Hi, Mr. Styles

Five

They'd seen a lot of each other over the past two weeks. Spent time together nearly every day, whether it be dinner, study sessions, or movie nights. Erin preferred discretion, leaving Hope in Jackie's care, which she was becoming increasingly more comfortable with, as Hope seemed to love her. Erin opted to visit Harry's home instead of having him come over but she couldn't keep it up forever. There was also that nagging feeling of lying to her daughter.

Tonight, she was make-up free and wearing sweats while sitting on his couch, he made her that comfortable. A blinking cursor taunted her from the laptop screen. She was five pages into an essay due for her English course, which would have been okay, were there not seven more to go. A mere two days stood between her and the deadline. She could just about feel the pressure in her limbs, stretching out to ease the tension to no avail.

She kept quiet so as not to disturb Harry, who was stressing over assignments of his own. He was second guessing his decision to attend summer classes. He needed a break. The elementary school was out soon and it might be a perfect time. Especially since he had Erin now. He'd fallen and it didn't appear he'd been the only one.

Erin didn't really care to analyze Shakespeare's work like her professor wanted. She wished more teachers were like Harry. Engaging, making education seem less like a chore and more like a key that opened countless doors. Whoever he'd go on to teach would be lucky to have him. Maybe she'd wait until then to attend a university. She was so frustrated, the wait seemed almost doable.

She was still staring at the cursor when Harry's voice cut into her thoughts. He was doing that thing, making eye contact so she'd know he was listening before going back to what he was doing. As a teacher, he'd long ago perfected multitasking.

He closed his laptop and sat back; the home office was just off the living room, the patio-style doors open. The home's abundance of open space allowed them their own distraction-free work space while also ensuring they never felt alone.

"What's the matter?" He never asked just to ask. He sincerely cared and it both thrilled and terrified her all at once. She'd never met anyone like him, someone who constantly extended small gestures to help others. Just last night at dinner, the waitress managed to spill not one, but two drinks from the tray she carried on him.

He'd told her it was no big deal, he had another shirt in the car. Erin noted the look they'd shared, him and the young waitress, who couldn't have been more than about 18. He seemed to understand her, see through her, almost. She was sincerely sorry but it was more than that.

Erin heard her crying in the bathroom stall next to her a few minutes later, recognizing her shoes, and casually mentioned it to Harry. The next time he saw her, he assured her it was okay, told her to forget about it, which was desperately needed kindness. She'd taken a moment to talk to them, to vent, as she seemed to need. Her name was Alissa.

It was only her third day and she figured she'd be fired soon. She needed the job, had to provide a stable home. It was just her and her two siblings now, as she was seeking legal guardianship so that her family could stay together. Alissa only cried harder when the nice pair was gone, leaving behind a tip just about the same amount of their bill and a few kind words to the manager about her and her stellar service.

Erin recalled a similar situation the one time Calvin had taken her out. He'd made quite a scene there in that restaurant, sent his food back three times claiming it was cold, berated the wait staff. Erin had been incredibly embarrassed. And it was her first real date. She'd never forget it.

She took note of the way a man treated people, learned his true character and thus far, she'd witnessed nothing less than genuine kindness and graciousness from Harry. Which was why she didn't hesitate to tell him anything. He wasn't judgmental.