I had to hand it to Kara. She may be a little crazy sometimes, but the girl knew how to get what she wanted. While the rest of us swam leisurely, Kara spent the rest of the time sitting with Liam on his lifeguard post. Sometimes practically in his lap. They seemed to be getting along well. Every so often I'd look up at them and see Kara whispering something into Liam's ear. One hand on his shoulder, the other strategically placed on his thigh. Judging by the expressions he was making, the girl had game. Once we were tired of swimming, we all retreated to the locker rooms. After taking quick showers to get the chlorine out of our hair, Kara and I were putting on our clean clothes in changing booths side by side.

"Um, Sadie?" I heard Kara's voice ask quietly through the partition.

"Yeah?" I asked back, curious as to what she was about to say.

"I know tonight was supposed to be our girl night, but..." She trailed off and got quiet.

"But what, Kara?"

"Liam invited me over to his place after we leave here."

I didn't know what to say. I mean, I wasn't surprised, and how could I tell her no? Her next words seemed to come out in a desperate rush.

"I know I'm a horrible friend for even asking this, but he's so cute, I really like him a lot. Please Sadie, I will owe you big time."

I sighed.

"You may be a horrible friend..." I paused for dramatic effect, imagining her in her stall waiting. "But what sort of friend would I be to stand in the way of you and a lifeguard?"

She squealed. Literally squealed. I couldn't help but start laughing. I'd never heard her make that sound before. Liam must be some kisser.

Once we left the locker room, we found the boys already finished and waiting for us. Kara practically skipped over to Liam. Skipped!

As it was still pretty early in the evening, the plan was for me to take Kara's car back to her house. Her parents weren't expected to be home until past midnight so I would let myself in with her keys and entertain myself. Meaning, I'd probably order pizza and watch TV, Kara promised she wouldn't stay out late with Liam so we could still fit in a movie before bed.

Kara handed me her car keys with a quick hug before she walked off with Liam toward his car. I looked down at her keys in my hand and noticed a small keychain attached to the main ring; a photo of the two of us making a silly face was enclosed in a plastic frame. I shook my head with a smile, I'd do practically anything for that crazy girl. I looked back up to see Liam holding the car door open for her as she got inside.

"That's quite a friend you've got there."

I jumped a bit, startled by Harry's sudden appearance by my side, I hadn't noticed him walk up.

"Yeah she's something." I agreed. "We were going to watch a handful of movies tonight, now we may have to settle for just one." I sighed, trying to mentally remind myself I was happy for her. And, of course, that now she owed me.

"Why don't you just come to my house? I've got movies." He said plainly with a shrug.

It was better than waiting for Kara at her house alone. So I agreed. I drove Kara's car and followed Harry to his place.

As we went through the front door he turned and asked, "You hungry?" As he walked straight for the kitchen, not really waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, I could eat. Swimming always makes me hungry."

"Turkey sandwich alright?" He called as I wandered into the dining room.

"Yeah that sounds great." I called back. I found myself standing in front of the photograph I had noticed when I was here for dinner before. I stared at the image of the plane. The nose was pointed toward the top of the frame, wings outstretched to the sides taking up the width of the picture. It was black and white, though clearly a night time shot judging by the darkness of the sky. It was such a close up shot, even the landing gear was visible on the belly of the plane. I could even make out some specks of bright white where lights dotted around the edge of the wings.

"You like it?" Harry asked as he appeared with a half of a sandwich in each hand, wrapped in a napkin.

"Yeah I do." I said as I took one of the pieces of sandwich.

"Who's the photographer?"

"You're looking at him."

"Really?" I was amazed. "This shot is incredible, Harry. Truly."

He shrugged like it was nothing.

"What's incredible is that I haven't been caught by security yet." He gave a low chuckle. "I've got tons more. Want to see?" He asked as he bit off the corner of his sandwich.

"Yeah I'd love to."

Harry led me upstairs. Passing photos on the wall of Harry, Gemma and their mother along the way. I followed him into his room where he pointed to a cluster of photographs tacked to the wall. I stepped closer and let my gaze wander around to each photo. They were all amazing. There were a few different angles, but the subject was always the same; a close up shot of a plane taking off, and always in black and white.

"Wow, Harry. These are really something. You've got some serious talent here."

"It's just a hobby." He said casually, dismissing my praise. He walked over to a small shelving unit and did a flourish with his arms and hands at the display of DVDs.

"Here we have a lovely selection of movies for your viewing pleasure this evening. Pick a few you like, I'll go make some popcorn."

And just like that, I was alone in his room.

I ran my fingers across the movie cases as I skimmed over the titles. I pulled out a couple comedies and an action movie. I set them by his TV as a cold chill ran over me. It was then that I realized my still damp hair had made the top of my t-shirt wet. I was hit with the buttery smell of freshly popped popcorn as I wandered into the hall and found the upstairs bathroom, hoping to snag a hair tie or clip to keep my wet hair off my shoulders.

Luckily, I didn't have to resort to snooping when I found a black elastic sitting on the counter. I quickly threw my hair up into a loose bun as I heard Harry coming back up the stairs. I met him in the hall as we went back to his room.

"I hope it's alright I kind of stole a hair tie from the bathroom. My hair was getting my shirt wet and making me cold."

"Sure, no problem at all. Gemma has tons." He carefully set a bowl of popcorn on his bed as he continued. "You should probably take that shirt off."

I swear my heart stopped.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"You can hardly enjoy a movie in wet clothes." He said as he walked over to his closet. "You can wear this." He pulled out a red flannel button down shirt and handed it to me. He disappeared from the room again to get us drinks and let me change. It felt strange taking off my shirt in a boy's room, even though I knew we were just hanging out, it still gave me a small rush.

I draped my shirt over his desk chair and slipped into the dry flannel. After buttoning it up I brought the long sleeves that covered my hands up to my face and breathed in with a sigh. It was so soft and smelled like a mix of fabric softener and something else, maybe his cologne.

"Better?" Harry asked from the doorway with a smirk.

I let my arms fall to my sides, "Yes, thank you."

"You're welcome." He chuckled as he handed me a water bottle and went to put in one of the movies I had selected. "I would have let you wear one of Gemma's shirts, but I'm forbidden to enter her room when she's not here."

"Where is Gemma by the way?" I wondered aloud.

"Oh, she's at a friend's house studying for some test." He grabbed the remote and hopped onto the bed, spilling a few bits of popcorn from the bowl as it bounced. "Whoops. Five second rule." He added as he snatched up the pieces on the bedspread and popped them into his mouth with a grin.

"Come on, have a seat." He said as the main menu of the movie flashed onto the screen.

I looked at the space he left for me. It was a twin size bed, not much room for two people.

Sensing my hesitation he rolled his eyes a little and added, "I don't bite."

My stomach flipped at the thought. I regained my composure and settled myself beside him as he pointed the remote at the TV and pressed play. After a few scenes I found myself relaxing a bit more. We munched on the popcorn and laughed a lot. Sometimes Harry would add in his own commentary making me laugh even more. He was really funny.

It was dark out when we stared the next movie. Barely half way into the film I felt my eyelids getting heavy. The pool party seemed to have drained my energy and I was really starting to feel it now. I even heard Harry stifling a yawn. Before I realized, I was drifting off to the sound of Harry's relaxed breathing, it seemed sleep was claiming him as well.

=O=

I didn't want to wake up. I was so warm and comfortable, but there was this music playing that kept drawing me awake. I realized the movie had finished long ago and the screen had returned to the main menu, playing a tune on a loop. I was laying on my side and felt a weight on my waist. I lifted my head and looked to find Harry's arm laying over me. Wait, were we...spooning?

I could barely focus. I had to put a stop to the music playing on the TV. I could feel the remote pressing against my lower back. It must have fallen off Harry's lap when he fell asleep. I managed to maneuver my arm between us as I reached for the remote.

As I grasped for it, Harry gave a startled groan. It was then that my eyes shot open as I realized what I just grabbed, was not the remote.

Oh no. No, no, no. I did not just do that!

Very awake now, I pulled my hand back and jumped out of bed.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. I have to go." I ran out of his room in a flash. Tuning out his calls after me as I rushed down the stairs. I grabbed my bag from where I left it downstairs before shuffling out the door. It was only then that I realized what time it was, the sun was just about to rise.

"Shit!" I cursed to myself as I jumped into Kara's beetle and sped back to her house.

How was I ever going to live this down? How was I ever supposed to face Harry after this. I practically fondled him! I just hoped Kara wouldn't be mad at me for not meeting her last night. But she did owe me, I hoped she'd let this one slide. Though of course, knowing her she'll want every detail before she lets it go.

I shook my head and sighed, knowing my friend would be all too ready to forgive me once she knew I had gotten to second base with Harry, even if it was an accident. I couldn't help this thought from causing a smile to spread across my face.

A/N: Hah! I loved writing this chapter, it was so much fun. It's great when you can laugh at your own work. This chapter was a bit longer than the others, I'm sure you don't mind, but I just couldn't stop. What do you think about Sadie's little "interaction" with Harry? 

=]

DCMurphy