Receiving Her (h.s. au)

XII

Harry's POV

The team runs up and down the field, conditioning at practice. My legs push me further, considering a receiver should be quicker than most on the team.

"Huddle up!" Coach yells, our feet running over to him. We get into huddle and he starts talking but all the lights go on, usually never happening.

Then the speaker comes on and says something that makes my heart plummet to the floor.

"We're in lockdown. A gunman is in the building."

My head soon spins and I take off my helmet, trying to stop my mind from moving too quickly. I rush out of huddle, my coach calling me, but I shake my head. I can't think about football if my girlfriend is in the school doing her homework, threatened by the gunman.

I shove off my shoulder pads and throw them in the locker room, quickly taking off my pants and putting on shorts. My shoes are tugged on and I grab my phone and keys, texting Emma where she is.

I don't get a response and I run to the building she's in, multiple people standing outside. Police are here and I stand not knowing what to do. I can't go in because the exits are blocked.

"Sir, where is he?" I ask the officer, his hand putting down his phone.

"He's on the third floor. We have forces going in to corner him," he says, my head nodding.

Emma's on the second and I can only hope she's alright. My phone buzzes and I rush to answer it, my hand sliding the message open.

E: I'm scared.

My fingers quickly type that I'll find her and I run to the side her room was on, officers surrounding the perimeter.

"My girlfriend's in there," I say, pointing to the room. The officer nods and takes note, but doesn't do anything.

"There are people in there! Get them out!" I rush, needing Emma to be okay.

I hear a gunshot go off and my heart literally breaks, my breathing erratic. This sick twist of events is something I never thought could happen to me, but now I'm in a position I don't want to be in. I'd rather it be me trapped in the school and not her. Emma is too good to ever be in this position.

"No," I say, pulling at my hair. I'm horrified; held on by a string. My phone isn't going off and I fear she's hurt. God, she can't be hurt.

"Harry," I hear Leah, her body pushing through the crowd with Owen behind her.

"She's in there. I can't help her," I rush, hating I can't be her hero.

"I know. The worst thing you can do is think about the bad stuff," she tries, but I know she's been crying.

Another gunshot goes off and I run my hand through my hair, completely helpless. I hate this feeling.

We stand for almost an hour until gunshots go off more, my head buried into my hands as I lean against the tree on campus. I have never felt so scared; so worried about another before. Emma is so innocent, small, but so beautiful. She is unlike any girl I've ever met and I would be a damn fool to lose her. But all my hope is shot right now, but I know I should be stronger.

"Clear," I hear from the officer's receiver, his hand grabbing at the pager on his shoulder.

"What's the situation?" I rush, the receiver going off.

"The gunman killed himself right when we entered. Two other are dead, three injured, two safe," he says, my heart racing. My eyes watch the doors open, three bodies carried out. I can't make out anything, people holding me back.