Love Notes

-Friday July 13th, 2012

Friday came not a moment too soon for Iris. This was her last day of work for the week and she was looking forward to a long hot bath when she came home. Sadly, that meant getting through a full day of crying children. The flu was going around and even though the policy in the centre clearly stated that sick children were to remain in home care, Iris was convinced that was why a lot of them were fussy. No fever meant they were allowed in, but they weren’t feeling well.

Thankfully, there were more people working today. This meant Iris was able to go out for lunch. She’d arranged to meet Zayn at a little cafe three blocks from the day-care centre.

“No chocolate milk?” Zayn quipped as she approached him. He was sitting at one of the booths in the back. She’d told them about the mishap over dinner Wednesday night.

“Hardy har har..” Iris mumbled, reaching over to give him a quick hug before sitting down. “I had a full day yesterday and today as well. With this flu bug going around, it’s killer trying to wrangle a group of 17 toddlers Zayn, I’m telling you.”

She realised she was whining a bit, but couldn’t care less at the moment.

“God, I’m starving.. Have you ordered yet?”

Zayn shook his head, amused with his friends behaviour. When they both placed their orders, he decided he’d risk a remark.

“Is it really that hard?” He questioned. “I mean.. don’t they all just play? There’s not really anything you [b]have[/b] to do.. It’s not like school.”

Iris stared at him, not quite believing he just asked her that. Then, she just laughed.

“I’d love to say: come and see for yourself this afternoon, but I wouldn’t even put it past a group of toddlers to know who you guys are so that’s probably a no go.. Or my co-workers for that matter..” She mumbled at the end.

Zayn said nothing, knowing she was going to keep going.

“No, babe.. it’s [i]harder[/i] than that sometimes. Kids have tantrums, and when you’re dealing with 3 at a time they only tend to urge each other on. And especially since we don’t have a standing curriculum, it’s hard to fill a day when they don’t feel like doing anything else than be brats.”

“Do you like it there Bloom?” Zayn questioned softly. He hadn’t heard her speak that negatively about her job before.

Iris sighed. “It’s not my ideal job.. I’m not good with younger kids. I had the intention of teaching 10 year olds when I got my degree, but it’s hard getting a job here without ever having taught in an English school before. They don’t trust my skills because of the language barrier..” She said with a shrug. “And in the end, I do need another income next to writing the series, it’s just not enough by itself.”

Zayn felt himself growing frustrated. “That’s bullshit, you write in English too! You correct me on my grammar! For god sakes, they heard you speak, didn’t they?”

Iris smiled, thankful for his protectiveness. “That they did, it’s just not enough. I kind of gave up after 15 rejections. The day care centre was a good solution at the time.”

Zayn was still looking irritated. “I’ll be okay Zayn. There’s moments that make up for it. When they fall asleep when I read to them, when they draw me something only they will ever understand, a sudden hug when we go outside to play.. It’s really not all bad..” She said with a soft smile, remembering Madeline curling into her as they read the cat in the hat together.

That seemed to cheer him up a little. “So maybe you can look at it like mommy training, for when you’ll have your own kids someday..” He joked.

Iris let out a loud laugh before thanking the waiter who put their sandwiches down in front of them. “Let’s not think about that for a looong time!” She chuckled.

They both dug into their food, effectively killing any form of conversation for the minute after that.

“You working with Morgan again today?” Zayn suddenly asked her.

Iris hadn’t been expecting the question and took a second to swallow her food.

“Yeah, we have almost all our shifts together. They try to couple people together so the children have some form of continuity.” She answered

“How are things going with her?”

His tone was casual, but she knew the motive. He’d often told her that she should try more, make more friends. He knew how nice and funny she was (his words, not hers) and so should other people.

“Bloom, you’re doing so well with the guys.. use the momentum! Ask her to do something together outside of work! Go shopping or something, isn’t that like some universal therapy for you girls?”

Iris laughed at his typically male remark. He was right though, no matter how awkward she might be, she was first and foremost a girl.. and did love shopping.

“I should, huh?” She questioned softly, playing with the rest of the sandwich that was still on her plate.

“It’s one friend, I’m pretty sure your hectic schedule can handle it.” Zayn stated dryly. “Besides, I’d feel better if you had someone you could physically talk to when I’m not here..”

Iris groaned. “That’s so not fair! You know I hate it when you do that!”

“Do what?” He asked, trying to look innocent.

“You know I’d do anything for you..” Iris grumbled. “Especially when you guilt me into it like that.”

A wicked smirk crossed Zayn’s features. “So it’s working?”

“I’ll ask her..” Iris grumbled again, the nervous butterflies already acting up in her stomach.

“Today!” Zayn stated firmly.

Iris just narrowed her eyes at him.

[center]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center]

After she said goodbye and told him to have a good time at his party tonight, Iris hurried back to the day-care centre. An hour lunch break sometimes seemed an hour short.

Thankfully, pickup was at 4 on Fridays, so she only had three more hours to go.

“Miss Iris!” One of the older kids from another group came to meet her at the fence, they were playing outside. “Tina got sick in the sandbox!”

Make that a very long three hours..

Thankfully, Iris was able to hand that case over to their own group leader, Rosslyn. The only elderly group leader at the centre. Most of the staff members were in their thirties.

Afternoon in her own group hadn’t been much better. Two kids had developed a fever (again, Iris figured) and had to be sent home. The boy was out of there in 10 minutes with a very apologizing mother for the inconvenience. The girl, however, was a different story. Her parents seemed nowhere to be found and her crying only grew louder and louder.

In the end, Morgan took her outside so they could give the other kids a bit more peace and quiet.

This meant Iris was dealing with 15 children on her own.

Needless to say, both Iris and Morgan were dead on their feet when they waved their last goodbyes of the week.

“I might actually need a drink..” Iris sighed, plopping down in one of the beanbags they had lying around. “And I don’t like drinking, at all..” She stated.

Morgan laughed. “I hear ya sister..” She groaned, taking the beanbag next to Iris’ a bit more carefully.

“You alright?” Iris questioned, propping herself up on one elbow.

“Just tired, been running around all week now. This weekend hasn’t come a second too soon..”

Iris squeezed her eyes shut for a second, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

“Want to get mani/pedi’s together then?” She rushed out quickly. “Maybe..?” She added tentatively.

“Don’t make it seem too painful now..” Morgan said, her tone playful. Iris opened her eyes carefully and realised she was still facing Morgan, who saw her squeeze her eyes shut.

Iris felt herself blush. “Sorry..” She mumbled.

“I’ve known you for a bit longer than today Iris..” Morgan answered with a smile. “It’s all good.”

They both sat up a little straighter in the beanbags. Iris mostly because she was a bit shocked by her colleague’s statement.

As her eyes met Morgan’s , the girl smiled. “I say we blow this joint and go get those mani/pedi’s you were just talking about..”

Iris let out a breath she’d unknowingly been holding and stood up with a smile. “Let’s.”

[center]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center]

As both girls relaxed into big comfy leather chairs while their feet were being pampered, Iris turned to Morgan.

“Shouldn’t we have at least cleaned up the break corner for the people who work Monday’s shift?” She whispered to her, not quite sure what pedicure etiquette was.

A lazy smirk formed on Morgan’s face. “Iris, I’m sure they’ll live.” She turned to face the guilt ridden girl. “It’s okay to not be perfect all the time, you know?” She said with a smile.

Iris was stunned again, before slowly answering. “I’m not perfect..”

“No, you’re not.. but sometimes you try to be.. You’re a control freak.”

Morgan’s ears were met with silence. “I don’t mean it in a bad way though..” She continued. “It’s probably good they paired us together, we balance each other out quite nicely.” She ended with a laugh.

“It’s hard to argue with that..” Iris started softly, feeling quite vulnerable about being so easily read by someone she considered nothing more than a, though well liked, colleague up until that point.

She winced as the woman working on her feet started cleaning her nails with something sharp.

“One of my friends.” Iris stopped and laughed a little. “[i]My friend[/i] has been pushing me to get out a little more, to let loose.”

“Wise friend.” Morgan nodded, a serious look on her face. “Well, then it’s good we’re doing this! I’m glad you suggested it.”

Iris smiled at the confirmation, she was enjoying herself as well.

“We should hang out more often. That way you’ll actually be able to use plural next time.” Morgan said with a laugh.

Iris frowned, not quite understanding.

Morgan, who had leant back and closed her eyes again, opened them when she heard Iris’ lack of reaction.

“[i]Friends[/i], dear.. [i]friends[/i]..”

[center]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center]


The boys were attending a magazine launch party that evening. Being perfectly honest, Zayn had long forgotten which magazine it was for, but they were featured in an article in the next issue. A party was a party though, so all the lads were quite excited for an evening out.

“Zayn, come on! Your phone is annoying the crap out of me!” Niall wailed. “It’s been beepin’ nonstop!”

They were all gathered at Louis’ apartment, where their stylist had dropped off some clothes, since it was a management organized event, and Lou was there to do their hair and be a loudmouth. All the boys adored their hair stylist but today Zayn was just a tad bit annoyed by her constant chatter. He’d been mulling over his conversation with Iris all afternoon.

None of the others seemed to share his sentiments though. Louis was perched on his bed, talking animatedly to Lou as she worked on Zayn’s hair. Niall was mercilessly beating Liam on the Wii in the living room and Harry was busying himself with Lou’s daughter, Lux, on the bed behind Louis.

“Well then pick it up and bring it over here!” Zayn bellowed back. “Can hardly get up know, can I?” He grumbled after it.

“Oi!” Lou swatted his ear. “Careful, or I’ll buzz your ear off!”

Niall skidded into the room, threw the phone on the bed and ran out again, yelling at Liam about cheating while he was gone for two seconds.

The bouncing phone, narrowly missing Lux, landed next to Harry.

“Careful!” Harry hissed at Niall, even though he was long gone.

“Check it, will ya Haz? Might be Perrie, couldn’t get a hold of her earlier today..” Zayn mumbled, having learned his lesson and keeping his head still as Lou worked on his hair.

He smiled as he looked in the mirror in front of him. Harry was using Lux’ sticky fingers to open his new messages. The girl was in awe of the phone. Even though Zayn didn’t want to think about what he’d have to clean off the screen later, the sight was quite endearing.

“It’s Iris..” Harry mumbled, before opening a message.

“Bloody hell, she’s happy!” He said, letting out a laugh. “That is a lot of smiley faces!”

Harry’s laugh made Lux giggle as well. Zayn was just getting antsy.

“Well, share with the rest of the class?” He urged. Harry smirked at his friends impatience and started reading the messages out loud.

[i]Did it! We’re getting mani/pedi’s!!!!! :D :D :D [/i]

[i]Not quite sure about getting regular pedicures, it was rather vicious. Feel really happy though! Tell you later. [/i]

[i]She called! We’re getting a late dinner!!! :D [/i]

“What’s that about mate, you didn’t tell us Iris played for the other team?” Louis asked, snatching the phone from Harry’s hands to inspect the texts for himself.

Zayn rolled his eyes, standing up when Lou pat his shoulder.

“She’s not.. She’s just following some advice I gave her..” He answered, snatching the phone back from Louis.

“Advice [b]you[/b] gave her..” His friend answered, looking at him sceptically.

Zayn grinned and took a swipe at him.

“Yes, you prick.” He laughed, looking down at his phone and feeling happy for his friend. “She’s making a new friend.”

Both Louis and Harry were silent for a moment. As was Lou, seeing as she had nothing to add. Aside from casual conversation during tours.. she didn’t know anything about Iris.Both boys understood how big of a deal this was though, so they smiled.

Effectively breaking the silence, Harry grabbed Lux’ hands and clapped them together. “Yay for new friends!!” He squealed in a childish voice.

Notes