The girl

The Monday After

MCKENZIE

Monday at school was something to be afraid of. I had gone to a party Friday night and nobody knew it was me. Except for Harry Styles. I hadn't texted Genna all weekend. I needed to get my feelings straightened out. When I got to my locker a certain blonde bob was blocking my way. "Hi Genna." I mumbled. "Why haven't you replied to my texts?" I couldn't look her in the eyes. "I-I-I don't know." I lied. "Stop lying and look me in the eyes." I looked up. Her face was perfect as usual, but me being her best friend I could see the redness under her eyes. Her bright blue eyes were filled with hurt, confusion, and sadness. "If I told you, you would think I'm crazy." "I don't care. Why?" I took a deep breath. "I saw you sleeping with Harry." She tilted her head. "Okay...? That's not a big deal." I shook my head. "I was jealous I think." She laughed. "You? Jealous of me sleeping with Harry?" Then the whole hall went quiet. "Hey." His voice was behind me. Genna looked up. 'Answer him!' She mouthed. I turned around. Boy he was close. "Hi." Way to be lame. "It was hard to recognize you without your straight hair and I guess you had contacts on Friday?" I nodded. "Cool. I'll see you around. HEY JAKE!" He shouted. I turned around and saw Jake with this blonde kid pinned against a locker. Ah. Poor kid. "What do you want Styles?" "Put him down." "Why?" "Why is he pinned up?" "Because he got in the way!" The kid started to apologize profusely. "I-I'm sorry! It won't happen again!" His Irish accent was thick. "Damn right it won't happen again!" Jake punched him in the face. Before anyone had time to process, Harry punched Jake. Hard. Genna rushed over, with me on her heels. She went in between the two boys and I knelt down next to the Irish boy on the floor. "Hello. I'm Mckenzie." He looked up. "Are you gonna hit me too?" I smiled. "No. I've been in your position every day for the past two years." He sat up. "Turn so I can see your cheek." He turned. "It's gonna be a nasty bruise. What's your name?" "I'm Niall. Niall Horan." I helped him up. Harry walked over. "Hi. I'm Harry Styles. Did that asshole hurt you?" Niall nodded. "It's just gonna bruise. Mckenzie told me." Harry turned toward me. "Wait, you have a bruise in the same spot as be does. Has Jake hit you before?" I laughed. "Only for the last two years." Harry looked furious. "I'm gonna kill him." Genna walked over. "What an ass. I'm Genna and you are?" "Niall." "Welcome to England."