Pain 2: Him (H.S)

Chapter 55

"You look nice today, by the way." Alan compliments to start up a conversation I don't want to have and I shrug walking up the stairs to the front doors of the school.

Of all days he chooses this one to walk with me. There's a teachers entrance for a reason.

He opens the door while some students hanging by the stairs greet him like a bunch of kiss-asses who I know couldn't care less about him, and he politely wishes them a good and safe day.

"I'll see you later. Remember, your mother has an appointment after school so, as much as I hate to say it, get a ride from Harry, alright?"

"Yeah, alright." I roll my eyes adjusting my bag strap over my shoulder. The pain is killing me.

"And try not to think about what happened yesterday." He kisses my forehead switching his brief case to his other hand and smiles. "I love you."

"Okay, I--I...love you too." I whisper so that nobody can hear me but his smile says he's noticing my embarrassment.

"I can feel the love." He taps his heart sarcastically walking away, "I love you oh so much!" He proclaims gaining laughter from a few people.

Hurriedly, I push and shove my way passed and threw everyone, kind of like how I'm doing with all of my problems, and head down to the locker room for gym. Everyone is talking about how amazing prom was and how so many "memories" were made. How sickening. That's all everyone is talking about. Is no one aware that Niall is dead? Half of the people from his party have walked passed me with smiles just bickering with their friends completely mindless to the fact that he's not here.

I just wish I had a remote to mute and turn the world off. I'm so sick of people and their judgments and lies and all their fucking schemes to ruin peoples lives. I don't know who to keep up with anymore. Blake, Harry, Alan, Dr. Milton--I'm so overwhelmed.

I walk down the stairs to the locker room, immediately cringing at the high-pitched grating giggles, and walk myself back up to avoid the headache. At this point, I don't care if I'm late to class. I'd rather have detention for two hours than listen to them giggle for two minutes. I hate them all. Their stupid perfect lives, their carefree days, their happy-go-lucky attitudes; it's appalling.

"Better hurry, Al. Don't wanna be late." The leader of the rat pack smiles running up passed me and I give her my million dollar fake smile that screams nothing more than "fuck off."

All the girls have left and I walk back into the locker room, looking around to make sure no one is lurking about and unlock my locker to change. The cattle of students and uproar of their voices are now replaced with silence and a steady ground. So much that I might consider staying here until the end of class. I haven't seen or heard from Harry, which is the only reason why I'm even making an effort to show up because we're in the same class, but I have no intentions on bothering him. Niall's sudden death must still be so sudden for him and I know how hurt he is.

I put my bag in my locker and undress. I slide a pair of black mid-thigh shorts on and a grey tank top, tying my sneakers before throwing my hoodie back on and the ache in my shoulder is murderous. I'm so sick of carrying that bag around because it has made my shoulder sore from it's weight. Overall, I don't want to carry anything in general. I'm just so weak and drained that I don't want to put effort into anything.

Just as I take a deep breath, my locker door is pushed out of my hand and slams shut. "Hey beautiful."

"You scared me!" I gasp falling backwards and he catches me. I'm honestly so happy to see him I could just jump on him. "You're not supposed to be here."

He's dressed so....differently.

"I don't care." He smiles tugging me against his chest and his skin is as warm as a heater. "I'm sorry I haven't called, are you alright?"