Finding, Finding... Found.

Chapter 4

Alyssa had been teaching the three-year-old girl, Lisa Tarin, how to spell the word ‘elephant’ when her doorbell rang, signaling that Harry Styles has arrived. Carrying Lisa, she walked towards the door only to find both Harry and Niall.

“Erm – Niall? Not to be rude, Niall, but Harry didn’t… mention that you’d be here,” Alyssa explained the confusion written all over her face.

“Can you let us in first?” Niall winced at how rude he sounded, and explained himself. “I mean, I don’t want us to get recognized by paparazzi… that’ll just cause a lot of trouble, especially for you.”

Sighing, Alyssa let them in. After all, Niall did have a point.

The two boys walked in and immediately sensed how empty Alyssa’s flat was – there was a table and a sofa, but by the looks of it they were probably not bought by Alyssa. Not only did they look old and sort of grungy, but well… they just didn’t look her type – they were bright neon colors, and even from the little time they’ve spent with her they’ve realized that she hated attention.

While Niall was busy looking around, Harry immediately moved towards Lisa, who seemed to appreciate Harry’s company. So much so that she started crying, and Alyssa, sensing that Lisa would prefer it if Harry was the one carrying her, reluctantly placed Lisa into Harry’s well-muscled arms.

“Erm, would the both of you like a drink?” Alyssa asked. She didn’t want to come across as an impolite host, especially after how she had asked about Niall’s presence in the beginning.

“Just water for the both of us, thanks,” Niall replied chirpily as he settled down onto one of the dining chairs. “You live here alone?”

Alyssa flushed with slight embarrassment, not knowing how to reply that question. Niall and Harry were both probably millionaires, while she was struggling financially in her tiny and barren rented flat. Harry sensed Alyssa’s hesitation and tried to change the topic, his eyes signaling to Niall that he should stop asking about Alyssa’s housing situation.

“Lisa’s quite an adorable child, isn’t she?” Harry offered, taking off his beanie and giving it to Lisa to play with.

“Do-Don’t give it-” Alyssa warned, but groaned two seconds later when she realized it was too late. “She licks everything, Harry.”

Looking at how Lisa was licking his best friend’s beloved beanie, Niall couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “Harry’s face was priceless!”

***

“Shh Niall – she’s asleep!” Harry and Alyssa whispered to Niall, who was chewing the animal crackers (that were originally meant for Lisa) loudly.

Niall nodded his head apologetically and put away the crackers, before whispering. “What time is she going to get picked up? I was wondering if we could go for a late night snack. There aren’t many paps at night.”

Alyssa looked at her watch before answering Niall. “Just ten minutes. And I’m cool with it – where do you suggest?”

Harry placed his palm against Niall’s hands before rolling his eyes. “Please, Alyssa. Never ask Niall for any suggestions relating to food – he’ll never stop rambling.”

Alyssa’s eyes shone with amusement, and she giggled silently before nodding and prying Harry’s palm off the poor Irish boy’s lips – but not without giving a stern warning first. “I swear to God Niall, if you start…”

“Yes yes, Miss A,” Niall replied jokingly, and the three of them proceeded to talk about Alyssa’s job.

***

“So Alyssa, why were you babysitting? Doesn’t your day job pay enough?” Harry inquired as he scooped some cookie dough ice cream into his mouth.

“Not really – like I said before, it’s only a part time job,” Alyssa explained before shrugging. “With my… qualifications, or lack of it I guess; it’s become quite difficult for me to find a full-time job.”

“Didn’t you go to school? Like, a proper middle school at least – wait, how old are you?” Niall bombarded her with questions, and Harry snickered.

Looks like the Irish lad has found himself a love interest, Harry thought.

“I’m was born in 1995 – do the Math,” Alyssa smiled, but Niall’s face remained frozen.

Holy… Did I… Is it her? Niall’s intense stare at Alyssa was getting awkward, and Harry coughed rather loudly to diffuse the tension.

“He gets… sort of weird when he’s eating,” Harry joked. “He just loves food too much, I guess.”

Though Harry laughed along with Alyssa, Niall could feel Harry’s eyes sending out a hidden message to him.

You’re going to tell me what just happened there. It was clear in Harry’s eyes that he was determined as hell to find out what was going on with his best friend, and to say Niall was afraid that he would find out is an understatement.

 ***

After an hour of fooling around and knowing more about each other, Alyssa reminded them that unlike them, she actually had to work the next day.

“So that means you have to go?” Niall’s eyes were filled with an unexplainable sadness. Harry’s eyes showed reluctance, but Niall’s…

Alyssa couldn’t shake off the feeling that she knew him from somewhere, and that he knew exactly where that somewhere was.

“I really have to go,” she smiled apologetically. “We could hang out another time maybe? You could bring the others, they all seem pretty nice.”

“If Liam had been here, we wouldn’t have talked about half the things we did,” Harry joked, and Niall chuckled in agreement.

“I’m sure the only reason why he has to be that strict is because he hangs out with four kids,” Alyssa teased, putting on her jacket. “Bye guys.”

“Wait – Aly! Do you need a ride home?” Niall shouted just as Alyssa was about to step out of the café, and Alyssa froze at the all too familiar nickname.

What the hell.

Aly. Niall.

Someone called Niall just call me Aly.

Alyssa’s thoughts were jumbled up, and her heart was thumping so loudly and quickly that she found it hard to breathe.

“Niall… what did you just call me?” Alyssa’s eyes were wide with confusion and a hint of longing.

 Niall mumbled some curse words under his breath, his hands running through his hair.

Oh… crap.