Harry's Empathy [h.s]

prologue

Arden

"Oh my god, he actually had the audacity to show up."

My gaze falls onto him - goosebumps were raising on the surface of my skin just by the view of him. My body's first reaction - other than the involuntary goosebumps - was to freeze, my breath getting caught in the back of my throat as he takes determined steps into the school. Cold wind blew in as well from how long the main door he came from was open for, the hallways slightly damp from the melted snow off people's boots.

Usually, I would be cautious of walking into school, afraid I would trip or embarrass myself from the wet ground but it seemed as if that didn't even phase him. He took determined steps, isolated yet ironically, his old buddies that were just walking with him inside of school three days ago are also the same people keeping their distance form him.

My heart dropped as I was able to see his full body, people finally out of the way.

A wheelchair.

The air became tense as the voices got quieter yet deadly, students all around whispering to each other as if venom was dripping in their words.

"Didn't he try killing himself?"

"How ironic the only thing that got him those scholarships is also the reason he's in that wheelchair."

"I heard that he used a..."

"I never expected the school's most beloved person to be considered a freak."

"He's doing it for attention."

It wasn't hard to tell - people were definitely talking shit about him and what happened during the weekend. No one expected him to recover so quickly, especially with the rumors that spread like wildfire just last night. Rumors ranged from, 'he used a hammer' to 'he hired a hit man from the dark web'. 

All I know was that it happened on a Friday night, and I wasn't exactly sure how, but I won't be gullible enough to fall into these false rumors.

It was a summer night when news spread fast and everyone was eager for school to start so they can see him. But after beginning of school, and the weeks following, it seemed as if he would be a no-show.

Rumors would talk about him being homeschooled, to moving back to his hometown - London. Now it's a new term, almost halfway through the semester of senior year and he finally showed up.

People backed away as if he was forbidden to be close with, their backs almost touching the lockers as he makes his way forward. It's as if he was a king and everyone else around him was peasants, prohibited to breathe in the same air as him except, this wasn't the case.

As if he was a plague, a disease that spreads when you get too close. My heart ached - no, my heart is heavy just seeing him look so lifeless. The bags under his eyes evidently was from lack of sleep, along with the heavy eyelids. Chills went down my spine, hoping that rubbing my arms would somehow prevent the goosebumps from getting worse.

There he was.

Wearing something he never really was known to wear - ripped jeans along with a hoodie, a silver chain reflecting off and peaking around his neck. It was an odd sight to see since I was even used to seeing him in his team uniform or stereotypical jock clothes.

The bright boy he always portrayed to be, just seemed to vanish. It's as if a new kid came to school all over again, like he did sophomore year - expect this time, no one was really thrilled.

It's as if everything is in slow motion, the way his broad shoulders were slouching down slightly, evidently proving his bad posture. The wires from his headphones were tangled around his wrists that were dug into his hoodie pockets, avoiding eye contact from anyone as his chin was kept high. His green eyes avoiding any eye contact as if none of us were in the hallway in the first place.

His hands were firmly gripped around the wheelchair, pulling himself forward with no struggle.

His so-called friends were staying back - dreadfully away from him, seeming very embarrassed to even associate with him.

How quick were they to switch up on him?

Sang, his best friend - probably not anymore, looked flustered, his cheeks turning slightly pink was easy to spot away from where the girls and I were standing. Sang's soccer team continued to tease him, making fun of him for being close with Harry in the first place.

I don't think I ever even really associated with him, or the soccer team in general.

Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, I think I only ever talked to him once directly - and it went a little like this.

"Can I have more coffee, please?"

"Of course."

Yup, an early morning shift at Beachwood Cafe with him and his friends. They come every Saturday morning to order coffee in order to cure their obvious hangover from the weekly, Friday night parties they have. Pretty sure he has an accent, my memory of him and his voice was too faded because of how long it's been - after all, it's always been his teammates ordering for the table.

"Emo fuck!" One of them yelled, earning a roaring laughter from the team. Harry ignored them and finally made his way to the end of the hall, making his way to the elevator hallway.

And then he was gone. Just like that, someone can be gone. It's pathetic to see his ex friends and random people who don't even know him talk about him as if he wasn't there, as if they know him when in reality, they obviously didn't because no one... saved him. No one was able to see the signs, and maybe there wasn't any, but it only makes me wonder more.

Took his happiness for granted.

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November 29th, 2020
1:37 PM
Sunday

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This story contains topics that may be sensitive to certain people, including:
- abuse, suicide, sexual harassment, etc.
- i will be putting TW ( Trigger Warning ) whenever the chapter mentions such topic.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Love you, always here for you guys.