Play for Keeps.

Chapter IV.

~ L o u i s ~

Everything hurts. I threw up so much that moving around sucks. I can hardly walk from my bed to my desk. It's like I lost everything that gives me strength. But I'll be fine. I am fine.

I make my way to the car and slide into the driver's seat. I start the ignition. I drive to school and listen to music on the way there. It's a pretty nice drive in itself. When I pull up to the school, I almost want to drive just a little longer, but I know I have to attend class.

I grab my bag from the passenger seat and get out of my car, gently closing the door due to the lack of strength. I've already missed the first half of first period so I take my time getting to the office for a tardy slip. They excuse it for once since I have a "medical condition" now. Idiots. But I take my excuse and walk to my locker. It's still pretty sore and hard to breathe without feeling like I'm gonna throw up, but hey, I do tough things all the time. If I throw up, I'll just make sure to ruin some pretty girls expensive outfit.

I walk into class, and there's only one open seat. It's in the front of the room next to some that Irish kid who always bleaches his hair. I think his name is Niall? Either way, I scowl and walk over as the teacher says,
"Mr. Tomlinson. How kind of you to join us. Are you feeling any better?"
"I don't suppose it matters, I'm here aren't I?"
"Very well then. We're in the textbook today, page 326."

I don't actually pay attention while they discuss today's lesson. The last 45 minutes drag on for what seems like forever. It's all monotonous and boring, and I could honestly care less. But when the bell does ring, everyone scrambles out. Everyone except me. And the bottle blonde that sits next to me.

He has his stuff ready and begins to leave when he sees me still taking my time. Turning around, he asks me if I need help.
"Do you want me to carry your bag?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No."
"Are you sure? I cou-"
"Listen here, kid. Remind me your name?"
He goes silent for a minute, then mumbles,
"N-niall."
"Well, Niall, I may be sick, but I can still handle myself just fine."
He seems to have shut up when I turn back to getting my backpack zipped. Or at least I thought.
"I just know what happened and wanted to help."
"Yeah. The whole school knows what happened. It's not a fucking secret. I drank too much, got a little too much poison. It happens. But even if I can barely breathe, I still have enough strength to punch your face in. Got it?"
He looks down and nods.
"I am fine by myself. So do me a favor, and leave me alone."
He nods as he looks down, and he leaves the room. I'm just glad he actually left.

~ N i a l l ~

I guess he will yell at me.
I run to the bathroom after leaving the classroom. Everyone is at lunch right now so I have no one to worry about. I can feel hot tears running down my face as I choke on my breath.
I just wanted to help him. God, you're so stupid Niall. You think you can just be nice. It doesn't work like that.

I get one of the stalls and lock the door. After a while of crying, I remind myself that I was stupid. I shouldn't have talked to him. I should have just left. Stupid choices equals stupid consequences.

I get on my knees with my head over the toilet and stick a finger in my mouth. There's some uneven breathing as I decide if I want to do this. I don't. But I will. Slipping the second finger in, I push the fingers to my throat. I try to back out, but instead, I shove them even farther down my throat. Who's the one that's vomiting now? Huh Louis? Why am I so stupid?

I wipe my mouth once I've finished puking. That was so gross. How do people do that?
I sit up on my heels and hold my stomach. Great. Now my breath smells bad, and I feel awful.