Finding, Finding... Found.

Chapter 3

***

“So, I guess this is goodbye, then?” Alyssa waved the boys goodbye tentatively. As much as she hated to admit it, she did like their company. Especially Harry’s… he was charming, though she would never tell him that. And of course, Niall, whose name had already left a deep impression on her heart.

“It won’t be!” Harry smiled widely though his eyes looked unsure. He scrambled around his jean pockets, hoping to find some sort of paper and a pen. There was no paper, but there was a pen. He ran towards the counter and took a piece of scrap paper before scribbling something on it and placing it in Alyssa’s palm.

“Is that what I think it is?” Alyssa looked bewildered. After all, it wasn’t everyday where a global superstar would give you his number, much less a very good-looking one. Harry simply nodded and smiled widely, showing both his dimples.

She couldn’t help it – a grin spread across her face.

“You should be honored, it’s not every day when our dear friend here gives out his number within a day of meeting,” Louis teased, and Alyssa could feel her face turn red at his comment.

As much as she would like to ignore it, she could feel herself developing a tiny little crush on Harry Styles.

Stupid, stupid face. Stop blushing!

Her internal debate only made it worse, and the five boys chuckled before running off, leaving her at the opening of the kindergarten. She shouted a quick goodbye to her colleagues before she left.

“Miss A!” she heard one of her students call out to her, and turned around to see one of her students running towards her with a paper in his hand, and a lollipop in another.

“A… A guy passed me a paper and told me to pass it to you!” the kid’s face was flushed, as if he was… star struck.

“Oh John, thank you,” Alyssa ruffled the boy’s hair. “Now go home safely, all right?”

The little boy simply nodded and scurried off.

Alyssa opened the piece of paper almost immediately and had to smile at the messy handwriting. It would have been illegible, but she had been teaching kids how to write – almost nothing was illegible to her anymore.

                My number’s at the back. Call me, please?

                Love,

                Niall

Before she forgot, Alyssa sent both numbers a text message, informing Harry and Niall of her phone number, and walked to the nearest job center. The afternoon had been fun, but she didn’t forget that she needed some more odd jobs to pay her monthly rent.

***

Hi, Alyssa.

Harry’s text was curt and direct, quite unlike how he was in real life. It amused Alyssa a little, but she decided to reply him.

Yes, Harry?

She continued cleaning up her room – someone called Mrs. Tarin would be sending her daughter over in an hour, and she had to make sure her room was safe for children. She needed to leave a great impression in order to create a stable income from babysitting. Her phone lit up again, signaling to her that someone had texted her again.

Can I come over?

Alyssa stood there, with her phone in her hand, not knowing what to reply. Sure, he had been nice and sort of cute today, but coming over to her house? She decided to ask him for a reason.

If it’s valid, I’ll let him come. She decided before typing her text, sending just a Why?

She continued her chores and silently hoped that Harry was just bored, and wasn’t actually keen on coming over. She could only imagine what a global superstar would think of her living conditions.

The boys are playing with some dumb video game which I’m not interested in. So… can I come over? Please?     I’ll bring some popcorn over, and a chick-flick, if you’d like.

Alyssa snorted. It was almost like Harry wanted a girls’ night in.

I’m babysitting.

Alyssa sent out that text, hoping that Harry would get the message – she was busy, and would not like company. She ignored the voice at the back of her head that was practically begging for her to let Harry spend the evening with her.

I’m good with kids. Please??????

Alyssa let out a silent groan before sending out another text.

Ugh, fine. I’ll text you my address in a minute.

A reply came in record time.

Yay! Thank you! I promise I’ll behave. X

Alyssa could only roll her eyes as she hid the last of her sharp objects away into her cupboard. As she plopped herself down onto her bed, she could not help but feel a little excitement. It was silly, but she couldn’t help it.

An evening with Harry Styles and a three-year-old kid. This should be fun.