I shifted the straps of my backpack on my shoulders, releasing a long sigh before walking out of the school parking lot, headed home. Harry had left just minutes ago, leaving me to deal with the nosy eyes of those watching us. The football time watched me silently ass I passed them, when exiting the building. I knew as soon as I left, they were going to be talking about me.
But as I walked down the street, I couldn't feel anything other than guilt and regret. Whether or not what people are saying about him is true, Harry deserved to atleast be given him a chance. But at the same time I didn't know what to believe. Like I told him; he was confusing. One second he's some really sweet and charming guy the next he's this whole different person, defending what people say about him. Either way, I didn't know his story just like he didn't know mine.
What killed me the most was the look on his face. He was so disappointed, he thought I was different from them. That I'd give him a chance, but I didn't. Instead, I let everyone's words get in my head. I believed what they said about him rather then him telling me.
"Hey Sam!" Someone called out from behind me, ripping me from my thoughts. I turned around at the familiar voice seeing Niall jogging up from behind me.
I smiled seeing him, "Hey Niall," I greeted, hugging him quickly when he caught up to me.
He smiled hugging me back, "Mind if I walk with ya?" He asked once he separated. My smile grew at the idea, before I nodded my head. There was no way I wanted to walk the streets of London by myself. Besides, some company might keep my mind off things.
"So why are you here? Not that I don't want you, it's just I thought you left already," I asked as we began walking down the street again, turning the corner and passing by some houses. I looked over at him, waiting for his reply. He was wearing a white tank top, allowing me to notice he was the only one in the 'group' without tattoos. His skin was not only ink free but he was really nice as well. Jenna and Ali had told me he was the good one in the group making me wonder why he was friends with people like Harry. He must have gotten to know the real Harry rather than the one people make him out to be.
"I was waiting for Harry," He informed, shrugging. I paused for a second at his name before picking it up again.
"Oh uh, then why didn't you leave with him?" I asked, acting like it didn't bother me. I didn't want him to know about what happened, nor did I want to talk about it.
Niall just shrugged in reply, "He wasn't really in a good mood at the moment. Best to let him cool off," He explained, making me frown knowing the reason for that anger was me.
"Oh," I whispered softly, wanting to drop the topic now.
"He's not as bad as everyone makes him out to be," Niall noted, turning his head to look at me. His eyes were a bright blue as he looked at me, his face calm and friendly.
"It's not just what people say, Niall. Harry- Harry's just confusing," I breathed, dreading the conversation that was unraveling.
"How so? Is it his crude remarks? I always tell him-" He started to ranted when I cut him off giggling.
"No, it's not that!" I laughed, making him chuckle as well.
"Then what is it?" He asked, serious once again.
I took a breath looking at the houses we were passing, "He's all over the place! One minute he's this flirtation yet sweet guy, the next he's this over protective, quick-tempered prick beating the shit out of someone! It's just so exhausting! I never know which one I'm going to get," I ranted, letting out my frustration, gathering looks from an elderly couple walking across the street from us.
"Look Sam, I know he can be a real ass at times but trust me, there's more to him," Niall informed.
"Oh you mean the possessive ass?" I scoffed, not wanting to think Niall was right and that I was just being a bitch once again.
Niall sighed, shaking his head, "He means good, Sam."
I just turned my head and looked at him with a 'seriously' look, "Why are you even friends with him, Niall? He treats you like you're his bitch!" I exclaimed, honestly wondering why someone like Niall was friends with Harry.
Even if it was wrong of me to judge Harry so fast, it didn't stop the fact that Harry mistreated Niall. He wouldn't let him hug me, kiss my cheek, make any comments that could be taken different (by Harry himself), and god knows Harry would kill Niall when he found out he was walking with me right now.
"Because he's my mate," He answered blankly as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"So even though he practically controls you, you still consider him your 'mate'?" I asked,furrowing my eyebrows towards him, "Maybe it's because I'm from America, but when someone treats me like shit I don't usually consider them a friend," I added, shaking my head at the thought.
Niall laughed, throwing his head back a bit, "God, no wonder he's nuts about you," he muttered, still laughing a bit, "But Harry's not always like that with me- with us. Just when it's about you. He's actually a great friend, he's helped me get through all kinds of shit, like when my parents fought he offered to let me stay at his place and get away from it all. And when they divorced, he was the first one over. He protects us just like he protects you," He explained before coming to a halt.
"He's been through a lot himself and if even a fraction of what happened to him, happened to me I would be a hell of a lot worse than he his," He added, shaking his head in sadness.
I bit my lip hearing this all. So he wasn't the bad guy everyone made him out to be. Things happened to him that changed him. But what?
"What happened to him?" I blurted out asking, wondering what could have possible caused him to turn sour.
"It's not my story to tell. You'd have to ask him," He informed, looking at me as we stood still on the pavement.
I groaned, "But he hates me now!" I cried out, feeling guilty all over again.
Niall shook his head, "He doesn't hate you, Sam," he noted making me furrow my eyebrows.
"How do you know, Niall?! I was a total bitch to him," I muttered, lowering my gaze, ashamed.
Niall placed two fingers under my chin, lifting my head to face him. He looked at me with his bright blue eyes, "Because he asked me to walk you home. He wanted to make sure you were safe. He doesn't hate you, Sam. Not even close," He informed, sternly removing his gaze from mine to look up at my house that was right in-front of us, "You better go in. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded my head, not able to get any words out. Niall hugged me quickly bidding me goodbye before continuing his walk down the street.
