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A New Beginning

I Never Thought This Would Happen To Me

Filing for divorce before you’re even thirty is crazy and slightly embarrassing I guess you could say. It’s also a month until my birthday is here and I’ll be twenty-seven. I filed for divorce because of the infidelity during the three years we were married; I found out one day when I saw an incriminating text from a woman while he was in the shower. She ended up being one of several women he had cheated on while we were hitched; she was asking what time he wanted to meet her.

It was eight in the morning on a Saturday and my amazing husband was already in the shower while I was attempting to fully wake up. What ultimately woke me up was a text on my husband’s cell.

Hey baby. Hate to text you so early, but I was wondering what time you’d like to meet up tonight?

I resisted the urge to throw his phone at least until he came out of the shower. Less than ten minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom with a smile on his face. I would've loved to rip it right off of his face.

"Good morning H-"

He paused as he saw me with his phone clenched in my fist.

"Good morning, you bastard. Care to explain?" I said, showing him his phone.

"Well..."

He went to scratch the back of his head.

"Speak up. I can't hear you! Who is this chick?"

"A girl I met at a bar a couple of months ago. We quickly hit it off.”

Tears threatened to escape, but the anger I was experiencing was covering up how heartbroken and sad I was.

"Have there been others?"

He explained that there had been nearly a dozen who he slept with and/or dated during our three year long marriage. That was my breaking point and I lost all self control as I threw his phone against the wall and smashed it into countless pieces.

"You crazy fucking bitch."

"You're a fucking piece of shit. I want a goddamn divorce."

Then, he turned pathetic. He proceeded to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, but it was quite honestly no use whatsoever. The following week, I officially filed for divorce and moved into my cousin's apartment. There was no way I could continue to live in that house we lived in together for the past couple of years; the energy in that place was toxic and who knows if he had sex with any of those women there.


Fast-forward a week-and-a-half later and now, I'm sitting at a bar in a club with my cousin Iris on a Friday night.

"How have things been? I hardly see you." she asked.

Not to mention I still have to deal with my ex, I head into work at seven and don't get home until eight at night; I work for our local newspaper as an advice columnist.

"Crazy. I have to control the urge of wanting to punch Kyle in the face and work is nonstop."

"If it makes you feel any better, I want to punch him and oh, maybe castrate him too."

"Iris!"

"Don't you lie to me. I know that's been on your mind, Harper, even if you don't want to admit it."

"That's true."

"I know you two were talking about having kids recently."

I sighed and took a sip from my cranberry vodka. We were gonna start trying this year, but that's clearly not happening and it makes everything worse; I was ready for a family while he was out having sex with various women.

"And who knows when the hell that's gonna happen."

"How about we talk about something happier?"

"I would love that. How's work going?"

"Wonderful. I've never enjoyed it more."

Ironically, she's a wedding photographer and would've photographed my wedding if she wasn't already part of it; hell, she was one of my bridesmaids.

"That's amazing. It's good to know something positive is happening."

"Always."

I was distracted by the sound of men coming into the bar; they were quite familiar, but I couldn't quite pinpoint who they were.

"What are you-?" she asked.

She looked over and smiled before turning to me.

"What's with the smile?"

"I know who they are."

"Who, Iris?"

"All Time Low. Hometown legends."

"I must've had a brain fart. I should've known that."

"Hun, that's okay. Life is crazy as fuck for you right now."

"They have to be out celebrating Zack's birthday."

For some reason, I wasn't looking away, but when a certain messy-haired frontman caught me looking, I turned back to my cousin.

"Your cheeks are red! Who were you looking at?"

Oh my God. I was blushing.

"Alex and don't ask me why. As soon as he saw me, I turned back to you."

"He's hot as fuck. That's why and it doesn't matter that you're getting a divorce."

"That was embarrassing. He caught me staring at him."

There had to be a reason behind me ogling him; there just had to be. What the reason is remains to be seen.

"Don't assume it's a bad thing. Maybe he likes you."

"My marriage of three years has ended and you're insinuating I should talk to him?”

"Exactly. Come on, Harper. I know how things ended with Kyle, but you're free to talk to him if you'd like."

I nodded. She wasn't wrong. Fifteen minutes later, she excused herself to the restroom while I ordered another drink. While waiting, someone sat next to me and ordered a beer; I knew who it was without even looking at him.

"Hey." he said.

"Hey." I said, blushing once again.

"I would've come to talk you earlier, but I didn't want to interrupt you and your friend."

I laughed. Oh, I can't remember the last time someone has made me laugh and it wasn't even intentional.

"She actually wanted me to go talk to you. Anyway, I'm Harper."

"Alex. I love your name. It's something you don't hear everyday."

"And it's gender neutral."

"Quite unique."

I then heard my phone vibrate.

Told ya he liked you.

I shook my head and took a glance at Iris. She was smirking.

"What?"

"That was my cousin texting me. She's the one who was sitting here with me."

"Looks like you're annoyed."

"A little bit. She thought that as soon as you saw me staring that you might like me."

"I do like you."

I brushed my hair out of my face. It's too early for anything serious, but of course, life is short, so why not just try this and see where it goes.

"I like you, too."

He smiled and I could not help but smile either; his smile's infectious.

"So, your cousin will be okay if I keep talking to you?"

"As long as your friends will be."

"Awesome."

I was the happiest I had been since that horrible morning and it’s actually because of a man.

“Well, in that case, would you rather continue talking here or would you rather go get a bite down the street?” I asked.

How bold of you, Harper.

“The latter if we finish our drinks. Definitely.”

Did I just ask a guy out on a date? I did. I totally did.

“Sounds like a plan.”

It didn’t take longer than ten minutes for us to finish our drinks and out the door we went. I texted Iris before I headed out the door with Alex.

Going for a bite to eat with Alex. Don’t wait up for me! Love ya!

As we entered a pizza shop, she texted me.

Go get it, girl! See ya in the morning!

I shook my head. She’s a bit outspoken which is pretty much the opposite of me. I can’t believe she’s expecting me to sleep with him, but I shouldn’t really be surprised.

“First of all, I’m not letting you pay.” he said before we even ordered.

“Are you sure? I tore you away from your friends. It’s the least I could do.”

“Absolutely.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

”Harper, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband...”

“I do.”

“And do you, Kyle, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“By the power vested in me in the state of Maryland, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

He kissed me then dipped me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Mr. and Mrs. Kyle and Harper Nielsen.”


I hated how that memory came up just because of two little words that don’t have a significant meaning to them whatsoever.

“Harper?”

I popped my head up. I didn’t even realize I had spaced out.

“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I just had a flashback is all.”

He nodded. Once we ordered, we waited at a booth for our order. I was trying to put that once beautiful memory in the back of my mind, but it was proving difficult.

“I hardly know you, but I know something’s up. That flashback must’ve been a significant one.”

“One of the most actually. It was from my wedding ceremony three years ago.”

“You were married?”

“I’m in the early stages of getting divorced to be honest.”

“So sorry to hear that.”

“You and me both, but trust me, I’m much better off without him.”

“He cheat on you? Because I can’t possibly imagine anyone doing that to you.”

He’s so sweet and on top of that, this is from someone who I just met tonight; him saying this made me feel good.

"Multiple times with multiple women over the course of three years."

"What an asshole."

"Tell me about it."

"How'd you find out about it?"

I laughed before I answered him.

"Well, it was eight in the morning on a Saturday and my wonderful husband was in the shower. I was trying to wake up when I heard his phone. I read the text and saw that it was a woman asking what time they could meet that night..."

He was in disbelief by the time I finished the story. This is also when we got our pizza.

"That's disgusting."

"How long has it been since then?"

"It'll be two weeks tomorrow."

"I'm sorry if I made you sad."

"It's okay. It's a sad situation and a fresh wound. It's going to take a while to get used to. Also, tonight's been great. I met you." I said, beginning to smile.

He smiled as well.

“I’ll just ask this now. Mind if I get your number?”

My smile grew. A guy just asked for my number for the first time in six years.

I was sitting in one of my college classes before class even started when the most handsome guy I had ever seen sat next to me.

“Saving this seat for anyone?” he asked.

“Nope. Please sit if you’d like.” I said, smiling.

And sat down, he did.

“My name is Kyle.” he said.

“Harper.”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

By the end of class, he asked for my number and I willingly gave it to him and as they say, the rest is history...


“I don’t mind at all...”

I motioned for him to give me his phone, so I could put my number in.

“There you go, Sir.” I said, handing his phone back.

"Thank you, Miss."

When was the last time anyone called me 'miss'? There's certainly nothing wrong with being called ma'am, but being called, that felt wonderful.

“I’m curious about something.” I asked.

“And what would that be?”

“Why weren’t you weirded out when I stared at you? Didn’t you think I was some crazed fan?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but I stopped him before I could say anything.

“Alex. This is Baltimore and I’ve lived here for the past nine years. I know who you and your band mates are, although for a second, I had a brain fart.”

He laughed for a second.

“Well, I took one look at you and knew I had to talk to you. Beyond glad that I did."

I had butterflies in my stomach and felt amazing.

"Right back at you."

"Okay. Since you already know my last name. I gotta know yours."

"I'll give you my maiden name. Once this divorce is final, I'm going back to it. It's Hennessy."

"Like the whiskey?"

"Yes. Like the whiskey." I said laughing.

"Then, it definitely won't be difficult to remember."

“So, Harper Hennessy, what do you do for a living?”

I haven’t heard anyone call me that in six years; it was strange and familiar all at the same time.

“Believe it or not, I’m an advice columnist for a newspaper."

"Local paper?"

"Yep. Sounds like I'm the one who needs advice now. Huh?"

"You haven't gotten advice yet?"

"I've gotten pep talks from family and friends, but no one I know has actually gone through a divorce at this young an age..."

"I'll give you some, even if it might sound similar. It's definitely one of the most difficult things to go through no matter the circumstances, but you get through it, maybe not unscathed, but for the better."

"Thank you. I needed to hear that. You know, from someone who understands what I'm going through."

He placed his hand over mine and my heart practically skipped a beat; I needed that too.

"Anytime."

The rest of the night was lighthearted and by the time I got home, it was nearly two o'clock in the morning when I got home aka Iris' apartment. Alex had the decency to walk me to the door which I loved.

"Tonight was amazing." I said.

"I totally agree. It's a shame it has to end."

"Luckily, you have my number and can get a hold of me."

He nodded.

"Mind if I hug you?" he asked.

He's so fucking cute.

"Go ahead."

He hugged me and I just melted into him as returned the favor.

"Goodnight Harper.”

“Goodnight Alex.”

And as soon as I was inside, I waved goodbye and shut the door, immediately locking it. Seeing that Iris was already in bed, I turned off the lights and headed to my own bedroom.

Notes

I really, really shouldn't be posting a new story, but this popped into my head and I just had to write it. Hope you enjoyed it! P.S. I hate splitting up Alex and Lisa the way I did, since they make such a cute couple, but I felt it gave them an instant bond. I hope that makes sense.

Comments

Harper should get pregnant as revenge

Heyo, I just replied to your forum post and I decided to see if you're writing anything. And you are! I'm going to support you and read your stuff. I just started this, so give me a second to read it all. So far, I'm liking it.