past we had bad communication and that is why we hated each other for two years. This time. I want to be more honest." 

"Okay," I say, agreeing. "If we both get doubts though we need to vocalize. And I feel like involving our parents is too much still, considering." 

Harry nods in agreement and soon presses his lips against mine. His hands cup my cheeks in the process, and I feel as if my fear and my thoughts are finally forgotten about. For once my heart that has felt heavy, feels at ease, and this time will be better.

We kiss for a while, which is nice. I think this time will be much better for us.

A://N

hello :) longer chapter whoop whoop

how is everyone liking the book so far?

comment what u think is going to happen!

~Lauren