the classroom - hs.

Chapter 12: dRuNk

Valerie's POV: 10:30 AM

I was sitting at the kitchen table, just having finished my breakfast. My phone buzzed with a notification from who knows what. Harry was at the grocery store buying things to prepare for Christmas, so I thought maybe he had texted.

I picked up my phone and glanced down at the screen. The notification was from Instagram.

"allison.johnson liked your post."

Who?

I opened the notification. I clicked on the profile. Allison Johnson was a blonde woman who looked strangely familiar.

"Followed by harrystyles"

That's why she was familiar. She's the principal of Logan (and Harry's) school.

But why would SHE like MY post?

Timeskip- 3:00 PM

Even though it was Christmas Break, I decided to look through my work emails. Nothing new, which was a good thing, I guess. I clicked onto my profile picture to switch to my personal email.

I scrolled through a couple of spam emails before seeing an email from an "Allison Johnson".

Her again??

I opened the email, wondering what on earth it could be.

Subject: Logan

Hi Valerie,

I wanted to reach out to you regarding your son Logan. I understand that it is currently winter break, but it is urgent and I think that given the situation, it cannot wait. I was wondering if you would be able to meet up for coffee or something along those lines to have a meeting?

Best regards, Ms. Johnson

Even more confused, I began to type a reply to her.

Re: Logan

Hi Ms. Johnson,

I can meet up this evening, maybe around 8:00? We could go to the bar? I hope everything is alright with Logan.

Valerie

Not even 5 minutes later, I get a reply from her, confirming that yes, she can meet.

I closed my laptop, shaking my head.

What could Logan have done this time?

I stood up from my seat at the kitchen table and walked upstairs to Logan's room. I knocked on his door, waiting to hear him say "come in" before entering. I walked into his room, stepping over a pile of dirty clothes on the floor. Logan was laying down on his bed, scrolling on his phone.

"Mom, before you tell me that my room is a mess, I was going to clean it in like 10 minutes," Logan said, before I could even get a word out.

I rolled my eyes. "That's not why I came up here. Your principal emailed me asking to have a meeting. Do you have any idea why?"

Logan put his phone down and sat up. "No Mom, I haven't even done anything recently."

"Oh okay, hopefully it's nothing bad. I'm going to meet up with her around 8:00. Will you be okay staying home with Harry?" I asked. "He'll be back from the store soon."

Logan sighed and flipped back onto his bed. "Yes Mom, I'll be fine."

"Alright," I said, stepping back over his clothes and leaving his room.

Around 15 minutes later, I heard a car in the driveway. Harry's back.

I grabbed my winter coat and put some slippers on to go help him bring in groceries.

I kissed Harry on the cheek when he steps out of the car. He opened the back of his Range Rover, revealing a trunk full of not just groceries, but presents.

I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands. "Are those...?"

"For you. And Logan," Harry said.

"Harry... you didn't have to," I told him, tears welling in my eyes.

As a single mom, I had never been able to get that many gifts for Logan. That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me.

"I wanted to," Harry said, wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me tightly.

I hugged him back and kissed him. I think I love him.

I stepped back from him and grabbed a couple bags of groceries to bring inside. Harry grabbed the rest of them and closed the trunk. "I'll leave everything else in the back so Logan doesn't find them," he explained.

"Okay," I replied. "By the way, Ms. Johnson emailed me today. We're going to have a meeting at the bar about Logan."

Harry froze. "Why would she have a meeting with you? Usually she doesn't meet with parents unless it's a serious issue." He looked up at me. "And why the bar?? That seems like an unusual meeting spot."

I shrugged. "It was my suggestion. I didn't want it to be awkward."

"I guess that makes sense. Well, make sure to stay safe and don't drive if you get drunk."

I laughed. "I know. But you're right, I don't know why she would want to meet. I guess we'll see."

Time Skip: 7:50 PM

I pulled into the bar's parking lot. I wanted to get there early so I could have a drink to calm my nerves. I didn't even know why I was nervous. Maybe because I knew that it really wasn't going to be a meeting about Logan.

I locked my car and walked into the bar. I sat down at a stool. "One vodka martini please," I told the bartender. He nodded and took my card to start a tab.

She showed up exactly at 8:00. I was on my second drink by then. "Hope you haven't had too much without me," she said as she sat down next to me. She ordered her drink and turns to face me.

"Of course not," I said, laughing. "So, Ms. Johnson-"

"Allison," she interrupted me, smiling. "No need for formalities."

I smiled back, slightly relieved. She was being friendly so far.

45 minutes later, we were several rounds in and on the dance floor. The music was blaring and my head was spinning. We never even got to talking about Logan. Over the music, I heard Allison yell. "I need to tell you something."

I turn to face her. "I don't actually need to talk to you about Logan. It's about something else" She downed the rest of the drink in her hand.

"What is it??" I yell back, hoping she could hear me.

"Harry has a wife," she says. "Oh, and two kids."

WHAT.