Rise

Chapter 22

Harry promises he'll be back after he gets cleaned up then he compliments me on my bruise covering skills.

We both laugh and he heads out the door, I can tell theres still a smile on his face.

He comes back sooner than I had expected.

His hair is messy and he's wearing white converse, black jeans and a dark grey sweater. He rolls the sleeves up to his elbows and I can't help but admire the cute little tattoos on his wrist.

Harry smiles when he notices me admiring him, I'm surprised he doesn't comment on it.

I check the clock and we have about ten minutes until we actually need to leave.

I check the mirror a few times to make sure my bruises are actually covered up, Harry says I look fine but I'm sure he's lying so that I don't punch him.

Harry and I leave my apartment and get into his car. The weather today is hotter than I had expected, stupid Georiga weather.

I think about taking my sweater off, forgetting I have a tight red tank top on.

I hope the air conditioning at campus is up to maximum so that I don't burn to death in my sweater.

I don't have classes with Jessica, Harry or Riley which is a relief.

Well, I'd want to have a class or two with Harry but I'm sure he'd ignore me and focus on his friends.

He has lots of friends.

We arrive to campus and Harry turns the car off.

We leave the car in silence, walking side by side towards the buildings doors.

I don't expect Harry to grab my hand or kiss me goodbye, but he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him.

We get a few looks and laughs from a few people. I know they're laughing because the popular trouble maker Harry Styles is with someone like me.

I hate it.

I want him to remove his arm and go to class pretending I'm not here.

But Harry isn't a jerk. I remind myself.

I look over and see bright blue hair, I almost forget we nearly killed each other and ended our friendship.

Jessica is holding hands with someone.

"That bastard Riley." Harry mutters.

She's with Riley, out of all people.

Harry clears his throat. "She only wants to sabotage you, Ella. She has no good intentions except making you hate absolutely everything, her and her crude comments and persuasions.

She's no good, that's what."

"I agree with you for once." I say.

Harry giggles and kisses me on the cheek.

"I have class across campus so I need to head out, oh go make new friends-"

"Okay Harry!" I laugh.

"No emos or girls with funky hair. No guys either-"

"Harry I get it!"

"You better." He kisses my cheek once more and walks off.

I walk to class, the thought of Jessica with Riley still on the edge of my mind, threatening to spread and consume the rest of my head, to drive me insane.

Harry is right, Jessica uses her damn persuasions and tricks to get things to go her way. She wants me to be caught off guard with the idea of her and Riley.