the freshmen 500 || h.s

Chapter 14

I wake up at 1 the next day, groggy and as confused as ever.

You'd think that sleeping for twelve hours would allow for some kind of mental revelation but no. I'm just as confused about Harry.

He saved me last night but acted cold right after, almost nervous.

I spend the rest of the weekend eating and trying to restore my energy.

Liam tells my dad that I ate some bad food at a restaurant with Hollis so he won't ask many questions.

Most of my time is spent sleeping and trying to forget what happened.

Until it's time to go back to school.

"Are you sure you're ready to go back?" Liam questions. "Because, if not, I can just tell dad that you still feel sick."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Skye hasn't been answering my calls but I think I can handle it alone."

Liam nods and puts a hand on my shoulder. 

"If anyone tries to bring it up, just turn the other cheek, ok?"

I nod and he brings me in for a bear hug.

"Well we better get going now." He says, quickly kissing the top of my head.

This is gonna be a rough day.

. . .

I decline Liam's many offers to walk me to my first period. I assure him that I'll be ok.

 I should really be telling myself that. 

I walk through the halls dreading the looks I know I'll get from people. I'm surprised no one's addressing me about what happened, or at least snickering as I walk by.

I take my seat in my coordinate algebra class, wondering why no one's talking about me.

I feel as if a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Maybe I spoke too soon.

The girl in front of me turns around. I don't recognise her tan skin and big brown eyes. She must've just moved here.

"Hey I heard what happened to you on Friday." She says, sounding concerned.

I nod. "I was stupid to think no one would talk about it." I say under my breath.

"I just wanted to say that that Louis guy is a jerk and I'm sorry you had to be in that situation. I'm Diamond by the way."

"Aria. Are you new here? I've never seen you before." 

"Yeah, I just moved here from Clemson, South Carolina."

"Oh cool. What other classes do you have?"

We use most of first period to figure out what classes we have together and I explain where every room is.

. . .

I walk Diamond to her fourth period Biology class on my way to lunch.

"Thanks so much for the help. I wouldn't be able to get around without you." Diamond laughs.

"No problem. I was new this year so I know how you felt. See you in first period." I wave.

Diamond disappears into her classroom and I turn around to go to the cafeteria.

Halfway there, a loud crash makes me jump. I look for the source of the noise and see a large crowd of people huddled around some lockers.

Most people have their phones out and some are pushing to try and get a better view of what's happening. 

A fight.

My instinct tells me to keep moving and stay out of it but I'm curious so I walk towards the fight.

At first, I can't see anything and the screams of the group drown out whatever the two people are saying.

I push through the crowd to get a closer look. 

I gasp as the fight finally comes into view.

"Oh my god! Harry!" My hand goes to my mouth.

Harry and Louis are having a full on brawl in the middle of the hallway. This can't be happening.

Louis throws Harry against a locker but Harry pushes him to the ground.

My mind is going a mile a minute. Do I leave and let someone else deal with this? Do I intervene and risk getting hurt myself? I'm beyond conflicted.

Harry's fist goes down on Louis and, once I see blood, I decide to intervene.

I take a step closer to them. "Harry! Harry, stop!" I yell but my screams can't be heard against the encouragement of the crowd.

I nervously put a hand on Harry's shoulder in hopes that he'll stop. His shirt is drenched in sweat from the fight and he doesn't seem to feel my touch. 

From this view, I see that Louis' eye is covered in blood and his lip has been split open.

I grab Harry's arm as he brings it back for another punch at Louis' face.

I'm no match for his strength and he frees his arm from my grasp, still not turning from Louis.

As he frees his arm, he puts his hand on my shoulder and pushes me to the ground.

The crowd surrounding us lets out "ooo"s and backs away, no longer shouting words of encouragement. 

"Harry stop! I yell now that my voice can be heard.

He turns around and I gasp.

His nose is bloody and I can already see a black eye forming. There is a rage in his eyes that I've never seen and it frightens me. 

I scramble backwards, worried he might push me again if I get too close.

"Aria?" His eyes suddenly change from rage to regret. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was you!" He offers me his hand to help me up but I ignore it.

Once standing, I cross my arms over my chest protectively.

By now, Louis has stood up, assessing his injuries. 

"This isn't over, Styles." He spits blood onto the floor. "You won't be able to save each other forever." With that, he marches off.

Harry turns back to me. "Are you ok? I didn't mean to hurt you I'm sorry." He says, tugging at his hair nervously.

I nod. "I'm ok."

He pulls me in for a hug and I swear I forget everything instantly.

. . .

A/N: sorry guys, larry is definitely not a thing in this fanfic. hope you guys liked this chapter! see you all in the next one!

twitter- bchoranxx