Change My Mind

Someone New

I finally had a day to get away from all the stress with Aubree and treat myself to a day alone in London. My sister, Elizabeth, agreed to watch Aubree for a couple hours while I shopped around.

I texted my best friend Emma and walked into a coffee shop on the corner of an extremely busy street. 

As I walked into the shop, the smell of coffee beans drifted into my nose. I smiled. That was my absolute favorite smell.

After I ordered myself a mocha frapp, I walked out and took a long drink of it.

I went to turn the corner and ran right into someone else walking down the sidewalk. My frapp went flying in the air and hit the ground with a loud splat. 

"I'm so sorry!" I said, as a pair of strong hands steadied my shoulders. I found myself staring into the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen.

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. "It's okay. Ah, I'm the one who should be apologizing. Not paying attention and such - I'm Niall. Niall Horan." he said in a prominent Irish accent.

He looked extremely familiar but I couldn't pin point from where.

I blinked in astonishment and he dropped his hands awkwardly to his sides. "I'm Olivia Morgan. It's okay, about the whole bumping into me thing?" I replied.

Niall smiled and blushed. I bent down to pick up the now empty cup and I tossed it into the garbage by the side of the building.

"Sorry about your drink." Niall said. I shrugged. "It happens. Uh, I guess I'll see you around?" I said. Niall nodded and I turned to walk away.

"Hey, ah, Olivia?" I heard from behind me. I turned to face him and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" I responded. "Can I have your number?" he asked.

I nodded and we exchanged phones to put our contact information in them.

I typed in my name and added a winky face. Maybe Niall was interested in me, and maybe I deserved someone new.

I handed him his phone back and he handed me mine. I shoved my phone back in my pocket and smiled again.

"I'll call you." Niall said. "That's... cool. Bye, Niall." I said. He turned and walked away.

I watched him as he walked away, and as he turned his head back around and flashed me one more smile.

When I started to go my own way, I couldn't help but think about Harry and Aubree and how he doesn't even know she exists.

It was hard when she started talking and understanding what was going on around her. Her first word was actually DaDa.

If only I would have told him and stayed, then maybe things would be better. I can never fully understand why I decided to leave Holmes Chapel.

But then again, I did it for Harry and his career. I did it so that  I would never have the feeling that I was responsible for him never following or acheiving his dreams.

If I ever see Harry again, I'll be sure to pretend I'm normal. If I'm with Aubree, I'll pretend she's my sister's baby and act like I'm still single and childless.

_______________________________________________________

When I got to Elizabeth's house, I dropped my purse on the counter and walked over to Aubree's room where Elizabeth was feeding Aubree.

"Look, Bree! Mommy's home!" Elizabeth said. Aubree's face lit up and she smiled from eye to eye.

"Hello Aubree!" I exclaimed, scooping my baby up in my arms. I kissed her forehead and brushed her brown curls out of her face.

She has Harry's curls and my eyes. She also has his dimple and his bright smile. That's the only downside about having Harry's baby. Aubree looks just like him, and the fact that I haven't seen Harry in two years just makes it worse.

Aubree reminds me of him every single day and I have to live with myself and all the blame and hurt.

Aubree doesn't deserve that. And maybe Niall was the start of something new. When and if he ever calls, I'll be sure to tell him about Aubree and maybe if things work out between me and him, then he can meet Bree and love her just the same.

I looked down at my little sunshine and all I could think about is her bright future and my blurred past. 

I gave Aubree back to my sister and told her I was going to go take a shower. 

I turned the hot water on and stepped in. The water shot out from the shower head and the hot water cascaded down my back.

Goosebumps covered my arms and I shuddered. 

Images of earlier today clouded my brain and I just turned the water hotter as if it would help get rid of them.

A chime from my phone rang throughout the bathroom and made me jump. I pushed the curtain back and reached for my phone. 

It was a text from Niall. *Hey, jw if you wanted 2 hang soon, lemme know by tnight.*

I smiled and dropped my phone on the sink so I could continue my shower.

When I got out, I pulled clean clothes on and blowdried my hair.

I texted Niall back, *Yeah! I would love to. Just tell me when and where.*  

He responded immediately and told me to give him my address and that he'd pick me up. He wanted to take me to a party his friend was hosting.

I instantly agreed and ran to go get ready.