Until they tear us apart. | l.s.

34

"Hey, Harry!" Poppy called from down the corridor when she noticed Harry standing by his locker stuffing his books inside.

He turned around with furrowed eyebrows knowing it was Poppy who called for him, but he couldn't see her between all of the other students that were standing around and talking or hurrying through the halls. He was only able to make her out when she pushed herself between two boys with a huff. Harry smiled and waved at her closing his locker and approaching her.

"Gosh, I'm surrounded by animals." Poppy groaned as she came to a halt in front of him and Harry just chuckled. "Are you waiting for someone or do I have the honor accompanying you to the cafeteria?" She asked jokingly.

"You can glady accompany me." Harry grinned.

"Great! How was your day so far?" Poppy asked as they walked through the hallway.

"It was alright. I have a History test after lunch though and I'm a bit nervous." Harry cringed.

"Oh, don't be. You're a great student and I'm sure you'll get an A as always." Poppy smiled.

"I hope so, I don't think it will get easier and we're not that far from graduating." Harry frowned.

"I don't think you have to worry, curly." Poppy laughed as they stepped into the cafeteria instantly seeing their friends sitting at their usual table.

They approached them and took their seats next to their partners, Louis turned his head from where he was having a conversation with Liam and smiled at Harry squeezing his thigh.

"Hey, guys. You just missed Niall drenching himself with yoghurt salad dressing." Gina cackled.

"Seriously, babe?" Poppy asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"It wasn't my fault! I tried to pick into the olive and missed it and everything splashed onto my shirt." Niall grumbled and pointed to the white stains on his black sweater.

"Oh my-" Poppy said with big eyes, realising why the others were trying hard to keep their laughter in at how it looked like.

"Don't even say anything, I get bullied enough already." Niall crossed his arms pouting.

"Deserved." Louis laughed.

"Shut up, Louis." Niall hissed and flipped him off annoyed, snatching a napkin and tried to get rid of the stains which only made it worse and the table bellowed in more laughter. "I hate you all." Even Harry chuckled, by now knowing why everyone was laughing, but tried to restrain himself a bit more by stifling his laughter behind his hand.

"Haz, did you study for the test? I heard it will be a hard one." Jacky cringed when everyone calmed down and fell back into conversation. "By the way, how are you feeling? I hope better. Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"

Harry stiffened and his eyes widened in panic- his amusement gone in an instant-, but when he looked at his best friend she was only looking at him worried and he relaxed realising she didn't guess anything.

"Uh, yeah. No, I'm fine, it was just a headache." He said quickly, but Jacky's concerned look turned into a frown.

"A headache? Louis said you had a stomach ache?" She asked confused and looked between the two. Louis had his facial expression under control already thinking of half a dozen excuses, but Harry got ahead of him giving him no chance to take the word.

"Uh...oh, I...y-you know...I w-was, uh..." Harry stammered and squirmed on his seat. "I-it was both." He mumbled feeling his cheeks reddening in an instant and dropped his gaze with slumped shoulders.

"Sure it was. You can't lie to us." Jacky grinned when she remembered how different Louis was yesterday and knowing the signs when Harry was extremely flustered whenever anything between him and Louis happened, not thinking any harm because such things were a constant topic in their friends group, especially between the boys. She forgot how sensitive Harry was though although he changed a lot since he was with Louis and came out of his shell more.