LOUIS' P.O.V. (same day as first chapter)

"Cece, I'm gone!"

I holler up the stairs and secretly hope she'll just call a goodbye from the bedroom. It's five in the morning and I'm going to work early, basically just to avoid morning sex with my girlfriend. I know that sounds bad, but I really just don't enjoy fucking her anymore. I actually don't know that I ever did. I suppose it was okay at the beginning, but now that I've realized how much I dislike her in general, every little thing she does is an irritant. I hate the way she moans dramatically and the way she flips her hair around like she's something special. I take a deep breath and hold it in, waiting for her response. Instead, she runs down the stairs and looks at me with a bewildered expression.

"Baby, you were going to leave without a kiss goodbye?"

She pouts and bounces over to me cheerfully; way too cheerfully for five in the morning.

"Uh, I'm just in a hurry. We have that big case today and I have to stop by Emma's school."

There's no big case today. In fact, my dad and brother aren't even going into the office today. I'll be there later, but I'm just picking Emma up from her mum's and driving her to school so I can get out of the house.

"Okay, sweetie. Have a good day. Love you!"

She kisses me sweetly and I hold my lips in a tight line.

"Yeah, love you too. Bye."

I raise my eyebrows and try to smile as I grab my keys and briefcase, stepping outside. I let out a sigh of relief when the door closes behind me, unlocking my car and approaching it and setting my case in the backseat before sitting behind the steering wheel. I turn the car on and shift it in reverse, wondering what I can possibly do for the next hour. I told Marcy I'd get Emma at six and she doesn't know I'm coming. I decide to get coffee and begin driving to the closest cafe. Halfway there, I look at the time and grin to myself, making a sharp right turn and changing my destination to the nearest Starbucks. Emma will be so excited if I bring her a hot Starbucks mocha on her first day of school. Starbucks is pretty far; about twenty minutes to be exact, but I have nothing better to do and Em deserves whatever she wants.

I turn on my stereo and my only CD rings through the speakers. "The Script" brings me back to fonder memories. They take me back to when Emma was a baby and high school seemed like the biggest problem I'd ever face. Granted, since then, I haven't dealt with something quite as dramatic as having a baby at fifteen, but I was happier then, despite it all.

I drive in deep thought as the sun rises around the small towns of Cheshire. I pull out my sunglasses and cover my sleepy eyes. I finally make it to Warrington and turn down the familiar roads, easily finding the only Starbucks for miles. I park my Mercedes in the nearest spot and lock the door as I walk toward the coffee shop. I pull at my tie, no longer needing to look as though I'm off to an important meeting, and unbutton a few of the top buttons on my dress shirt. I wait in line behind two other people, surprised that anyone is up this early on a regular basis. I suppose that if I worked for a firm that wasn't run by my father, I'd probably be waking up much earlier as well. I tap my foot, not out of lack of patience, but because I never stop fidgeting. I'm pretty hyper for a grown man and I know it must look strange to everyone else.

I finally approach the counter, finding myself face to face with a young woman, most likely in her early twenties. Her smile is bright and she looks me up and down. I ignore her blatantly flirtatious manner and look up at the menu.

"What can I get for you, sir?"

"Uh, I'll have a grande mocha and a venti soy caramel machiatto."

She writes on the first cup for a while and then starts on the second.

"Name?"

"Louis."

She grins and sets down both cups before typing things into the computer.

"That'll be ₤8.65."

I hand over my card and she swipes it, handing it back along with a receipt.

"Thanks."

She smiles and I step aside for the next person to order. I wait a few minutes and hear my name called by someone else behind the counter. I step forward and grab both of our drinks, immediately taking a sip of the taller one. Fuck, it's hot. I make my way to my car and put both of our drinks in the cup holders before turning the ignition and shifting into reverse.

It takes me a little longer to get back to Holmes Chapel, but I'm only ten minutes late when I pull into the small driveway of Marcy's house. I step out of the car, leaving both of our coffees in the car and jogging up to the door. I knock rhythmically and hear rushed footsteps on the stairs. The door swings open and I open my arms wide as Emma rushes into them.

"Daddy! I didn't know you were picking me up!"

"I wanted to surprise you! Where's your mum?"

"I'm in the kitchen!"

Marcy hurries around the corner and gives me a familiar glare.

"You owe me. Ms. Punctual over here was getting mad at me because I was pretending to be running late so you could surprise her."

I chuckle and pull Marcy into a hug. She's dressed for work, probably planning to leave soon after we do. She's an elementary school teacher and has been as long as I've been a lawyer.

"Sorry, Marce. Good luck today! Hope you have a couple brats to keep you on your toes!"

I drape my arm over my daughter's shoulders and Marcy scoffs playfully as we walk away. I unlock the doors and open Emma's for her and she slides in excitedly. I run over to my side and sink into my seat, turning the ignition and driving away quickly.

"We have plenty of time, dad. I just like being early."

I grin and rest my arm on the back of her chair.

"I know. I got you Starbucks!"

"No way! Thanks!"

She pulls her coffee up and takes a sip before examining the cup.

"Who's Jodie and why does she want you to call her?"

"Huh?"

I look at her inquisitively and glance at the cup. I didn't even notice that stupid girl
wrote her number on the cup at the coffee shop.

"Some dumb girl that works at Starbucks. She was giving me eyes."

Emma giggles and sticks her tongue out in disgust.

"Maybe I should text her and tell her to leave my dad alone."

I laugh and focus on the road.

"Yeah, maybe you should."

She stops laughing and stares out the window.

"You're with Cece anyway."

The way she says her name proves to me that she dislikes her almost as much as I've
begun to.

"Yeah, I am."

"Are you going to marry her?"

"Nah, probably not."

It feels a bit strange being so honest with my daughter, but it's also a relief.

"You don't seem happy with her."

I'm shocked by her intuition.

"I'm happy, sweetie."

"Yeah, when you're away from her."

She's really nailed it on the head, but I haven't discussed these things with anyone and
Emma certainly isn't going to be the first to hear about my relationship troubles.

"Are you excited about starting high school today?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm a bit nervous though."

"Nah, no need. You're so smart. You'll love it here."

We pull up to the large, familiar school and I park the car.

"Can't you just drop me off?"

I gasp in fake offense.

"No, I just mean... if you have to go to work."

I can tell she's just trying not to hurt my feelings and I understand more than she knows.

"It's fine, love. I'm just going to update your emergency card and go see Zayn. I'll let
you get out first if you'd please."

She giggles and leans over, pecking me on the cheek.

"I don't care, dad. As long as you don't embarrass me."

"No promises."

I stick my tongue out and hand her cup of coffee to her as she opens the door and gets out. I follow suit, holding my still warm cup in my hand, locking the door behind us. I readjust my aviators on the bridge of my nose and Emma rolls her eyes.

"What?"

"Do you think those make you look cool or something?"

I scoff and take a sip of my coffee, dangling my keys from my finger.

"No, I don't think they make me look cool. I know they do."

She giggles and spots some of her friends ahead, waving and starting to walk toward them.

"Bye, dad! Thanks for the ride."

"You're welcome, sweetie. Have a good day!"

She waves and approaches three other giggly girls, none of whom I recognize, but I
don't let it get me down. I find it quite endearing that she doesn't try to have people over while at my house. She really does like spending time with me. I think.
I walk toward the front office and eventually find myself in an extremely crowded, stuffy room. Parents and students alike are crammed in the tiny quarters and I immediately retreat, deciding it best to wait outside until homeroom starts and the mob subsides. I sit on a nearby bench and rest my elbows on my knees, peeling at the sleeve wrapped around my paper cup. I glance up at the courtyard and relive different experiences in a flash. Meeting Marcy, being bullied, finding out I was going to be a father. This school holds too many memories that I'm surprised I remember.

I see two boys about twenty yards away, kicking a football back and forth, backpacks set aside. One is blonde, the other brunette. They laugh and carry on without a care in the world. I sometimes wish school was like that for me. I wish I dated, or played for the football team. That's always how I expected high school to be. I push those thoughts aside, remembering how much I love my daughter and how I wouldn't giver her up for anything. Regardless, I find myself enthralled in the two boys messing around before school.

That is, until they're joined by a third boy.

He's tall and broad, although still a bit lanky. His soft brown curls are being pushed back by a light wind and his eyes sparkle, even though I can't tell exactly what color they are. Maybe he just has a glow. He doesn't join in kicking the ball, but stands aside, watching the two lads like I was, sipping tea from a reusable cup. It looks like he's got two bags of tea in his cup, the tags hanging over the edge.

Why do I care how he likes his tea? Why am I so enticed by this lad? Something about him is just... exquisite and familiar. I know I've seen him somewhere before. He has a sort of masculinity to him that is simply awe-inspiring, but the way he stands, legs close together, reminds me of a female model. He crosses his arms, obviously a bit grumpy and wanting to go back to bed, but he smiles and laughs along side his mates regardless.

And the way he laughs. It's really wonderful. He throws his head back and his perfect teeth shine as he lets out a deep cackle. I hear him faintly as he snickers, drowning out his two friends. I don't know why, but just looking at him makes me want to know more and I need to figure out where I've seen him. His face is just unforgettable. Beautiful.
The bell rings and I stand up quickly, not wanting someone to notice me staring at high school boys in the courtyard. Well, one high school boy in particular. I turn around the corner and enter the office again, finding it a bit less crowded, but I know I'll still have to wait.

I don't mind really. I love to daydream and I've finally found something good to think about. Someone, rather.


______________


"Okay, Mr. Tomlinson, everything has been updated. Thank you for your patience."

The second bell has already rung, so homeroom must be over. I've been here a while.

"No problem. Have a nice day."

The woman behind the desk grins and returns the sentiment, waving as I walk away. Instead of heading back to my car, I toss my coffee in the garbage and walk through the outdoor corridor, swinging my keys around in a nervous habit. I pull my sunglasses down so that I don't have to squint at the bright sunlight peaking through the large pillars. I walk into an indoor corridor and easily find the music room. I carelessly swing the door open, knowing Zayn won't mind if I interrupt his class.

As soon as I step inside, though, I look straight ahead and my covered eyes meet with none other than the boy from earlier. I force myself not to smile as his bright eyes shift up and he stares at me. They're green, I think. His fingers stop moving completely from the piano and his two friends continue to talk, unaware that he's no longer listening. I don't know if he can see me looking at him, but if I don't stop, someone will notice. I snap my head away and slide my glasses on top of my head, walking over to Zayn's desk and lean back against it, forcing myself to face the opposite direction of the lad behind the piano.

"Hey, Zayn. How's the first day going?"

"Hey, Lou. Alright, I guess. I don't have a homeroom class, so this was my first one and
all these kids are seniors. I've had 'em for four years, so there's nothing to do."

"Slacking on the first day, Malik. Not surprised."

He chuckles and shakes his head sarcastically and I sit back to make myself a bit more comfortable.

"So, you can take Emma home on Friday, right? I won't make it back in time from the office, but Cece can get her if you'll be busy."

"I can take her. There's no way I'm going to be the reason she's stuck with Cece all fucking day."

I laugh and ignore the subject. I make a mental note to talk to Zayn about it all some other time, though.

"Who's the kid at the piano? The one with the curly hair?"

He looks up and I feel my face turn red. I remind myself that it's not a weird question.

"Oh, that's Harry Styles. Good kid, brilliant on the piano."

"Styles. It sounds familiar, but I can't think of where I would know him from."

"Hmm. That's weird. No idea, mate. I've had him four years, though. He's really bright, but he seems a bit bored."

I want to ask a million more questions, but decide to leave it at that for now. I don't want to draw attention to myself by interrogating my best friend about one of his male students.

"Alright, well I better go. I'm manning the office today."

Zayn gives me a knowing glare and lowers his voice.

"Meaning you'll sit by yourself at the office, have a good wank, and take a nap?"

"Probably. See ya!"

We both laugh and I pat him on the shoulder, gathering my keys and pushing my sunglasses back down as I walk back to the door. I rush out in order to keep myself from looking behind me at the boy, Harry. Harry Styles. Where do I know that name?
I walk briskly through the hall and find my way out to the car park, the sun making me squint, even though I'm wearing my glasses. I walk down the sidewalk and take a few steps toward my car before I hear the door open behind me. The same door I came from.

I make it to my silver car and press the unlock button before turning to see who was outside with me. I stand at my door and look over a row to see Harry, hands tucked into his pockets as he stares blatantly at me. A goofy grin spreads across my face and I'm surprised by his bravery in not hiding his desirous gaze. I pull my sunglasses off as a way of letting him know that I was staring right back. I smile wider as our eyes meet and he grins, a bit unsure of himself.

He shifts on his feet and I feel a bit nervous at the thought of him walking over and talking to me, so I awkwardly clear my throat and look away, sliding into my car and driving away without looking back. As soon as I pull onto the main road, I hit the palm of my hand against my steering wheel in frustration. My mind runs wild with the possibilities of the situation I just ruined, but also with the stupidity I'm embracing by even entertaining these ideas.

I need to stop thinking about the Harry Styles. Even if he is perfect.

Notes

OKAY! Second chapter ;D I hope you are enjoying this so far! I know we haven't gotten to the meat of this story yet, but I'm really having fun with writing it. It's just different than anything I've written before, so it's exciting! haha.

Please give me your opinions, though! They mean the world to me <3

Also, I know that the school system works differently in England, but the way I'm writing it is more similar to the American school system, and I'm sorry if that bothers any of you, but it's an academy, so we'll just say they can do it however they want haha.

Thank you so much for reading <3

Please subscribe.rate.comment. xx MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL! I'm so exhausted, but I'll communicate more tomorrow :*

God, he looks good in aviators. haha!