Damaged Goods. (A Harry Styles Fanic)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lola felt exhausted as she closed the door behind her that afternoon. It was the last day of summer and she should have felt happy and energetic to be out of school, except she was worn and irritated by the incident that had happened after class.

She felt a pit of guilt inside her for not consoling Zayn after the fight with Harry. She didn’t know where to turn, and who she wanted to be with most. Her gut told her to go and sit with Zayn, and leave Harry on his own. But she couldn’t quite do it. Her hand instinctively reached out for the door handle on the right hand side, her body drawing itself towards Harry.

Other people were slowly turning against Harry for what he’d done to Lola, except she was the only one still there voluntarily lingering by his side. Out of choice.

Lola told Harry they should go home, so he took a long glance at her, his gaze dropping down to her pink lips before back up again. He nodded and ran the tip of his tongue over the graze of his lower lip, tasting copper. Lola cupped her hand over his baby soft cheek and gently pushed his messy fringe back, causing Harry to close his eyelids in appreciation.

“You deserved it” she stated firmly.

Harrys eyes flickered open and his brow scrunched slightly, suprised at how abrupt she was in comparison to how soft and soothing she was touching him.

“I know”

Lola sucked her lower lip inbetween her teeth, observing the purpling bruise forming on Harrys cheekbone, and the small graze on his lip. He exhaled and hung his head a little, feeling disappointed in himself for getting to the point of deserving a battering from his best friend.

“I’ve lost him now haven’t I” he spoke deeply

Lola didn’t know how to answer. She didn’t know if Zayn would ever stop being mad at Harry after hearing about how he’d treated Lola; the girl he cared about and wanted to be happy. She hoped that there was the possibility that he could, and that they could be friends again. Surely if Lola was on the path of forgiveness, Zayn could be too.

“Let’s go home” she said, standing up and gesturing for Harry to follow “No more school”

Harry cracked a weak smile of relief and shook his shaggy curls between his fingers, standing up, a good 7 inches taller than Lola “After you”

***

Lola traipsed into the house and swung the door shut behind her, letting her bag slump to the floor.

“Uh hello!” Harry called raspily from outside, pumping his fist against the door. Lola laughed as she had forgotten he was behind her, and reopened the door.

“Is my Dad here?”

“Well Jake’s not old enough to be at home on his own”

“I don’t want him to see my face and know that i’ve been in a figh-“

“Lola, Harry?” Johns voice called before he emerged from the living room. “Bet you’re glad school’s over”

“Definitely!” Harry breathed, throwing his backpack down in the hall “Never going back” he muttered, pretending to scratch and cover his bruised face as he shuffled quickly up the stairs, tugging his school polo top over his head as he did.

John raised an eyebrow at Harrys rushed exit but shook it off, assuming he needed the toilet or something. Lola put her foot on the first step to follow up and John took her arm gently. “Just a second Lola I need to ask you about something”

This immediately made her nervous, it could be a number of things. Bad things. That she didn’t want to talk to him about. Oh my god, how did he know? Was it about Harry? Had someone told him? Was it about her cutting, or Harry?