The 'Regular' High-Schoolers

LIZ GETS TO KNOW

As Harry and Liz entered the school gates coming from their respective dorms they were subjected to the stares and glares of many. There was a tension in the air. Liz sported a plain whiteT-shirt , skinny jeans and combat boots and hair pulled up in a ponytail of red noodles. Towards the side of boys' hostel was Harry who was half-jogging half-walking with nervous energy towards Liz too was walking warily. Their eyes met and a message seemed to flow through them. They stopped in their tracks and stared at each other. Liz puckered her lips and broke the eye contact and looked around aimlessly as if hiding something. This piqued Harry's attention and he sprinted towards her with great speed. It actually worried him.

Just when Liz was staring into the sky at a crow who she obviously wished was Damon, someone placed their hands on her shoulder. Her stomach took a leap as she turned around.
"What do the two of you think you are? Salvatore vampires? Huh! Puny humans!" Liz snapped.

"Easy,easy hon! Now, who are you off to dodging?" Whispered Ashley in a tone dripping with sarcasm.

"No one! Why would I do that?" She spoke hastily with a quivering voice and quickly turned around.

"Liz,Liz! It's okay.I get it! And don't you think I already know? You'll get over it. I know it wasn't really great of Harry to not contact you or anything for two months and man,that's a longtime. But,..You have more important things at hand!" Harry jumped before her as soon as Ash finished speaking. Nate gave him a dude-not-cool look and made a funny face. Harry replied that with a i-know-right face with puckered lips that shielded the guilt he was swimming in. Thankfully, the "boys' " talk got over.
Ashley flashed a newspaper before them on the Hollywood gossip page. Their eyes widened and Liz felt as though her guts would melt to liquid as she saw a picture of Harry and herself kissing in the rain.

Oh crap ! The kiss! And the dummies across the fence! How the hell could I forget them!

And,suddenly her insides boiled with unexplained rage! Oh Wait! She could explain that. Hell yes she could! All the phone calls ,awkward stares and most importantly the satisfied smirk that her 'star ' mother would sport at her daughter's 'entry' into the hollywood buzz all made her shudder. She absolutely despised THIS!

Why can't I stay away from this?

With rage swirling in her eyes,Liz turned towards Harry. Harry stared back at her not knowing what to do. Nate pulled her back. Of course! They must be having the bro code. Ugghhh!!! These boys!

Just then, his four new 'friends' reached there. Awkward silence hung in the air and all of them shuffled around anxiously leaving the four boys in a state of confusion. Zayn spoke up "Umm...hey Harry! Hey....uh..guys! 'Sup? " clearly not knowing what else to say.
They just stared at each other without uttering a word. Until,the youngest looking blond boy called Niall chirped, "Let's go to the canteen!" And all of them rolled their eyes.

"What? You think I'm a five year old? Fine! I won't speak! But,who doesn't like French fries?" Niall spoke in an animated tone. He sure wasn't a five year old but a cute,adorable guy of fifteen in his sophomore year. Mischief glistened in his eyes and sun shone off his blond hair. He was what all called him, a kid but,come on , he was fifteen! Harry looked at him affectionately like a big brother and chuckled.
"Okay! Let's go to the canteen everybody! " said Harry with a chuckle. Ash glared at him but gave in. The group moved on to the canteen followed by piercing stares and annoying murmurs of students. Nate felt like the seventh wheel. Ashley knew how introverts feel when with a cool group.

"Hey..." She whispered and slipped her hand into Nate's and gave him a warm smile. Her black hair gleamed in the scorching sun and she looked like a younger version of Demi Lovato. Nate returned this gesture with a gentle squeeze of her hand. Zayn was aware of everything that was going on so,he distanced himself just a slight bit so as to avoid the awkward conversations.
Meanwhile, Liz walked beside Harry along with whom walked Niall,Zayn ,Louis and Liam. Liam and Louis were in their juniour and senior years respectively.

"Umm...we need to leave. We've our classes."said Liam.
Ash nodded. "See ya guys!" Louis piped and they left.

"Uh,Harry?"
"Yeah..?"
"Um..never mind!"
"Are you okay Liz? "
"Yeah, why would I not be?"
"Nothing. It's just that.." Harry let it hang mid-sentence.Liz held his wrist and dug her fingers into his hand in order to regain balance. She felt sedated with all the pressure.

They reached the canteen and took the table they always did. Niall and Zayn brought in chairs. It was a normal school canteen.

I won't describe it,come on!

"Let's order something shall we?" Ashley asked enthusiastically. And Liz turned her head and made a confused face,like the it's-okay-to-be sad-sometimes-sympathetic look plus a love-you-bestie look.

"Harry,what are you gonna do about this?" Said Liz in an exasperated tone as if all this got her too worked up and she wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.
"I don't know Liz! I'm as worried as you are" Harry said as tears gushed into his eyes and formed a layer.
"You don't have to be...."Liz paused and looked up into his eyes. She pulled back her palms in front of her shoulders to show that she had given up.His green eyes shone and his brown locks fell on his forehead. Liz placed a hand on his and squeezed.

Boys can be pathetic! I should be the miserable one. I hate it all. And look who's crying? She thought irritably but pushed it aside.

"We'll deal with it! Now stop crying will you?" Said Liz with much effort for she didn't want to strain her relationship now.

Zayn was eyeing them all. Liz caught Zayn looking at Ashley and Nate dreamily. He looked away clearly too embarrassed.
Ash sensed something was going on but was still confused.

"Oh!Let me see the two of you having your moment in the rain. Oh how romantic! Let's see what England has got to say 'bout the two of you!" Ash chirped enthusiastically in a squeaky voice.

"Ash..." Smiled Liz and hugged her. Liz broke down a bit but had herself together quickly. She didn't want to be the one crying.

Not now at least!

All of them got up and joined them . They broke into peals of laughter but Zayn stood awkwardly behind them. The mood finally lightened.

"Oh come on Zayn! Don't be shy!" Said Ash still laughing. He gave an awkward smile and joined them.

We'll deal with it!