‘’I’ve heard enough.’’ I pushed the door.

‘’Hai-’’ I slammed the door, not wanting to hear another stupid word escaped her mouth. I’ve earned some weird looks because of my sudden outburst, but they don’t know what happen.

They don’t know what my supposed best friend just did.

I headed furiously in my History class. I was about fifteen minutes early, but I didn’t care. I wanted to avoid Eleanor or Louis or Niall… Everyone! When I’m mad, I need to be alone, built walls. Loneliness was calming my nerves. It always did. Since Lily... The classroom’s door was unlocked. I sneaked in and let myself fall on my chair.

How could you say that, Perrie?

-Flashback-

‘’Lily, come on.’’

‘’I can’t Hailie. Your riddle is too difficult!’’ Lily repeated to herself: ‘’Say my name and I disappear. Who am I…’’

My mom turned at us. ‘’Will you two stopped talking? I’m trying to drive here.’’

‘’MAGGIE! THE ROAD!’’

-End of the flashback-

Hailie…

Hailie…

‘’…Hailie?’’

Harry’s POV

‘’…Hailie, are you alright?’’ Let’s be honest; I was panicking. I’ve said her name at least ten time and she did not a single move. Just staring down, breathing slowly. I put my hands on her shoulders, shaking her slowly.

‘’Hailie, please. Say something! You’re freaking scaring me!’’

Her eyes finally focused on mine. She blinked before mumbling: ‘’How... Since when you’re standing there..?’’

‘’Since I’m calling your bloody name! You… you freaking scared the shit out of me! Niall and I were walking to Louis’ locker and we saw you running out of the bathroom. Perrie exited after, really angry. Niall told me to follow you and he went to Perrie. I followed you into here, I tried to talk to you, but you just stayed there, staring at the floor.’’

Her mind was slowly remembering what she was doing.

‘’Oh god.. I-I’m sorry. When I’m angry I just… Don’t care about the environment I’m in, I guess…’’

‘’Basically…’’

She peered at my face and her eyes widen; I must look really worried. I grabbed a chair and sat down next to her. My hand wanted to rub her back to comfort her, but I restrained myself.

‘’You want talk about it..?’’

I waited for her to take her decision. Don’t push her.

She sighed and smiled, pushing her glasses up. ‘’No, I’m alright, thanks to you. Hey… at the table… I was joking.’’

I chuckled softly. ‘’I know Hailie. You don’t have to justify it. We just met.’’

She returned my smile.

‘’Hey… would-would you like to huh… to go out for lunchtime?’’

I smiled. ‘’Sure!’’

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘’So, for tomorrow, complete these pages. Thank you, class.’’ said the teacher before the bell.

I closed my math’s book. Finally, it was lunchtime. I jumped up of my chair, walking out the class. I leaned against the wall, near the frame door. Hailie was supposed to meet me here. As I looked around the hall, a hand rested on my shoulder. I shifted my head, I smile glued on my lips.

But it disappeared when I realised it wasn’t Hailie.

‘’Hi!’’

It was a blonde girl. She was an average height, blue eyes... A typical popular girl. And she was dressed like one.

‘’I was wondering if you would like to eat at my table today. We could get to know.’’ She winked.

She was clearly flirting with me.

‘’Sorry, I’ve already found a group to sit with.’’ I said without any emotion in my voice. She seemed to be surprised of my response.

‘’Oh… Well, if they’re starting to irritate you, you know who to join. I’m Emma. Don’t bother to say your name, sweetie; I already know it. See you around…’’ She gave me a final wink and patted my torso before leaving. I hate when some girls think they can play with me. Come on, do I look like a toy? I rolled my eyes and returned searching Hailie. She was standing in the middle of the hall, her hand hiding her mouth. I sighed, smiling, and walked to her.

‘’What's so funny?’’ I questioned her.

‘’You.’’

‘’I don’t get it, Hailie.’’

She chuckled again and removed her hand. ‘’That was Princess Emma. She is the girl of all the boys’ fantasies. You know, just like in movies and books. When Emma talks to boys, or should I say, spreads her evil charm, they all fell for her, like there tongue’s drop! But you...’’ She laughed again. ‘’You looked so annoyed! It was delightful to watch the scene! It was a humiliation for Emma: a guy refused her!’’

Oh, now I see why she was surprised when I declined her invitation.

‘’I’m not like all those guys. I won’t fall for her just because she’s hot.’’ I replied, sharply. All I could think was about this stupid Isabella. I cleared my throat, regretting I used this tone with Hailie, and continued with a soft one: ‘’Plus, she’s not my type. Ew, really not! Anyway, I’m starving. What do you want to eat?’’ I asked her when we walked to her locker.

‘’Hum… Good question here, Styles.’’

We both agreed on Subways.

We passed a great time together. We joked around, revealing each other stories of our childhood. Well, on this part, it was usually me who was talking. It could be weird -well, yeah, it’s weird- but I can’t stop myself from feeling I’ve known Hailie for ages. I don’t know why, habitually I’m shy when I meet new faces. I kind of… like her. I guess it’s just because she’s the first person I’ve talked in the school.

‘’What?’’

I was so lost in my mind I didn’t realize I was staring at her, looking straight in her brown orbs.

‘’Nothing.’’

‘’That’s why I call you creepy guy.’’

We stood up, putting our trays near the garbage. I pushed the door, letting Hailie passed through first. We walked back at the school, still talking about meaningless things. About 5 minutes after we left the Subways, we remained silent.

I reached my phone in my pocket to check the time and Hailie spoke: ‘’You know, Harry. It seems weird, but I kind of-’’

My buzz’s phone interrupted her. Isabella was calling me. What the hell is she doing? I sighed heavily, refusing it. Hailie questioned me: ‘’You are not taking it?’’

‘’Nah, it’s from someone I don’t really appreciate.’’

‘’Why?’’

I stopped, thinking.

‘’I don’t want to bother you with my problems.’’

She tapped on my shoulder. ‘’You won’t. I’m good giving others advice. I’ve fought big problems, trust me.’’

‘’Let me guess: you have been in prison.’’

‘’Yeah, I’ve done some horrible things, like not doing my homework. The worst of all was..’’

‘’Oh, tell me.’’ I played along.

Hailie leaned forward, like she was about the revealed the most kept secret.

‘’Looking at my theory during exams when it's strictly forbidden.’’

I glanced at her, my eyes wide open. This was the stupidest and useless conversation I ever had. I burst into laughter.

‘’Anyway, tell me.’’ She replied, still laughing.

I sighed. ‘’Alright. Back in Holmes Chapel, I had a girlfriend, Isabella. She was my everything. I spoiled her, literally. I showed her all my love to her, every day, every minute. I felt like I would explode if I didn’t show her my feelings to her, like she would walk out of my life. I thought she felt the same way. I was wrong, so wrong. Completely blindfold. She cheated on me, twice. Well, almost three times, but I caught her when we were in a party, you know, the usual scenario. All this time, people would come to me and warned me about Isabella’s ‘illicit’ activities. Still, I thought she was faithful to me and that they were just jealous… I needed a proof, and I found out with my own eyes eventually.’’ I sighed again, remembering the painful events. ‘’I’m stupid as hell…’’

‘’No you’re not, Harry. She is stupid. When you have the chance to receive love from another, you don’t throw it in the garbage. You have to take care of, cherish it. I think I’ll never be able to figure out why people are cheating.’’

I nodded. I was embarrassed of that slice of my life. When my mum and I moved here, in Coos Bay, yeah, I was sad; I was leaving my best mates, my memories, my town where I grow up. But part of me was happy. I could rebuilt myself here, be stronger when it involved love.

And I met Hailie.

‘’I think we should head back quickly to school. I have this bad feeling we’ll arrive late.’’ We resumed our walk. Then we started jogging; the clock was running faster than us. I could see Hailie panicking a little. We finally made it in school, panting. The bell had just ringed.

‘’At least… We… We made it.’’ I said, out of breath.

‘’We… we should have eaten somewhere… near the school.’’

‘’Next time, then.’’

Notes

-What was the flashback about?
-What does Emma want from Harry?
-Why did Hailie wanted to say before Isabella's call cut her off?