Second Chance

Chapter 1

Hey all! So this is a new fanfic with the pairing of Harry Styles/Demi Lovato. I hope you all like it and if you read, please, please give me feedback! It would be much appreciated :) x

Demi's POV

I pulled into my driveway and sighed softly. It was Sunday evening and I had just got back from the grocery store. I still had quite a few chores to get done yet tonight and I had work in the morning. This was the only downside to working every weekday. I felt like I had no time to myself. I worked at a day care called Rising Stars. I taught there from Monday-Friday and I absolutely loved my job. I always loved working with children. Things were a bit exhausting lately though. It was almost 3 months ago that I had caught my boyfriend of 2 years cheating on me with my best friend, Sam. Needless to say, neither were in my life anymore. And worst of all, I ran into Sam at the store just moments ago. I don't think she saw me and I tried my best to hide from her while I was there. That was the worst thing about living in this tiny town. I was bound to run into the two of them every now and then. And that was just something I did not quite know how to handle yet. I was just relieved I was finally home.

I got out of the car and brought my groceries inside and put them away before I went to go take the garbage out. I made myself a small dinner and did the dishes before going to relax on the couch and watching some tv. Ever since my boyfriend, Tyler, moved out, things had been really quiet at my place. Too quiet. In all honesty, I had been feeling pretty lonely. Tyler and Sam were the only friends I really had. And due to them both betraying me, I was pretty alone. 

I did get along with one man who worked at the day care though. His name was Liam and he was really nice. But, it's not like we had ever hung out outside of work. He did have a wife, Danielle, and he spent most of his free time with her. I told myself that I would have to try and make a friend or ask someone to hang out soon. The most conversations I had were with young children and that wasn't really healthy for me. 

*****

I woke to the sound of my alarm at 7 am that morning. My shift really started at 9 am but I always worried about being late. So, I got up and had a long, hot shower and made myself some breakfast before I finally headed out the door. I arrived at work a little after 8 and I just set up the classroom, smiling the first few children were dropped off by their parents. I wasn't the only teacher in the classroom though. There were 15 children who came into this room so there were 3 of us. It was me, Liam, and another young woman by the name of Eleanor. We each worked with a group of five kids. The children were four-year-olds and they were really fun to be around. They always managed to put a smile on my face and they were my biggest distraction from my current situation. 

The day went by pretty fast and none of the children really gave any trouble today except for the one child I had in my group. His name was Alex Styles and lately, he had been acting out. He had always had a bit of an attitude but lately he hadn't been sharing with the other children and I knew I was going to have to talk to his parents. I had called home during the day and I talked to his father. I  was cleaning up the classroom when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I stood up and faced the man, inhaling sharply as I met his eyes. He was incredibly handsome and he appeared to be quite boyish even though he was most likely in his mid-twenties. "You wanted to speak to me? I'm Harry, Alex's father. We spoke earlier on the phone." He smiled softly.

I nodded, trying to form words. "Yes, I did.. Alex!" I called out for his son. "Could you please clean up the rest of these blocks for me like a big boy? You know where everything goes." I smiled sweetly at the small boy before turning back to his father. I could definitely tell he was Alex's father. They had the same green eyes and the same curls.

I spoke softly. "Lately, Alex has been acting out. He didn't start acting like this until Tuesday of last week. I tried to speak with him about it but he hasn't been listening. He doesn't want to share with the other children and he tends to try and play by himself. Do you have any idea why this could be?"

Harry sighed softly. "I think I know why.. The other day he stayed at one of his friend's houses and he came home all moody. I don't think he's very thrilled over the fact he only has one parent." I raised a brow, confused, as he went on. "My wife passed away two years after he was born.." He swallowed hard as he spoke.

I blushed slightly, not wanting him to think I was being nosy or pushy. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss.."

Harry waved me off. "It's alright. Alex was just going on the other night about how he wishes he had a mummy. And I work a lot so he's usually with my friend, Louis." 

I felt bad for him. It wasn't like he wasn't a good parent, it was always hard to raise a child on your own though. My older sister is a single mother so I couldn't help but kind of understand where he was coming from.

"Don't worry about it," I shook my head. "You know if you ever need help, you could just let me know. With babysitting and stuff. Alex is a good kid, he's just confused. It's understandable."

Harry smiled softly at me. "That's really nice of you to offer. Only if you are sure though. I mean he seems to like you. He brings up Miss Lovato sometimes." Harry let out a low chuckle.

I laughed softly. "I wouldn't mind spending more time with him." I wrote my number down on a slip of paper and handed it to him. "Let me know if you ever need help." Harry thanked me again and put the number in his jeans pocket.

At that moment, Alex ran over and he ran straight into his father's arms. Harry kissed the top of his head. "Well we better get home, kiddo. It's mac and cheese night, tonight!" 

Alex threw his arms up in the air. "Yayyy!" He smiled happily and I couldn't help but smile at him. It only took the smallest thing for children to be happy. I wish that was how life would be for adults too. That was the great thing about children. It didn't take much to please them.

Harry smiled at me. "Well, I guess I will talk to you soon then, Miss Lovato." He gave me a small wave before heading out the door.

I waved back and went to pack up my things. I knew I shouldn't have offered to help him out, considering that I already had so much on my plate, but he seemed like a great guy and maybe, just maybe, I could make a new friend.