When everything falls apart

Wet hair and no make-up

 The afternoon dragged on and on Mary’s giggles filling my head. By the time we’re done the cafeteria is spotless but my hands are bumpy from holding the broom in a death grip and my hair probably looks worse than ever. Casey suggests that we go use the gym showers to get ourselves at least a smidge presentable. I nod but turn back to where Mary is staying with Harry and there’s a knot in my stomach but Lucy pulls my arm dragging me after her.

I stand in front of the bathroom mirror a cream towel wrapped around my body while Lucy combs through my hair. “I’ve found like another piece of bean shoot Jay like god,” Lucy giggles I force a smile shrugging. “Your turn,” I mumble swapping chairs with Lucy she sits down her blonde shoulder length hair taking on a new messy look. I comb gently but my heart isn’t in it as I stop meeting Lucy’s eyes in the mirror. She sighs, her face full of pity so I look away quickly and continue to brush through the endless knots that have gathered. When I’m done I use my shaky fingers to wrap the hair in a soft bun at the nape of her neck leaving stray hairs to frame her heart shaped face. My bottom lip quivers and I know if I’m not careful I’ll break down right here. When I’m done I grab my dirty clothes my dress now dry and quickly change. The fabric seeming almost suffocating I see Casey struggling with her buttons so I do them up for her never making eye contact. I go back to packing my bag while I wait for the other two who are whispering harshly. You don’t need to be a scientist to work out they’re talking about me. I try to block the sound out my wet hair clinging to the back of my neck and forehead. I quickly wipe it away my heart beating rapidly that it might burst, when they come back we all grab our bags Casey offers to do my hair but I shake my head wanting it to hide my face as much as possible.

 Harry, Niall, Jack and Liam are in the cafeteria waiting for us I barely look at any one the effort to talk too great. I hear the rumble of conversation but I don’t register any of it I notice Harry staring at me and I quickly look away his green orbs burning into the back of my head. “Jay? Jay? Anyone home?” Liam chuckles I offer a weak smile nodding “we’re going to go to a diner want to come?” I shake my head pushing my hair further into my eyes Liam frowns raising his eyebrows. “Do you need a ride?” Jack asks quizzically Harry scoffs standing up straighter “you would love that being in a car with her.” Jack doesn’t answer her just looks at me brow raised I realise I hadn’t even answered. Looking away I shrug off his vest and hand it to him he cocks his head to the side and pushes it back. “You can give it to me later,” I nod gratefully my voice currently stuck. “You’re un believable,” Harry murmurs for a second I thought he was talking to me but then he’s looking straight at Jack. Jack purses his lips his fists balled “she’s mine.” Harry sneers I feel anger rise in me before I step in front of Harry he looks at me his green eyes dark. “I’m not a piece of property I don’t have Harry’s printed on my forehead.”I yell I don’t realise I’m yelling until everyone in the room jumps but Harry stays like a statue. “I know,” he whispers I got to yell again but I stop my mouth open. “Wait...what?”He shrugs moving away before grabbing his keys and jumper the one I had on earlier and pulling it over his head. I stand there shocked this ball of anger not subsiding “that’s all you have to say ‘I know!’”

“What do you want me to say?” He yells back I shrug my shoulders my wet hair getting pushed the side. “How about I’m sorry.” I offer he rolls his eyes throwing his keys onto the table before rubbing his temples. “I didn’t mean for it to fucking happen with her....”

“Really? It was multiple times Harry not just once it was three fucking times! Just today.” I push past him but he grabs my elbow. “And what you weren’t all over Jack?” I look past Harry to where Jack is stood with the rest of my friends who are all in shock. I pull my arm away standing my ground “Maybe because when you brushed me off as like a piece of dust he actually showed me affection is a reason.”