In His Arms [h.s.]

chapter 12.

Harper's Pov

"Where do you want to sit at?" Harry asked while holding onto his lunch tray.

I followed closely behind him, "Somewhere where people aren't judging me."

"Wanna go outside then?" He suggested while placing his left arm around my waist.

"Yes please." I nodded and he kept his arm around me, making me feel secure.

We walked outside and I let the warm breeze blow through my long, slick hair. It was definitely feeling a lot more like Florida weather, the winter was a lot colder than normal. So it was nice to see such lovely weather.

We both took a seat at a lonely table outside. "I'm so ready for school to be over with," I tore a piece of my hot roll off and took a bite of it.

"Something tells me that classes didn't go well this morning." Harry looked me in the eyes.

"I'm just tired of the same thing over and over." I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder.

He nodding understanding me, the both of us now in a peaceful silence. "Harper I want to ask you something." He handed me a box that looked like it held a dessert.

I carefully opened the box and my eyes widened as a smile crept onto my face. There were seven cupcakes that said You Me Prom? In the middle were two larger cupcakes that had a tuxedo and dress on them in fondant.

"Did you make these?" I studied the gorgeous cupcakes.

He slowly nodded while pointing at the two cupcakes in the middle, "These ones are chocolate with vanilla frosting. The rest are yellow cupcakes and vanilla frosting with little chocolate candies. And the fondant is edible." Harry looked at me with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, still waiting on my answer.

Of course I was going to say yes, "I'd love to go with you Harry." I smiled genuinely while a wave of relief fell over him.

"It should be fun!" He grinned from ear to ear showing his dimples- that I'm still convinced I could fit an M&M in each of them.

I grabbed a yellow cupcake and carefully unwrapped the cake. "These look absolutely delicious!" He blushed a little. "Would you like one?" I shoved the box across the table to him, while he picked out the cupcake with the tuxedo on it.

"That was really sweet-" Our moment was rudely interrupted by two seniors stealing two yellow flavored cupcakes.

"Excuse me," Harry suddenly looked upset, it was a look I was just now discovering. His eyes looked cold, and his dimples had disappeared.

"Oh you didn't want these did you?" I looked over to see the one and only Ashton Richards and he stood there with a sly smirk on his face.

Sitting beside him was his girlfriend Becca Taylor, but she stayed quiet. "Harper you're not going to prom with this nerd are you?" He read the cupcakes, while snarling his nose "He's not worth it Harp, he's a big baby." Ashton added, his voice low and husky.

I suddenly felt my anger beginning to boil, "You know Ashton, I really don't understand your way of thinking. I thought I told you once but maybe I need to remind you. Once we graduate this will all be over with and will you look back at what you've done to everyone and be proud of it?

"I don't get why you find so much happiness in making fun of people, it disgusts me. Harry is the best thing that's ever happened to me. He respects me and that's one thing that you lack. Respect." I suddenly realized how much courage I had gathered to speak up for myself.

"Well well Harper, I'm shocked at the girl who normally sits in the back and never talks. Maybe you should call your dad up and stand up to him like that, I wouldn't have ever let him do what he did to her if I were you." He said knowing he would hit my soft spot. He would bring up anything to hurt someone, whether it's true or not.

"Hey that's enough." Harry stood up from the table finally breaking his silence. His jaw clinched and his eyes become a shade of black while his hands became fists. "You can pick on me...but don't mess with my girlfriend."

I was taken back by the word girlfriend, totally shocked. But I loved it. We hadn't really talked about a relationship but we both knew that's what was happening. Now it's official, I've got a somebody.

"Girlfriend?" Ashton was taken back but eventually regained his posture. "What are you going to do about it, Styles?" Ashton took a step closer towards Harry.

I began to gather my bag and Harry's stuff, along with our cupcakes. "He's going to walk away because he's a bigger person." I spoke up before Harry could do something that he'd regret later.

Harry stood firm in his place but after a few seconds he followed me and grabbed my hand. His jaw was still locked, his eyes still icy cold.

Once we were back in the school and in a quiet place where no one was around. I turned myself around so that he was looking me in the eyes, "Hey just calm down now. Take a deep breath."

"I don't like what he said about you." He spoke almost above a whisper, "It was disrespectful."

I shook my head and forced a smiled, "They're just words." I stroked his cheek with my thumb, I admired the protective side of Harry.

He slowly unclenched his jaw and cooled himself down little by little. "I'm going to have my schedule switched around. I don't want you to be alone anymore. And I don't want this rude and horrible human being doing or saying anything else to you."

"Harry the year's almost over with, there's no need for that." I shook my head at his words.

"No I don't care, I'm doing it. I need to be with you. It'll make me feel better." He carefully put his right hand around my neck, brushing my hair out of the way. He tilted his head closing his eyes, going in for a kiss.

At this very moment I felt as if I didn't need to worry anymore. Harry was going to protect me, he was my map. My other half. And my best friend.