Deception

Chapter 19: Bandaged

"Get your hands off her." Harry is beside Niall now, stripping his grasp from mine. My mouth hangs open and my head is spinning. I never knew words had that affect.

They are yelling t each other or something as I lean against the wall and squeeze my head. I know they are about to fight but all I can think about is my mom, or my dad, how he must feel. I don't understand where she could have gone or who...who could have...

I can't even bring myself to say it.

"Let's take this outside." Harry growls and that's when I shake my head.

"Stop." I mumble but they both ignore and continue to argue. I can tell Niall wants to bring up Julia.

Oh, please don't.

"Why are you here Niall?" Harry asks, calmer after I have spoken.

"Charlie and I actually have a connection. Something you clearly lack to create with someone." Niall says and Harry tightens his fist.

That's not true.

Harry turns his attention to me and stares down at the paper in my hands. His eyes narrow. "What is that?" he demands. Niall laughs and Harry turHarry turns back to Niall, trying to piece it all together.

"Listen you little shit." Harry stabs Niall's chest with his finger.

"Harry!" I say and his eyes turn to me. I shake my head at him and he removes his hand from Niall's chest.

"Give me the paper Charlie." He whispers and I lean harder against the wall, crushing the paper in my fist.

"No." I breathe and in view I can even see Niall smiling.

"I will take it from you, don't you dare think I won't." Harry threatens and Niall laughs.

"You haven't changed. If you hadn't noticed, where did threatening Julia get you?" Niall pitches in and I know that's the last thing Harry will stand. Quickly, without thinking,  I leap from the wall in between them and lift my hand up , blocking Niall's face. I feel Harry's fist connect with it as I watch his face harden. My hand flies back, wounded by the hit as I grasp it tightly with my other hand to stop the stinging.

"Oh my god, Charlie..." He begins but it's too late. Niall has tackled him too the ground.

"Stop!" I scream. This is ridiculous.

"Mary!" I scream down the stairs and she runs up with a baseball bat.

"Out." She growls. Niall stands up slowly, holding his stomach. He gives me a sad look and limps down the stairs. Mary stares at Harry with wide eyes, but she doesn't look angry.

I stand there, holding my hand like its my heart. I can't feel it, its numb beyond comprehension.

"Charlie." Harry whispers, taking a step towards me. Marry shakes her head at him and points to the door downstairs.

Harry nods at her and then looks back at me.

"Please get her some ice." He whispers to Mary and her nose twitches.

"Of course. I will do what I am supposed to do, as should you Harry." She yells down the stairs. His body stiffens as he hears her words but he doesn't stop. Seconds later I hear the bell ring on the door, indicating he is gone.

~

I show up to class a bit late from all of the commotion that took place this morning. I take a seat in the front not even bothering to look for Harry or Niall. Mr. Olson begins to introduce todays warm ups and what not but my mind is elsewhere. I think about my mom, and why she isn't in the arms of my father. I fear the worst, that she got into a car accident and they haven't found the body yet or that she got lost in the city and beat up.