Over Again (Larry Stylinson)

chapter three

hi guys! I want to apologise for the lack of updates. I got a job, of sorts. Basically looking after my cousins during the summer break. It's awful and I'm not gonna bore you with that. On with the story New point of view right here - Niall's! hope it's alright!

Niall was sitting in geography, bored half to death by the teacher droning on about soil erosion or God knows what. His brain half switched on when he heard the words "test" and "tomorrow".

Damn.

Academia had never been Niall's strong point. It wasn't that he was stupid, it was more a case of complete lack of interest in stuff that wasn't music, food and girls. It was Friday, and Harry hadn't been to school for three days, counting today. Niall hadn't seen him at all after his performance in music on Tuesday. He had texted Harry a few times asking where he was, to which he received the reply that he was just sick and would be back at school soon. Niall was doubtful though. He had noticed how nervous Harry was before he sang. It was normal to be nervous, of course, but to Niall it seemed as if the prospect of singing was traumatizing to Harry. He planned to drop by his house after school just to make sure he was alright. He missed the curly haired boy, even though he'd only really known him for a couple of days.

He was getting on okay, despite Harry's absence. He was the type of person who found it easy to make friends, and right now he was sitting next to Zara, a pretty blond girl he'd met during PE class. He kind of fancied her. She was a laugh and she was hot. Niall was busy thinking about how hot Zara and her friends were, and about how maybe he'd ask her out and get Harry to come with one of her friends too. He planned to join the local football club on Saturday, so maybe they could go out afterwards. He was also thinking about how hungry he was. He was interrupted mid-daydream by the bell ringing. Finally lunchtime! He and Zara went to the canteen together and he sat at a table with her and her friend Sophia and Sophia's boyfriend who Niall recognised as the friend of that creep Zayn who pushed Harry on the way home from school on their first day. He didn't know the guy's name. He looked friendly enough, despite the dodginess of his friend.

Niall had planned to ask Zara out but unfortunately she launched into a conversation with Sophia about some shopping trip as soon as they sat down.

Niall sighed as he ate his lunch. Girl stuff is so annoying.

"Uh, is your friend alright?" The guy at sitting across from him asked. "I'm Liam, by the way."

Liam held out his hand and Niall shook it.

"Eh, do you mean Harry?" Niall asked.

"Dunno. The one with curly hair." Liam replied.

"Yeah, that's Harry. He hasn't been in school."

"Is he okay?" Liam asked

"He says he's sick. Why do you wanna know?" It was kind of suspicious. Liam didn't even know Harry.

Liam shrugged. "I just haven't seen him around, I don't want him to stay at home just 'cause of Zayn, you know? I know Zayn seems mean but he's got... anger issues."

Niall didn't know what Liam was talking about. "Why would he not come in because of Zayn?"

"Because Zayn's been giving him a hard time?" Liam said "I was there the first time and Harry seemed shaken enough, and then Zayn told me he'd punched him on Tuesday. I haven't seen Harry since and-"

Niall cut him off "Wait, Zayn punched Harry?"

"Yeah mate, on Tuesday. He was boasting about it. Zayn said he messed him up properly."

Shit. So that's why Harry went home early on Tuesday. He was being bullied by Zayn?

"What's Zayn got against Harry? He's a nice lad." Niall asked.