Between the Pages

ten

Playlist - Good Vibes by saltysoul

(H)

It was all over the school. Everyone was talking about it. Zayn and Andy were officially dating. Andy could be added to the never ending list of Zayn's conquests. There were already bets on how long it would be until Zayn broke up with her, whether she would cry or not; it was all anyone was talking about. And it was making me fucking insane. I couldn't walk down the hallway without hearing the hushed whispers about them, or god forbid seeing them together. Not that Andy would pay the slightest of attention to me if our paths did cross. It'd been two weeks since she had spoken to me. Two weeks since I'd heard her laugh, been greeted by her smile, or felt the swell of happiness every time she spoke to me. She avoided me like I was the plague just like everyone else had before the game. In fact now

Andy might be the only person that wasn't talking to me now. Who knew beating the captain of the football team at his own game is all it took for people to actually acknowledge me? I knew it wouldn't last. I'd be the insignificant nerd I've always been. The only person that had ever made me feel like I mattered was Andy but Zayn ruined that, like everything else. Anger pulses through me, making me clench my fists. I wish I'd pushed him harder that night. I wished I'd fought back harder because maybe I would still have Andy if I had.

The bell for fourth period rings and I groan. Calculus used to be my favorite class because there wasn't anyone to irritate me. Now it just meant seeing Andy. I shake my curls out of my face, regretting not slicking it back today. People who had never looked my until recently greet me as I walk. I nod in their direction in response not really knowing what to do. My social skills were definitely lacking. Other than Louis and Niall I didn't talk to anyone unless I had to. It just made me feel awkward. Especially if they were female. As I turn the corner before my class I wonder why I'm bothering to go. All I do is stare at the back of Andy's head the entire time. She has a really nice head and pretty hair. Really pretty hair. I mentally cringe at my thoughts. For fucksake Harry you sound like a damn school girl, I tell myself in an attempt to get it together. Coming to a halt in front of the classroom I feel my stomach drop. Zayn stands in the doorway, his arms on either side of Andy with that cocky fucking smirk on his face. I turn around heading the opposite direction of them. I was right - it was pointless to bother coming.

I keep walking until I'm out of the suffocating building. God I hated the effect she had on me. She'd barely been here a month and she was practically my every thought. Before it was fine. Everything made sense. I was okay with nobody talking to me. I could deal with the bruises and cuts every now and then. But I didn't have a fucking clue how to cope with the only person who treated me like an actual person, not being apart of my life anymore. I knew people were bad news. I should have stuck with my damn text books.

~

(A)

"Yeah whatever bye," Zayn looks displeased with my response but leaves nonetheless. I quickly move out of the doorway so people can pass through. Although, I couldn't comprehend why anyone would be in a hurry for calculus. Plopping down in my seat, much too close to the front for my taste, I wait for the last bell to ring. Mr Miller walks in right as it does, apologizing for his tardiness. My mind blocks out his dull monotone as he takes roll. I mutter a "here" when he reaches my name. Instead of zoning out again, I listen for his deep voice to respond with a quiet "present". His name was only two after mine, alphabetical order and all that.

"Mr Styles?" There's a silent pause. He must not be paying attention. "Mr Styles?" Again there isn't a response. I turn around seeing the empty seat three row back, his familiar curly hair nowhere to be found. Where was he? I know he was here today or he had been. He was at his locker when I arrived at school this morning. Curls free, and nose deep in a book, he had been here. It didn't sit right with me. Harry Styles wasn't the guy that ditched school. He was the guy in the front row, taking excruciatingly detailed notes. I knew something was wrong. I automatically lean towards Zayn but I know he wouldn't do anything. I'd made sure of that. My hands habitually find my hair, running through my tangled blonde locks.

I don't pay any attention to Mr Miller's lesson. Pictures of Harry hurt or in trouble flash through my mind the entire period. My eyes glance at the clock willing time to move faster. I just needed the bell for lunch to ring and I could find him. Zayn would be livid, as he'd made it clear not talking to Harry was part of our deal, but I would cross that bridge when I came to it. The shrillness of the bell sounds and I'm the first one out the door. A few students are littered throughout the parking lot but thankfully none that I recognize. I didn't want to be held up. My eyes look for Harry's Range Rover but it's nowhere to be found. I rack my mind for any idea of where he could be. The night of the bonfire pops into my mind. He was headed in the direction of the river, maybe there was somewhere around there he would be. It was a long shot but my best shot. Not giving it a second thought I got in my car and drove.

~

"Do you know how hard it was to find this place? I had to hike Harry. Hike," Harry startles at the sound of my voice nearly falling off the rock he was sitting on. After driving for twenty minutes I spotted Harry's car parked in front of a small trail. Despite their being a trail there were branches blocking the way and weird overgrown plants covering the path. Fifteen minutes later I reached a section of the river that was actually quite breathtaking. Flowers lined the banks, popping up between the mossy green grass. The main attraction was the small waterfall pouring down smooth brown rocks. Harry looked like he was a part of the scenery blending in perfectly. I could definitely see the appeal. It was peaceful here probably what Harry wanted. Harry had repositioned himself on his rock, eyes forward. "You know I came all this way after you ditched class and here you are ignoring me-"

"You have got to be kidding me Andy! I'm ignoring you?!" Harry's angry interruption has me completely shocked. I couldn't form a response to his question but he obviously didn't need one as he continued shouting. "You haven't even looked at me in weeks! All because you started dating Zayn! I just don't get it! I thought we were friends," His voice lowers as he says his last sentence. His anger no longer present, replaced with hurt. I bite my lip hesitantly. I could tell Harry about the deal but if Zayn figured out he knew it would only make things worse.

"I'm sorry," Ends up being the best I can do. Harry scoffs at my words, his curls bouncing as he shakes his head.

"Me too Andy," He picks up his backpack from beside his rock, and disappears into the overgrowth of the trail. Taking his former seat I stare after him despite not being able to see him. I sigh deeply wondering how I could scheme my way out of this one. Or if I even could.

~

"Where were you?" I came back to school after sitting at the river through fifth and sixth. My plan had been to grab my books and leave quickly. Unfortunately my lovely boyfriend had been waiting for me at my locker. Zayn looked at me with a blank expression but I could tell he was struggling not to blow up at me. I seemed to be really good at making him angry.

"I ditched," My curt reply makes Zayn grit his teeth. I smile at his anger and plant a kiss on his cheek, knowing it will irritate him further.

"Funny how you and Styles both missed sixth," Zayn tries to sound casual which makes me roll my eyes. "God Andy you know I hate when you do that," I hold eye contact with him for a few seconds before dramatically rolling my eyes again.

"Gee sorry dad,"

"If you wanted to call me daddy all you had to do was ask, babe," Zayn slips his arm around my waist, smirking at his comment. I fake a gagging noise but stay in his embrace. Zayn covers my lips with his own and instantly respond, my hands wrapping around his neck. The kiss doesn't last long before he pulls away. Maybe I hated him and maybe I irritated him to no end but the kissing was nice. "So about you and Styles," Zayn waits for my response but instead I bring his lips back to mine.

"How about we go back to your place and we can, you know talk," Zayn raises his eyebrow teasingly but shakes his head.

"No Andy you're going to tell me where you were," This time I grit my teeth. Some people should learn to take no for an answer.

"How about I tell you where I'm going Zayn? Far away from you," I slam my locker shut and stalk away from the infuriating person I have to call my boyfriend. Anger surges through me as I remember how Harry yelled at me. If only he knew what I had to put up with because of him.

"Real mature Andy!" I hear Zayn call out after me causing me to maturely flip him off. Maturity was overrated anyways.

~

A/N: THIS TOOK FIFTY YEARS TO WRITE OH MY GOD but I hope you likey! If this chapter gets five votes I'll update Friday if not it will be around Monday! Remember to vote and comment! Ily x