Eighteen [ONE DIRECTION/FIVE SECONDS OF SUMMER]

(01) The New Kid

"Move it, Reject!" Josh snarls, shoving me into the lockers.

That's my normal greeting every morning at school, and it is starting to get annoying. I push myself off the lockers and I see a flash of blond-brown hair out of the corner of my eye. I look toward the direction and see all the cheerleaders giggling to themselves. I roll my eyes and walk into the office to sign in.

There is a blond haired kid in front of me, and he is taking forever. I curse under my breath and look about the office. It has been redecorated over the holidays and looks more modern. The carpet is a creamy white and the walls are painted a light beige, decorated with small framed school photos.

"Miss Blackthorne," Miss Maxine calls. "Please sign in."

"Sorry, Miss Maxine," I apologise.

I walk up to the desk and sign my name on the paper before leaving the office. I run into someone and stumble backwards, grabbing the door frame for support. I look up and see the back of the blond kid. I peer around him and see Harry, Louis and Liam surrounding a school bully. My eyes roll instinctively and I stand next to the blond kid. He looks at me quickly before returning his gaze to the group.

"Now, Fairfull," Harry hisses. "Why were you doing that?"

"He deserved it, Styles," Max replies.

Louis chuckles. "Big mistake, bud."

"Just go away, Tomlinson."

"Why should I?"

"This doesn't concern you."

Liam rolls his eyes. "You know the rules, kid."

"What rules?" Max asks.

"You're not allowed to bully anyone."

Liam's eyes flicker to mine and he nods slightly. I nod back and he turns back to Max. Louis and Harry are chuckling to themselves as the rest of Zayn's group moves forward, circling them. Josh grabs Max by the upper arm and Stan does the same with the other arm. They drag him out of the school and sit him on the steps before walking inside and closing the doors.

The group of people start whistling and clapping, and Zayn's group just smile at them. Michael slings an arm over Calum's shoulders and they wander off down the hall. Louis and Harry share a look before disappearing into the crowd. Luke's eyes single out a person in the crowd and smiles at them. I follow his gaze and sigh. Ashton. Liam finds my gaze again and I motion for him to follow me.

I walk into the abandoned part of the school and sit on one of the crates that litter the floor. Liam eventually appears and sits next to me. We sit in silence for a minute before we hear two pairs of footsteps coming this way. We dive behind a pile of crates and stay silent as they come closer. The voices both have accents; one Bradford and one...Irish? I share a look with Liam before the people enter.

"Why are you here, Zee?" Irish asks.

"I could ask you the same, Blondie," Zayn replies. "But we both know you're here for me."

"Are you that self-centred?"

"I'm hurt."

"Please, Zayn. We both know that I'm here for you and our friends."

Zayn chuckles. "Friends? Maybe a few of them. Okay! Most of them."

"Calum, Michael, Luke, Lou, Haz and Li. Josh and Stan are just wannabe's."

"Obviously, Blondie. You aren't though."

"What am I?"

"Mine."