Beneath Your Beautiful (H.S. AU)

Chapter 33

Knowing very well I was the reason Niall got expelled made me want to throw up. It wasn't his fault and he shouldn't suffer because of me. But I couldn't go back to the office and tell them once again that the drugs were mine because I knew very well they wouldn't believe me, and if I told them the truth, it would ruin everything for Harry, and I was afraid of what that would do to our relationship.

There had to be something I could do though. Niall had worked so hard for his future and he shouldn't just throw that away over me. Of course it made me happy that he was willing to do something like that for me but at the same time it made me feel guilty and extremely selfish. Niall was a good student. He had never had any problems before and he had always worked hard, so maybe if I talked to the school they would let him back in, however, it would probably be pointless. I didn't have any money to offer and though the school might disagree I knew that was an important aspect.

"Trinny?" Harry called out from behind me and though I should be happy that he was here I wasn't. Too much was going on in my life at the moment, and if it hadn't been for him, things would have been a lot less complicated.I faked him a smile and played with a lose string at the hem of my shirt.

"I heard you're back in class." He sounded excited, and I couldn't blame him, but I just couldn't be excited because I knew what it meant for Niall.

"Yeah," I mumbled.

"What's wrong?" He sounded worried.

"Well it isn't fair," I told him, and by the look on his face I realized I had revealed too much. Harry didn't know about Niall, and I had planned to keep it that way, but now it seemed like there was no way I could hide it any longer.

"What are you talking about?"

"Niall told the chancellor the drugs were his, and he's now expelled because of me."

"Niall as in Niall Horan?" He asked, and I gave him a nod in response. "Why would he do that when it wasn't his?" He furrowed his eyebrows, and I was scared of what might happen when he figured out the truth.

"He did it for me." I bit my bottom lip.

"Why would he do that?"

"Because he loves me," I mumbled and Harry's eyes went wide.

"As far as I know the two of you don't know each other. What aren't you telling me?" He was furious but there wasn't any way back now, and I just hoped it didn't end in tears.

"We used to date."

"You did what? Do you have any idea how stupid that makes me look!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Having one of your mates being with your girlfriend without you knowing is definitely making you look like a fool. How could you do this?"

"I didn't do anything. Niall and I were together before I even met you. I have known him for as long as I can remember."

"And you didn't care to tell me. Why?" He was upset, and I didn't blame him. Had the roles been reversed I'd be the one throwing a fit.

"I didn't think it was that important. I didn't want to bring up an old wound. I knew you would just get upset."

''I deserved to know. Do you still love him?" He sat down in the couch with his head in his hands. "You know what don't answer that! I can't believe I've been this stupid."

I sat down next to him in silence before placing a hand on his cheek. "To answer your question: yes I do love him. But not like that. I love him like a friend, a brother. But I'm not in love with him. I never was. For a while though I thought I was, because being with him felt safe. He made me feel better, and I depended on him with everything that happened in my life. But the only person I've ever been in love with is you. Please know that." I caressed his cheek, and he turned to look at me.