Claire's POV

"Dad, please stop over reacting!" I whisper shout, following my dad back inside his home. He forgot to check the mail on Saturday, so when he opens the mailbox Monday morning guess what's inside? My report card.

"I'm going to have a conference with whoever this Mr. Styles is!" He shouts, picking up the house phone and scrolling through the contacts, probably looking for the school's phone number. My insides begin to panic, but I try my best to keep it cool.

"Dad, it's always been my worst subject... I'll go to more extra help! I'll do extra credit! Please, please, please don't make this a bigger deal than it needs to be, all my other grades are fine!" I bargain as best as I can. To be honest, this is a nightmare. Do I really want my dad to meet the teacher I've been kissing? No, hell no.

"I'll... I'll talk to your brothers when they get here." He shrugs in defeat, and I release a large sigh of relief once I realize I persuaded him to give it time.

"Alex and Mark are coming?" I ask, a little confused. I knew they would be visiting soon but not this week.

"Didn't I tell you?" He smiles, and I shake my head. "Alex is looking to open a bar around here and Mark decided to take some time off to help you decide where you want to go for college!" He says excitedly, and I mentally punch myself in the face.

College.

As if my love life wasn't stressful along with school and art and dance and everything else I'm involved in, there's that stupid reminder hanging over my head that's chanting, you're future awaits Claire! Tick tock, tick tock! What's it gonna be? What are you going to do with your life? The funny thing is, I haven't got a clue.

It's not like I'm a dumbass, I did apply to good schools. I'm waiting for a few more acceptance letters, but the annoying part is is that I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't have my mom anymore to look to for advice, my dad is wrapped up in work and Andrea and I don't want my friends' input because although I adore them, they are some of the most unintelligent people I have ever met when it comes to this type of stuff.

"Can't wait." I force a smile, grab my bag and head out the front door towards my car.

My drive to school is filled with worry, stress and nerves. Would you believe I haven't heard from Harry or Zayn over this entire weekend? It sounds so stupid, but I refuse to text either of them first. They both said they'd call, and they didn't. Maybe they worked it out so well that they decided to just let me go and stay friends? Would that even be so bad? After all, Craig thinks that we're practically dating and I can't really say no or else he'll get suspicious sooo...

This is not easy.



Stepping through those double doors after Thanksgiving break, I feel the slightest bit alright when I lay eyes on Craig and Luke standing by my locker. Do you ever get that happy feeling inside when you see your friends for the first time over a 5 day break? It's fucking warm and fuzzy and it brings a smile right to my lips.

"Hi guys!" I laugh, dropping my bags and throwing my arms around their torsos at the same time. Craig picks me up with ease, and I squeal in response.

"Did you get lighter over break?" He laughs, swinging me around like a literal baby doll.

"You're gonna drop her and crack her pretty little head open!" I hear Cassidy scream in the distance, followed by her heels clicking down the hall. I grip onto Craig tighter as he pins me against the locker, my legs wrapped around his waist and my heels of my booties clicking together.

"Did you miss me?" He asks, and I release a nervous laugh.

"I missed all of you!" I tilt my head sideways, motioning towards Luke and Cassidy. Luke snakes his arm around Cassidy and her cheeks blush a deep red. Well shit, they must've gotten together over the break.

"I see you two haven't wasted much time." I smirk, and she immediately hides her head in embarrassment.

"I was going to tell you but--" She starts to say, but we're interrupted.

"Was my first warning about public displays of affection not enough on the first day of classes?" That sexy british accent startles me in Craig's grip and I slide right from him and down to the floor. I look up at not just Harry, but Zayn too are both looking down at me with scowls on their faces... Why do I feel like this always happens to me?

"Sorry Mr. Styles, my girl and I were just getting a bit intimate you know?" Craig winks, pulling me up into his chest.

Oh fuck no. My insides twist at what Craig thinks is a funny comment, but little does he know, Harry and Zayn's fists are now balled and their eyes are shooting daggers through his skull. As for me, I'm embarrassed as shit.

"Is that so?" Zayn says, his voice shaky and cold. "I think you might be getting a bit more intimate with the detention room for the rest of the week, how does that sound?" He adds, and Craig's face is the perfect definition of mortified.

"Isn't that a little harsh?" I speak up, trying to deflect the trouble he's getting in. They probably wouldn't have even said anything if it wasn't me. Their eyes both shoot to me, and I look away. This is stupid.

"It's fine, I'll see you later." Craig says before they can respond, leaving a kiss on my cheek and storming down the hall. Luke follows closely behind, with Cassidy entail. My eyes flick between both of them, and my brain starts to hurt. Instead of staying to chat, I try and casually follow behind my friends but an arm stops me and pulls me into a classroom--the art class room.

"You're so annoying." I mumble, shrugging Zayn's arm off mine and turning to face him, but I'm shocked when I turn to see him and Harry both smiling, and not at me. They're smiling at each other, which I honestly didn't think I would ever seen happen again.

"What's going on?" I ask, a little frustrated with both of them.

"We made up." Harry grins, throwing an arm around Zayn's shoulder.

"Yup, we decided we only want what's best for you, so you can chose whoever you want and the other one won't get upset about it." Zayn smiles his charming smile, and my jaw drops. Are they being serious?

"Yeah, okay." I snort, shaking my head and hopping up onto the desk to sit. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that the two of you," I wave my hand at the both of them, "who were beating the shit out of each other less than a week ago, are friends again?" I laugh, and they nod.

"We were friends before you and we will be friends after you." Zayn smiles softly, and I stop to think about it. I guess it could be true, I mean they were best friends before I met them, so maybe it's true? Maybe I want it to be true?

"This is weird." I laugh awkwardly. "And neither of you even called me over the weekend!" I point out, hiding the anger behind my voice.

"We were working on us." Harry giggles, and I fight back the laughter I'm feeling inside.

"Whatever... I'm gonna go to history." I remark, standing up and heading towards the door. "By the way, I don't know who I want so don't ask. I'm happy you guys are respecting my decision, but I need time. Is that ok?" I infer, and they both nod.

"I'd wait forever for you." Zayn gushes, and I roll my eyes.

"Smooth." I chuckle, grabbing the door handle and pushing it open.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

---

Harry's POV

"If you ever lay a fucking hand on me again, I will kill you in your sleep. Got it?" Zayn growls once Claire is gone, shoving me against the art closet. I roll my eyes and smirk at him.

"What's wrong, are you afraid Claire isn't going to go for your cheating ass?" I smirk, and he shakes his head angrily.

"I can't believe we were ever friends." He whispers. "Claire doesn't need someone like you in her life, you're a stuck up douchebag." He adds.

"We're one in the same, Zayn." I remind him, and he just shakes his head.

"Watch your back, and get the fuck out of my classroom." He whisper shouts through gritted teeth, and I can't help but feel I won this round.

"See you at home." I laugh, stepping outside the classroom and breathing in the hallway air.

This weekend has taught me a lot of things... Zayn is a dick, he can't be trusted, and I want Claire more than ever before. I will do whatever it takes, and if that means faking friends with Zayn to make her happy, then so be it.

Notes

I AM SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED! I have been so busy, but I don't want to fill you guys with excuses... this was kind of a filler chapter.
I will be on spring break at the end of next week and all of the following week, so of course I will be updating a lot more!

Are you still with me? Please comment & vote, i miss you guys! :) xx