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⚡︎⟡₊ ⊹
"well, look who's back!" zayn grins, his voice carrying across the cafeteria as he calls attention to you striding toward the lunch table.
everyone turns, and you can't help but throw in a little victory dance before dropping into the seat between serena and jaxon.
"can't believe i'm saying it, but that suspension was actually pretty nice," you joke, though there's a hint of truth in it.
your eyes flick over to harry, but he's glued to his phone, barely acknowledging your presence.
that familiar tightness coils in your chest again—this hot-and-cold routine of his is starting to wear thin.
as your friends splinter off into smaller conversations, you quietly pick at the sorry-looking food on your tray, your appetite gone. the low murmur of their chatter buzzes around you until louis suddenly perks up, waving his phone excitedly.
"perrie edwards is throwing a halloween party this weekend, are we going?" his question is met with a chorus of enthusiastic cheers: "hell yeah's" rippling around the table.
but your stomach sinks.
the last thing you want is to be at another party, the memory of the last one is still too raw.
you don't say anything, but serena, ever observant, nudges your arm, lowering her voice.
"hey, i'll stay back with you if you want. we can do a girl's night?" she gives you a reassuring smile, her eyes soft with understanding.
you manage a small, grateful smile and shake your head.
"nah, it's alright. i'll come... think it'd be okay if i invite someone?"
she nods eagerly, her excitement infectious, though you can't fully share in it.
as the lunch drags on, you start feeling more at ease, diving into stories about your homeschool days and the strange mishaps that came with them. your friends are all ears, especially when you start talking about your mom's new relationship.
it feels nice, being listened to—except for harry, of course.
after about ten minutes, though, he lets out an exaggerated sigh, loud enough for everyone to hear. you stop mid-sentence, eyes narrowing in confusion.
"i'm sorry, am i boring you?" the words slip out before you can stop them, irritation creeping into your tone.
harry's gaze snaps to yours, and the softness you'd seen in his eyes just a day before is gone, replaced by something colder, sharper.
"you are, actually. yeah."
your cheeks burn hot with embarrassment, ears ringing as jaxon immediately snaps back at him, telling him off for being such a prat. but you don't hear much of the exchange.
