Latch (A Harry Styles Fanfiction)

23. Rubble And Dust

I was left alone, again. He walked out, again. But I'm not exactly sure just how he walked in to begin with. He said the door was open, which rings a bell as I'm not sure I remember closing it properly. He said he heard me screaming, that may be so but how on earth did he hear me all the way from his house. It's four houses away?

Unless, he was closer. Perhaps he was walking past and heard then. I honestly don't think, regardless of his whereabouts that I was screaming so loud that he'd hear me from outside. But whatever, he's gone now.

I made sure to close and lock the front door before heading upstairs to my room. I sent my mum a quick text saying goodnight and delved under the sheets. Once again fading off into slumber. Peacefully.

°°°°

It's been two weeks since I've held a conversation with Harry. Two weeks has passed since he came into my house while I was having a nightmare and.. talked to me. It wasn't like old times, I know, but hearing his voice seemed to cushion the blow of what happened.

Avery's been great. Totally great, he's so so kind. We've only gotten closer and I feel like I can trust him, we're kinda in that in between stage... friends but more, not in a relationship but... Yeah. There's always something holding me back, a niggling feeling pulling me away from committing to him. I know exactly what it is but I don't want it to be true. Sometimes it's better to live the simple lie than embrace the complicated truth.

It's Friday, finally the end of the school. Honestly, I'm looking forward to school today, the last day of the school year is usually fun. I began my usual walk to school and sooner rather than later I was walking up the steps and into school.

"Hey! Liv, you look great!" Hanna waltzed over and gave me a hug.

"Thanks! You too!" I smiled and we walked over to where our lockers were.

Hanna said she had to go to the bathroom so I just organized my locker to waste time. I was turning around with a hand full of copies in my hand when someone walked straight into me, knocking all my copies to the ground.

"Shit. Sorry." He grumbled, collecting them into a pile and handing them to me. His cuts had all cleared up and his black eye was barely noticeable, the split on his lip was still healing though.

"It's fine Harry." I tried to say it in such a way to entice him into conversation. Nope. He handed me my copies and then I saw his knuckles were busted and covered in dried blood.

"It's nothing." He answered my thoughts with a grunt.

"Jesus Harry what did you do to yourself?!" I tried to examine his hand but he yanked it away.

"I said it's nothing!" He yelled and practically ran off. Oh God. I slid my back down the wall and sat on the ground. I tried to take deep breaths and just settle myself. I had this weird aching sensation in my chest, as if it were hollowed out.

Hanna came darting round the corner, a frantic look on her face. It eased when she saw me on the floor.

"What's wrong?" We asked in unison, causing unsettled laughter on both our parts.

"Nothing. Harry again." I'd explained the entire situation to her, she was very supportive which made me like her even more. "What's up with you?"

"Oh, uhm. Nothing. Why?" She stuttered over her words in a suspicious manner. Alright then.

°°°°

"Hey love!" Avery smiled and kissed my cheek at the lunch table. Hanna's eyes were burning holes at us. God, ease up doll.

"Hi." I smiled up at him, although when I say up.. I kinda mean across. Of sorts.

"What were you up to this morning Avery?" Hanna suddenly became vocal and asked Avery the question. She seemed off. I don't know.