THE DEATH OF ME

Liam is waiting on the corner in our usual place. He seems surprised when he notices me walking towards him alone.

"Where is your body guard?" He questions, a playful smile on his lips.

"He decided you are trustworthy to walk me to school yourself since you had so much practice," I mock back.

"Gosh so I'm on his trust list? I am so honored!" Liam chuckles.

"You should be nicer to me you know.. Especially if you want me to take you to the drifting session today," I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

Liam stops in his place, his mouth half open in shock.

"What did you just say?" He whispers.

"You heard me.. I'm not repeating myself," I smirk.

"Cassie- please do! You must! I need to know I have heard correctly," He begs, holding me at my shoulders.

"Harry is taking me to drift, and I asked if you can come too, unless you're busy," I wink.

"Oh my God Cassie! You are the best! The best!" Liam lifts me of my feet twirling us around.

"Put me down before I change my mind," I giggle, and he does.

"Gosh this is absolutely wonderful! I am so happy you and Harry styles are together," He goes on and on until we get to school.

When Liam and I get to school I bow my head and take a deep breath. For a moment I was able to forget about the bullies in school, but now, getting closer I can't help but feel the jitters coming on.

"Just ignore them Cassie," Liam picks up on my nervousness, touching my shoulder lightly.
I offer him a smile, and we enter through the heavy doors. A huge poster on the wall catches my eye.

In England we don't really have all those dances and parties like you have in the US, only prom. But a few years ago the student body decided it wasn't fair and we should have at least one more during the year, for students benefit. At first the school declined saying it has no money to spend on another dance. However the student body didn't give up and after a long fight found sponsors to donate every year for a school dance, making sure that money went only to that and nothing else, promising it will go on as long as the school is running.
So since then we have winter formal, which is before Christmas, and the girls ask the boys to the dance.

"Are you going to go?" Liam asks, as we stop in front of the poster.

"No, I never go to these things," I sigh.

"Maybe it is time to start," Liam shrugs.

"Are you going to ask Harry to the dance then?" Dafnie stops next to me, smiling at the poster.

"It is rather nice isn't it? I designed it," She says proudly.
"Very, and no. I don't do dances," I state, turning to walk away.
"You should, you should ask Harry," She calls after me. Liam hurries to catch up, as I make my way to class.
"I know you hate her, but she has a point, you should come," He tries.

"Liam, even if I wanted to, what makes you think Harry would come to a high school dance? And I can't just bring him to one anyway, he can get into loads of trouble," I exclaim.

"I understand, but you can at least think about it- take someone else- I would go with you," He whispers.

"Thanks, but I don't think I want to go," I sigh, feeling kind of bad for lashing out at him, he is only looking out for me.

"Listen, the dance is in a few weeks, you still have time to decide.. So why don't you at lease think about it for a while before making up your mind?" He offers. I nod in return, and we step into class.

"Look who it is! Ms. Styles is in the building," Luke calls from the back of the class, while clapping his hands. Some of the other students join in.

"Cut it out Luke, give her a break," Someone shouts out at him. I turn to see who it is standing up for me. It is a dark headed boy with olive skin, I share a few classes with him, though I am not sure of his name.

"Oh so you fancy her Calum then? She already has a boyfriend, he's a racer.. though you might get a shot with her once they throw him into jail for dating a minor," Luke tunts.

"I can see you're jealous, but there is no point making fun of her, it won't make it any better for you, you will still be attending the dance solo," Calum shoots back.

"You fucking cunt!" Luke stands up from his seat, but the teacher walks in, making him sit back down.

As I take my seat I look at Calum. I catch his eye and smile. He winks back before opening his book to the right page.

"That was nice of him," Liam says as we walk out of class and to the car park to meet Harry.

"Nice of who?" I am slightly confused about whom Liam is talking about.

"Calum, for shutting Luke's fat mouth," Liam explains.

"It was.. Do you know him?" I question, remembering now the morning drama.

"Not that well, we have a few classes together and that's it, he used to be on the football team but then busted his knee," Liam tells me.

"Who's that?" Harry joins us then, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me closer and kissing the top of my head.

"This boy in one of my classes," I explain to Harry.

"Who is that?"

"This kid who stood up for Cassie today in class," Liam tells Harry what happened this morning.

"You have a dance coming up? Since when are their dances in the UK?" Harry seems confused.

"In our school there is," I sigh, pulling open the door to his SUV.

"So are you going?" Harry questions, getting into the car.

"No," I answer so fast, I make Liam laugh.

"Why?" Harry frowns at me.

"I don't want to talk about it, can we let this go, at least for now?" I kind of beg him. Harry nods slightly and turns to Liam, both of them going into deep conversation about drifting.

When we get to the dirt road behind the shack Harry stops, his race car already waiting for us, Zayn and Perrie leaning against its doors.

"Cassie!" Perrie calls out with a smile as I hop out the car.

"Hello," I wave, leaving my bag on the seat while pulling my tie loose and over my head, placing it on my bag. I walk over to them, as I unbutton my shirt, letting myself breath easily.

"This is my best friend Liam," I introduce him to Zayn, since Perrie already knows him, when he used to pop into the coffee shop we used to work in.

Harry and Zayn check the car, Liam watching over their backs, as Perrie and I talked about our upcoming class at the gym.

When Harry was ready, I let Liam go first, watching as Harry handed over a helmet and pads before they get in the car.

"While we are on our drive, Cassie can tell you about the upcoming dance she is going to," Harry tells Perrie.

I clench my teeth, as Harry starts the car and they fly away, leaving me with Zayn and Perrie.

"Since when do you go to dances?" Perrie cocks an eyebrow at me.

"I don't," I sigh. Perrie knows me for a while now, and she's seen me work on dance night, refusing to attend the stupid dances.

"Good luck trying to convince him otherwise," Zayn snorts.

"This would be interesting," Perrie smirks, "I wonder who will break first,"

"I am not going, so it will be him who will give in," I say stubbornly.

"How is your Nan?" Perrie changes the subject.

"How do you know her Nan?" Zayn inquires, folding his arms.

"I just do," Perrie pushes him playfully.

It is not long before Harry and Liam are back, the car full of dust, and a beaming Liam.

"This is the coolest thing ever! Just ACE man," Liam is jumping up and down with happiness, while taking off his helmet.

"Ready?" Harry steps closer to me, putting the helmet on my head, and adjusting the straps so it will fit me.

He helps me put the pads on, Liam going on about the ride in the background.
Harry opens the door for me, and when I sit down he leans in to strap me.

"Are you all right?" He questions getting in to the car and pulling his seat belt on.

"Yeah, let's go," I smile slightly, though he can tell this is not a real smile. Harry starts the car, and we drive off.

When we are far from our friends he stops again and turns to me.

"Tell me," He demands. I don't know what he wants, but I am long gone of letting him order me around that way.

"Tell me please?" He says again, when he understand I will not be talking.

"I don't do dances," I answer, and finally look at him.
"This is what this is about? Fine Cass, then don't go," He shrugs, looking forward.

"Just like that?" I question, not believing he is letting this go so easily.

"I won't make you go if you don't want to," He shrugs.

"Very well then," I sigh, even though I have a feeling this is not the end of it.

"Are you ready?" Harry smiles, his dimples peeking from the sides of his helmet.

"Ready," I smirk, excitement taking over.

If I thought racing was like flying, then drifting is a bullet flying without a target.
There is nothing — and I mean nothing — that compares to riding in a drift car. It's essentially like being strapped onto the back of a drunken, rampaging weasel on roller skates. The combination of crazy turbo boost, armloads of front-axle caster, a dialed-in differential, teeth-chattering rear roll stiffness, and squeaking tires was... well, it was eye-opening. I expected Harry to be good, to be relaxed, to be fast. I did not expect the car to be so tailored to its intended purpose. And I did not expect it to look ten times easier than it actually is.

It was wonderful and scary at the same time, the way the car was sliding on the dirt road scattering dust everywhere. for a minute all my problems and fears are gone, and I know now why Harry loves this so much, and why he is so good at what he does.

Notes

So.. How was this chapter?