ambivalent | hes

18

Harry's POV

I turned back to Tyler as Bea and Louis took Lyla inside. I was fuelled with anger and was honestly ready to pound his face in.

I heard Lyla yell my name. I clenched my fists at her voice, her small voice giving me more and more energy as she spoke those same three words I told her just earlier before she left my arms. I knew she wouldn't want me to fight Tyler unless absolutely needed.

"We don't have to do this." I said to the obviously smaller boy in front of me. I could easily take him.

"You don't really have much of a choice. I'm the one with the knife."

My eyes traveled down to his hand that clenched the sharp object. I don't know if he had the nerve to use it, and I wasn't going to wait around to find out.

I looked around for any signs of police cars. Lyla should've called the cops by now, so they should be coming soon. Hopefully.

A crowd had formed around us, all waiting for someone to make a move. I could tell by the excitement on their faces that they weren't here to split us up.

"Just put down the knife, Tyler." I wanted to keep anything bad from happening until the cops got here.

"Why? So you can beat the shit out of me? I know you're bigger and stronger than me, Harry. I'm not gullible enough to fall for your shit." He responded.

I sighed. I wasn't getting anywhere reasonable with him.

"You know if you hurt me you'll be in jail even longer." I said, my eyes watching the hand that held the knife.

"I don't give a shit. I already have a record. There's no way I can have a future now. I might as well stay in there until I die." He countered, a chaotic grin on his face.

I heard the faint sound of police sirens in the distance. Just a little bit more.

"What about your family? Won't they want you out as soon as possible?" I questioned, trying to keep the conversation going as the sirens drew closer.

He threw his head back, a blood curdling laugh leaving his throat.

"You know, I'm not leaving here without a fight." He told me.

I saw him raise his fist, and I thought it was just going to be a painless punch to the stomach, but I felt the sharp blade of the knife come in contact with my skin just as the police pulled into the parking lot. My hands instantly touched where I had been cut. I couldn't tell if it was deep or not, it just stung a lot. I looked at my hand. A rather large amount of blood covered my fingers, and the edges of my vision became black. A few gasps and whispers fell from the crowd, but it was hard to hear as my hearing faded in and out. I fell to my knees, the knife resting right below my ribs. I saw the feet of the police rushing over to Tyler and a scream before everything turned black.

Lyla's POV

I absentmindedly tapped my fingers on the table as I heard the sound of police sirens getting closer. I could only hope Harry was okay. I knew he was strong in a physical sense, but I didn't know if he would bring himself to inflict pain on another being. And I didn't want him to unless absolutely necessary.

I heard cars pull into the parking lot and someone shouting "put your hands up!" I quickly got up from my seat and hurried to the door.

The warm, summer air seemed to turn cold as I saw Harry fall to his knees. I prayed he had only been punched, but as he fell to his side I saw the knife pointing out from his stomach. I screamed and ran across the street, falling to my knees beside him. I rested his head in my lap as I tried to get him to remain conscious.

"Harry, Harry please, stay with me. You're going to be okay, you have to be okay."

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I looked down at his blank face. That face that smiled at me so many times. That face that revealed his dimples when he laughed or knitted his eyebrows together when he was curious or angry. But now, it held no emotion. And all I wanted at that moment was for him to smile at me again so I could see those adorable dimples that I loved so much.

I rested my head on his chest as I heard the rush of feet grow closer.

"I love you.." I whispered before he was being lifted up and carried onto a stretcher to be taken to the hospital.