“Liam’s got this silly crush on you and Zayn doesn’t like that at all.”
“What else? I need more info.”
“And they have this burn book where they write mean things about all the people in our school.”
“What does it say about me?”
“You’re not in it.” Harry lied confidently. Hastily.
“Those cunts.” Niall kicked the football across the field that was located a few blocks away from Harry’s house.
“You’ve got to steal that book.” Harry had invited Niall home but was met with refusal. Niall was too preoccupied with his failure at another football tryout and his obsession with the Plastics.
“We could publish it, and then everybody would see what an axe-wound he really is.”
“I don’t steal.” They went to retrieve the ball and Harry was upset – Louis had invited Harry over and Niall who was supposedly his real friend didn’t care to come to his.
“You’re morally obligated to… Fuck, isn’t that Miss Flack?” Niall stared at the path ahead, at a person jogging. The female’s hair swung around her face, framing it and she suddenly turned her head, meeting Harry’s eyes directly.
“I love seeing teachers outside of school. It’s like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs.” Harry barely registered Niall’s murmured words since he was focused on Miss Flack’s pouty lips - she looked like a duck.
“Hey, guys.” She approached them with a spring in her step and a shake in her hips.
“You working out?” Niall picked up his ball with one hand – Miss Flack didn’t spare him a glance. Harry thought about how inappropriate it was for a teacher to wear sportswear without a bra. He would have offered her his jacket but she threw her arm around his shoulders.
“Yeah, got to stay fit for my boyfriend.” Harry shrank together, wanted to escape her grasp - Niall looked quite amused.
“Joking. Sometimes older people make jokes.” Instead of loosening her grip she started massaging Harry’s nape. It felt like a predator was digging its claws there, preparing to strike and kill.
“No, in all seriousness I’m training because I strip a couple nights a week down at the Peep Show.” Harry’s whole body twitched away from Miss Flack – he grabbed Niall and used him as a shield between himself and their strip-teasing teacher.
The silence between the students and the adult stretched out and Miss Flack finally caught on to the atmosphere, got the social cue and backed away, yet still winked and pursed her lips. She ultimately did turn around when Harry refused to meet her eyes and waddled away in a presumably sexy sprint.
“Well, this has been sufficiently awkward.” Niall dropped his ball again and whistled. Harry assumed that the two of them could bond over this bleak experience, could get a cup of tea and some biscuits. “So when are you gonna see Louis again?” But of course Niall had other plans for their friendship.
“I dunno. When’s your next opportunity to get on the football team?”
“In a month. Unimportant right now because you’ve got to talk to Louis. Alone. Get him when he’s not surrounded by Paylik.”
Niall looked determined. Serious. He wanted this and Harry wanted a friend. Niall could be that – if Harry did what he was told. He didn’t quite understand why Niall and he couldn’t just go camping or to the zoo. It was weird, humans were weird.
With Niall’s encouragement, blessing, Harry started talking to Louis more during classes, when the other Plastics couldn’t disturb them.
On October 3rd, Louis asked Harry what day it was.
