Code Black (N.S)

30.

Niall's POV

It had been a few days since I had heard the news of Ryan being free. A few days since I had started remembering that day. That stupid lockdown. Sure, I hadn't forgotten about it but I hadn't been this traumatised since it actually happened.

The mere mention of that horrible man was enough to give me terrible flashbacks from when it happened, so I was petrified of what was going to happen now.

I remembered the time he sent a note to my house, which told me that he knew where I lived. I knew that it wouldn't be very safe for me to stay home alone any time soon, which I guess it was a good thing that I was now going back to school.

I knew that I wasn't the most liked at school and Tyler would likely start something with me but I had Harry and my other friends with me and no one really bothered me as much since Harry had stopped bullying me.

Whether it be because Harry was the main person behind the bullying, or because people were too scared to try and hurt me with Harry being so protective, I wasn't sure. Either way, I knew I didn't have to be so afraid about being at school as what I was used to. 

~

"Niall, please. You don't have to make school a regular thing yet. Take it slow," Harry pretty much begged.

Harry seemed to think that things would be easier for me if I slowly got back into the routine of a regular life and made a point of telling me he thought it was a bad idea.

I sighed, knowing he was going to be stubborn about it, no matter how I brought the subject up to him. He was being ridiculously overprotective, what did he expect? I would have thought that he would prefer if I were at school with him, rather than alone at my house. It would be the best thing both of us if I just stopped being so weak.

Unless he hired a babysitter and I wouldn't put it past him to do that because there was a high chance he would do that if he could. 

"Wouldn't you r-rather me being with you at school? I don't want to stay alone here and I-I'll be safer with you anyways," I told him, raising my eyebrow.

He sighed, looking at the floor and running a hand through his hair before he looked back up into my eyes.

"I know. It's just...I don't want you to do things that you're uncomfortable with. I've noticed that's kind of a habit with you. You don't need to rush things, no one's going to be mad if you think you need some more time." 

"If I don't push myself, I-I'm not going to get better. I know what I'm doing, Harry. I know I'll be safe with you."

"Fine, okay. I have no right to stop you anyways," he replied, closing his eyes for a second.

I smiled before hugging him tightly, my face buried in his neck. I felt my smile widen when I felt him hug back, his arm snaking around my waist. Regardless of how platonic the interaction was, I felt my entire body heat up. 

~

"C'mon, lets go to class," he muttered softly, before we walked towards our lockers.

I felt the stares of students as I passed them. They clearly noticed my return and were most likely questioning mine and Harry's closeness. Either that, or they were looking at Harry's face, which was still faintly bruised.

Harry noticed the stares and shot everyone a dirty look, causing them to look away immediately. Although Harry hadn't dared to be mean to anyone since the Code Black, people were still rather intimidated by him. It would have to be because they knew what he was capable of if he got mad enough, even his intention of being as nice as possible couldn't stop him if he got pissed off.