Fervent for One Direction

Chapter 5

---Two weeks later---

"So...you and Niall have been hanging out a lot lately..." Eleanor mentions as we walk down the halls of Bales.

"Not really..." I trail off. I actually had been spending a lot of time with Niall. He took me out to a bakery every day after school, he texted me until I fell asleep, he brought me to parties and never left my side. We hadn't kissed though since he brought me home from Eleanor's last movie night and I was kind of concerned. What if I was a horrible kisser? What if he was just being a good friend and trying to make me feel welcome and didn't like me at all? What if he was eying someone else and didn't want to hurt my feelings? I mean, come on. He was stunning. His blue eyes sparkle like the ocean does when the sun lingers over it, his blonde hair was always in a perfect position...he was one of the most attractive males I had ever seen. However, there were other boys at my school who were just as attractive and/or almost as attractive as him. And I happened to be particularly fond of one of them, even though I knew nothing would ever happen between us. I was always a sucker for brunette curly-haired guys. Especially ones with an accent. It kind of hurt every time I saw him and Kelsey together. Whether they were stuffing their tongues down the other's throat or just glancing at him sometimes stare at Kelsey in the halls. I could tell she just wanted a physical relationship, but I sensed that Harry wanted more...

I returned my attention back to Eleanor as she looked at me expectingly, as if she awaited an answer.

"Oh sorry, what'd you ask?"

"I asked if you were going to the weekend retreat? The camping one? For biology?"

"Oh right, yes I am. Are you?"

She nodded and suggested we stay in the same tent. I agreed and we separated into our different classes. I sat down next to Zayn and I could feel him eying me.

"Yes, Zayn?" I ask him without looking over to him.

"I just wanted to apologize. You know. For what happened at Eleanor's house."

I looked into his eyes, trying to decipher whether or not he was lying to me. His gaze was soft and full of meaning and sorrow. He gulped and glanced at the ground, but when he looked back up he but his lip and I took note that he was actually very attractive.

"I forgive you," I tell him with a smile. The corners of his mouth rise as he begins to ask for a second chance and a date this coming week. Well, it couldn't hurt. I mean, I blew him off the first time. I could at least have the decency to make it up to him. I agreed and we exchanged numbers so that he could call.

I exit class and see Harry walking down the halls toward me. He catches up to me and places his hand on the small of my back and leans close to me and says, "Hey you haven't talked to me in a couple weeks." I feel my breaths quicken and my heart rate accelerating at the touch of his hand.

"I've been kinda busy..." I trail off, hoping for an excuse to leave to enter my mind.

"Raleigh..." Rats. He knew I was lying. I turned towards him to tell him another lie, but instead I find his face inches from mine causing me to loose my train of thought.

"I like spending time with you..." He whispers as he slowly closes the gap between us. But, right before his lips can reach mine I abruptly back up and hit my head on the locker someone swung open at that exact moment.

"Ow," I moan for a split second, and realising I was showing weakness I shut up. I briskly walk away from Harry and the locker, hoping he would leave me alone.

"Raleigh, wait! Are you okay?" Harry calls out as he jogs after me.

"Fine. Thanks," I lie as he catches up to me. I usually take pain really well, but the person really slammed it into my head and I was starting to see black spots everywhere.

"Oh dear God," I whisper as I lean forward to place my hand on his shoulder to keep my balance.

"Let's get you to the nurse," he says.

"I said I'm fine," I mutter to him as I slowly sink into his chest as the blackness enveloped my entire sight.