LOUIS’ P.O.V.


“You don’t know how thrilled she is that you’ve been spending so much time with her.”

Marcy and I watched a movie with Emma before she went to bed and now we’re having tea in the kitchen. It makes me happy to know that my daughter enjoys my company.

“I am too. I’ve been meaning to make more time for her recently and I think driving her to school is a good place to start.”

She nods and takes a sip of her steaming tea.

“Are you going to tell me what happened with Cece?”

I stare at the table and shrug sarcastically.

“How do you know something happened with Cece?”

She glares at me teasingly and I finally give up.

“Alright, yeah, we’re through.”

“What? How come?”

I try to come up with a way to explain myself without sounding like a complete arse, but that isn’t possible.

“I don’t love her. I don’t know what I want, Marce. It’s like, I’ve been with her so long that it’s become just ‘the way things are’ but it shouldn’t be like that when we aren’t even married. I just- I don’t even like fucking her anymore. It feels like a chore and she started to realize that. She accused me of cheating on her, but I haven’t. I’ve just realized that she isn’t what I want and now that I’m not lying to myself, I can’t lie to her. I know she doesn’t see it that way, but I’ll just end up hurting her more if we stay together.”

Marcy seems less than surprised, but she takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Wow. What made you realize all of this?”

“You’ll think I’m crazy...”

She giggles and playfully slaps my shoulder.

“Lou, I’ve known you for twenty years. I know you’re crazy.”

I chuckle and my face heats and reddens. Do I want to tell her? I want to tell someone.

“I saw someone today. I- I didn’t even speak to them, but just looking at them, I wanted them
more than I’ve ever wanted Cece. I can’t explain it, Marcy.”

She clears her throat and I still can’t look at her.

“Who was this person?”

There’s no way I can tell her. She’s a teacher. She’s a responsible adult and apparently, I’m a pervert.

“I- uh, don’t know. It was a guy though.”

She nearly spits out the last sip of tea she took and starts to cough. I can’t help but to laugh as she tries to contain her surprise.

“A guy? Louis, you’re gay?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to put a label on myself. I just- I can’t explain it. I can’t stop thinking about him and I never felt that way about Cece, or any other woman for that matter.”

She sets her mug down and holds both of my hands in hers. I finally glance up and meet her eyes.

“Louis, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’ll love you all the same and so will Emma.”

They won’t if they find out that the guy who has caught my attention is a senior from my daughter’s school who attends my best friends class.

“Thanks, Marcy. Don’t say anything to Emma, though. I’ll think of a way to tell her myself.”

“Of course, love. Now, let’s get to bed. I guess I’ll share so you don’t have to sleep on the couch. I suppose I don’t have to worry about roaming hands.”

She winks and I stick my tongue out at her jokingly. I’m really thankful to have her.


____________


HARRY’S P.O.V.


I arrive at school the next day with bags under my eyes and huge smile on my face even though I was unable to sleep. Abrielle and I plan on finding out who that man is this week and I’m really excited. I’m trying really hard not to get my hopes up, but just thinking about him gets my heart beating like a drum.

“Morning, Haz.”

Niall walks over and pats me on the back, almost spilling my tea. I let out a breath when I balance my cup.

“Morning. How was your night?”

He drops a football on the ground and starts kicking it back and forth between his feet. I wish I were at least decent at football, but I’m absolute rubbish.

“Great. Abbs spent the night.”

He winks at me and I scoff because I know they haven’t had sex even though he hints at this untruth constantly.

“Where is she?”

“I took her home this morning so she could change and stuff. She’ll be here soon.”

I nod and take another sip of my tea as Liam and Ellery approach us in the courtyard.

“Hey, guys. What’s up?”

Liam speaks through a yawn, his arm draped over Ellery’s shoulder as she cuddles against his chest, smiling sleepily.

“Exhausted. I didn’t sleep much.”

I look around the courtyard and search for Abby or the mystery man. Perhaps if I find Mr. Malik,
I can bring it up inconspicuously. Who knows. I’m probably just going mad.

“Us either. We stayed on the phone way too late.”

They start kissing and being way too coupley. Niall continues to focus on his soccer ball as I keep glancing around awkwardly until I finally see Abrielle walking toward us in a rush. I walk away from the group and meet her halfway through the courtyard.

“Hey, good morning.”

She pulls me into a hug and looks me over.

“Morning, Harry. You look... tired.”

“I am, yeah. Couldn’t sleep. So-“

I glance over her shoulder and stop immediately when I see him in the parking lot.

“Oh my god, Abby. That’s him.”

I grip her shoulders and turn her around quickly, ducking a little behind her back and pointing to the parking lot.

“Where?”

I peek over her shoulder and she slaps my chest.

“Stop hiding like a baby. Just act normal.”

I stand up and casually put one hand in the pocket of my tight jeans, sipping my tea again and
trying to look natural.

“Okay, fine. He’s the one walking toward us,” I glance back toward him and notice someone next to him, “and I think that’s the new girl with him. The one Niall and Liam want me to ask out.”

How does he know her? What was her name anyway? Emma?

“Emma. I think she’s Emma. I have a class with her too. How do you think he knows her?”

“No idea. Seems like he brought her to school, huh?”

Abby turns to me in a fast twirl.

“You don’t think she’s his-“

I glance down at her confused.

“His what, Abbs?”

“His... daughter?”

She whispers the last part like it’s a secret when we don’t even know the man’s name.

“That’s not possible. He can’t be old enough-“

Can he?

He kisses Emma on the cheek and she wipes it off dramatically as they both laugh and walk separate ways.

“Oh my god. Abby, I think it is his daughter.”

Emma walks over to a group of girls standing in a circle near the large fountain in front of us.

“You need to talk to her. It’s your best bet, Harry.”

I shake my head violently and watch the man walk toward the music building.

“Harry, you have to! Just go introduce yourself to her properly and find out who he is!”

Abrielle shoos me away and I stumble forward before anxiously walking toward the fountain. I shouldn’t be nervous to talk to a freshman girl, but to think that she knows that man and is possibly related to him sends shivers down my spine. I continue to walk and glance back at Abby as Niall approaches her and she gives me a reassuring smile.

I finally make it to the huddle of four giggling girls and hesitate before tapping the familiar one on the shoulder. She turns around, scared a bit, and clears her throat when her eyes meet mine. Her friends whisper to each other obnoxiously and I try to not physically roll my eyes.

“Hi, I’m Harry. I-uh just wanted to introduce myself properly since we have a couple classes together.”

She brushes a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear and looks everywhere but at me.

“Um, I’m Emma. Nice to meet you, Harry.”

“We should- uh- hang out this weekend. You can meet some of my friends.”

“Oh- um- sure! I,” her voice cracks a little in excitement, “I’d like that. I’ll have to ask my dad, though, because I’m with him on the weekends. He’s probably still here actually. He just dropped me off and went to see Mr. Malik because they’re friends.”

Wow. Leave it to a teenage girl to tell me everything I need to know without me asking. Well, almost everything.

“Oh, your dad is friends with Mr. Malik? What’s his name?”

I hope that doesn’t sound like a weird question, but then again, who on earth would think I’m trying to get to her dad?

“Louis Tomlinson. Yeah, him and Zayn have been friends for as long as I can remember.”

I never even knew that Zayn was Mr. Malik’s name. I should probably change the subject now.

“Well, you should ask your dad about this weekend and let me know in gym.”

She glances down at the ground and back at me.

“Um, sure. I’ll see you in gym.”

I grin and turn around, giving Abby a subtle thumbs up. This should be interesting. I’m just happy to have a name to match the face. Louis. Louis Tomlinson.

Notes

Happy happy New Years!!!! :D Sorry I took a while to update. Crazy day. But, yay!!! 2014!!! Let me know what you think about the chapter <3
I would write more but I'm with friends at the moment having a celebratory sleepover haha. ILYASM. Hope you had a lovely evening! I'll update real soon! xx