Little Shy Ariel (ft. Harry Styles)

Chapter 32 - Betrayal

Chapter 32 - Betrayal

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Niall asks because I’ve just stopped moving and I’m not sure if I’m breathing at all. “Ariel? Ariel, what happened?”

I snap back to reality and my head turns to meet his worried eyes. He’s also stopped and he has dragged me away from the other couples. I didn’t even notice. My head is trying to figure a reason for what I saw. Harry said he didn’t like Mare, Mare knows I fancy Harry. Why would he take her away and why would she go with him? Why? She knows I’m here! Looking for him. He doesn’t know but still, why? Last time I checked he didn’t even smiled honestly at her. What changed? What did I miss?

“Niall…” I whisper and his hands are on my shoulders. I’m confused, I don’t know what to think but over all, I feel betrayed. For two people that mean the world to me.

I don’t understand.

“Hey, I’m here. What’s wrong?” he asks me softly but I’m still trying to put the pieces together.

“I-I-I fancy Harry,” I confess. It’s the first time I’ve actually say it out loud. I mean, Mare knows, but I never told her exactly. She’s just very perceptive.

“Good!” Niall chirps but I shake my head.

“No, no, no. It’s not good,” I choke in the words. “He… he just left with Mare right now.”

“What?” Niall asks confused and I look at him. I feel my heart aching and I don’t understand this feeling.

“I… I saw them, leaving together. He led her out of this room. I saw them… I… I was stupid, wasn’t I?” this time I ask Niall the question and he looks as confused as I feel.

“No, why would you say that?” Niall interrupts but I shake my head.

“Because… because a part of me believed Harry fancied me back. But I was wrong, I was so wrong!” my voice rises a bit, which has never happened before. I’ve never felt like this. “I thought he didn’t like Mare, but he does, doesn’t he? I mean, he took her away. What can be so private that they can’t talk here? Why does it have to be in private?”

“No, Ariel, don’t rush to conclusions. I’m sure there’s an explanation for all what’s happening. I know Harry—”

“What explanation besides I built dreams in my head that will never come true? I knew he couldn’t like me. I fooled myself,” I cut Niall off, stepping back, away from him. “Of course he can’t like me. The natural thing is that he likes Mare. She’s a good match for him. Not me.”

“No, Ariel. Please, hear me out!”

“No…” I shake my head, my hands flying to my chest, trying to sooth that ache right in my heart.

It hurts so much and it’s blocking everything out. I can’t see the people around me anymore, I can’t even hear the music. I’m not even aware of Niall grabbing my arms again. I wriggle my way out, turn around and escape. My thoughts are chaotic, nothing makes sense in my head and my heart is beating so fast. I’m shaking and I can’t breathe.

Oh God, I’m having a panic attack!

I run even faster. I hear my own voice screaming in my head, telling me I’m an idiot, that I’m a naïve little girl who thought a boy could like her back. How is that even possible when I’m plain, and boring and I can’t even go to a party with him?! When I can’t talk to people without shivering and stuttering? How?

I was stupid! I was an idiot! I was a fool!

I run to my truck, the one I’ve had parked the whole day. I get in and turn on the ignition and I still can’t breathe, I still feel my heart in my throat and I feel like I’m going to die and if I don’t run something horrible will happen. I need to run. I have to run. Run. Run. Run.