Between the Pages

seventeen

Playlist - ANTI/SOCIAL by hormoans (track 13 is literally Harry's theme song and Cool Kids by echosmith goes pretty well with this chapter too)

(H)

I had hoped the drive to school would calm me down. It doesn't. I'm still very much pissed with Andy and Zayn when I arrive. Andy for not letting me handle things myself and Zayn for just existing in general. But I was even more upset at myself. If I wasn't so weak, everyone wouldn't pity me like they do. Even I pity myself. And I was so fųcking tired of being a charity case. I just wanted to be treated like a normal person. Not the fragile little nerd. I slam my locker shut attracting the attention of several people in the hallway. I flip them off and which attracts more shocked stares than before.

"Never seen a middle finger before? Fųck off," Their heads all turn quickly, resuming whatever mindless conversations they were having. I let out a deep breath. At least that got some of my anger out. As I walk towards my first period I start to feel guilty, which annoys me further. Who feels bad for flipping someone off? I take my seat and throw my feet on the chair next to me so no one tries to sit next to me. Apparently the message isn't clear enough as Li walks towards my desk.

"Hey, you didn't call me last night," She sticks her lip out in a pout. I bite my own lip, feeling guilty, again, for being rude - then I'm right back to being annoyed with myself. Guys don't call girls all the time without caring. Why should I?

"Yeah I know," I respond ignoring the sour feeling that rises in my chest. Her expression falls but I won't apologize. Not this time.

"What crawled into your pants?" She bites back.

I smirk, "You if I remember correctly," She gasps and stomps off to another desk. I hear a deep laugh from behind me.

"Damn Styles you finally grew a pair," I turn to see Zayn's friend, Liam mockingly smiling at me.

"Guess so. Maybe yours will come in next,"

His smile fades replaced with a scowl, "You might want to watch yourself Styles,"

"Why? You won't touch me without Zayn's permission. Everyone knows you can't think for yourself,"

"I don't need anyone's permission to kick your ɑss," He gets up from his chair and I do too.

"Prove it," And that's all it takes for him to throw a punch. I fall back against my desk but I get back up. I tackle him and he slams against his desk. The entire class is around us egging the both of us on. It's all a blur of punches and shouting. All I hear is every mocking insult I've heard, every pitiful laugh or sarcastic smirk.

"You're so pathetic mate. Look at you, can't even defend yourself,"

"Did the little nerd get hurt?"

"You don't know what you're talking about Harry,"

"You? I'd ruin a boy like you Harry,"

I faintly recognize the teacher's voice in the background telling me to stop. Instead I hit harder.

(A)

I don't bother hurrying to school since I'm already late. Instead I sit in the cozy booth and wallow in self pity until second period is almost over. I continue said wallowing all the way until I reach my locker, when it's replaced by annoyance at Zayn waiting for me.

"Hey baby girl," He smirks at me and I roll my eyes at him.

"Don't call me that," Zayn only laughs, slipping his arm around my waist. I focus on grabbing my books and ignoring him. He leans his head on my shoulder, trying to get my attention. I continue ignoring him as I put my books into my bag.

"Pay attention to me or I won't tell you what happened to your little nerd," I freeze and Zayn chuckles into my ear. "Thought that would get your attention,"

"We had a deal Zayn. You were supposed to stay away from him,"

"I did. Liam Didn't," My heart starts racing at the thought of Harry getting hurt. I punch Zayn in his shoulder angrily, having no doubt he was behind this. "Ouch, that hurt. And don't be mad at me love, your precious little Harry got himself into this one. He started the fight, not Liam."

"Harry Styles? As in glasses, sweater vest, and stutter started a fight? I may be blonde Zayn but I'm not that dumb." Harry wouldn't get into a fight - even as upset as he was.

"It's true! Ask anyone, he basically told Liam to punch him!"

I frown, this just wasn't like Harry. "Is he okay?"

"Surprisingly enough, yeah only a few bumps and bruises. Liam got the worst of it. Apparently Styles completely lost it." You skip two classes and suddenly Harry Styles is the school's resident bad boy. I needed to find him and figure out what the hell happened. I start walking away and Zayn yells out after me, "You're not going to find him on campus babe. He got suspended," This is a dream, I'm dreaming. Harry Styles and suspended do not belong in the same sentence. I turn around and head straight towards my car. I know exactly where Harry is.

~

I pull up to the familiar spot, parking behind Harry's car. My feet crunch against the gravelly trail as I navigate through the clusters of greenery. Harry is sat on his usual rock, head in his hands. I intend to quietly approach him but naturally I trip on a branch, muttering curse words as I try to regain my balance. Harry turns his head at the sound, scoffing when he sees me. Well, that wasn't very nice. I almost died because he likes to hang out in the middle of a forest, and he isn't even happy to see me. I ignore the voice in my head reminding me he has every right to be unhappy with me. He's still being rude.

"Whoa, Harry calm down I'm fine! Thanks for being concerned!" Harry doesn't seem amused with my sarcasm, as he rolls his eyes. He turns around completely so he's facing me and that's when I see proof that Zayn was telling the truth. Harry's lip is swollen, and busted open in the corner. There's a cut above his eyebrow, and a bruise just starting to appear along his jaw. I shake my head in disapproval, "What were you thinking Harry?"

My words spark his anger and he's up from his rock, and pacing back and fourth in front of me. "What was I thinking Andrea? I was thinking that I was damn tired of everyone picking on me, of everyone acting like I'm a pathetic child that can't take care of himself," He throws his hands up frustratedly.

"No one thought that-"

"Yes they did! You know they did! I'm a joke to that entire school! A walking laugh, nothing but entertainment!" Angry doesn't describe Harry- he's fuming. He's breathing heavily and his face is turning red. The timid quality to his raspy voice is gone and instead it's firm, echoing in the empty forest. "I was nothing but a joke. To them, to Zayn, to Liam, to you. So I fought back."

"You're not a joke and you're not this either! You're not some angry at the world ɑsshole that starts fights! That's not who you are or at least not who you used to be!" I match his anger and his volume. This wasn't my Harry.

"Who I used to be? I was no one! I was practically invisible for godsake!"

"Not to me you weren't. You were someone to me," I'm not yelling anymore. I can't bring myself to feel anything but sadness at the broken boy in front of me.

"Well believe it or not you're not the only person that matters. Now I'm someone to everyone, if I had to get a few bruises then so be it. At least people know who I am now," He stops shouting as well. He just sits back down on his rock, defeated. "You were right,"

"About what?"

"You really did ruin me,"

I laugh bitterly, "Told you so,"

A/N: This is dedicated to adiannna because she left really nice comments that made me smile! On that note thank you to everyone that does take the time to vote and comment because it makes me really happy and I like you lots and lots! What do you guys think of the new cover? Hope you liked this chapter! Remember to vote, comment, and fan! Ily ☺