Beneath Your Beautiful (H.S. AU)

Chapter 16

That Monday when I went back to school, I was happy the truck was gone and that Harry had been so kind as to pay for my ticket, but I couldn't get the thought of the scar out of my head. I had no idea what it had triggered, but as far as I could tell it had been something bad.
Walking through campus, the morning sun hit my skin and illuminated the fallen dead leaves on the ground, and though I wish it could make me happy and form a smile on my lips unfortunately it couldn't. Too many thoughts were rushing through my head, and the small things in life that had once been all it would take to make my happiness resurface couldn't anymore. I had brought Harry's clothes with me to class. It was merely because I wanted to start a conversation with him.

Uni was unfortunately the same as always except from the fact that I noticed people were congratulating Harry on his match. He thanked them and gave them a smile, but I saw through him and knew it was fake. After all, I had become a master of wearing one myself. I wondered whether it was because of me or the game that made him wear it, but I probably shouldn't give myself that much credit. Despite Maya's words, I was nothing to him and after what he'd told me Friday, I knew boxing didn't mean the same to him as it apparently once had. I looked at him trying to get eye contact, but he ignored me. And now worse than ever letting me know I had pushed too hard. It wasn't my intention though; it had just been my curiosity taking over once again.

When class was over Harry ran out of the classroom the minute the bell rang, and I sprinted after him, hoping he would talk to me. "Harry!" I called out, but either he didn't hear me or was ignoring me. "Harry!" I tried again, but he wouldn't turn around at my words. I tried to run faster in an attempt of catching up with him, and when I did it didn't take me long to regret it.

"What?" he snapped and turned to look at me when I tapped his shoulder, and I got a feeling of déjà vu. I gulped and felt the blood run from my face. I really hated it when he was in this mood. "I just wanted to bring you this and say thank you for everything," I blurted out and got the clothes from my bag.

He faked me a smile and grabbed his clothes. "The next time I ignore you, try getting the hint," he scolded, his voice more hoarse than normal and his eyes cold as stone.

"Fine you want to be a dick. The next time daddy hurts you, don't look for my sympathy," I yelled back. I knew it was a cruel comeback but I couldn't help it. He was pushing on all my nerves, and I just hoped he would think his words weren't getting to me even though they were.

He didn't pull a muscle and just stared at me with the same coldness. "Fine, sweetheart. Just make sure you don't come looking for my money again, the next time daddy's out!" He mocked, and I could feel tears form in my eyes. His eyes suddenly changed, and I knew it was due to my tears, but he shouldn't pretend he cared now. So without thinking twice about it, I raised my hand and collided it with Harry's cheek in a slap.

"You have no idea what you are talking about!" I screamed, causing several people to stare but it didn't matter. He needed to know he couldn't just step on me like it was no big deal. He might be able to do that with other people, but I wouldn't let him do that to me. He needed to know that he wasn't a better person due to his money or his popularity at school. I was well aware slapping him wasn't the answer, but he just made me so damn mad.

"What the hell!" Harry yelled at me. I thought a boxer was supposed to know someone's next move, but I was glad he hadn't seen this coming. He deserved it.

I wiped away my tears. "You are nothing but a stuck up jerk, and I wished I'd never met you!" My eyes crossed his for a brief moment before I turned on my heels and headed in the other direction.

"That goes both ways you know!" He called after me, but I didn't care anymore. I needed him out of my life, and I needed him out for good. How could I ever be stupid enough to let someone as sweet as Niall go and then fall for someone like Harry? He was nothing but a snob too caught up in himself and his stupid money. Money wasn't everything. I didn't need it, and I sure as hell didn't need him. He could go dug his own grave, and he would be lucky if I even attended the funeral. I didn't care about his misery anymore. He wasn't worth it. He had hurt me too much already, and if I continued to walk down the road I was headed I was afraid of where I might end up and I surely wasn't ready to figure it out. I ran without once looking back bumping into a few people on my way and then as my heartbeat got too quick, I stopped to catch my breath and wiped away my tears. "You okay?" I heard an all too familiar voice ask and at the sound of it new tears cascaded down my cheeks in a reply to his question. It was strange how whenever you felt safe in someone's presence it was okay to feel weak.