The Skin I'm In

Chapter Eleven: Good Friday and Second Guessing

Spring's P.O.V

I don't know what is was about today but I had auditioned for Eastwood School of the Arts. A month had passed and I found out I didn't get in. They say it's just a lottery but I mean maybe I wasn't good enough. I had only been in choir for a few months. Maybe it's these events that pave the way to more opportunities but at this point it didn't feel like it did. I headed to my locker and put back the things I didn't need for the weekend back. My head rested against my locker as I sighed, tired of all the thoughts running in my head. I was ready to go home and sink into my bed with fatigue apparent in me. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I ignored it not really registering it for my brain to process.

"Hey, bitch!" An annoying voice sounded as I put my head up slowly in shock. I was met face to face with Harry's girlfriend that I hadn't had the honor of knowing the name of. I looked behind me to make sure she was talking to me because I was genuinely shocked.

I chuckled "I know you're not talking to me," I shook my head.

"Yeah I am."

"What's your problem?" I asked, irritated.

"My problem is that you made Harry break up with me!"

I stood there shocked, genuinely feeling bad for her.

"Oh my god. I didn't make him break up with you, I swear. I would never do such thing."

I finished my sentence and she started bawling, capturing me in a hug, sobbing on my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry for calling y-you a b-bitch," she sputtered through her sobs.

I rubbed her back, telling her it was fine. After calming down she pulled away.

"I'm sure you're a great person. I'm Vivian by the way. Are you new here?"

I admit, I was taken aback at her sudden mood shift and nice, formal tone towards me.

"Yeah. I'm Spring. Freshmen." I explained briefly.

"I'm a junior, so if you need help I'll be here. Feel better," she gestured towards my boot.

I thanked her as she walked away. Her hair was a pitch black as her eyes were an emerald hazel color, paired with tan skin. She was utterly gorgeous.  I continued on my way, confused on how I was gonna bring this up with Harry. I mean I don't really care that the couple broke up but, I kinda liked them together. It seemed correct, but those thoughts always seem to disperse whenever I see them physically together. Harry was something. He was caring, witty, beautiful, and at the same time he could be, dare I say, an asshole?

I walked through the courtyard looking for Harry where he said he'd meet me cause he wanted to take me home. I spotted his car as his friends surrounded the Range Rover. His smile was wide as they all did the school's dragon mascot handshake. I refrained from walking any closer since people were bombarded around the car so I quickly attempted walking past them towards the bus loop, hoping the bus hadn't left me yet. I guess I wasn't quick enough before I felt a hand grab me gently from behind. I turned around and smiled softly at Harry as he leaned down, whispering in my ear.

"Where are you going? I'm taking you home." His tone was demanding and I didn't like it.

"I didn't wanna interrupt." I gestured towards his friends.

"You wouldn't interrupt. What's mine is yours, you should know that by now."

"Well I didn't- what is up with you? Why'd you break up with Vivian?" I grimaced at his actions, I couldn't help but think that they were driven by pity, by that one bad day I had that he happened to have witnessed, offering me a shoulder to cry on.

"Nothing's up with me. I'm just looking out for you." His expression was soft but still weird as if he didn't just dodge the most important question. I shifted my attention towards his possè that obviously spied on us but shifted their gaze to seem like they were talking amongst themselves. I groaned, pulling him into a classroom that happened to be unlocked; locking the door behind me, I sat on a desk. Intently gazing at him to explain himself.

"I'm not leaving here till you explain yourself and why you broke up with Vivian and why you've been acting so weird and the daily lattes and the rides home and the waiting for me during rehearsals. What's so different than before? Why are you making me feel important when I don't need you to do that? Is it pity? I need to know cause I can't just have people like you walk into my life when they want and leave when they want!"

"What do you mean people like me?"

"You were just ignoring me the other day. So what you've witnessed one of my breakdowns? That's not an invitation for you to suddenly be here! You're Harry Styles. You're popular. Do you really wanna be seen as the guy that hangs out with the crippled girl?"

"How self-centered do you think I am?" He was livid, I could see his eyes darkening as his face scrunched up in anger.

"Why is it so hard to believe that someone actually cares about you other than your family? I see how your mom babies you, I see those looks of pity in the halls. I will never be one of those people cause whether or not," he paused walking closer to me, holding my hand in his as I trembled in fear.

"normal or not. I care about you and I want to be your friend but, you have got to meet me halfway, Spring."

The sincerity was apparent but I couldn't help it. The thoughts in my head telling me not to trust him, that he'd hurt me just like everybody else. He was right, my mom did baby me but it was only cause she didn't want me hurt more than I already was.

"How do I know you won't leave like everyone before?" I couldn't help but think I sounded pathetic and in need of validation from him because, as much I didn't wanna admit it, I wanted it really bad.

"I'll prove it to you. I'm not leaving now, I'm not leaving later. I'll prove it to you that you're worth all the giggles and pain free smiles. I'll prove it to you that it's not pity driving this, more curiosity if anything. I wanna figure you out."

"What happens when you're done figuring it out?"

"I doubt I'll ever be." He smiled, pulling me in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you." I whispered in the crook of his neck before feeling a chuckle vibrate through him.