Privilege

Chapter 18

It is everywhere- Harry’s arrest seems to be plastered on every magazine cover and news venue Niall lays his eyes on, and the constant reminders do nothing to help Louis’ dangerously short temper. Ever since Harry was arrested a few days ago, Louis has made it a habit to snap at the smallest of things, making everyone tiptoe around him, afraid to be the subject of his wrath.

Currently, they’re sitting at dinner and Louis is throwing another fit, “This is such bullshit!” he exclaims and tears the newspaper he’d been reading into tiny bits and pieces; Niall winces at the sudden raise of his voice and violent paper shredding.

“You should probably stop reading that,” Liam says warily, but Louis completely disregards his advice as he continues showing the newspaper who’s boss, making it regret the day it was printed as Louis continues reading each page with a scowl before crumbling it up.

Niall understands why Louis can’t simply stop reading; just like when you’re on the highway and you see a couple of wrecked cars pulled off on the side of the road, you can’t help but slow down and stare at the destruction. Hell, even Niall had found himself reading some disturbing articles about Harry on the internet the other night.

The media seems to be having a field day with the juicy scandal of a teen celebrity being accused of the murder of a prep school student. Most of the twitter trends have focused on Harry for days as well, and his fans around the globe seem to be going crazy. Niall even heard rumors about fans taking drastic measures and he really hopes for all in the world that those are just rumors.

All of them are under even tighter surveillance now, and they can’t leave campus without permission. Apparently the paparazzi have camped just outside the gates, salivating at the chance of any insight from the students. To say the reputation of Prescott Academy has taken a nosedive would be an understatement - a student being murdered is one thing, but another student being accused is something else entirely -and Headmistress Jensen looks 10 years older as more parents pull their children out of school -most of them freshmen - because they don’t want their kids to be associated with a school where a ‘murderous’ pop star attends.

Things are messy and complicated and Niall hasn’t slept properly since Harry was taken away, and judging from the dark circles under Louis’ eyes, Niall assumes he hasn’t either. But apart from the dark circles, he looks flawless.

“I’m sure he’s going to be released soon,” Zayn says softly, “I mean, his parents are both successful lawyers. They’ve got to have something up their sleeve,” he adds on to an unresponsive Louis.

Oh, Harry is son of lawyers? You learn something new every day. Niall thinks as he tries to swallow his pasta.

“I mean, we all know he didn’t do it,” Zayn clarifies, finally gaining Louis’ attention, “Of course he didn’t,” Louis agrees, barely sparing Zayn a glance as his eyes begin scanning what’s left of the newspaper once more, “Someone framed him and I swear to God when I find out who, they’ll wish they were never born,” he spits through clenched teeth.

Just then, Stacy Stone’s laughter rings out loudly as she passes through the door; she’s clinging shamelessly to a tall guy and her obnoxious laugh travels around the room. Louis’ jaw clenches tightly as he closes his eyes in annoyance.

“Why would someone frame him, though?” Liam asks with big eyes, “I don’t remember him having enemies.”

Niall can’t help but feel like whoever is doing this isn’t trying to punish Harry directly- more like punish the people close to him. Seriously, the more Niall thinks about it, the more he wonders how many enemies Louis may have acquired throughout his stay in Privilege House; the list is undoubtedly a mile long.