Demons

Chapter 21

It has been a month and I still have not heard from Malcolm. Maybe he was just trying to scare me, thinking that I would run to Zayn and Zayn would then have “motivation.” But I didn’t. Zayn has no idea of my encounter with Malcolm, at least I think he doesn’t. And I want it to stay like that.

“Lacey, wait up!” I was stopped in the crowded halls of high school by Harry. It felt weird to hear his voice, considering that he has managed to skip school for the past week and the most communication I’ve had with him was through short, boring texts. He hasn't bothered to visit me in two weeks and we haven't gone on a real date in a month. Just keep walking, ignore him. 

And I did.

He’s been pushing me away, ever since that night he had with Lauren and that was a damn long time ago. November to be exact. He finally caught up to me as I was on my out of the school. I had taken an extra shift at Rusty’s and I wasn’t about to let some guy get me fired for tardiness.

“Lacey, what’s wrong with you?” He grabbed my hand and pulled me out some side door where no one would notice us.

“Harry, I have no time for this. We can talk later, because it obviously didn’t bother you to make me wait so long.” We hadn’t talked or seen each other in all of January. I pushed him away and he just stood there, taking in what little I had said to him. I rushed back through the door on my way to the car. I had stopped a few times in the middle of the high school action, just waiting. For Harry. I had hoped he would follow me, fight me, want me. But he didn’t.

As the surprisingly chilly air of Arizona in February breezed across my face, I shivered and hurriedly ran to my car. As I made my way to the beat up car, I spotted Harry laughing and talking to his friends. With them, he looked so different and I didn’t understand how. He looked just like the rest, a punk. As these annoyed feelings seeped through me, guilt began to wash in. I shouldn't be judging their appearances, considering that my boyfriend was one of them. And if I heard anyone say what I just thought to myself about Zayn, I'd lose my shit. Maybe I get too defensive over Zayn. Harry seemed happy with his friends, which made me even more irritated. Selfish, much?

My conscience was right. He, like every single human being, deserves to be happy. But all I want is for him to fight for me. Our relationship has been so laid back, and I hope that the loose connection we have won't be the end of us. I bit my lip sadly as I continued to creepily watch Harry talk to his friends.

My mind was overcome by wistful sadness and I was caught off guard when Harry made eye contact with me. He looked as if he was about to approach me and my eyes widened. Smooth spy skills. I didn't move where I stood, but neither did he. Instead we both just stood there looking at each other, as if we made a move for one another, we would get in trouble.

I looked away as soon as I didn't want him to see the hurt in my eyes when I realized he wasn't going to try to make up for the lost time between us. Briskly, I walked with fake confidence past his group of friends, until I heard a wolf whistle. And it came from Harry's group. Annoyed, I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see who made the repulsive noise.

"Dude what the hell?" Harry punched the blonde boy standing next to him playfully but with some seriousness to it.

"What? She's hot, and I got her to look at me." The blonde laughed, fully intending for me to hear. What a dick.

"Oh get your foot out of your mouth, Niall." A girl smacked the blonde's - Niall's - shoulder before turning around to face me. "Sorry, he is an idiot sometimes." 

"Whatever. You have a nice day," I finished that conversation rudely. Before I turned to walk away, I glanced one last time at Harry, who made absolutely no effort to confront Niall for disrespecting me, his girlfriend. And this was the same Harry who, when with me and my friends, had to be scolded by me for the PDA. Why didn't he stick up for me?