Human

Chapter 7:


"Paris?"

I sprang right up. "What? I'm up!" The voices deep laugh told me it was Niall. "Hi Niall, what do you need?" I opened an eye to check and make sure it was actually him.

"Breakfast is in two minutes." Niall warned.

I flipped over to see if Casper was awake. Just to find the rest of the bed empty. "Where's Casper?"

"She left a while ago and left a note for you and I."

"You and I?"

"I spent the night on the couch. Harry and some girl were getting it on all night. Didn't even bother to keep it down." Niall whipped the sleep out of his eyes.

"Ha, I almost fell alseep there last night, you would have been sleeping on me!" I laughed but didn't realize how inappropriate someone could make that. "Wait, I didn't mean it like that!"

"I know. Now let's get you up and down there before we get yelled at for being late." I sat up and yawned, before slowly and groggily getting up out of bed. "Yeah, you can't go down like that." Niall pointed to my pjs, which consisted of my painted swimsuit.

"Well what else am I suppose to wear?" I look defeated.

"Here put on these." He threw me some spandex shorts that were sitting out with a few swimsuits.
"Where does she keep her clothes?" I searched the room to come up empty.

"I don't know. What type of person do you think I am? I don't know where her clothes drawers are." Niall sarcastically remarked.

"Well I didn't know." I protested.

"Here, just put in this. We can stop by my room quickly before we go." Niall pulled of his yellow Eagles raglan tee and tossed it to me. His tattoos were know complelty on display.

I didn't hesitate to take it and slip it over my head. Standing up, it was practically a night gown on me. Niall just chuckled at my pouting face. Rolling up the sleeves a little and tucking the shirt in, in the front fixed the problem. On our way out I pulled my long brown hair into a cute messy pony.

I can proudly admit I fell twice before we even reached the elevator on our floor. "Damn, what are you? Made of jello?" Niall pestered me.

"I'm just clumsy."

"Well you're slowing us down!" Niall joked.

"Then give me a piggy back!" I laughed and hopped on his back.

He surprisingly caught me and ran out of the elevator with me on his back. Once at his room he set me down and rummaged around for a quick t-shirt. As skanky as it sounds, I liked him better without a shirt. That way I could admire his tattoos.

"What?" Niall stopped ahead of me waiting for me to follow him out.

I just gave him that little puppy dog face and that was it. He gave in right away, making his way back so I could continue my piggy back adventures.

"God, you've got to teach me that face. It would work wonders on Liam." Niall muttered and hoisted me back up onto his back.

"We'll see about that." I giggled into his ear.

It was in the middle of my laughing spree that we made our way into the cafeteria. Everybody stop what they were doing to glare at us. Even Casper gave us an unforgiving look. But soon their gaze shifted away from us and then to Harry. He looked unreasonably infuriated. We were only like, what, five minutes late to breakfast?

"Look who finally decided to show up." Bailey smirked from her spot at a table.
Harry snapped his head in her direction and gave her a glare that would make even a grown man cry in fear.

"Where the fuck have you both been?" Harry gritted through his clenched teeth.

"I-I accidentally slept in late because I-I had forgotten about our breakfast arrangements, and Niall here reminded me, and brought me down here so I wouldn't get lost." I tried my best to sort of tell the truth.

"Why in hell was Niall with you?" He gave me one if his dreaded glares.

"I had to sleep on Caspers couch because I couldn't fall asleep with all the noise last night." Niall muttered just barely audible, just so Harry could here.

"Why the fuck is she wearing your shirt?" Harry's eyes annalyzed every inch of my body now that Niall and I separated.

"After Casper and I made our way to bed last night I had fallen alseep in my swimming suit, and this morning my bag had been misplaced so Niall borrowed me a shirt." I was extra careful how I worded things so no questions were asked.

"Get your fucking asses out of here! Don't even think about coming back you little shits. I need to talk to you both so both better be fucking praying I don't beat your ass for being late. Niall you know fucking well never to be late. And having a little bitch tag along is no excuse. I don't need anymore cunts to deal with!" Harry swung his glass against he wall. The pieces shattering everywhere.

I ducked in fear. That vulturous evil eye of rage and vehement chilled the very marrow of my bones.
And then in one impulsive gesticulate, an arm deverted directly at me. A battered and bloody first with bubbling blood oozing out from the abyss of every fissure. Every tense muscle in my body prepared to embrace the voluminous impact. But none came.

My shaken body awaited in its fertile position, waiting for my beating to come. Surely it would be a matter of seconds before I let my guard down and the gruesome attack came. But once again, it didn't.

Cautiously-- most cautiously then cautious-- I flickered one eye open, even just the slightest bit. And took a peek as to my future. And there on the unyielding cement lay a heroic body of my blonde haired friend. It took every bit of me not to crumble to his cripple side. Insead I turned, averting my gaze to the culprit. Guilt and regret clearly seen in those once ruthless and grim eyes. And for that split second of contact, the attention slipped. Now gawking at their wicked hands and staggering faux pas laying on the ground benethe his very bones.

Head hanging low, he knelt down to the victim, tending to his wounds. His sight was fixed on the blood dripping from the body's skull. His eyes flicked from his hand on the wound, to my wrists. The paint now washed off, showcasing my large bandages. He lunged out, gripping my wrist and then gently pushed it away. He abruptly fled, leaving the sight completely, slamming the door behind him. Everyone sat silently, unsure what to do.

Niall seemed to be the one to tame Harry, however he currently was unavailable. Nobody flinched, everyone's eyes were on Niall and I. It seemed like time had been frozen, allowing only me to react. And in those frozen moments I made a clear dicession.

I knelt down and grabbed Niall's arms, throwing them towards my back.. Hoisting the body up and over my shoulders, I staggered myself to the door. Blood smeared all over me from the unconscious boodies head. Still, even at the sight of my struggle, not even the air moved to help me. Everything was so stuffy with disapproval and confusion.

Dragging myself out of that chambered room, I shuffled my way down the hall towards Niall's room. I knew I couldn't call an ambulance, as much as I wanted, but I kind of promised I wouldn't tell anyone about this place.

Thank god I had health class in like sixth grade. I completely destroyed Niall's room, searching for a first aid kit. Much to my luck, I came up empty handed. And I can clearly state I wasn't thinking at all for the next few minutes.

I didn't even hesitate to burst through the shared bathroom and rummage through Harry's room. If he had keys to every room in the building he must have some sort of first aid kit. It took me no less than two minutes to find what I was looking for, in his neatly labelled room.

All of a sudden a door slammed from behind me. Standing in its way was the one and only convict. His dark eyes beating with rage. He didn't intimidate me anymore, no, he lost that when he ran out. So with a disgusted look in my eye I turned and walked towards the bathroom door, first aid kit in hand.

Behind the comfort of Niall's walls, I started unpacking all the tools I would need. I didn't even flinch when I heard glass and metal getting thrown around in the other room. Whatever was going on there was not any of business and I was not getting involved in another issue.

I carefully and gentally cleaned all of Niall's swollen and battered injuries to the best of my abilities. Waking him up now was going to be a hassle. Unfortunately my middle school training did not expand to waking up uncscious people. All they taught you to do was tot test if they were breathing and possibly CPR if they were not, and to call 911. However, neither of those were useful in this situation.

For some reason I felt the need to try and wake Niall up and if I couldn't then fuck it, he's gonna sleep until I figure out how to get him to a hospital.

Gathering some materials I placed a cold glass of water, a hot washcloth, and his phone next to him on the bed. I first attempted to wake him up consisted of patting his forehead with a warm washcloth, and ridding circles in his back, along with gingerly calling his name.

After ten minutes of trying that and not response, or signs of consciousness, I switched tactics. This one, he might not like.

A cup of cold water splashed all over his body. Chilling his skin and sticking his bloodied shirt to him. Must to my surprise, Niall blocked his eyes open and attempted to sit up.

"Niall! Wait, stay down for a minute." I moved closer to him.

"What happened?" He choked a little on his own spit.

"You probably don't even want to know."

"I don't mind. I've probably been through worse." The corners of his mouth raised into a little grin.

"What do you remember?"

"Harry lashing out, the glass braking in, a sharp pain and then nothing."

"I don't know exactly what happened because I was cowering with fear. But I know Harry swung, pieces of glass and blood covered his hands. He had been aiming for me when inducted. Either you stopped it or he changed directions cause the next thing I know, you're on the concerete, unconscious. You have hideous gash on the side of your head, lots of bruises and minor carvings from the glass. I tried to clean them out for you and covered them."

"Oh. Thank you."

"Yeah, I don't know what happened. But nobody helped me, they sat there frozen, unsure what to do. I had to lug you in here by myself."

"Thanks for not being a dick like the rest of them. "

"Sure thing. Do you need anything? I could go bring you some food." I offered.

"That would be lovely." He tried to smile. I smiled back and started to leave for the kitchen. "Wait, can I have a hug to make it all better?" Niall tried to duplicate my puppy dog face.

I shook my head and gave him a tight squeeze and kiss of the forehead. "You really need to work on that face." I whispered and back up.Something shattered from Harry's room causing Niall and I to both jump. "I best be going. I'll be back in a few."


The short walk from Niall's room to the cafeteria seemed like forever. The cold ground stung my delicate feet, the stillness mocked my every move, and the silence pounded the inside of my head with abnoxious noises.

When I finally reached the dreaded battlefield, it had been cleared. Blood stains were left unattended in the center of the room. And messy plates were left behind as well as drinks and notes. Fortunitly I was able to gather a balanced breakfast for Niall.

It consisted of: four waffles with butter, seven raspberries, a cup of syrup, orange juice, and three strips of bacon.

He defenitly owes me breakfast and bread someday.

"Paris. Can we talk?" I husky voice stopped me.

I slowly turned around and faced Harry. "I'm sorry, but I need to tend to Niall, cause he's well, incapable to do so right now." I gave him a ashamed look.

"I know, I'm sorry about that. But can we please talk?" Harry pleaded.

"Sorry, but I need to get back to Niall right now. He needs me." I started to walked away.

"God damn it Paris, please just gave me a minute. I'm trying so hard not to loose my temper and it would be much easier if yo would actually cooperate!" Harry angerly shouted.

"Trying not to loose your temper because I refuse to speak to you after you beat your own friend? And this is somehow my fault?"

"God dammit Paris! Please just give me a minute I want to apologize for lashing out!" Harry yelled.

"Alright fine. I'll give you a minute." I set down my platter, crossing my arms, waiting for some sort of an excuse.

"Thank you!" Harry threw his hands up in the air. "Now, I'm sorry for beating Niall. But you shouldn't be late, I have rules for a god damn reason and you have no excuse for braking them-" Harry started off somewhat calm.

"Hold on, are you implying that beating your best friends is okay?"

"Well he was late-"

"Are you serious? We were late because Niall got hardly any sleep because you were busy making the bed rock!"

"I was not 'making the bed rock'!" Harry shouted in my face, green eyes turning a deep grey.

"Oh please, even I know that you're the biggest perve around here!" I sassed back.

Harry slammed a chain into the wall and banged his fists into the table. "Don't, call me that. You don't know shit about me." He snapped with his jaw clenched.

"I know that even your friends call you that! Sorry for falling for another one of your guys lies." I threw my arms up and walked away.

"Hold on." Harry gripped my wrist again, holding me back. "They actually said that?" His voice was now quiet.

"Yes, and everybody knows it." I yanked my wrist back and headed back towards Niall's room.
"Really?" Harry's trembling voice stopped me again.

"Yes, but that's their words, not mine." I really needed to get back to Niall.

"Please, just— do you believe what they said?" Harry muttered from his spot facing he wall.

"I haven't been given a reason not to." I shook my head back and forth and left the room.
But before completely leaving, I stole a glance back at Harry. His head was hanging even lower than before. He was gentally kicking around the chair he had knocked over and he looked to be breathing rapidly.

I gave him another look before heading back towards Niall's room. Before I entered, I noticed Harry's door was wide open. Inside each organized bin had been thrown around, losing its contentents. His glass bowl filled with coins had been shattered and spilled everywhere. And his blankets and pillows where thrown around.

I closed my eyes and sighed, before I quickly ran inside Niall's small room and set the tray down. He was sleeping peacefully when I entered do I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before skipping out into the hallway.

Tiptoeing down the hallway I stopped just before the cafeteria door. I had planned to apologize for assuming something I heard. I shouldn't have been so stupid and believe what I heard, but at the time, the words seemed true.

As I peeked my head through the doorframe, everything was just how I left it, except Harry. Where before he stood, hovering over flipped chairs, he was now crouched on his knees, his body shaking violently.

Notes

Updated! Hope you like it!

You excited for all the holidays? Got/ Getting anything good?

- E