The Parallels (Larry Stylinson+Niall Horan)

Chapter 34

Harry

I had a weird feeling about school today. I was not ready to face anything and everything that awaited. I was not sure of how Louis was going to react on seeing me and I was not sure how I was going to react on seeing Zayn. I loved him dearly, I did but, he had hurt Louis and I.

I zipped my bag up and put on the jacket I had planned on wearing. I put some socks up and went downstairs to get my breakfast while I waited for Niall to arrive. I emptied some cereal into my usual bowl and poured the right amount of milk on it. Who even pours milk first? It was a question I asked myself every morning. I never understood why but, it sort of became a habit.

I sat down and started munching on it and letting my brain process all the possibilities of how my day was about to go. None of them were very appealing and I hoped earnestly that I was wrong but, most probably I was not. I finished with my meal in a short time and took the bowl to wash it up. As soon as I was done with rearranging all the things that I had taken out, I headed for the living room. I slipped the boots up my feet and opened the door, cold air greeting me.

A quick shiver ran down my spine before I stepped out completely, closing the door behind me. I instantly shoved my hands into my pockets and stood there, waiting for Niall to say ‘hello’ in his thick Irish accent and his never ending enthusiasm. I totally needed it today more than ever. Zayn was supposed to be taking Eyrie since her parents were out and I could not help but feel slightly grateful. The more time I got to prepare myself for the inevitable encounter, the better.

As expected and highly needed, Niall made the grand entrance. “Haaaaaarryyyyyy” he shouted, his head out the window and his hand waving at me. “Good morning.” he greeted. The fact that he was acting completely normal after yesterday was a relief. But then again, did I ever expect any less from him?

“The elongated ‘eeee’ sound was not really necessary, ya know? Nevertheless, good morning to you too, Nialler. How do you feel?” I asked, smiling and getting into the passenger seat.

“Brilliant as ever.” he grinned. “You?” he asked, his smile transforming into a concerned look. My smile too disappeared. I thought for a minute as he started driving away.

“Not specifically sad or anything but, hesitant to see either of them. Zayn because I don’t know what to say to him and Louis because I don’t know what he will say to me.” I answered. Niall hummed in response.

The rest of the ride was pretty silence, more or less. Mostly, it was hard to be able to maintain complete silence when you had Niall for company. Maybe that was why when he decided to stay quiet, it always indicated a serious situation. He continued laughing on his own jokes and talking about the most illogical possible nonsense.

“I was thinking if eyebrow counts as facial hair. That would be weird. Or what if our eyelashes were like our hair and never stopped growing? We would have curtains in front of our eyes.” he said.

“Do you even think before you speak, Niall?” I asked sarcastically.

“On the contrary, I think a lot before I speak.” he answered, trying to appear sincere.

“Yeah. I’m quite sure that nonsense like that would require a lot of thought.”

“Maybe. I don’t mind whatever you say, Harold.” he replied and shrugged. I rolled my eyes but on the inside, I admired that about him.

It took us a few more minutes to reach the school. Niall smoothly parked his car into a free spot and we got out of it. I took a deep breath, stretching my limbs and slipping a hand through my hair in the hope of making them presentable. We walked through the door and entered the crowded hallway. It wasn’t long before I spotted a crowd.