A Moment in the Crowd

Chapter 32: Closeness

Harry and I walk together, our arms occasionally brushing against the other's. The sun is beating down on us high in the sky, although it doesn't seem to warm my skin. The wind isn't as fierce today but the temperature seems to have dropped even more.

"Fuck why do you live here again?" Harry says while clutching at his bare arms. I realize that we're both only in our t-shirts.

"I don't know." I give a weak laugh and I don't think Harry has the heart to join in.

"I'm really worried about Amy." I confess to him as we walk in no specific direction.

"She'll be okay, and if she isn't, you'll be there to help her. You're a good friend Lily, I already know that much." He says to me and slips his hand into mine. I allow myself the simple pleasure of feeling his skin against mine. It feels soft and warm, unlike Miles' cold and clamy fingertips.

"Miles can't stay here, can he?" I ask Harry softly. I don't think I would be able to go to school here if Miles was still walking around campus.

"Even if he doesn't recieve legal charges, I doubt he'll be allowed to stay. Don't think about him, he won't be a problem anymore." Harry comforts me through a light squeeze of my hand. 

"Where do you want to go?" He changes the subject.

"I don't know, you choose." I say, completely unable to think and frustrated at not even knowing what I want.

"Some place warm." Harry looks down at me and smiles before pulling my hand lightly and settling into a light jog as I run after him.

We emerge hand in hand into one of the university's buildings. I'm pretty sure it's the science building, and it would explain why I'm not familiar with it. I turn to face Harry, about to ask him what we should do, when I spot a familiar face just passed Harry's shoulder. He notices me staring and turns around to see the source of my gaze. He looks back at me, clearly confused.

"Who is it?" He asks.

"Dylan, the guy who introduced me to Miles and his group of friends one night at a party. He's over there." I point to the dark haired boy in the corner of the building, chatting with a group of other boys.

"Wait here." Harry says and begins stomping his beige boots in Dylan's direction.

"No!" I grab Harry's black t-shirt before he can go over and do whatever he was going to do. "Don't do that, it's not technically his fault. He probably didn't even know." I try to explain.

"Do you give everyone the benefit of the doubt?" Harry asks me and I think before answering.

"Yeah, they deserve at least that." I say. He lowers his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose before speaking again.

"Well, I don't agree." He explains before manoeuvring his way out of my grasp and continuing his stomp towards Dylan.

Shit.

I follow closely behind Harry but keep my mouth shut the minute Dylan is within earshot.

"Hey, Lily right?" Dylan points at me and then glances at Harry who is towering over Dylan's small frame.

"Wait, dude aren't you Harry Styles?" He asks an already fuming Harry.

"Yes, now why don't you elaborate on why you introduced Lily and Amy to a certain Miles?" Harry nearly spits Miles' name. Dylan is taken completely off guard and looks from Harry to me in confusion.

"He's the only first year I know. Why?" Dylan is leaning further away from Harry, and I don't blame him. Harry looks pretty fucking menacing right now and I'm shocked at the intimidating energy he is releasing.