Better Than Words

Chapter 8

~Harry's POV~

I walked down the school hallway casually and held my binder in my hand firmly by my side. The chattering of all the kids in the building was giving me a headache and I was so ready for this day to be over. As I looked up ahead to see how far the front doors were, a pair of icey blue eyes caught my stare and I instantly slowed my pace.

Derek was leaning against the wall with his hands stuffed in his pocket, jaw clenched as he stared me down. Travis and Bruce were talking amongst themselves and hadnt noticed me yet, thankfully. I darted to the left down the math hall in order to find another exit so I wouldnt have to pass them.

After checking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed, I stopped and pressed my back against a wall. I let out a frustrated sigh and fisted my curls.

This past couple weeks had been anything but easy. I had ditched band practice and distanced myself from nearly every one. I didnt speak much because I knew if I did I would say something that would instantly bring my bad boy image back. All I wanted was a clean start, to try and bring back the guy I use to be before being in a band corrupted me. Losing my friends this weekend was difficult but in the end I knew it was best. I just needed time to adjust because right now I had absolutely nobody... except her.

She had been on my mind ever since Friday and I was still confused on where we stood. I wanted her to be mine, because even if she didn't know it, I was already hers.

I shook off all the thoughts and decided I needed to go home. I was about to turn right down another hall until a voice froze me in my tracks.

"I can't I'm sorry."

Julianna.

I stayed hidden behind the wall but slightly leaned over to peer down the next hall. There she was, grabbing books from her locker as a girl, I think named Paige, stood next to her.

"Oh come on." Paige said. "What's your excuse this time?"

"Um, I have to help my aunt with something. It's really important."

Paige rolled her eyes and leaned against the lockers.

"You've been so distant lately Julianna, it's kind of worrying me... Is everything okay?"

Julianna shut her locker and turned to face her friend. She nodded her head and had her lips pressed in a hard line.

"Yeah, just lots on my mind."

Normally I would have walked away now, but I needed to talk to her.

Be bold Harry, you're different now.

I stepped into the open space and her eyes instantly landed on me, growing wide with suprise. Paige turned around and her eyes dulled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in an annoyed voice. I cleared my voice slightly and shoved my unoccupied hand in my pocket nervously.

"Just wanted to say hi." I spoke shyly and bit my bottom lip. Paige looked at me as if I was a complete stranger and then looked at Julianna who was giving me a soft smile.

"What is going on?" She asked in exassperation as she looked back and forth between us.

"What? Nothing." Julianna defended and then shot me a nervous look.

"Um, clearly something." Paige stated and continued eyeing me. "What do you want Styles?"

"I just told you?" I said confusedly but she shook her head.

"What do you really want?" She asked again, not buying the truth.

"Why can't I just say hi to my.... um friend?" I asked, having touble finding the right word.