The Styles Brothers

Chapter Thirteen: The Night Crawler

Harry's POV

I paced religiously in front of the closed door, listening intently to James' and Elena's thoughts.

I felt jealousy shoot through me, followed by sadness as I realized they were embracing. James sobbed in self-pity as Elena held him.

No matter how much I wished it, Elena would never, in a million years, fall for a monster like me.

But you're not a monster, said the tiny voice in my head.

The voice was right. Even though I considered myself one. The truth was, I was too soft. I was emotional, sensitive, empathetic, everything that a demon killer shouldn't be.

I should be rough, fearless, and emotionally detached. But in all honesty, I was the complete opposite and loathed myself for it.

So I put up my block. I pretended every damn day to be someone I wasn't. Someone confident and fearless.

Someone like James.

He was the better of us and we both knew it. I'd eventually come to accept it; I was never going to be as good as him.

Elena's and James's mind had gone silent, so I pushed the door open. Zayn had went to find an ice pack for Elena's bruised cheek and call an ambulance for the beaten man.

The two were embracing on the ground, kneeling and holding on for dear life. It was a truly sweet sight, despite the fact that I had feelings for her too. Detached and buried, but feelings all the same.

Of course, I'd met Jo in my first period. She was sweet, but she wasn't Elena. I felt terrible comparing the two when they were nothing alike. Yet everything Jo did, I found myself thinking of the girl with the autumn-colored hair.

I awkwardly cleared my throat, and Elena let go of James and turned to me. A bruise welled on her left cheek, a black eye sure to ensue.

I plastered on an uncaring face. "Zayn's calling an ambulance."

"Oh. Great," James said quietly, smearing at his eyes. He stood and retrieved his shirt and gym bag, walking back to us.

Elena fiddled with her thumbs. "Ready to go?" James asked as he approached. I shrugged in the most nonchalant way I could muster, before sauntering out, not a word to her.

Why does Harry hate me?

My heart thudded. I didn't hate her. I could never.

I loved her.

But she wanted James, I could tell how she looked at him. And by the way she didn't look at me.

The girls always wanted James. His kind, boyish facade did well to hide his Night side, to everyone but Lily and I.

When we were younger, he was a sadistic child, always pulling nasty pranks and putting Lily and I down. He learned to control this as we aged, however, taking up boxing to tire out his Night side.

We returned to the lobby, Natalie and Zayn were chatting amiably. I'd heard rumors of their relationship, but now, the way they were looking into each other's eyes was a dead giveaway.

"Sorry for cutting practice short, Z. Tomorrow?" James tapped his fist against Zayn's, who smiled.

"Not a problem. Just taking care of your girl, right? I'd do the same for Nat," Zayn looked at blonde receptionist fondly.

"Oh, Elena's not, I mean, we're not.." James tried to explain, but Elena hastily cut him off.

"Of course that's what he was doing," she smiled. As James realized what she was implying, he grinned widely, wrapping an affectionate arm around her waist.