Unity | Harry Styles AU

XXII: citrus

  "It's clearly not nothing, Alaska." Derrick said to me. "I have so many questions."

"Okay... Well shoot then." I replied as I rubbed my forehead with my hands.

"Firstly, who was that?" Derrick asked.

What do I say. What do I say. What do I say.

"He looked a lot older than you, and I recognize him from somewhere. I can't pinpoint exactly." Derrick frowned as he searched his mind for who it was. "Got it! He's that art teacher that's working on the renovated upper hall! My professor took our class to see it and told us that it would be completely different soon. That was Mr. Styles. That's who it was. But.. What was he doing here?" Derrick questioned. I could feel beads of sweat roll down my forehead.

Lie well Alaska. Think of something believable.

"Well, I actually am working on that project with him along with a few other classmates. I gave him my address so he could come here as he pleased to pick up any outstanding finished artworks and put them with the rest of the finished paintings." I lied.

"Okay.. But why was your drunk, frazzled, exhausted-looking art teacher here asking to talk to you privately? That doesn't make sense." Derrick questioned some more.

"Well uh," I searched my mind to find something that would add up. "He told me before exams that I hadn't finished some Post-Unit Analysis thing. It was worth a huge chunk of my mark and he told me if I didn't hand it in on time it would do some serious damage to my average. I already handed it in before he confronted me, so I did nothing about it and my grade dropped from a 97 to a 69... Just now he told me that he made a mistake and he had my analysis all along so he assured my grade would be raised to a 97; which is what I deserved." I lied again.

"He seemed pretty upset over his mistake. First off, he didn't seem too thrilled that I was the one that answered your door, then he was being all douche-y when he wanted to talk to you alone.. Was he seriously a mess over making a mistake with your grade?" Derrick asked.

"Guess so." I fiddled with the seam of my shirt. Cringing with every negative comment made about Harry.

"He must really care about his students.. Coming to a student's apartment during Summer break just to tell you he made an error with your grade? Like, that couldn't have waited until September? He must care a lot." Derrick scoffed. Yeah, he cares a lot about me, Too much even.

"He just makes sure his students are treated fairly. He cares that they are getting the grades they deserve. That's all." I replied.

"He must really like you. I've never met a teacher who went out of their way to apologize to a student about their mistake during summer holidays, while drunk. That's a first." Derrick laughed.

"It's a good thing. I doubt he was drunk. He just has had a lot on his plate with planning for next year..." I said. I didn't want anyone to think poorly of Harry. Harry was excellent.

Derrick rolled his eyes at me. "Lass, come on. I could smell the Tequila in his breath from a mile away."

There was an awkward silence between us for bit.

"Well, why are you so glum about all of this then?" Derrick blurted out. His tone was endearing and friendly again.

"What?"

"Your teacher has just come here to tell you great news. You're an all-around honor student now! That's excellent. That's worth celebrating." Derrick said.

I scratched my head and bit the inside of my cheek. "I guess."

Derrick walked closer to me and kissed my forehead. "Let's celebrate. Tomorrow I'll make dinner at my place. At 7 I'll pick you up. Deal?" Derrick said as he rubbed my shoulder reassuringly.