*Wednesday*
Nicole’s POV
I looked up from the boring book we were forced to read today in English class. I sighed and ran my hand through my curls. As I played with the tips of my curls, I felt the same tingling feeling I get when familiar emerald eyes stare at me. Harry, sweet, conflicting Harry. That boy doesn’t know what he does to me, but I know what I do to him. Apparently I “confuse” his feelings and that I’m “different.”

I struggled to not look back over my shoulder and connect his eyes with mine. He hasn’t said much to me ever since Saturday, and I feel like he’s doing it on purpose. I looked back down at the book in my hands and tried to read, but my skin temperature kept rising from Harrys stare. I slammed down the book on my desk, causing everyone to look up from what they were doing, including the teacher. I turned around and stared deep into Harrys glimmering eyes.

“Nicole?” my teacher said. “Is there a problem?” she asked, walking over to me.

“No, I’m fine” I forced to say through my teeth, not breaking Harrys stare.
“Then turn around and continue reading” my teacher ordered and I turned back around. I picked up my book, but didn’t read. I turned the pages at times to make it look like I was reading, but I really was thinking about Harry. I really needed to sort things with Harry, unconfuse his thoughts. I didn’t even hear the bell ring when it did, I just stayed glued in my seat.

“Coming?” Harrys deep voice asked. I looked up at him, his eyebrows furrowed and a frown on his lips. I slowly stood up, my face inching closer and closer to his.

“We need to talk” I said, staring deep into his eyes.

“About?” He said, not blinking once.

“Us” I said and he flinched.

“There’s nothing to talk about ‘us’” he said, barely audible.
“Are you sure? Is it because I ‘confuse’ your feelings?” I said, not backing down.
“What about ‘not knowing how to act’ around me?” Harry said, lifting one of his eyebrows. I heard someone clear their throat, but I kept my eyes locked with Harrys.
“Class has been dismissed” our teacher said. I momentarily shifted my gaze to pack my things and grab my bag. When I looked back, Harry was already standing in the doorway. I strode over to him, looking up and down his tall frame. I came to a halt right in front of him, looking at his chest.

“If you want to talk, it will have to be later” Harry whispered. I nodded and Harry stepped back, only to be side tackled by Louis. Harry stumbled to the side, but didn’t fall over.

“You two take forever!” Louis said, wrapping Harry in a hug. Harry smiled down at him and shook his head.

“You couldn’t wait two more seconds for me?” He joked and Louis nodded. Louis could always brighten Harry up. Those two are really best friends, maybe even closer than me and Anjelica, and let me tell you, we actually are really super duper close.

“Hey love” Liam said, pulling in a side hug.

“Hi Liam” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“You guys got everything?” Zayn asked me and I nodded. We started walking towards the front of the school and to the parking lot, talking about our weird teachers and how our day was. As we were walking past the parking lot, a silver Mercedes pulled up next to us and I frowned, already knowing who owns the car.

“Harry!” Taylor exclaimed as she rolled down her window.

“Hi” Harry said and cutely waved. Taylor leaned over the passenger seat to talk to him better.

“Wanna hang out?” she asked, batting her eyelashes. I rolled my eyes and Louis did the same.

“Um..” Harry pondered and looked over at us.

“Sorry, but we already have plans” Louis sassed and pulled Harry along. Taylor frowned and leaned back in her seat, driving off like a madwoman.

Louis’ POV
I grabbed some water bottles out of the fridge for everyone and turned around to face a frowning Harry. “Oi” I said and tried to pass him, but he didn’t budge. “what?” I asked, a bit annoyed at Harrys behavior.

“Why did you pull me away from Taylor?” Harry asked, looking down at me.

“Because you don’t even like her and I can see what you’re doing” I said, standing tall to match his towering frame.

“I’m not doing anything” Harry said, squinting his eyes at me.

“Yes you are, you’re getting closer with Taylor to forget Nikki, and I’m telling you right now, that’s not going to work” I said and pushed past him. Harry’s my best mate and I really don’t want to argue with him. I’m just looking out for him.

“Water!” I shouted as I entered the living room. Nicole was sitting on the ground with Niall and Nick, pointing at the math book and explaining some things. Zayn and Liam were sitting on the couch, working away separately. They looked up at me when I announced that I have water. I tossed two bottles towards Zayn and Liam, who caught it with quick hands. I tossed one at Niall, who had to lean back to catch it. I tossed one at Nikki, but she wasn’t paying attention. She was staring at Harry when the water bottle smacked her straight in her face. She had a stunned look on her face and Nick and Niall burst out laughing.

“Sorry!” I said, kneeling in front of her.

“Oh, it’s okay” she blushed and giggled. “I guess I just need to pay attention more” she said.

“Yeah, but I should have given you a heads up” I chuckled and squeezed her shoulder. She smiled at me and I returned it.

“But don’t do it ever again” she said, smacking the water bottle upside my head.

“Hey!” I said and now everyone was laughing. I rubbed the side of my head and smiled. Nikki really is a fun, strange girl and I’m glad that she can make us all laugh during this time of tension.

“Alright, Niall, Nick, back to work” Nikki said and they both groaned.

“Ugh...but my brain hurts” Nick said and Niall nodded.

“Okay, how about a few more problems and then we’ll take a break” Nikki said and Nick and Niall agreed. I stood up and walked over Harry who was smiling.

“Still don’t want to get close to her?” I whispered as I passed him.

Nicole’s POV
“Okay boys, now you get your break” I smiled at Niall and Nick.

“Yay!” Nick and Niall cheered. Niall rushed off to the kitchen with Nick, probably going to get snacks. I stood up and stretched out my legs, careful not to step on the papers and books on the floor.

“You’re really good with them” Liam smiled and I shrugged.

“Just gotta be patient, I remember when I was in their same position” I said, walking over and sitting on the airrest on the couch.

“What do you mean?” Zayn asked, looking up from his sketchbook.

“Well, I started kindergarten a little early and I wasn’t ready, so I always needed help with school up until 5th grade” I said, remembering whining with my teachers and tutors about not understanding what was taught. They were always patient and that’s what got me to really be able to understand. They didn’t rush me or force feed me, they gave me time, and that’s what I have to do to the boys.

“Wow, impressive” Liam smiled and I waved it off.

“Not really” I said and looked up from him. Harry peeking from behind the wall, looking at me. My heart started beating and I licked my dry lips. Nick and Niall did a good job distracting me from my thoughts about Harry, and they didn’t even know it. But know that I have time to breath, Harry flooded back. I got up and excused myself from chatty Zayn and Liam. I walked over to Harry, but Harry’s mop of curls retreated out of my sight. I looked down the hall and saw him turn the corner to the entrance of the house. I quietly rushed down the hall and into the entrance of the house. I spotted Harry sitting on the steps, rubbing his head.

“Can we talk now?” I asked, sitting next to him. He flinched, but didn’t protest. “Harry, do you feel as if I’m not your friend?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I feel like you’re close to everyone except me” Harry said, and I remembered that he said something similar like that on Saturday

“Harry, I need you to know that I’m your friend” I said and I saw Harry stiffen, but I continued. “I’m close with everyone else because they seem to not distance themselves. I feel like you distance yourself from me” I said, hoping that I was choosing my words right.

“That’s only because of the feelings I feel. I’m afraid of them” Harry confessed and I was taken aback. Does Harry like me? He basically just said that he does. I’m too scared to ask him that, what if he says no?

“Harry? Nicole?” I heard Nick say and I bolted right up. Nick walked around the corner and saw us.

“There you are” he said, eyeing Harry. “We were going to play some badminton, wanna join?” Nick asked. I saw Harry stand up out of the corner of my eye and smile.

“Yeah” he said. Nick nodded and headed out to the backyard, Harry right behind him. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Harry, that boy is so weird. He goes from up to down with a drop of a hat. I pushed our conversation to the back of my mind and headed out to the backyard.

“Nikki! Be my partner!” Liam said, walking up to me with two rackets.

“Sure” I smiled and grabbed the racket he handed me.

“We play the winner of their game” Liam said, pointing over to where Louis and Harry started playing against Zayn and Nick. Liam and I walked over the green grass to them. Niall stood next to the net and watched the birdie fly back and forth.

“Niall, who are you going to play with?” I asked, realising that he doesn’t have a partner.

“No one. I just call the birdie out or not. Besides, I suck at this game and like to watch” Niall explained, chomping on some chips.

“Oh” I said, not really knowing what to say. Liam, Niall and I watched Nick swing his racket all over the place and completely miss the birdie. We giggled and Nick blushed. Louis and Harry high fived and Zayn patted Nicks back encouraging.
In the end, Nick and Zayn lost. “Sorry Zayn” Nick apologized to Zayn.

“No need to apologize, I’m not very good at badminton either” Zayn said, ruffling Nicks hair. Nick went into defense mode and held his hands up to his hair, swatting Zayns hands away.

“Zayn, no touchie!” Nick complained as Zayn tried to touch his hair. I giggled at how cute they were.

“Nikki, it’s game time” louis said, nodding towards the net. I smiled and walked over to liam who was already in position.

“Beware, I’m pretty good at this” I said. Louis made a smart remark and served the birdie. I hit it back over to Harry who slammed it fast at Liam. Liam fumbled with his racket but dinked the birdie over. Louis lunged for it, but didn’t get there fast enough.

“Laim! Good job!” I cheered and we fist pumped. I looked over and saw an evil but determined look on Harry’s face.

“It’s on” Harry said, looking straight at me.

“Like donkey kong” Liam said and I smiled at him. He was just so adorable. Each point made was like a fight for the death. Fist pumps and hip bumps were exchanged and cheers escaped Niall, Zayn and Nicks mouths. Liam and I took deep breaths after running all around to hit the birdie back over the net.

“It’s tied” Louis said, handing the birdie to me under the net. As i reached out to grab the birdie, Louis suddenly shot his hand back. “Wanna make things more interesting?” He asked, a devious smile on his face.

“More interesting than they already are?” Liam asked, leaning his arm on my shoulder closest to him and I braced my legs so I wouldn’t fall over from all his weight.

“If we win, you guys have to do six dares Harry and I come up with whenever and wherever ” Louis said, looking over at harry.

“And if we-oh excuse me-WHEN we win, you guys have to do six dares that me and Nikki come up with whenever and wherever?” Liam confidently asked and I smirked at Louis.

“Yep” Louis nodded.

“You know, since you guys are tied you have to win by two points” Niall said and we all nodded, already knowing that piece of information.

“We got this” I said to Liam. We put our game face on and positioned ourselves. Harry tossed the birdie and hit a low serve to me. I squealed and swung my racket around, not expecting such low serve. I failed at hitting it and the birdie limply landed on the grass in front of me. Louis and Harry did this little victory dance and I hissed at them.

“It’s okay, we got this” Liam said, hitting over the birdie to Harry. Harry caught the birdie and looked Liam straight in the eye, his green eyes clouding over. Harry tossed the birdie and served it lower than the last one. Liam frantically held out his racket and the birdie bounced off it. Louis hit it back high over to me and I smashed it down on the grass in front of Harry. Harry looked a little shocked and me and Liam bumped hips. We were tied again, so now Liam and I had to win the next two points to win. Liam served it over to Louis, who returned it back to me. Louis and I hit back and forth a few times before Louis changed things up and hit it over to Liam, who dinked it over and won us the point. I cheered and high fived Liam.

Liam then served it over to Harry, who just flat out missed it. “We won!” I yelled and jumping into Liams arms. Liam spun me around as I cheered in victory. When Liam set me down, we shook hands with a humiliated Harry and Louis.

“Good game” Liam said, shaking Louis hand.

“Yeah, for you. Now we have to do dares for you two” Louis said, not looking forward to it.

“Ooo Nikki what you gonna dare Louis to do?” Niall laughed.

“I can use it wherever and whenever right? I’m gonna take my time and really think of a good dare” I smirked at Louis, who grumbled and walked away. Harry, on the other hand, looked at me with an amused look on his face.

“Okay..um, we should get back to finishing math” I said, turning away from Harry.

“Ugh..” Niall and nick groaned and followed me back into the house.

Notes

Sorry for two boring chapters in one day...I've just been out of it. I plan on writing better chapters and I apologize if I have bored you :/ thanks for hanging in there my loves! You know the rest, rating and blah and blah blah blah
Okie here's Harry and Louis' victory dance pic: