My Favorite Mistake (1D / H.S./ Harry Styles)- REVISING

Chapter 69

Harry's POV

I sit back down for a minute and reread her message. I wish I could express exactly what I'm feeling right now. It's pure shock because she is the LAST person I ever expected to hear from again. You have to add happy, excited, and scared in that mix. Happy because it's...well, Sam. We may have not spoken in years but that doesn't mean she isn't still on my mind frequently. How could I not remember her?!

I have been wanting to creep on her on social networks but I hadn't a clue what Liam's last name was. I begin to check out her page and move directly to her pictures. Oh my God! I find myself smiling at my phone. She looks fantastic!...and so happy. Kevin is so big! He looks just like his mom...and a daughter too?

I am suddenly jerked back into reality by the lunch bell ringing indicating it's time to return to our classrooms.

The rest of the afternoon is a blur. I try to remain focused while lecturing but on downtime during classes, I find myself getting lost in memories of Sam.

My workday has finished and I head to the grocery store. I sit in the parking lot for a bit pawing through Sam's pictures again. Then, I move back to her message. Do I reply? What do I say?

* * * *

It's been exactly two weeks since I got that direct message from Sam. I had decided to wait this length of time before responding to her. I figured I'd let the initial shock diminish. I needed to clear my head, which really hasn't happened. What started out as thinking about her every couple months has now consumed me.

I hadn't dare mention any of this to Katherine. She has my heart completely but doesn't have the confidence to believe such. I haven't loved anyone like I've loved her...or so I thought until two weeks ago. Sam was a close second. Katherine is my wife and the mother to my girls. I wouldn't want to change in a million years.

I've decided that I'm going to respond to Sam. My curiosity is getting the best of me. I want to know how she is. I want to hear it from her that she's happy. As I eat my lunch in my car today so not to be distracted, I pull-up Sam's direct message and begin to reply.

"Well, hello there, stranger! It has been a while! Of course, I remember you. How are you? I'm doing well, thanks. I've been married for five years to my wife, Katherine, and have two years old twin girls, Darcy and Sydney. We live in just outside of Los Angeles and I'm a 7th grade science teacher. What are you doing with yourself these days?

Good to hear from you,

Harry"

I hit send before I give it another thought. I guess we shall see if she responds.

Sam's POV

I'm loading my car with groceries when my phone gives me an alert. I finish and check it. No way! Harry responded?! I smile. He remembers me!

I reply immediately and fill him in briefly on how old the kids are and what I'm doing with myself these days. I keep it quite general. I really would love to find out details with him but I don't want him running scared. I've missed him! I hit send and head home.

He responds within an hour. We banter a bit catching up on eight years of silence. Our direct messages go back and forth like an evenly matched tennis tournament. It is growing late, the kids are due home, and I need to get dinner started. I get one last direct message from him for the day.

"So, would it be too forward to ask for your number so we can talk more in real time than over this? I'd like to hear your voice, if that isn't too forward."

Harry speaking his mind?! That's a new one! Now, I'm curious as hell to see if I can get some answers to some lingering questions I've had for years. I text back my number with times I'm able to talk. I don't dare talk in front of the kids or Liam. Why do I feel the need keep it a secret?...my dirty little secret.

I get a text from a Southern California number, "I'll call you tomorrow. It was nice catching up with you today. -H"

I add the new contact in as the kids come barreling in the front door filling me in on their days.

* * * *

The next day is just like any other. I place the possibility of Harry calling to the back of my head. History has proven to me that he hasn't been the most reliable person. Plus, who knows what his schedule is.

I decide to clean the bathrooms. As I am elbow deep in the second toilet, my music stops playing and my phone rings. I glance over at it on the iPod dock. It's Harry. Holy shit! I giggle to myself. Of course it is! I'm scrubbing a toilet and he calls. I let it go to voicemail and finish.

I wash my hands and call him back. He picks it up by the third ring...

"Hello, Beautiful!" I am instantly transported back a decade ago.