Everyone was whispering and looking at me as I walked down the hallway. Instead of going to Louis' plan period, I hid in the library. I saw him come in and look for me after he sent a few texts asking where I was. I kept my head down and worked on my homework. The next time I looked up, he wasn't there.
I went back to my English homework when I heard a few girls talking. I looked up and one of them got pushed forward before walking over to me and twirling one strand of hair around her finger. "You're Harry Styles, right?"
"Why?" I asked. I sat up more.
"I'm taking that as a yes. You were Mr. Tomlinson's best student last year, right?" She was bouncing on her feet, trying not to look back at her friends. "We don't like history a lot and we were wondering if there was anyway you could help us with his class."
"You're a junior?" She nodded and I chewed my lip. "I mean, I went to his tutoring thing nearly every day last year, that's the only way I was able to keep up."
She nodded and chewed her lip. "Isn't he offering help with all classes there?" I nodded and she looked back at her friends. "Did you guys ever... Sleep together?"
I rolled my eyes as I put my assignment in my bag. "No. We never slept together. Can I go one fucking month without someone asking me that?" I snapped as I stood up and pushed past them. I walked into the hallway and Louis was also walking in my direction.
"Harry," he said, motioning for me to stop.
"Mr. Tomlinson," I muttered as I kept walking. Could he report me for ditching? Yes. Is he going to? No.
I sat down at the tables in the common area and put my head down. I was tired of the stupid rumors. I didn't care if it was us dating or anything else. It felt like everytime they asked, I was that much closer to snapping. I couldn't snap, though. Snapping meant admitting everything, exposing us. I can't do that.
Louis followed me to the table and sat down. "Why didn't you come to my room?" He asked quietly. His tone was neutral for now, until he had an idea of what was going on with me.
"I had homework," I mumbled. "Plus rumors." I couldn't look at him while I let out a long breath. "It's always rumors."
Louis pushed his lips together and then closed his eyes. "You better be in sixth hour, Harry."
The bell rang for the end of the period. I nodded while I stood up. I didn't want to piss him off and I know that's exactly what I did. I quickly walked off, stuffing my hands in my pockets. I had every intention of going to class, I really did. But as I passed the bathroom, I went in and locked myself in a stall.
I started crying. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to stop. I hated the rumors. It added even more pressure. Now, Louis was mad because I'm trying to find ways to deal with this at school without running to him like everyone expects me to do.
Fifth hour came and I just didn't have the energy to go. Louis was going to kill me if he decided to check what classes I went to. I didn't go to lunch either, then went to his class.
The room was completely empty besides him. He closed the door and I stood with my hands in my pockets after taking a few steps in and turning around. "Louis-"
"I'm not mad," he whispered, pulling me to his chest. "I know I seemed pissed but I just... I'm sorry, Harry." I slowly wrapped my arms around him and let go of a long breath. "I love you, if you need space, just answer one of the million of texts I sent you."
"It's just... Everyone's watching me, seeing what I'm doing with you. It makes me feel small, like people aren't trying to see me, they're just trying to see the rumors." I pushed my face into his neck, and Louis tangled his hand in my hair.
"You're fine, Harry. There's nothing to worry about." I let go of a deep breath and sighed. "I love you," he reminded.
"I love you," I whispered back. "The summer made me hate school." I balled my hand into a fist with his shirt in my grip, wanting to be even closer with him.
"Last year we have to hide. Then we'll move and we'll be able to do whatever we want without hiding." He looked at me and brushed our noses together after pulling away to look at me. "We'll get through this year." He kissed me hard and kept me close. It was messy kissing, but I needed it. I needed to know he was doing everything for me, because I know I would do anything for him.
For the whole period he just held me and we talked about what we were going to do over Christmas break. We talked about dinner. We talked about anything but school and rumors. Before I was fine with hiding, but that was before we got the taste of freedom. Now I needed to be recognized as his at school, without school. I needed him to be my boyfriend here, too, but without anyone else finding out. I mostly just hold onto our time alone and try to remember that I'm not fighting anyone else for him, he's already mine and I have nothing to worry about.
Louis sighed. "The bells about to ring."
"You ruined it!" I groaned, falling into his chest. "I still had two whole minutes."
Louis chuckled and kissed me. "There's no tutoring tonight, so we'll go straight home, alright?"
I nodded and kissed him one last time before standing up to grab my backpack. As soon as I got it on my back, the bell rang. I walked out of the door and looked at Louis, who was standing. "Straight home?" I asked.
"Straight home," Louis confirmed. I smiled a little and went to Mr. Malik's class, sitting down.