The Baker Boy (Harry Styles) Book 1

Chapter 17

Maedbh's POV

“Are you sure you’re ready to go back?” Uncle Simon asks warily, glancing at me as we drive to the school. I nod my head. After the incident, I’d spent a week back in Ireland with my grandparents. I hadn’t left the house the entire week, it had taken 3 days for me to even leave my room. But I had needed to go home, needed the comfort of a familiar surrounding, the support of family. My grandma had spent the whole week bringing me cups of tea and asking how I was. My grandfather didn’t hover like she did, but he was always around to keep my company, even if it was just sitting in the same room reading the newspaper while I napped against his shoulder. It had helped. Plus, it meant that I didn’t have to deal with the immediate reaction from the school. I knew that the gossip would have spread like wildfire and the entire school would have known by the next day. Being able to avoid that for a few days was a relief.

“I’ll need to face it eventually” I say with a deep breath, looking down at my hands in my lap. “How’s Caellum been?” I ask, changing the question. That was the one part I regretted about going back to Ireland. I hadn’t been able to visit him.

“No change” he says with a frown. “The doctors are talking about switching him to a long term residence since it doesn’t look like he’ll be coming out any time soon and you want to keep him on support.” I nod, feeling the tears prick my eyes again. Lately my eyes spent more time filled with tears than dry. I just hoped that when I went to school I’d have it under control. He glances over at me and sees the tears.

“Are you sure you’re ready to go back?” he asks again. I nod and he gives me a long glance. “I’m going to kill that boy” he mumbles under his breath. “You don’t have to work at the bakery if you don’t want to” he says causing me to glance over. “I can’t fire the boy because of this, not that I didn’t want to, have had him practically breaking his back at work trying to get him to quit but he’s just taking it” he says causing my lips to twitch upwards in a small smile. I could see him do that, try to scare the hell out of Harry and make him quit. Finally we pull up to the school. Uncle Simon puts the car in park and looks over at me with a sigh. “If you need me, I’m just a phone call away. I’ll come pick you up if you don’t want to do this” he says.

“Thanks Uncle Si” I say giving him a hug before taking a breath and stepping out of the car. I hesitate when a hush falls over the parking lot. I force myself to breathe as I look around and see everyone staring at me. Then the whispers start.

“I thought she switched schools”

“Can’t believe she’s showing her face”

"Can’t believe she thought he liked her”

I lift my chin, and walk forwards, looking straight ahead as I try to block out the whispers around me as I make my way to my locker. I wasn’t going to let them know they got to me.

“Haven’t seen you in class for a while” Mrs Hanson comments as I walk in with the bell. I’d spent time before class hiding in the bathroom to avoid any unwanted attention. I nod my head as I take my seat, keeping my eyes trained on my desk. I feel Harry’s gaze trained on me as class starts. Knowing he was so close brought back the memories of last week, causing tears to threaten my eyes again. I couldn’t do this. It was to soon.

“Mrs Hanson, can I go to the bathroom” I ask raising my hand quickly. She looks over at me, a frown on her face. Her expression changes though as she reads the pleading in my eyes and quickly nods her head.

“Take all the time you need” she says and I grab my books, not planning on returning. I bolt from the room, just making it out in the hall as the tears spill over.

“Maedbh wait” a voice echos behind me. “Wait” he calls again, grabbing my arm spinning me around, my books scattering over the floor. “Oh shit I’m so—“ he starts when I cut him slapping him across the face. His eyes widen in surprise as his hand flies to his reddening cheek.

“Just leave me alone” I say lowly trying to keep my voice as steady as possible. I turn around and run down the hall and out the front door. I collapse under a tree, curling my stinging hand into a fist and pressing it into my stomach as I try to blink back the tears. After a few moments I manage to pull out my phone. “Uncle Si?” I choke out. “Can you come pick me up?”

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Sorry It's taken so long and it's kinda short... The next chapter will be longer I promise. I just had to get the last part of Maedbh's POV in there before I can go back to Harry's. Let me know what you think though! Vote and Comment!