Important A/N at the end!

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It was nearly eleven in the morning when I was finally walking down the hallway towards my apartment door. I hadn't brought my keys with me last night, and not wanting to risk drawing attention to myself in case Liam were inside, I stood on my toes and reached for the spare key we hid on top of the door frame. I couldn't reach it with my short height and after hopping twice and nearly breaking my ankle in the process I had succeeded in grasping the key in my hand. Briefly stumbling into the wall, I held the key up with a relieved smile and slipped it into the doorknob. Carefully pushing the door open, I quietly stepped through the door and closed it behind me with a soft click.

Pausing for a moment to see if there was any indication that anyone was up or even home, I stood still until the only thing I heard was silence. Relieved that it seemed the apartment was empty I stood up, and dropped the spare key on the table holding the mail with a clank. The heels of my boots clicked against the floorboards as I walked through the hallway, my fingers combing through my messy hair. I had just made it past the threshold of the hallway and was heading straight for my room, when a voice from the living room made me screech and jump in fright.

"Where the hell were you?" Liam had asked and I stared at him with my mouth open and my hand clutching my chest to steady my racing heart. He was sitting on the love seat, his back straight and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked wide awake and as if he had been waiting for my arrival. A surge of irritation at him scaring me spiked through me and just when I was about to open my mouth and let him have it, another voice cleared their throat. My gaze darted across the other side of the room to see Lila and Morgan both sitting up as well on the opposite couch, their postures similar to Liam. Except the only difference was the cheeky smirks on their faces.

"What the hell is going on? Did you guys wait for me?"

"I think the better question is here, is what you were doing sleeping at Harry's apartment?And why are you wearing his shirt?" Liam asked with his chin in the air. He looked about ready to scold me and ground me for life for sleeping at a boy's apartment and I had the urge to roll my eyes at him. He was so ridiculous.

"Not that it's any of your business but nothing, we were both just tired and went to his apartment to sleep."

"In the same bed?"

"Oh my god," I huffed and sent a silent glare to Lila when I heard her snort. "No, we didn't sleep in the same bed. He slept on the damn couch, now can you relax?"

"No. I don't believe you, when I saw you practically humping him last night when you were dancing. And how come Andy told me he saw you two come out of the boys restroom?" He asked slowly and damn me for the sudden onrush of embarrassment that filled me. My cheeks heated in an instant and even though I forced my expression to feign innocence, my blushing gave the truth away.

"We didn't go into the boys' restroom." I lied and Lila and Morgan stifled their laughter. Oh they were going to get it later on.

"You're blushing." Liam pointed out with narrowed eyes. "You wouldn't be blushing if you were telling me the truth. Did you two have sex?"

"Liam! Oh my god bug out!" I yelled and Morgan was the one to burst into laughter this time but Liam completely ignored her.

"No! I'm too young to be an uncle! You're too young to be a mom! Were you safe? Did he pull out?"

"Oh my god I am done with this conversation." I said immediately spinning on my heel and making a beeline for my bedroom, but Liam was hot on my heels. I moved quickly to slam my bedroom door in his face but he was faster than me and slapped his hand on it to stop me, pushing it open with force and barging his way into my room.

"We're not done talking about this Ems. Please tell me you two were safe." He was so serious and I shook my head, my face heating in embarrassment as I groaned and threw myself back on my bed.

"We didn't have sex Liam. That's the honest to god truth, so you're freaking out over nothing."

He didn't say anything for a long moment and then I heard the sound of his feet lightly padding across the floor before the bed shifted. I looked to my side to see he had sat at the edge of the bed and was looking down at me with a slight sadness to his eyes and a small smile gracing his face. "Okay I believe you. I just-, you're my cousin Em but we grew up together so you're more like my baby sister. I just want to protect you and I know I'm being nosey and It's none of my business but I want to make sure when you finally decide to... give it up, to the right guy, you're safe."

I looked away instantly with the guilt forming in my stomach at the sincereness behind his eyes. He still didn't know that, my virginity was no longer in tact and I felt bad for hiding it from him. I told Liam everything, he was one of the people I trust the most in my life and we promised each other a long time ago that we would share the news of big experiences of our lives with one another. I had been the first person Liam told when he lost his virginity at seventeen to his high school girlfriend. The only difference was, was that I saw it coming and knew it was going to happen soon. My situation had been different. Yet still, I felt sick to my stomach for not telling him and the amount of pressure from all the secrets I was still with holding was too much and I found the words at the tip of my tongue.

"Liam..." I began and pressed my lips together when he studied me the look on his face was curiosity. "I'm not...well I'm not a virgin anymore." I said quietly and he merely blinked down at me, a small frown growing on his lips. His eyebrows drew together and he searched my face for a moment before sighing.

"Why am I just hearing about this? Did it just happen?"

"No." I whispered and the hurt on his face nearly crushed me. "It happened three months ago."

"Three months ago? But who..." He stopped and I could practically see the thoughts flying around in his head and it was like I could see the light bulb turning on. "It was Harry wasn't it?"

I nodded slowly and he pursed his lips, tilting his head in thought.

"It explains why you two look at each other the way you do." He said and shook his head before frowning down at me. "Why didn't you ever tell me? I was with you most of the summer and you never told me about it. I thought we promised each other we'd never keep secrets?"

There was still one I was keeping but that's something no one, but Harry and I will ever know. "I know and I'm sorry but I just didn't want to talk about it. With everything that happened it was just a lot to take in, I hadn't even told Lila and Morgan until yesterday."

"You told them before me?" Now he was offended.

"Liam." I gave him a pointed look and he huffed, crossing his arms and staring at my wall with the pictures on it. He kind of looked like my dad when he angrily glared this way and the brief reminder of him brought a pang of sadness to my chest.

"You two were careful?"

"Yes."

He nodded then pressed his lips together, his face softening when his eyes landed on a picture of me and him hanging from the string on my wall. He visibly took a deep breath and turned to look back at me with a light small smile, his face thoughtful as he watched me.

"My baby cousin is all grown up." He mumbled and ruffled my hair playfully but I could tell he was sad. Liam had always been like my big brother growing up, he was there for everything. He was especially there for me when my parents began to abandon me at the age of six, dumping me on my aunt Karen to take care of me while they were away. Karen always scolded her bother-, my dad, for it but he never listened. He didn't see what he was doing was wrong and Liam was always there to pick up the pieces when I'd cry because I just wanted my mom to tuck me in. He would do just about everything for me, from making me pb&j sandwiches for lunch, playing barbies with me, and reading me bed time stories. He was the one who taught me how to read, and how to ride a bike. At the age of eight years old he took on the responsibility of teaching me thing my parents should have taught me, and as I currently laid here I suddenly realized that not only had he taken on the role of a big brother, but he raised me. Sure my aunt and her husband helped out when they could, but Liam was there for it all. He was the one that went to my soccer games, that snuck me a pad from his mom's 'Always' box when I had cried after seeing the blood in the toilet at the age of twelve. He was the one that gave me the damn sex talk for Christ sake. In so many ways he raised me like my parents should have.

A rush of sadness filled me and I felt my eyes watering when his words struck me to the heart. I could see why this news made him sad, I was still a baby in his eyes. But I no longer was and I felt so emotional all of a sudden that I sat up and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hugging him to me tightly. Yes there were times where he could be overbearing and overprotective but I knew he did it all out of love. He was my cousin, my brother, and in my ways, my dad all in one. And I was so grateful for him, I wouldn't have made it as far as I have with out him.

"Hey, I'm still the same kid." I reassured him and he laughed lightly but it was half hearted. He shook his head, holding me tighter as he sighed.

"No you're not Emmy. You're a young woman now and I guess I have to start getting used to it. I know I'm annoying with always being here and you probably feel like I'm giving you no space but I guess I'm trying to enjoy having you around twenty four seven while I still can. Soon you're going to meet a guy and get married and have cute little babies. I'm not going to get to see you so much anymore."

I pulled back and looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Those kids will be your nieces and nephews, so yeah you'll definitely be seeing me."

"Really?"

"Yeah, who else is going to babysit while I get my freak on with my future husband?"

He lightly punched my arm and I hissed, making him chuckle and shake his head. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me into his side, laying his head on top of mine. "You know you can tell me anything right?"

"I know."

"So if you and Harry did sleep together last night, you can tell me. I won't judge you."

I shook my head against him. "We really didn't. We just kissed." I downplayed it but then the guilt of lying weighed down on me and I hurriedly told the truth. "Well we did other stuff too...but we didn't have sex."

"Gross." I heard him mumble and I elbowed him in the ribs. "Sorry, it's a reflex. Do you like him?"

I bit my lip, debating my response before answering. "Well yeah but we're just friends."

"Does he not like you or something?"

"No he does, it's just complicated." I sighed. "I told him today that what happened last night can't happen again. I don't want the lines to get blurred so I told him we are strictly friends."

Liam hummed, quietly considering my response when I felt him sigh against my head. "I don't know much about the guy but he seems nice. I got to talk to him for a bit yesterday, and he was cool. Maybe you should give him a shot?"

"I don't know." I said quietly and he nodded, pressing a kiss on top of my head before releasing me and standing up.

"Well, just take your time then. Maybe your friendship will turn into something more." He shrugged. "If it's meant to be, it will happen." He said with a smile and then his face turned completely serious, his forefinger pointed at me. "But, I'm serious about being safe. If there is any part of you that thinks you might..," he pauses and he shudders in disgust. "That you might sleep with him, you need to be prepared. Carry protection with you or get on the pill. I was serious about me being too young to be an uncle."

I nodded slowly, taking his words into consideration. He was right, I couldn't afford to be reckless and I need to be prepared if anything happened. Part of me didn't want to get any protection just because I felt like I was setting myself up for it happening, but then, it's better to be safe then sorry right?

"Will you come with me?" I found myself asking and looking up at him hopefully. "When I decide I should go on the pill... Will you go with me?"

"You won't feel weird about me, your cousin, going with you?"

I shook my head. "You've been there for pretty much everything Liam. If there's anyone I feel comfortable with coming with me, it's you. Besides, you can just sit in the waiting room. I only want you there for moral support."

He grinned down at me and nodded. "Yeah, I'll go. Don't be afraid to come to me and tell me when you're ready."

"Thanks, Li." I smiled and he rolled his eyes, shoving me shoulder so I fell back on the bed. I looked up at him with a glare when my head bumped against the headboard and he bellowed in laughter.

"Sorry, It was too much of a heart to heart for me."

"Aw were you getting too emotional?" I cooed and his eyes darted to the door, slight panic on his face and it occurred to me that he was afraid Morgan might have heard. He looked back at me with narrowed eyes.

"Shut up." He mumbled and I laughed as he turned on his heel to head for the door when he stopped and glanced over his shoulder at me. "By the way, don't expect me not to have some words with Harry the next time I see him." He grinned and my own smile fell from my face but before I could ask him what he meant, he hurriedly left my bedroom.

I rolled my eyes and got up from my bed, heading back out into the living room where Lila and Morgan were still sitting. I sent them glares before they burst into fits of laughter only to chide me and beg me to tell them everything that happened last night. I had pointedly looked at Liam and he was quick to understand, standing from the couch and promising to give us girl time. I know he had said I could tell him anything but that didn't mean he wanted to hear the details.

He left minutes later after telling me he was coming by for dinner with a box of pizza and old movies which we all happily agreed to. I sat there on the couch telling my friends every single thing that happened last night then answering all the questions they had after wards. Some were too embarrassing to respond to yet I did anyways. But I drew the line when Lila had asked me what Harry tasted like, shooting up from the couch and telling them I was off to take a shower. They laughed hysterically as I walked away, closing my bedroom door behind me and heading to the restroom.

I showered quickly, working harder at lathering the soap into my chest to get the paint off. Once I was completely clean I stepped out and wrapped the towel around my body, then walked back into my room where I changed into cosy clothing. I was towel drying my hair when I picked my phone up from my nightstand, checking to see if I had a text back from Caesar when I saw another name displayed on the screen. My body stilled and my hand on the towel dropped, my eyes wide as I stared at the five later name that had my heart sprinting in my chest. So this is what he did. That sneaky bastard. I had never unlocked my phone as fast as I did right in that second, opening the text message with impatience.

Harry: Friends can text each other, right? x

I smiled at the simple text message, shaking my head with a smile as I quickly sent a response back.

Me: So long as it stays clean.

I was about to put my phone down when not even a second later it vibrated in my hand.

Harry: I can't make any promises.

Me: I thought you were a gentleman?

Harry: Oh I very well am.

Me: Well, gentleman always keep things clean.

Harry: Not if his lady likes things dirty.

Christ. I stared wide eyed at his last text, my cheeks flaming and heat spreading through my lower stomach. I bit my lip, my fingers hovering over the keyboard when I saw the bubble pop up at the bottom of the left corner.

Harry: I'm only joking. I wanted to apologize for Brad's forwardness this morning. I didn't know he was back from visiting his family until this morning.

Me: I can definitely see why you don't like him

Harry: He's a bugger. He's already got his next victim at the flat.

Me: Hide your cereal.

Harry: I already have. I share my honey bunches of oats with no one.

Me: Except me. 😁

Harry: Yes for you, I'd do a lot of things for.

I was smiling ridiculously wide at my phone, my eyes repeatedly scanning that one sentence over and over again. I felt giddy and all mushy but I was snapped out of my daze when I heard Morgan calling me to come watch a chick flick with them before Liam showed up with his horrific comedies.

Me: 😊 I've got to go. The girls and I are going to watch a chick flick. Talk later?

Harry: I recommend 'Love Actually.' It's my all time favorite. And yes, a gentleman always sends a good night text. Have fun. x

I smiled down at my phone then locked the screen, tossing it onto my bed and walking towards the door. I made it halfway out before I turned on my heel and ran back inside. I picked up my phone, clasping it to my chest with a cheeky grin. I wasn't going to text him during the movie. Unless it was boring. I brought it, just in case.

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This chapter was cuuteeee and I kind of got emotional writing the part of her and Liam's conversation.

Questions:

Anyone else seeing cute texting conversations in the future for them?

I don't know if any of you saw but I have a new story up called "The First Lost Boy" it's another Harry Fic and really different from the others I had written. I know I now have 3 fics I'm going to be writing but this one is my main focus don't worry. Love you goodbye and the first lost boy will be slow updates. Please check it out, and let me know what you think! The prologue and first chapter is up already. I'll post the summary below. :) thanks for reading <3

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Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan, an adventurous young boy who never wanted to grow up. But what no one ever knew, was that he wasn't the first leader of the lost boys.

There was someone else, another boy who was the one to discover pixie dust, who formed the friendship with fairies, who found the other lost boys one by one along with the famous Peter, and taught them all how to fly.

Before Pan, there was Harry.

This is the story of the first ever lost boy of Neverland, and the girl he found that showed him growing up wouldn't be so bad after all.