safe haven

The sound of the school bell drops my head low, my shoulders slump as I make my way down the hall. The slight movement of sneakers against the polished wooden floor aggravate my ears. There's nothing more annoying and distressing about high school. The slightest shoulder bump from wild teenagers already pokes at my temper. My hand adjusted my book bag strap as I avoid eye contact, making my way into Anatomy class. I can already hear the heavy conversations and I'm not pass the door-frame yet. Once I stepped inside, I was a ghost to my classmates. Sitting in the middle of the organized seats didn't help gain more attention--not that I wanted any. I dropped my book-bag n the floor beside my shoes, pulling out my notebook and a pencil. My fingers fidgeted with my silver rings, anything to keep myself distracted from the rowdy teens who gawked at me.

"Hey stranger."

The voice made my stomach clench. I looked up, finding Louis smiling at me. He set his backpack hanging on the chair beside me before sitting down, keeping his eyes on me. Louis's eyes made me weak to the knees, and I couldn't help but smile. I muttered, "Hey." My best friend. The one person I can't hold hands with because it'll make everyone feel uncomfortable--and because he has no idea how I feel about him. Louis smiled, "Did your mum say anything about you coming over to swim?"

"She was drunk yesterday, I couldn't ask without her yelling," My voice was shaking. It always did when I mention anything about my mom.

"Again?" Louis frowned, sighing. He adjusted himself so he was facing forward, "That woman needs to get her shit together...y'know, if she was my mom..." Louis's voice was drifting off, all I could do was admire him. The sun cast his silhouette perfectly. His eyes reflected the sun's rays, his smile exposed his perfectly white teeth. He was perfect to me. Perfect for me. Louis's head turned to me, with a gleaming smile. I couldn't make out what he was saying, it was like his voice was on mute and all I wanted to do was stare.

Louis's smile faded. Shit. Ok. I have to focus on his words now. Louis's voice asked, "You alright, Harry?"

I nodded, looking back to my desk. As if the gods had heard my call of embarrassment, the bell officially rang. It scattered the students back into their chairs, sending them like cockroaches. I glanced over to Louis, who was focused up ahead. Sure, I should probably concentrate on what the instructor is saying, or I can doodle love notes to Louis I would never give him. What rhymes with Love? Dove? Rove? Maybe I can make it sound like Rose...somehow. Steering my pencil against the lined paper, writing down poems which will never see the light of day seems like a waste of time...but the truth is, I love writing poems.

"Harry."

I shot my head up, looking up to the instructor with boggle eyes and a small head. He stared at me, "What is the anatomy name for the skull? And can you tell me at least one region of the skull using one of our vocabulary words?"

I'm at a loss for words. I can already feel the warm sensation burning along my face. I coughed nervously, stalking my interlocutor into thinking I knew the answer. My pencil danced along the air, "The skull is the..." My face was burning from embarrassment. I can hear a faint whisper coming from one of my classmates, "Gluteus maximus."

"Gluteus maximus," I said confidently, sending an uproar of laughter from the class. My face flushed red so much that I had to hide my face in shame, looking down. I can hear my instructor reply with a smile, "The cranium, Harry. Pay attention." And instantly, I was more angry than embarrassed. I snatched my bag and walked out, quieting the room. I can hear my instructor call after me, but my head was buzzing from fury. I stopped inside the boy's restroom, shutting myself in a small stall. I slammed my bag down, sliding my hands down my face.

I can hear the door creak open. Louis's voice relaxed me. He stepped beside the sink, as if he were waiting for me. I opened the stall door and slumped my way out. I practically fell into his arms, resting my chin on his shoulder. Louis's hands rested on my back. I said, "I'm so pissed. Do I even want to guess who it was even though I'm pretty sure I already know?"

"Liam."

"Of course." I let out a heavy sigh.

Louis said softly, "If you got to know him you'd know he's not a bad guy." I love mostly everything about Louis. To his imperfections to his perfections, but there's one thing that always irritated me. He defended everyone even if they don't deserve it. Liam fucking Payne always teased me ever since Louis introduced me to him. I don't recall doing anything to him at all. I'm an introvert, I don't say or do much. Louis pulled me away and led me out the restroom door, "There's 20 minutes of class left. I'll make up some excuse for you...just meet me by my locker before lunch, okay?"

I nodded, "Okay."

Louis gave me a small friendly pat on the back of the shoulder before walking away. I hated the pat. I wish he'd just lay it all down and kiss me...but a pat is fine, whatever. With caution, I walked down the halls of the school. You see, in my school, attendance is very important. So the school was obligated to hire a hall monitor. Niall Horan.

"Harry," A nervous voice called.

Speaking of the devil.

I turned around finding Niall holding a detention pad and a pen, "You're supposed to be in class."

"I just came out of the restroom."

Niall looked down. The thing about Niall is that he's a very quiet and nervous person. I'm not sure if he's always been like that, but ever since he's been outed and bullied by people who received detention slips from him, it was more noticeable. I've gotten a few slips but in the end, he always tore it up. Niall said, "Well, are you heading back then?"

"No, there's less than 20 minutes left."

Niall swallowed, "Harry I'm going to have to write you-"

"No, Niall," I rested a hand on his shoulder. I noticed his face flush a bit pink. I said, "I've been having a really shitty day so far. Let me off this time, yeah?" Niall's cheeks turned into rose, "Um," he gave a nervous laugh, "Yeah, okay." I would never take advantage of the obvious crush Niall had on me, but it sure helped. I smiled, "Thanks, I appreciate it." I walked away from him, walking further down the hall. It was weird knowing someone had a crush on me, especially from a guy. This school is so homophobic, it's casual conversation at lunchtime. It's the reason why I'm not open about being gay...speaking of, I'm never able to find out Louis's preferences. Girls all over this school falls for him but he doesn't seem to care for any of them...then again, he bragged about losing his virginity with the cheer captain a few months ago.

A few hours passed along with some classes. I was anticipating for the lunchtime bell. My shoe was tapping on the ground, I kept chewing on my pencil. Three...two...one! I sprung out from my seat and swooped up my backpack. I headed directly to Louis's locker, finding a familiar figure beside him. As I got closer, a woman glanced at me. Marie. Oh god, Marie. A beautiful dark skinned woman with the personality of Louis's. If I didn't have an interest in Louis, I would encourage her to go out with him but...I do have an interest so I'm just jealous being around her. What's there not to be jealous of? From her freckles, to her long legs and perfect skin. She was downright amazing in every way.

I approached them, making Louis smile. He said, "You should come over anyway to swim. Liam offered us a ride."

I frowned, "Liam's going?"

"Is he? Did I invite him for the sole purpose of you and him getting along?" He teased,
"Maybe." He grinned.

I shrugged, "My mum-"

Louis said, "You'll be home before dark. C'mon, you'll have fun," He smiled. How could I say no?

I smiled, "Alright."

Marie smiled, "You're swimming?"

Oh no, she's gonna-

"Can I come?" She asked gleefully.

Louis glanced at me but chuckled, "Sure! The more the merrier." Marie immediately held his arm, making Louis blush a bit. Louis led us into the lunchroom. I was picking at my peas with my fork, rolling them around my plate as my hand formed a fist under my chin. I kept staring at the way Marie gawked over Louis, and he seemed to enjoy her company. When did she ever sit with us anyway? She's usually with her friends on the other side of the room. I stabbed my sliced carrot and shoved it into my mouth. Louis noticed and gave me a small smile, almost as if he was reassuring my temper.

So basically Marie, the girl I'm threatened by, and my bully Liam, are heading to Louis's pool after school. Great.

Notes