Skin

Chapter 5

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"We don't have to go to class if you don't want.." Eleanor says trying to comfort. "We can sit here and talk, after all the locker room will be empty and we could always fill out a fake pass In case someone comes in.... I just don't want you uncomfortable for the rest of class. I want you to know you can depend on me to talk to," she looks down not expecting me to agree with her offer.

"I-I'd love that..."

She looks up and smiles. "Okay. Follow me," she grabs my wrist then drops it and her cheeks flood with red.

"I'm so sorry Bella... It was an accident. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. So so-"

"Eleanor it's fine," I assure her and she smiles and continues leading me.

There's 5 stalls in front of us. "Wait for two to be open and just stay in there for like 7 minutes but be silent because I haven't snuck a pass from the gym teacher's offices." "Okay," I whisper as I walk into one and I hear her shut one behind me.

I trust her enough not to leave and it's weird because she's pretty much the only person I trust and I met her only an hour ago...

7 minutes go by and I just go on my phone and look at random accounts. I watch as minutes go by and struggle to keep quiet.

"Oh my gosh that was so long," Eleanor huffs speaking louder than she did when the locker room was full of people.

"I know," I agree. She chuckles then asks me to come to her stall since it's bigger but I hesitate.

"We will get in big trouble if there's two people in the stall though..." "I could just say you got sick and wanted me to help pull your hair back," she suggests then shrugs off the topic.

"So do you need to talk?..." She starts up again. "It might not be the easiest thing to do but I can try to talk about it.."

"Okay. There's nothing I specifically want to know but you can tell me whatever you feel the need to get off your chest," she smiles and rubs my back.

"I've continued to hurt myself for a few years," I whisper then look up and I see that she's still listening so I go on, " I just feel lost...." I start sobbing and she reaches out for a hug. "It's okay everybody cries," she reassures me obviously noticing my embarrassment. "You can depend on me, everything will be okay," I look up and smile at her. No ones ever cared so much.

Minutes go by and we talk about our life story and I leave out everything bad. She tells about how Louis and her got together and I can't help but be jealous.

"Um Eleanor?" I ask feeling bad for interrupting her story but she doesn't seem to mind since she just smiles and nods. "What does Niall want with me? Like why is he the way he is?"

"Well nobody really knows why. He doesn't open up to people. He shows his feelings in a weird way."

"What do you mean shows his feelings?" I ask curious. "Well I never hear of him liking anyone but even with his mom he doesn't show affection. Like when I met his mom for the first time when she was at the mall-" she stops noticing my confusion then starts again, "I recognized her from pictures, but never met her." I nod and she continues, "Well Louis and I went up to her summoning over Niall and he just walked away. There was nothing really to do about it. His mom, Maura , kept looking back to him but not once did Niall turn around. We didn't see him after that. Someone said he was by the massage chairs but 15 minutes later when we went to look after talking to Maura we didn't see him. He's just weird. He doesn't let anyone in and if he does try id consider yourself lucky." "Oh," is all I can say after Eleanor is finished explaining. "Does he ever get into relationships?" I ask even though it shouldn't matter. "Never. Nor does he talk about it. You don't ever see him smile when he sees cute couples or hears about them. He's straight faced and from what I know he doesn't get into relationships. He doesn't try to either." I know she's telling the truth but for some reason it disappoints me and I have no clue why.

"Did I say the wrong thing?" She asks. "What do you mean?"

"You got really quiet. I didn't know if you guys were a couple and I feel like I probably said things I shouldn't have, sorry."

"Oh no! It's fine! Were not a couple," I emphasize not. "I really don't know what we are," I chuckle to make everything less awkward even though I'm still in deep thought about it.

She smiles then starts to whisper, "we should get out now and get dressed out of the gym clothes. The other girls will be in any minute so let's just try to blend in and act like we just went in here to go to the bathroom okay?" I nod and slowly walk out and go to my locker

I change and I appreciate how Eleanor doesn't bring up the cuts again. "Hey Eleanor?" I ask nervously but it seems like she already knows what i was going to ask. "I won't tell anyone if that's what you were wondering. It will stay between us," she smiles and I thank her.

We walk around until we see "the group". Niall runs up and hugs me and I just accept it and smile. The others looks at us and Harry winks. "So are you guys a thing?" He asks and Niall moves away from me. "Hell no," Niall laughs.

I'm confused on how he feels about me.

"Good," Harry winks at me and Niall pushes back in between us. I look over because of the awkwardness and see A black haired boy standing by me and a blonde by Eleanor.

I need to get used to being surrounded by people.

"Hey I'm Zayn," the black haired boy with a ton of tattoos says and smiles. "I'm Bella," I laugh. "You with Niall?" He asks while looking over and before I can answer Niall peeks his head out. "No," he clarifies then cringes. I look down and stay quiet. I don't know why he bugs me so much.

"Oh," zayn answers then continues, "Thats my girlfriend Perrie," he points at the blonde and I smile. "She's very pretty." "I think you guys could be good friends," he suggests and I just say "okay." We talk about classes and Niall gives him a few glares.

"What's your problem?" I turn and ask Niall. "You shouldn't be talking to all these boys." "And how are you in control of that?" "Because I know what's best for you and you're just having a pain in the ass moment,- or day," he mumbles. I push him aside and run away. "Hey miss!" He yells and I foolishly look back. "Schedule," he laughs and I wait for him to catch up then snatch it. I turn away from him but turn back when I hear someone start to talk.

"I can help you find your class. Nobody would count me late since I'm new." Harry offers. "Okay," I smile and Harry and I start walking to room 408 until Niall pushes between us.

"God dammit Niall. What do you want?" I bark. "Nothing anymore," his face gets red and he walks into the nearest guys restroom.

"Should we wait?" I ask Harry, my fingers trembling. "Would you really want to? It might just make everything worse..." "Okay," I sigh and continue walking but can't help but look back like 17 times.

"Nialls something isn't he?" "What?" I ask clearly because I wasn't paying attention. Harry just laughs then repeats.

"Ohh I guess. I don't know him that well though..." I quietly say. "How did you guys meet?" "Mall. By massage chairs. He was odd there to," I explain and Harry nods.

"Do you think I'm weird?" Harry asks out of nowhere. "No," I laugh, "You're actually pretty fun." Harry smiles at my compliment. "You are too," he says then grabs me by the waist.

My Cheeks flush red. His lips lean in towards me and I don't hesitate to do the same. I shut my eyes and our lips touch. His fingers brush against my cheeks and I pull out, completely surprised.

I look away and pull my hair out from back behind my ear so it covers my face.

I turn to my left and see Niall standing by the pop machine, fist clenched. Once he sees me he walks away and throws his pop against the window.

I can't help but run after him.

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