taming mr.tomlinson [larry stylinson] ✔️

45.

The next day, when Harry walked into his classroom, the students were sitting at their desks with their hands folded and their attention completely on Harry; almost like they knew something he didn't. Harry looked at them as he slowly sat his black bag down next to his desk and smiled uneasily, hoping that none of them had pulled a prank on him or put a 'kick me' sign on his back.

He pretended to itch his back to check, but sighed with relief when he felt nothing but the material of his shirt. "Good morning, class. May I know why you're acting so well-behaved today?"

One of the students, Eleanor, raised her hand and waited patiently until Harry pointed at her to answer. She was usually extremely quiet in class, so the fact that she had raised her hand to speak made Harry's lips part in awe. "On behalf of the class, Mr. Styles, we are simply celebrating the fact that you are no longer on the market by being respectful."

"I was paid to not say anything disrespectful," said a boy sitting in the back, and it was rude, sure, but Harry was grateful despite that. "Congrats."

"Where did you hear this from?" Harry asked, then turned around to at least preoccupy himself before the students pointed out how much he was blushing. Did they know that he was with Louis? Did they think he was with a woman? If it wasn't the latter, then Harry was glad none of the students that wasn't as open-minded hadn't bothered to show up to class. "Rumors?"

"Does hearing it from Mr. Payne count as a rumor, Sir?" Alessia asked with a grin.

That was when Harry stopped writing on the board with his chalk, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes because of course Liam had been the one to open his mouth about it. By now, the entire school had to have known that they were together - not that it bothered him since the students were considered family to him, but still.

"I don't suppose that since you remembered to be respectful today that you remembered to do your homework assignment as well?" Harry inquired in an accusing tone.

The class went silent before someone raised their eyebrow and said, "We had homework?"

Suddenly, a lady from the office poked her head in the door and smiled widely when she saw Harry, but it turned shaky when she looked at the class, who stared at her blankly - but Harry, as usual, was oblivious to the entire thing. "Um, Mr. Styles? Principal Plowser would like to see you. He says that your mother called--?"

"Oh, well, okay. I'll be back, so be on your best--"

"A substitute will be taking over." the lady announced, and that was when Harry realized that there had to be something wrong. Normally, when his mother called the office, he never had to have a substitute step in for him. "Mr. Styles?"

"Um, okay." Harry said quietly, then picked up his black bag to sling it over his shoulder. He managed to keep a tranquil smile as he waved the kids goodbye and walked out of the classroom slowly, only beginning to speed-walk when he was completely out of their peripheral vision. "Shit."

He doesn't mean to, but he practically rammed himself into Principal Plowser's office, which startled the older man since he placed his hand up to his chest in fright. "Jesus, Harry--"