Life Is What You Bake It // A Harry Styles AU

Chapter 11 - Term 2, Week 13

Tuesday

"Harry?"

He blinks out of his stare directed at the surface of the table, to meet Amy's gaze, who bears a look of worry about her. "What?" He asks quietly, voice broken from lack of use.

"Do you think I should make a last minute change for Thursday?" She repeats - he missing the question the first time.

"No." He answers calmly with a shake of his head. "I think you've got the right people in the right place."

She sighs, sinking into her chair with her arms folded across her chest. "I don't know, I'm still not convinced."

"You've already sent out the list, so it's a bit fucking late to make any changes. Plus, it doesn't really look great on you if you do." Lewis grumbles.

Harry drifts back into his head, not interested in the conversation anymore and with far too much on his mind. His gaze wanders the canteen as he picks at his lunch, landing on the table across the other side of the room where almost all of the Level 2 students are sitting. They seem to be arguing about something, just like his own table does, with the main culprits (as per usual) being Josh and Eden. The others chip into the discussion every now and then, especially Paisley, Jess and Ben, with Hattie staring off with a frustrated expression. Adele doesn't particularly look like she's paying any attention at all, too busy keeping up with something on her phone, or at least pretending to.

Still, almost a month later, and he and Adele haven't made up. They haven't even spoken to each other, and of course he knows that's his fault. It's always his fault. Even though she hasn't said it in so many words, he knows his mum thinks he's an idiot.

He and his mum have been bickering for weeks, mostly about his detached behaviour and his blatantly falsified indifference towards Adele every time her name is brought up. She knows that something must have happened between the two of them that's forcing him to behave so out of character, constantly holding a ridiculous sort of hostility towards her without ever actually meaning it. She's told him to snap out of it, or at least try and fix it.

He knows he's an idiot, too, but he doesn't know how to rectify it. Even if he says sorry, he's certain Adele won't forgive him. He just doesn't know where to start.

He turns back to look at his food, mostly untouched, and picks at it a little. He hasn't realised the almighty sigh he's given.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Charlie asks in a wary tone.

He looks to his friend blankly and shakes his head. "Not really, Char, no."

"Nah," Lewis pats a firm hand to Harry's shoulder, "I wouldn't be alright if I knew my ex lost her v-card to some twat like that Ryan, either."

Harry slowly shifts an unkind gaze to Lewis, suddenly filled with ire, and not because he's referred to Adele as his ex m-girlfriend in front of two people who were unaware, but for the other reason. "What now?"

Amy looks between the two boys with a scowl, before standing from her seat. "That's my cue to leave. Harry, I've got no idea what happened between you and Adele, but please remember she's not your property and keep a lid on it."

He turns his glare on Amy. "I'm allowed to be upset, aren't I?"

Charlie's eyes widen. "Yep, I'm leaving, too."

The two girls quickly make their escape before things can get any more heated.

"Mate," Lewis chokes, twisting in his seat to face him properly, "I thought you knew?"

Harry's brows pull with incredulity. "Why would I know something like that?"

"I don't know, I just assum-,"