stars in your eyes

decem et octo

Claire felt Harry's eyes on her every time they were in the hallway together at school. No matter what, she could pick him out in the crowd and there he'd be, staring at her. It made her feel good, but it also made her a little angry. It had been a week since she and Harry talked, since he told her he was going to fight for her and there were still no signs of him telling Jasper anything. She knew Harry said he wanted to wait, but hadn't it already been almost two months since they stopped seeing each other? Wasn't that adequate time for Harry to get his shit together and tell Jasper that their feelings weren't going away, that he'd just have to suck it up and deal with his best friend dating his sister? Apparently not.

After the last bell and after like the ninth time that day of Harry's watchful gaze on her, Claire slammed her locker shut and got the hell out of there. It was a nice day. Spring had decided to come early, as early as she'd ever seen it anyway. It was the beginning of March and there were usually still blizzards and ice storms. Claire was grateful for the early thaw though, since she was still walking home from school. It was pretty damn cold on most days, but today, she didn't even feel the need to zip up her jacket.

"claire! Hey, claire. Wait up!" She heard and immediately spun toward the person shouting at her. She sighed when she saw Harry jogging toward her.

"Hey," he said as he caught up.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Can I... can I walk with you?" He asked.

"I don't know. Can you?" She asked just to be purposely snide.

"You sound like a teacher," he smirked, rolling his eyes.

Claire didn't say anything as Harry fell into step next to her. She felt awkward to say the least. It was weird – with her not saying anything and him not saying anything. But she knew there were a million things he wanted to say to her. His long gazes through the hallway and his sudden need to walk with her home proved it. But she wasn't going to make things any easier on him. Not a chance.

"So, you and Damien..." He started.

"Oh my god," she said under her breath, rolling her eyes. She couldn't believe that was what he chose to talk to her about.

"'Oh my god', what?" He asked, looking over at her.

"Really, Harry? 'You and Damien'?" She asked, giving him an annoyed look.

"What?" He asked, looking at her questioningly.

"Nothing. Me and Damien, what?" She asked, shaking her head.

"You're friends?" He asked.

"I enjoy Damien's company," she said through gritted teeth.

There was a silent pause, when all that could be heard was their shoes hitting the pavement as they walked.

"I was jealous... at first," Harry told her. Claire looked over at him to see if he was being genuine.

"What? You think I like seeing you hanging out with other guys? Especially my little brother," he smirked at her.

"You really don't have a say in that," she reminded him.

"I know. That's why I never said anything, claire. I know I didn't deserve an opinion. Not after the way..." He said, letting his voice trail off as he looked down at the ground.

Claire took a deep breath, realizing it was still an open wound to her heart – Harry and everything connected to him.

"But what was even worse than my brother was that Zayn guy," Harry smirked, looking back up at her.