Teenage Dirtbag

12. Truth

Harry’s POV

The next day at school was Niall’s first day back. He stayed as far away from me as he possibly could. I could tell that he was also trying his best to avoid Taylor.

They hung out in the classes they had together, but other than that, they really hadn’t hung out.

Even Louis had noticed.

“What’s wrong with Niall and Taylor?!” he asked me in shock. “I’ve barely seen them together today.”

I knew though Louis was my best friend that I couldn’t share Taylor’s secret with him.

“I don’t know. She doesn’t really talk to me about Niall.” I replied.

“Why not?” he asked.

“I don’t ask, and to be honest I really don’t care.” I replied.

He didn’t say anything, but I knew he knew what I meant.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Taylor standing there crying.

“Taylor, what’s wrong?!” I asked.

“I need to talk to you. Someplace private.” She said, wiping tears from under her eyes.

I looked to Louis and he knew without me needing to explain that I needed to leave and attend to Taylor.

She started walking and I followed behind her. We went through a few hallways until we stopped in front of the band hall.

Kids rarely came here in the middle of the day, so this was a good place.

“Tay, what’s wrong?” I asked, keeping my voice low just in case.

“I – I broke it off with  Niall.” She replied.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s so wrong with that?” I asked, softly grabbing her wrists.

“He said ‘You’ll regret that Swift. And so will that Styles kid. He’s making you do this isn’t he? He’ll pay. You BOTH will.’ I’m really scared of what he’ll do, Harry…” She said.

If only she knew what I was actually capable of.

“Taylor. There’s absolutely NOTHING you should be worrying about. I’m not going to let him hurt you.” I replied.

“NO, Harry, you don’t understand what I’m saying. I told him something… It’s not me he’s after anymore. It’s you. I – I wish I could take it back… I was stupid and I wasn’t thinking. You’re going to get hurt, Harry. I can’t let that happen.” She said.

What was she talking about…?

“What’d you tell him, Taylor?” I asked.

I wasn’t concerned at all though. I knew I could still fend for myself.

“I – I – I can’t exactly tell you…” she started.

“What do you mean you can’t tell me?” I asked, crossing my arms to come off as firm.

“It’s not that I don’t want to… I just… I don’t have the courage to tell you.” She replied.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Why not?! I thought we were best friends! You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know. It’s just… This is different. It’s something that might fuck up our friendship.” She replied.

I jumped at her saying the word fuck.

“What?!” she asked as I jumped.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever heard you cuss before, Swift.” I said, smiling.

She smiled back and playfully hit me.

“That’s not the point, Styles.”

“I know. But seriously. What did you tell Niall that made him go crazy?” I asked.

“Harry… If I tell you this, you have to promise it won’t ruin our friendship. Please.”

“Why would it ruin our friendship?”

“I just… I…” She stood in front of me for a moment almost as if she couldn’t find the words to say. They were on the tip of her tongue, she just couldn’t say them in front of me, and I didn’t know why.

Suddenly, her soft, pink lips were pushed against mine.

When she pulled away, she looked into my eyes and shrugged her shoulders as she nervously bit her lip.

“I couldn’t find a way to say it…” she said quietly. “But I like you.”

I smiled at her words. “I like you too, Taylor.”

Her nervousness soon to relief and she smiled up at me.

“You do?!”

“Of course! What’s not to like about you? You’re absolutely gorgeous, your personality is perfect, and your mom makes excellent cookies!” I replied.

She laughed.

“I’m glad you like me back.” She said.

“The same for you. I’ve always thought you were out of my league.” I replied, pulling her in for a hug.

And that’s when it hit me. I had just kissed Taylor Swift.