Keep Holding On (Harry Styles Fanfic)

Chapter 12

Valerie POV

Audry stomps over to us. She has crazy eyes. "Carly told me you guys came out here, but I had to see for myself."

"We're not- this isn't how it looks like," Aaron protests.

"Oh, no? Then why does it look like my boyfriend was just kissing a dirty skank?" I gape at Aaron. He's Audry's boyfriend? How can he be her boyfriend when he's my boyfriend?

Harry POV

I was barely making my way to French class. I was holding flowers in one hand and a letter in another. I wanted to come later today, so I can see Valerie before she went to class. I'm going to ask her on a date this weekend. The boys made fun of me all day yesterday. As I was walking down the hallway I heard voices. It was Valerie's voice, a smile grew on my face. Before I was about to go up to her I heard other voices I stopped behind a corner and saw Valerie next to the guy I saw her with before. And a girl standing in front of them, with her hands on her waist.

I couldn't believe it. I'm such a fool. I dropped the flowers, crumbled the letter and put it in my pocket. I made my way down the hall towards the courtyard, before a tear fell. I didn't cared if I got in trouble, I just wanted to get out of here.

Valerie POV

Aaron's not explaining that this is all a joke. Or that Audry is lying. He's not even looking at me.

"How many times have you guys come out here?" Audry wants to know.

"It's not a big deal," Aaron says. "She's not even-"

"How many?""

"I don't know."

"More than twice?"

"Yeah, but-"

 "Asshole!"

"Audry, come on" Aaron touches Audry's arm. It's like I'm not even here. All Aaron cares about is convincing Audry that I'm nothing.

"Don't touch me!"

"I-"

"Get off me!" Audry shakes Aaron off. She gives me such a nasty look that I can't believe we were ever best friends.

"First Corey, and now this?" she accuses me. Is she really bringing up that rumor from Valentine's Day. I didn't even dated her boyfriend. It was a lie.

"I wasn't with Corey. And I didn't even know you were. . ." My throat gets tight.

"That I was what?"

"Going out with. . .Aaron"

"Yeah right, I'm sure you didn't"

"I didn't!"

"Gee, I wonder why I don't believe you"

"Tell her I didn't know!" I yell at Aaron.

"Like I'm really going to trust you guys." Audry's glare is ice-cold. "This isn't over," she threatens. Then she storms off.

"Why-" I start to ask Aaron. But he runs after Audry, leaving me behind.

*******************

"What just happened?" Emily says.

"You heard already?"

"Everyone's talking about it." Emily glances back at the cafeteria. After Aaron abandoned me, I stayed out at our place until French finished. No way was I going to class. I could feel how puffy my eyes were from crying. I couldn't stop shaking.

"They are?" I say

Emily looks at me. "No, not everyone," she backtracks.

"Just....some people heard from Audry."

"Heard what?"

"You know Audry. She's saying you stole Aaron from her or some such nonsense."

"I didn't even know they were going out!"

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I tell her everything. The words squish my heart like a sponge. Then the tears come back in a rush.

"Here." Emily brings me down the hall a little. We sit against the wall.

When I can talk again, I say, "I thought Aaron and I could be together for real. I thought if I just gave him more time, he'd realize that he loves me. And that he'd want everyone to know we're together." I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. "He said he wanted to be with me. He said he cared about me. He was the only one who could be my boyfriend and now he's gone. I just can't believe-"

"Where are you girls supposed to be?" a teacher interrupts.

"Lunch," Emily says.

"I have art" I say.

"Then get going" he says. I say bye to Emily and walk down the hall towards art.

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(*PRESS PLAY AT THE VIDEO IN THE SIDEBAR ----->) 

Of course the whole school knows by the end of the day. Including Harry. I wonder which version of the rumor he heard. Probably the one where Aaron and I were doing it in the middle of the tennis court. when Harry finds me at my locker after school, I don't try to escape. I just hope this part of the truth will make him feel better.

"Why did you lie to me?" he says.

"What did you hear?" I say.

"I didn't need to hear it from anybody. Seeing it was enough evidence"

"You where there?"

"Waiting to give you this, but I could see you where busy" he hands me a crumbled piece of paper. I grab it and look at his hurt expression. His eyes looked puffy and his hand was crumbled up into a fist.

"Harry, I'm sorry! It's complicated." Harry shakes his head. I wait. I don't know what to say.

"Whatever," Harry says. Right before he turns I see a tear fall down his cheek and walks away. I look at the paper he gave me, then back at him. For the second time today, I watch a boy I love walk away from me. Aaron wasn't the only reason I can't be with Harry, but it's easier to let him think it was.

Harry POV

The boys and I where heading home. I was driving. I didn't say anything the whole drive. I'm pretty sure the boys knew what happened with Valerie so they didn't bother ask me anything.

When we got home I went straight upstairs to my bedroom. I locked the door and fell on my bed. I lied my back against the cardboard and grabbed a pillow. I couldn't hold the tears any longer, I pressed the pillow against my chest and sobbed into it. I was now crying hard, holding the pillow strong on my fist. Tears flushed my face, falling from my chin to the pillow. I was shaking and my face was red. Veins popping from my neck. Everything around me was blurry and slowly moving. I screamed into the pillow as loud as I can. I whipped the wet salty tears off my face, when Zayn entered the room. I looked down at the wet pillow.

"Hey mate, you alright?" he said, sitting down in front of me on the bed. 

"She lied, I was just a joke to her." I said into the pillow.

"No you wern't mate. Did you tell her you loved her?"

"No, I didn't get the chance to. It doesn't matter anymore"

"Did you gave her the letter?"  

"Yeah, but-"

"But nothing, she'll see how much she means to you" he smiled. Without another word he stands up and leaves. Leaving me in my thoughts.