New Boy || [ Harry Styles au ] ✔️

07

"Hate to ruin the moment but, I told you so."

Instantly a smack landed on his head as Noah glared at Zayn. Her figure was small compared to his, but she managed to give him a look of such fury that he backed away. "Shut up Malik." Noah hissed, averting her eyes to me as I was staring up ahead with a blank look on my face.

I looked to the table in front of us, where Harry, Olivia and some other guys from the football team were seated. It'd been 3 days since her arrival and she was already popular. 3 days since Harry wasn't my Harry. We didn't hold a conversation longer than 5 minutes—we couldn't. Every time we started talking, Olivia would just appear with her glossy lips and shiny hair and sweep him off his feet.

I was never an expressive person, or an emotional one, but he made all these feelings in me so vibrant that I just didn't know what to do. As someone who was mostly closed off half the time, it was difficult for me to adjust with these changes.

"Zara, love, you're blanking out again." Louis' pitiful statement brought me out of my trance. I felt bad for the guy too. The only girl he ever showed this much interest in, got taken away before he could even have a chance.

"I'm fine." I have a tight lipped smile which they could obviously see through, and got up from my chair. "I gotta go to the library." Without listening to any of their protests, I made my way upstairs to the half-empty library. Seeing as there was still a lot of time left till our exams, the place was basically isolated.

I made my way through the shelves until I reached the corner where there were some cosy beanbags scattered around. Letting out a loud sigh, I plopped down on one of the beanbags, shutting my eyes so I could be alone with my thoughts.

I didn't know how to feel at this point. Harry was an amazing friend of mine, and now that I don't get to interact with him at all, it hurts like shīt. Yes, I could go on and on about his soft chestnut curls or his mesmerising green eyes, but that all didn't matter right now.

I just wanted to be his friend again. Maybe it was my fault. That's it; I read the situation completely in the wrong light. He is an open person, he must be very close with all his friends—male or female alike. I read too much into it and decided he liked me. How foolish of me.

"Um, excuse me?" I felt a tap on my shoulder, breaking me out of my inner monologue. I peeked an eye open to see who it was but couldn't recognise him.

It was a male. His platinum blonde hair was swept to the side as he gazed at me with his bright blue eyes. He was quite tall, I noted, as I stared down his long legs clad in some black skinny jeans. His upper half was covered in a cream coloured sweater and he looked adorable.

"Uhm, I'm Lorcan." He spoke hesitantly. His voice didn't have the same drawl as Harry, but it was raspy.

I was a bit confused, "Hi, I'm Zara." My introduction probably sounded so awkward. "Is there anything you need?" I queried.

"You're- ah, there's a book I need, but you're leaning on that section." He pointed out, his hand reaching up to scratch his neck. I then realised I was in fact blocking out a whole section of books and felt quite embarrassed.

I shot up from the beanbag, accidentally elbowing Lorcan on the jaw as I didn't notice how close we were from where he was looming over me. My eyes widened, even more humiliation to add to my book. Go me!

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry." I apologised hastily as he groaned and rubbed his jaw soothingly. "It's-it's fine." He rasped out, but I could clearly see the slightly reddish-purple bruise on his sharp jaw. Wow my bony arms can actually cause damage.

"No it isn't. Please, come with me to get first aid." I insisted, grabbing the sleeve on his sweater and pulling him along behind me. I ignored his soft protests and lead him out of the library and into the hallway.

During our short walk to the nurse's room, I learned that he was a new student, one that came along with Olivia–but was suppressed under any social ranks as she rose to stardom. Woah that makes her sound like a celebrity. What is wrong with me?

Anyways, he was an only child and he'd much rather stay on the low than be the centre of attention. He was quite reserved, I'd say.

❁

After having his bruise checked out, which the nurse said would disappear over time, we walked out of the room, an ice pack in his hand.

"Again, I'm so sorry Lorcan." I looked down, feeling sort of upset at myself for hurting someone. "Hey, hey, it's not your fault. You didn't mean to." He lifted my face, chuckling slightly. A grin appeared on my face as I hugged my new friend.

Even though today had a shītty start, my day was gradually going good. And just when I thought today couldn't get any better, I found out that Lorcan and I had art, history and Spanish together.

❁

"What is that?" Lorcan asked, peering over my shoulder at my canvas. I poked his cheek with my clean brush. "It's art." He only looked amused, "what kind of art?"

I swatted him away, glaring at his smiling face. We both had art now, and thankfully none of my other friends had this subject. I was quite enjoying my friendship with Lorcan. He was like Louis, but less loud and boisterous. He was witty, and jokes were of such high thought, I had to thank my English teachers for helping me throughout the years.

"Hey Zara." Lorcan called out. I hummed in response, moving my pencil around to get a proper shape in. "What do you call a snobbish criminal going down the stairs?"

I looked at him, raising my brows curiously. "I don't know...?" A cheeky smiles appeared on his face as he said, "A condescending con descending."

It took a second for me to register the joke as I looked at him blankly; giving him my 'what the fūck is wrong with you' face. Instead of replying, I reached out and pinched his nipple to which he squealed like a pig.

"Ow, woman." He complained, groaning as he rubbed his chest comfortingly.

"Don't make shīt jokes."

❁

Honestly that joke is my favourite thing ever I have no idea why all my friends hate it so much

-perfectzjm xx