Code Black (N.S)

40.

Niall's POV

It had been around a week since the incident at the party. Although I hadn't told Harry exactly what had happened, he had gotten so much more protective. 

It had gotten to the point that I had to ask him to be alone when I needed to go to the bathroom. Even if I did that, he would wait outside for me to come out before he immediately wrapped his arm around my waist.

I understood why he was doing this. He had discovered from one of his teammates that Tyler had dragged me off somewhere, which he knew could mean nothing good. He had then confronted Tyler and rushed off to find me. 

He had yet again seen me in an unfortunate position, and he had assumed that it had something to do with Ryan. Therefore, he now had to protect me from every little thing that I came across. 

As he still hadn't come out officially, his protectiveness towards me looked like he was acting like an older brother, though at this point I wondered if anyone believed that.

I could tell that he was just as scared as I was, just in a different way. He was scared for me but he seemed to be taking it worse than I was.

He thought that he could get away with me not knowing anything but he just didn't realise that I knew that most nights he didn't actually sleep.

I hated that he was feeling like this. That he had to stress over me because bad things continued to happen. I wished that this wasn't happening. If not for my benefit, I just wanted Harry to stop freaking out and thinking something was going to happen. 

~

I was walking to Chemistry with Liam, finally being able to leave Harry. Sure, I obviously liked Harry a lot but I needed some time away from him.

"So...what's up with Harry?" Liam asked, looking at me curiously. He had quite obviously picked up on the tension, particularly since I had made the effort to not even mention my boyfriend at all. 

"I haven't been able to be alone since w-what happened at the party. He just-- he thinks that he needs to be w-with me all the time. I appreciate what he's doing, I really do but I'd like to be able to shower without him waiting right outside the door," I sighed.

Liam laughed at my boyfriend's protectiveness, most definitely finding amusement in my situation. 

I shook my head, rolling my eyes at the look on his face.

"I-I'd like to see you trying to shower with him right outside the door," I muttered bitterly. "I mean-- I get why h-he's doing it, I really do. I just wish that he didn't have to be so overwhelming." 

"He's scared," Liam said simply, seeming sympathetic about my feelings, yet he seemed to also be defending Harry. 

"I know he is. I am too. It's just...I think h-he's trying to make up for the past. I just get this feeling like he's being o-over the top because of how he used to treat me. And I understand it...I just wish he would calm down."

"That's understandable. Have you told him this?" he questioned me. 

"What do you think?" I raised my brow at him. Of course, I had told Harry that I was feeling overwhelmed, to which Harry promptly apologised. It did very little to change his behaviour. 

"Well-- I don't know. Just let him be protective. He's your boyfriend, it's only natural," he shrugged. 

"I guess," I sighed, feeling rather stressed out. 

"Do you know if he's going to come out soon?" he hesitantly asked. "I mean...he's not exactly subtle and at this point I don't even think anyone would recognise a difference."