Bully to Bully

Skiving

Ed looked at me for the third time and I just averted my eyes to the floor.

Jack and Finn had just explained to him what had happened and he had the sense to leave me alone. I didn't know if I was happy that he hadn't seen what had happened or not. If he was there he might of stuck up for me but if he had- he could've been in a worse situation than me. Oh well, at least he's fine.

I leaned down into my hands again and rubbed my eyes against the palms of them. I sighed shakily and dreaded the thought of doing exercise now. I was still shaking but I don't know why. I've had all three of them on me before and those beatings were much, much worse than this one. Maybe it's just the embarrassment of it happening in front of the class or he's just made me feel more sick this time?

 I don't know.

Just then the door opened and I heard the familiar ringing of coach's voice around the room. I kept my head in my hands though and breathed out deeper and heavier than before, hoping to get coach's attention. I practised my 'sick' face in order to get out of the lesson. I heard the mumblings of the class flow through the room and then the shuffling of feet soon after. Coach spoke to a few individuals as the class filed out onto the yard but eventually everyone was gone. I had to get ready now because he'll be over to me any minute now- that's if he's noticed me anyway. I could hear some more mumbling but it sounded like pleading more than anything, but whatever it was, they were soon cut off.

"Wait a minute Sheeran, Styles?" Coach snapped and I presumed that it was Ed who was pleading with him. About what though? I knew he was coming over now and I was ready to act, well half act because I really was beat up. I heard coach's strides advancing across the room and I emphasised another sigh of illness.

"Styles?" Coach asked again but this time he was right in front of me. I put on my most convincing ill face and dragged my head up to look up at him. I saw his face change from strict to slight concern.

"Styles, what happened?" He asked with caution. I am such an idiot. How could I forget about my lip?! I started to panic but I needed to respond quickly. Errrrrrm? Think, think! Aaaaaaaaahhh! I don't know!

"Errr chapped lips Sir." I muttered as I scanned the floor to avoid his eye contact. He didn't reply and the silence was deafening. My ears suddenly pricked as some shuffling broke the silence. I looked up to my right hand side to see what the noise was. It was Ed and I only just realised that he was still in his own clothes. He looked at me with a sympathetic look which I preferred to pity. I slightly twitched my lips, it couldn't be classed as a smile but I wanted him to know that I appreciated the fact that he knew that he couldn't speak to me for both of our sakes. He smiled back but then coach cleared his throat. My eyes snapped up to him because I had forgot that he was there. A blush quickly flashed on my cheeks through embarrassment but then I quickly changed the subject.

"I-I'm ill sir." I said, trying to convince him to let me be excused from the lesson.

"Have you got a note?" He asked. I should have known that it wouldn't be that easy to get out of it. Think of something Harry...

"I-I didn't feel ill at home sir, i-it like kind of started in assembly sir." I stuttered and there was no real point in carrying on with this- it was going nowhere.

"I see.." He hummed through his lips. He looked me up and down and I tried to look more exhausted. "Well you do look like sh- I mean... yeah you don't look that good Styles if I do say so myself." Coach said. I smirked as he nearly swore and I heard Ed chuckle as well. "You can stay in here whilst we go outside 'cos the cold wont help you any further-" Well that surprised me. "-But you will have to do some work." Ahh, there's the catch. Oh well, if it gets me out of exercise everything's good.

"Yes sir, thank you sir." I nodded quickly but I reminded myself to keep my façade up.

"Right, I'll be back in a min with some worksheets for you." I nodded again and he turned around to leave. "Oh Sheeran!" Coach said as if he'd forgotten about Ed. Ed's head lifted from the ground in surprise as well. "So why have you forgotten your kit again?" Coach asked, trying to be strict. Oh that's why Ed was pleading.

"I didn't mean to coach, I was just in a rush this morning." Ed tried to defend himself.

"Aren't we all?" Coach asked slightly patronisingly. It was a poor excuse though.

"Yes coach, sorry coach." Ed replied, much like myself and then he drooped his head to the floor.

"Oh well. Detention at lunch and you'll have to do some work in here with Styles." Coach said. Ed nodded his head, still looking down, and shuffled a bit on the spot.

"I'll be back in a minute." Coach said and actually left this time. I snapped my head to floor to show Ed that I didn't want to talk; he got the hint. Coach was back quicker than I thought.

"It's just a couple of questions about rules and tactics of different sports." Coach explained as he passed me three of the papers in his hands. I nodded in thanks to him and he turned to Ed. "You've obviously got more and they must be complete by the end of the lesson." He said to Ed as he licked his thumb, trying to separate the different sheets. He finally passed Ed about five sheets and then he turned back to me. "You just try your best Styles." He said to me and I smiled shyly back. Coach nodded and then walked over to the door. "And behave." He growled slightly to Ed more than me.

"We will Coach." Ed replied and then coach returned to the rest of the class. "Are you ok?" Ed asked gently as he took his seat on a bench furthest away from me. I nodded and hoped that he wouldn't try and have a conversation with me. I thought he understood? "I know you don't want to talk because Louis could walk in any minute but I just wanted to see if you were alright." He smiled and I smiled back.

"Thanks." I whispered and we then remained in amiable silence for the rest of the hour.

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