Silent Treatment

Sixteen

The next week couldn't have been any weirder for me.

On Monday, Harry and Zayn sat with Liam and I at lunch. It was one of the most awkward situations I've been in in years. None of us knew what to say to each other so nobody said anything. So, we sat there for the half hour before the bell rang, getting up and making our way to class. Neither of them attempted to sit with us in class, probably trying to avoid a repeat of lunch.

Tuesday wasn't much better because they both sat next to us during class and lunch. I felt bad for the kids seats they sat in. Imagine coming in to class after months and seeing Harry and Zayn in your seats. What are you going to do, ask them to move? No, you move and find yourself a new seat. Even the teacher was confused for a moment when she saw. She walked into the class and physically froze as she looked at us and then tried to pretend like that didn't happen. 

During lunch, Liam and Zayn talked. I figured they were trying to give us some time to rekindle our friendship, but it made me feel outcasted as Harry didn't pay me any attention. He kind of just sat there playing with his food. I don't think he even looked up once. 

The same exact thing happened on Wednesday. It honestly pissed me off. We were two different friend groups in close proximity to each other. We weren't acting like friends again, which is what he wanted. He's wasting his own time. He's already gone three days with this reclusive style. All the days are going to be gone and then he's going to complain about it; I know he will. 

I left lunch early that day, not wanting to sit there is awkward silence while Zayn and Liam actually got on. I stopped by the toilets, washing my hands, before heading to my locker. I grabbed my books for the next class before heading towards the benches outside when I heard my name called. I would have ignored them, but I knew it was Liam. I can't really ignore my cousin. 

"What are you doing? You gave him a week."

"I know," I answered, "but I can't control how he acts during this week. If he wants to throw it all away, be my guest. I'm not going to sit in there and let him pretend I don't exist again. So, I'm going to go do something in my free time like I did before."

I walked away and he didn't follow me. 

I spent the rest of lunch doing homework that is due the next day and listening to music on my phone. The second half of the day went by a lot quicker than the morning and I was relieved when the bell signaled the end of the day. I quickly gathered my things into my backpack and left school, heading to the coffee shop next to the ice cream parlor that I took the girls this weekend. 

We had a great time, or at least I did. It was amazing to watch them preform. They truly looked spectacular on stage. I think our parents would be proud to see how much they have accomplished in their extracurriculars and academics. They have so many years ahead of them. So many until they need to get a job and decide what they want to do with their lives.

Around five o'clock, as I was packing my books up, Harry texted me:

I'm picking you up at 730 tomorrow morning, so be ready - Harry xx

Well, that was odd and seemingly out of the blue for him. I didn't respond as I continued packing. Who knows if he will even go through with that plan. I walked home, taking in the atmosphere the quiet neighborhood gave off. 

Lights were on in dinning rooms, showing families eating together or getting ready to eat. The streets were mainly empty, except for the few children who were riding their bikes attempting to do new tricks. Watching these scenes made me think of happy times and all the possibilities of future ones.

Thursday was when it all changed, or when I really noticed that it did. Harry kept his word and was outside my house at 720, and spent the next ten minutes sitting there until it turned 730 to let me know he was there. My aunt laughed and asked who was waiting outside for me. I went to the window to see him staring at nothing, looking very unsure of this idea, and decided not to bring it up when I slid into his car.

He put in a CD and on came some of my favorite songs from when we were younger. "I thought you might enjoy these on the drive to school."

I gave him a soft smile before fiddling with my hands, touched that he remembered. I didn't even remember some of the songs that he had on there. We let the music fill the silence instead of talking, as we were comfortable with it.

We got some looks as we got out of his car and walked up to school, but not as many as we got during lunch. Harry and I started talking about some of the songs he put on the CD which brought us to reliving some of the memories that came with the songs. We were laughing so much that it caused a little scene. I wasn't sure if it was because of how loud we were being, the fact that I was laughing, or the fact that it was harry making me laugh. Any way, it made almost everyone stop and stare, if just for a minute.

That was the defining moment for our newfound "friendship." Both of us knew after lunch that we took a step into the light, even if there were consequences that followed. We would deal with each day one step at a time.

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Hello everyone,

Sorry it took so long to get this part out, I've had it done for a while but couldn't get on here to post it!

-pastyprincess