Falling For My Teacher

5: Skee-ball with Harry

"Mom?" I asked coming down stairs. No answer. "Mother!!?"

"Moms not here," Bronson said from the tv room. I walked in to see he was doing some mix music on his laptop while watching last nights game.

"Where is she?" I asked leaning against the open doorway.

"She was called into work tonight," he replied. "Some drug bust up at the mini market." I stiffened. That's where Niall lives. "She thinks it's... It's Jalen." This made everything worse. "Are you okay?"

"Um.." I said trying to show I wasn't shaking. "Yeah. I am." He took off his head phones, placing his laptop down. He walked over towards me and wrapped me in a hug.

"Ryan," he said softly. "Jalen isn't here to hurt you anymore babe. You can calm down."

"I- I know," I said griping my older brothers shirt. If only he knew the real reason why I was so scared. Jalen could seriously hurt Niall. Even though Niall is older he is much more sensitive than Jalen. Jalen is built like a beast. And not the cool way. The one where you would walk on the opposite side of the road beast.

A knock at the door made us both jump. Bronson was also scared of Jalen. You could tell. And my brother is pretty big. "I'll get it." I pulled out my phone, sending a quick text to Niall.

To Niall:

Are you okay? Please tell me you are..

"Ryan! Harry's here!" Bronson yelled from the front room. I put my phone back into my pocket, rushing to the front door.

"Ready to go?" He smirked. I nodded making my way out the door. Bro soon gripped my arm preventing me from moving.

"Be careful okay?" He said just under a whisper. I nodded, following Harry to his car.

"You ready to get your butt beat at skee-ball?" Harry asked getting into the drivers seat. I just laughed as he took off towards the arcade in the center of town. When we arrived there was quite busy. Teens coming in and out. This is what happens where there is no school the next day I suppose. "Ready?" I nodded, following Harry into the arcade. I kept checking my phone to see if Niall had texted. But he hasn't.

"A large pizza and two sodas," Harry said to the person working the snack bar.

"Right away," he replied. We both sat a booth, taking our drinks with us. I glanced at my phone again. Why wasn't Niall texting back?

"You okay?" Harry asked. I snapped my head up, seeing Harry looked worried. I nodded, putting my phone away.

"I'm sorry," I said looking at Harry. "I'm just worried about my mom. She was called in tonight and I guess I'm just stressing. I don't want her to get hurt." He nodded, taking one of my hands in his.

"Ryan," he said softly. "It will be fine. I promise. Your mom is really good at her job."

"How do you know?" He stiffened, not wanting to really talk about it. "Never mind. I'm sorry I asked. Let's go play some games." He nodded as I pulled him towards the arcade games.

The night consisted of me beating him at almost every game! Just kidding. It didn't. He won. All of them. I did get lucky and beat him at guitar hero. But it was because I hip bumped him so he would miss a note. It made me laugh how upset he got when he didnt' win. Now we are playing the final game of skee-ball before we turned in our tickets.

"About earlier," Harry started. "Your mom was the one who took my mom and me away from my dad."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," he exhaled. "My dad is abusive. He would hurt my mom and my sister. It would make me so mad and I couldn't do anything about it. The way he would yell and scream. So I did the only thing I could do, call the cops."

"But you said you moved here from Manchester," I replied.

"I did." He paused. "Four years ago. I was homeschooled till I was able to cope with the fact my dad wasn't coming back." He looked very upset about talking about it.

"I'm sorry Harry," I said placing my hand on his shoulder. "That's not fair. And I'm sorry you had to tell me." I pulled him into a hug him wrapping his arms around my waist. "Really Harry I'm-"

"Ryan," someone said in a deep husky voice. "Long time no see babe." I was shaking with fear as I slowly turned my head. Harry's head snapped up from my shoulder to see who had spoken. His grasp tightened around my waist as I hid my face deeper. "What wrong?"

"Leave her alone," Harry growled.

"Is this your new boyfriend babe?" Jalen asked deeply. His voice was harsh and cold as ice. "Ryan.."

"As a matter of fact I am," Harry growled. "You need to leave."

"Like I'm going to listen to you," Jalen said stepping closer. I held on tighter to Harry. "Why don't you just hand Ryan over and we call it even."

"How 'bout you just piss off," Harry spat back. I lifted my head to look at Harry.

"Let's just go Harry," I said softly. He didn't budge. "Harry please. Lets just go." He took my hand and guided me through a big crowd out the doors. I was shaking with fear but not enough for Harry to notice.

"You okay Ryan?" Harry asked stopping me from getting into his car.

"I'm- I'm okay," I stuttered. A year escaped, making more and more fall.

"Come here," he said softly. He pulled me into a hug. I just let the tears fall, dripping to his t-shirt. I couldn't stand Jalen. And now Harry is in danger. "Everything will be okay. I'll protect you."

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