Chapter 39
Harry's P.O.V
I stood from my seat, annoyed and boiling with anger as the music played on. "This kid just has to be everywhere, doesn't he?" I thought, half grunting through my teeth as I fumed on. My attention, and my attitude changed completely when my eyes finally landed on Lou, standing frozen only feet from our table. Her face looked horrified and white with fear, and her skin was cold when I brought myself to touch her. "Lou?" I asked, concerned now as my anger washed away. She didn't move, but I could feel her trembling under my grip. "Lou!" I shouted now, over the music, and her gaze locked onto mine. Her eyes were brimming with tears, seconds away from falling, and her face was pale in disbelief. I moved quickly, and dragged her out of the joint, hoping that taking her away from it all would help. But it didn't.. We arrived outside and I stood in front of her, confused and worried as her expression stayed unchanging. I felt useless, waving my arms in front of her face, trying anything in an attempt to get her back. "Lou" I sighed heavily and looked in her eyes once more, talking softly this time in hopes she would respond. She blinked, and my heart jumped at the tiny action. I grabbed her shoulders, shrinking down to her level in order to keep eye contact. "What is happening? Are you ok?" I limited my questions, but my mind was already reeling with worry. She blinked again, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she exhaled, letting her tears flow. She bundled her hands up on top of her head, grabbing her hair and pulling as she walked towards the nearest wall and sat down, small sobs escaping from her lips. I followed directly behind her, resting my hand on her leg, comforting her. She quivered still, but it wasn't because of the weather around her, it came from within her. Whatever had happened, was shaking her from the inside, and she was still struggling to even speak when we began to hear voices.
The scuffling of feet echoed off of the walls around us, and the voices continued to come closer until I was able to make out their identities. Or at least one. The anger boiled inside of me again and I rose to my feet, fists clenched at my sides as I stood in front of Lou, protecting her. I began to quiver now too, but only with pure hatred, as the footsteps stopped, finally in front of me. My eyes rose from the ground, the pressure in my muscles grew as my eyes met his, and my knuckles popped under the tension. "Luke" I growled out, barely loud enough for him to hear. "Shit" I watched his bony face process and scrunch into fear, as he scuffled backwards behind his even scrawnier band members. My eyes stayed glued to him as I started towards the group, my objective clear to both of us. My satisfaction grew as I reached through the group of three, the two boys beside him merely stepping aside so I could have at their "friend". I gripped his collar in my left hand and screwed my right hand backwards, ready for the pure satisfaction feeling his paper made bones snap would give me. I drove my hand forward towards his face, smirking at his pitiful expression, about to be diminished.
"Hey!"
My hand stopped only inches from his face, and I grunted, annoyed with my short lived satisfaction. I looked up irritated, Luke's worthless body dangling in my hands. A more burly guy walked around the corner, obviously more fit than the rest of them.
"What's going on?" He said again as he arrived next to where I stood, and yanked Luke from my hand swiftly and powerfully. I had gathered at this point that this must be the last band member, but I didn't expect him to look like that. He pushed me backwards, knocking the wind out of me as he hit my chest. I stumbled backwards, a pair of arms catching me before I hit the ground. I turned my head and I felt a wave of relief, it was Lou. She lifted me upwards before dragging her hoodie sleeve over her face again, wiping away past tears. She blinked once, twice, a third time, and stepped away from me. She stepped towards him, and I started to follow, before she put her arm out, telling me to stay put. She walked towards him, and I waited cautiously. She approached him slowly, and although we had been enemies only moments ago, he gave me a questioning look, as if to ask me what she was doing. She took her last step, standing in front of him, tears still streaming down her face. Inhaling deeply, she brought her eyes to his slowly.
"A-Ashton?" She spoke, her voice still shaky as she stood, motionless..in front of her brother.
