Just a Fool

During lunch Harry stood outside the cafeteria smoking a cigarette watching everyone walk past him. He knew Abigail was already inside, he couldn't decide if he should go in with her or stand outside with his friends like he usually did. This whole boyfriend thing was new to him, he wasn't totally clear on every little thing he had to do. Finishing his smoke his tossed the butt to the ground when he noticed Liam and Zayn walking towards him. “Didn't expect you to be out here,” Liam chuckled.

“I needed a smoke.” He sighed stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets.

“Speaking of you got an extra one?” Zayn asked.

Rolling his eyes Harry pulled his pack out of his pocket. “Where's Niall and Louis?”

“Mrs. Parker is keeping them after class as punishment for making 'crude remarks.'” Liam explained. “So how are things with you and Abby?”

“Great, I mean, we just started dating so we haven't had any problems yet.”

Zayn shrugged. “You guys just seem so different, she's gotta be one of the most innocent people I've ever seen and you're well...you.”

Harry pushed against Zayn's shoulder. “Shut up,” he grumbled. “Its weird I thought we wouldn't work well together at first but now its like we balance each other out.”

Liam smiled. “I can already tell she's changed you for the better. I've never seen you so...happy. Its nice to know you actually have a heart.”

“Thank you?” Harry questioned, not knowing whether to be flattered or insulted.

“In other words you're whipped.” Zayn laughed earning a punch from Harry.

Abigail sat in silence, barely listening to whatever Charlotte and Kristin were saying. Instead she was concentrating on the doors that led outside to the courtyard. She wondered if Harry was going to come inside to sit with her or if he was hanging out with his friends. Finishing her water she tried to get into the conversation. “So why are you even in here?” Kristin blurted.

“Do you not want me here anymore?” Abigail giggled.

“No its not that, but I mean, why aren't you out there with Harry? I can tell you want to be so what's up?”

Abigail shrugged. “Its just...I don't want to bug him when he's around his friends. Plus I don't know how to act around his friends. I barely know them.”

“You barely knew Harry either and look how that turned out.” Charlotte interjected. “Don't be nervous, just be yourself.”

“Yeah, they're not demons or something. Just relax.” Kristin smiled.

Nodding her head Abigail stood up. “Thanks guys.” She told them as she walked outside.

Harry lit another cigarette as he listened to Niall and Louis complain about Mrs. Parker. Leaning against the brick wall he sighed, he was wondering where he should go. 'This shouldn't be that big of a deal,' He thought blowing smoke into the cold air.

He was about to walk inside when he noticed a blonde walking over to him. A smile brightened his face when he saw Abigail coming towards him. Dropping his cigarette on the ground he met her halfway. “Hey, I was just about to go meet you,” He whispered.

“I guess I beat you to it,” She grinned.

Taking her hand in his he walked her over to his friends. Surprisingly she didn't hide behind him like she had done previously. Pulling her close to him they listened to some insane story Niall had more than likely made up. Hearing her laugh and talk to his friends made Harry sigh in relief. In the back of his mind he was worried they wouldn't get along, that he would have to choose between his girlfriend and his friends. Now that was the furthest thing from his mind.

When the bell rang they headed to Home Ec hand in hand. As they walked Abigail spoke up. “Are you doing anything tonight?”

“I don't think so, why? You have something in mind?”

“Kristin said something about a double date with her and Ben. If you don't want to its ok...”

“No Angel, that sounds like a plan.”

Smiling she leaned into him as they walked into the classroom. During class they talked about the upcoming date, Harry commented on his amazing bowling skills while Abigail laughed. They received some glares from Vanessa at the front of the classroom but it didn't seem to bother them. Whenever they were together it was like they were in their own little world, nothing could get to them. When they had to split up to go to their opposite classes they tried to prolong their goodbye for as long as they could. Both thought it was ridiculous, they wouldn't see each other for an hour but it felt like ages before they could see each other again. Even after school they tried their best to avoid saying goodbye, even though they were going to see each other later on that night.

A few hours later Abigail and Kristin were getting ready in Abigail's room for their date. “So did your closet explode or something?” Kristin asked gesturing to the clothes that still littered the floor of her friend's bedroom.

Laughing Abigail shook her head. “It was a chore trying to find something to wear this morning. And I have a feeling its going to be the same thing when I try to pick something for tonight.”

“That's why I'm here, my friend. I'll pick out your outfit, you just worry about your hair and makeup.”

In Harry's room he was also having trouble trying to figure out something to wear. “I really need to my laundry,” He mumbled picking up a T-shirt from the floor.

Going over to his closet he pulled a few shirts out he had forgotten he owned. A few were too small, one he hated, then he finally found one. Putting on a light blue button down over his white tee he walked out to see his mom sitting on the couch. “All right mom, I'm heading out,” He sighed running a hand through his hair.

“Where are you going?”

“Bowling with Abigail and Ben,” He told her. “Does this look ok?” He asked gesturing to his outfit.

Anne smiled. “I've never seen you so worried about your clothes before,” She chuckled. “But yes, honey, you look fine.”

Harry sighed. “I won't be out too late.” He said kissing her cheek.

The plan was for Harry to pick up Ben first and then head to Abigail's house so they could all ride in one car. He was kind of relieved to see Ben, maybe he could settle his nerves about being a boyfriend. “So wait, you've never dated anyone before?” Ben questioned.

“No, unless you count Zoe Potter in second grade,” Harry explained. “We broke up on the playground the next day.”

“Damn Styles,” Ben laughed. “Well you seem to be doing pretty good for yourself so far. I mean you got Abby to date you when she was terrified to be with anyone.”

“I guess you're right, I just really don't want to screw this up.”

“Just don't worry about it, if you do its going to drive you crazy until you do screw it up.”

Finally feeling a little better Harry nodded his head. The good thing about Ben, he usually had a way of getting through to him when no one else helped. “Thanks man.” Harry mumbled pulling into Abigail's driveway.

After honking the horn a few times they saw the front door open. Harry couldn't help but stare at his new girlfriend. She was smiling as they approached the car making his heart beat faster. Snapping out of his trance he watched Ben hop out of the passenger side to let Abigail sit up front while he sat in the back with Kristin. “Hi,” Abigail whispered closing the door.

“Hey, you ready?” He asked earning a nod.

As he drove out of the subdivision he reached over to take her hand in his. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed her smile. “Aww how sweet!” They heard Kristin coo from the backseat.

“Way to ruin a moment, Kris,” Ben chuckled.

At the bowling alley Harry was surprisingly having a great time. With Kristin unable to bowl anything but a gutter ball, Ben trying his best to help her, and spending time with Abigail he wasn't complaining. “Has she even bowled before?” He whispered in Abigail's ear.

“Once...with the bumpers up when Charlotte had a bowling party.” She explained leaning into him. “We were ten by the way.”

Harry laughed again as Ben tried to instruct his girlfriend on the proper way to bowl the ball. Finally Kristin just got frustrated and handed it to him. “I gotta pee,” She grumbled. “Abby, you coming?”

“Yeah,” When Harry gave her a confused look she smiled. “Girls have to go to the bathroom together, remember?”

He shook his head, a grin on his face as they walked away. When Ben sat beside him he looked up. “You're a great teacher, man.”

“Shut up, Styles.” Ben groaned.

After ordering a few slices of pizza and drinks the boys grabbed a table while they waited for the girls. Leaning back in his seat Harry felt like he was walking on air that is until he noticed a group of guys walk into the bowling alley. Ben must have noticed his sudden change in mood cause he put his hand on Harry's shoulder. “What is it?”

“Philip and his fucking brother are here,” Harry sneered, his fists clenched.

“Oh shit, ok, here come the girls. Lets just get out of here.” Ben stammered rising from his seat.

Kristin's smile faded when she noticed how tense her boyfriend was. “What's going on?” She questioned taking her coat from his hands.

“Uh, we want to take you girls somewhere special.” He coughed. “Come on.”

Abigail placed her hand on Harry's arm but didn't get a reaction from him. “Hey,” She muttered making him look down at her. “You ok?”

Sighing Harry nodded, he didn't want to scare her. “Yeah, yeah I'm fine, Angel.” He told her, kissing her forehead. “Lets get out of here.”

As the two couples walked to the door Harry heard a few laughs coming from the group of guys they were trying to avoid. Then he heard a distinct voice call out. “Hey Styles, next time you see your sister ask her how our kid is!”

Any form of self control Harry had disappeared in that moment. Letting go of Abigail's hand he stalked over to Philip and his older brother Daniel. “What the fuck did you say?” Harry snapped.

“You heard me,” Daniel chuckled. “I can't believe she kept the damn thing. Then again I can, stupid bitch...”

Harry didn't need to hear anymore. As soon as Daniel insulted his sister he saw red. With one swing Harry brought Daniel to his knees, he didn't count on Daniel's friends to jump in. It was four against one until Ben ran over along with the manager of the bowling alley. Even while they were getting pulled off of him the guys punched Harry with every ounce of strength. After the fight was broken up Harry came away with a busted lip, black eye, a deep cut in his eyebrow, and he could already tell there would be bruises along his torso.

Wiping his lip Harry barely heard as the overweight man tell them they were now banned from the property. With Ben pulling him along Harry walked outside where the girls were waiting. When he saw Abigail the look on her face hurt him more than any punch or kick. She was close to tears but then she looked afraid. Afraid of him, something he had been trying to avoid this whole time. “Shit, Angel, no.” He stuttered but Kristin stopped him.

“Not right now Harry,” She commanded leading her friend to the car. “Lets just get out of here before the cops are called on you idiots.”

Cringing Harry climbed into the driver's seat while the girls sat in the back, his heart broke a little when Abigail didn't even sit next to him. He was glad when Ben told him to drop him and Kristin off at her house. At least that way he and Abigail would have a little time together. Pulling the car to a stop he heard Kristin whisper something to his girlfriend before they left him and Abigail alone. To his surprise she moved to sit in the front seat. “Are you ok?” She asked, her voice so quiet he barely heard her.

“Are you?”

“I'm not the one that was fighting four guys at once.” She muttered turning to face him. “Harry look at me.”

Sighing he turned his head to face her. Feeling her soft hands on his chin he hissed. “Sorry,”
She whispered. “We need to clean that cut.”

Nodding his head he drove to her house. The ride seemed to go by slower than usual but he was grateful that she even wanted to be around him. He was even more grateful when there were no cars in the driveway. Without a word he followed her inside and up the stairs to a bathroom. By now he was definitely feeling more sore than he had in the past. Peeling his shirt off he cringed seeing bruises forming on his skin. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub he watched Abigail pull a first aid kit out from under the sink.

He wanted to say something, he wanted to tell her how sorry he was for scaring her but he just couldn't find the words. As she cleaned the cut in his eyebrow he groaned in pain.

“Sorry,” She told him, biting her bottom lip.

Shaking his head he let her finish her work before sighing. “I should be telling you that.”

“What?”

“Sorry, sorry the night turned to shit because I couldn't keep my anger under control.”

“Harry no, its not that, I understand why you did what you did. They were talking about your family, anyone would have done the same thing.”

Resting his hands on the back of her knees he mumbled. “Then why did you look so afraid of me?”

Moving her hand under his chin to get him to look her in the eye she gave him a small smile. “I just don't want anything to happen to you. Kristin pulled me out of there as soon as you hit that guy. I was trying my best to get to you but Ben told us to leave.”

Harry was touched but the thought of her trying to jump into the fight terrified him. “Angel, I appreciate it but never do that.”

“But Harry...”

“No buts, I would take ten beatings if it meant keeping you safe. If something were to happen to you I'd...” Trailing off he ran a hand through his hair.

Leaning down she kissed him, something they both needed. They needed to feel close to one another. Breaking the kiss he leaned his forehead on hers. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just holding each other but in the silence they never felt more connected. The memories of their failed date forgotten.

Notes