The Water Boy (Narry)

Chapter 11

I didn't know if I should jog on after him or not. Surely, I could have easily caught up with Harry but I couldn't leave everything sprawled around the field. I let out a frustrated sigh and bit down on my lip as I continued to watch as Harry did his best to stride off up to the school building. I couldn't help but wince as he stumbled slightly from his stiff knee. Maybe I should have ran over to him to help him out.

Then I would tell him that I didn't need a ride home because I wasn't going to be making it to his car. I was scared that he was going to ask me why I was trying to get out of him taking me home. I couldn't actually utter out the words, 'your friends have been harassing me ever since I became the water boy and I have an appointment to be a human punching bag later'. I also didn't want Harry to think that I didn't want to be around him; because I did. So much so.

After I noticed that Harry was a greater distance away from me I went back to picking up the last few towels and bottles. I was getting nervous so I would step too far and kick the bottles or, when I picked them up, they would fumble out of my hands like I didn't have fingerprints. I looked like a complete fool just like I did when I first started the job.

I finished up everything, including walking the pitcher back to the concessions. My hands wrapped around the cart as my buzzing legs took slow heavy steps towards the school. My legs knew that the rest of my body was going to be doomed and that they were the ones who were leading me straight to it.

As I came closer and closer to the beginning incline of the hill my eyes could see the tops of cars that were in the car park.  The heavy feeling in my legs intensified, buckling down on me to the point that I felt like I was going to collapse and have the equipment cart crash over me. I didn't know if that was more pathetic than getting pummeled or not and I wasn't eager to find out either, so I pushed on. The sooner I got up there, the sooner it would happen, and the sooner it would all be over.

I stopped just at the top, with the entire school building and car park in my view. My eyes stopped on a particular pair resting up against a black car. I could tell exactly who they were as I took a few more steps, the cart creaking. I winced, hoping the sound wouldn't give me away to the sharks.

Zayn was easy to depict. He wore his black leather jacket, one hand stuffed into his pocket as the other held a cigarette between his fingers, occasionally lifting to meet his lips. His head turned to the side as he paid attention to Louis.

I could hear the distinct sound of Louis' laughter. It wasn't the harsh laugh that he always used around me. It actually sounded quite genuine, a trait I would have never guess that Louis was capable of possessing. Unlike Zayn, Louis' back was to me as he swayed in his stance.

I knew that they were waiting for me.

Zayn's head picked up slightly, making immediate eye contact with me. He nodded and the hand that, now, put the cigarette into his mouth to hold, rose to point over in my direction. That gesture caused Louis to turn to see me next.

"Water Boy, you made it!" Louis shouted down to me.

This is it. I'm going to die.

I couldn't ditch the cart and run. I still had a job to do. All I wanted to do was act like neither of us saw each other and go back into the school. I wanted to go and find Harry to hide out with him but I couldn't use him like that.

My heart began hammering against my chest. I could hear my thundering pulse thudding, as my ears became flushed red, burning as fear built up in my system. My feet drew closer to them. I thought they would have given me a little bit more time, like after I was done for the day. 

Louis took his initial steps forward at the same time that I crossed their "territory". He smirked as he shoved his hands out, letting out a fake innocent 'oops' as his he succeed in knocking over my cart. My reaction was to let go and when I did I couldn't help but take a few steps backwards. The bottles I had picked up fell from it and rolled in all directions on the pavement of the car park. The towels laid gently along the gravel. The cart was now on its side, propped up by the ball bag that luckily stayed tied up.