𝕸ia is tired.

She's tired of the never-ending assignments, she's tired of her roommate's pathetic urge to be up in her business all the damn time and she's so so fucking tired of her mother not realising that maybe, sometimes, all her youngest daughter needs is some quality time with her mum.

Just like the good old days when every time Jim — their dad — decided work was more important than his daughters and avoiding a confrontation with his ex-wife was even better than visiting his daughters on Christmas, Kate would wrap her two little daughers and toddler son in the giant panda blanket their grandmother had gotten them and they would all comfortably lie on the couch drinking hot cocoa and munching on oatmeal cookies while having endless reruns of 'Full House'.

These days things haven't only changed but they have also changed drastically.

Mia is now a university student, her sister has a boyfriend who just so happens to be the same man ten year old Mia was so in love with and her relationship with her mother has become a little . . . . strained due to the fact that spending time with her mum now comes with Edward being there as well.

It's not like she doesn't like Edward but sometimes she just wants to spend time with her mum, you know?

And so, that is how she ended up ringing the doorbell of her sister's Central London apartment on a Sunday afternoon.

She hadn't planned on what she really wanted to do once Darlene opened the door but she really really hoped that seeing Darlene would be a relief from the unnecessary stress she'd been living under since the past few weeks.

The door pulls open revealing a slightly confused Darlene standing there in her favourite sweats and an oversized jumper.

"Mia, hi", she grins throwing her arms around the brunette who's smiling wide at the sight of her older sister.

"God, I've missed you", Mia mumbles in her sister's blonde hair earning a snort from the older one.

"You're telling me. We were supposed meet for coffee three days ago".

"I was busy, 'm sorry", Mia pulls back with a little pout which Darlene casually dismisses with an eye roll.

"You wanna come in?".

"Would love to", Mia grins.

Darlene hesitates for a moment before leaning in close making her sister look up at her with a frown.

"Not to freak you out or anything but Harry's in my room. With Tom. Tom's teaching him some new video game? But yeah, Harry's here so . . . . Mia, are you okay?".

Darlene gives her a look full of amusement, her gaping sister staring back at her with wide eyes.

"Harry Styles is in your house?", Mia whisper yells.

Darlene chokes back a laugh, "It'll be fine, okay? Just breathe. And try not to trip over anything. He's very nice".

"I know he's nice! He's probably the nicest person to ever exist. But I'm not appropriately dressed to meet Harry fucking Styles, look at me Dar", Mia gestures at her plain black overcoat hiding the simple cream knitted sweater and her favourite pair of faded old blue jeans.

"Edward".

"What?", Mia hisses.

"His middle name's Edward, not fucking. Thought you'd know at least that much, Mia", Darlene shrugs suppressing a laugh.

Mia looks back, offended.

"This is funny to you? That's Harry Styles, Darlene. I can't let him look at me like this", she whines dragging her palms across her face.

"Oh, stop it. It's not that big of a deal", Darlene pulls her in eliciting a surprised shriek from her sister and shuts the door behind her.

Mia gulps eyeing the apartment.

"Mia. Walk".

"How do I do that?", she asks dumbly causing Darlene to groan and forcefully pull her into the living room.

Mia stops midway.

Because the first thing she sees upon entering the living room is Tom and Harry in the open kitchen, with their backs to them.

Tom laughs letting Harry shrug and grab his own coffee mug as he turns around to follow the former back into Darlene's room.

Until his eyes meet Mia's and he stops in his path.

Mia remains frozen like a wide eyed statue, her sister looking between the two brunets trying to find a way to get Mia to return back to normal.

But she's facing Harry fucking Styles.

Sighing, Darlene smiles.

"Harry, this is Mia, my sister. Mia, this is Harry".

Harry's own lips stretch into a smile as he approaches a visibly breathless Mia and extends a hand.

"Nice to meet you. I've heard loads about you".

Mia glances down from Harry to his outstretched hand trying to figure exactly why would Harry Styles say something like that to her.

But I mean, he's dating her sister after all.

Gingerly, she brings her hand forward letting it touch his and shakes it nervously smiling up at him.

"Hi. I'm a big fan", she croaks out.

Tom, who's watching all of this with way too much amusement, snickers from his place near the kitchen island.

Darlene shoots him a warning look which only makes his snickers turn into quiet giggles.

Harry's smile widens as he tightens his grip on Mia's hand.

"Thank you. That means a lot to me", he grins nodding at her and lets go of her hand.

"You want to join us? We're going to watch 'Mean Girls'", Harry grins like an excited toddler.

Mia nods smiling still not being able to come to terms with the fact that Harry Styles is now a part of her life.

***
yk what's not slay? when they INSIST on giving you mixed signals even tho you're pretty sure they like you back. that hurts. a lot.