‘They stumble that run fast’

Harry’s POV

Bernie offered her hand to Laila and took her away from me before I could even react. Laila shyly glimpsed at me as she passed my side on their way to the classroom. I intended to look into her eyes to see if she was angry with me for what just happened or what did not happen, but they moved so fast I couldn’t tell. I followed them down in silence and watched them sit on their usual place. Resolute, I headed there and sat next to Laila, discreetly leaving a spot between the two of us. I grabbed my notebook and a biro from my messenger bag between my feet and glanced up at her. She was taking some notes. I held my gaze at her in the hope she’d look towards me, but I received no response. She was concentrate on the teacher standing in front of us. All of a sudden she slightly blinked her eyes and her lower lip trembled almost imperceptibly, and with those signs I realised she was aware of me and struggling not to glance. She was crossed at me and I simply hated the feeling.

Why couldn’t I control myself when I was near Laila? I was just trying to creep up on her earlier, but everything seems to get out of hands when she is involved. The scent of her air was far intoxicating. And how she shuddered under my contact was way too appealing… I just could not resist her. I needed to carry on, go further. I’m not able to stop even if I try to. I already told myself not to be too audacious but it is quite obvious I don’t listen to myself when I’m around her. I rushed in and finally scared her. Nice one, Harry.

I tried to listen to the lecture and take some notes myself but my attention was irrevocably elsewhere. Although she ignored me the entire time I could only glimpse at her every now and then, and scribble on my notebook. I wrote down a few lines which I might use in some future lyrics. When the three hours lecture finally ended, Bernie whispered something to Laila’s ear and they both stood up. Then Bernie spoke to me in a casual tone.

“Do you want to come to the cafe with us, Harry?” She asked.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to decline your offer,” I answered not quite sure of what I was doing. There was a tense silence. Laila frowned her eyebrows a bit in some sort of confusion. “I need to find this book at the Library,” I explained myself.

“Oh, it’s fine. See you later, then,” Bernie blurt and taking Laila by the arm they ran away.

I sighed and remained there standing for a brief moment. Then I threw my notebook back inside my bag and slowly made my way to the Library. I wandered around the same corridors than the previous morning as if I was performing a ritual. All I wanted was to get back to that instant, be able to spend some time alone with Laila, talk about literature, explain myself to her, but with Bernie around it seemed almost impossible.

As I sat down on the reading table my thoughts roamed back to the memories of the latest incident. Were truly necessary those things I told Bernie? That kiss was more than evident for the three of us, and for some reasons it didn’t seem right to try to divert the attention away from it. I did not want to look unaware or even ashamed of it. But do I crossed a limit there? Was that the reason Laila was mad at me or was it the kiss I almost gave her? I know she fancies me. I can’t even explain it but I’m certain from the very moment we met. But she can be so distant sometimes. Her strong urge to be cautious towards me is so frustrating. It almost seems she senses I’m quite a player and would not want to emotionally expose herself to me.

After a while I closed up the book and I returned to the classroom. There was no sight of Laila and her inopportune friend. I checked my watch and sat down at the same place than before. Soon after I saw Laila appear behind the door and walk on my direction. I jumped on my chair as she was smiling at me.

“Did you find the book you were looking for?” She said quietly.

“Yes, I did, actually…” I answered straightening up and leaning towards her.

“Great!” She exclaimed. Maybe she wasn’t that crossed anymore. I sighed in relief.

Later on I received a text from Louis asking me if I was still in college. I told him I had two more hours to go and then I was heading home. I had some essay to work on. Perhaps I could even try to explain myself to Laila in order to clarify our situation. Did I know exactly what I wanted to say to her? No, I didn’t, but I just needed some time with her.

When the lecture was over, Bernie, Laila, and I altogether exited the classroom and made our way through the hall. Despite the fact that we were talking to each other with apparent normality, I could tell it was still a bit awkward between Laila and I. We definitely needed to talk but she didn’t seem very eager to do so. I thought the best thing I could do was to let her set the pace. But I just wanted to kiss her so badly.

As we passed through the main entrance and we were about to part ways, I suddenly recognised four figures standing on the street. What were they doing there? They nodded their heads as if they were four puppets and smiled when they saw the three of us. Laila and Bernie stopped abruptly and stood still whilst they approached us.

“Hey, Harry, we were nearby and, you know what? We came to look for you!–––Louis said smirking and tapped my elbow. Aren’t we the thoughtful of friends?” No, they were the most intrusive and inconvenient of friends. I rolled my eyes at him. “But, mate, don’t be rude and introduce us to your lovely college friends,” he claimed cheekily and took a step closer. “Oh, well, I’ll do it myself–––he told before I could say a single word. I’m Louis Tomlinson–––he said shaking Laila’s hand. These are Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan. Be good, boys, and say ‘hello’ to the ladies.”

“Nice to meet you. As Louis said, I’m Liam,” he nodded from some distance. Always the same respectful Mister Payne. I didn’t quite like the look he gave to Laila. She discreetly smiled him back and I liked it even less.

“Nice to make your acquaintance seems more appropriate under the circumstances…” Zayn joked as he shook their hands.

“Shut up, snotty. I’m Niall. How are you?” He asked and gave a small hug to both of them. Neither Laila nor Bernie reacted, still surprised.

“I’m Laila, and this is Bernie–––she mumbled; nice to meet you, gentlemen. We…”

“What a pleasure to meet you, Laila–––Louis interrupted. And you too, Bernie.” He affectedly grinned. I was raffling off a punch and he has bought all the tickets. “We are going to grab some lunch. Would you like to join us?”

“Thank you but as much as we’d love to spend time with you we need to head home–––Laila excused herself. We have plenty of reading to do before our seminar tomorrow,” she said and Bernie gave her the weirdest look. Louis laughed, amused.

“Speak for yourself,” she said. The boys slightly jumped on their place. I could tell they were excited about the idea. She is definitely their type: Extrovert, carefree, and fit. “I’m coming with you.” They nodded smiling at her.

“But, Bernie…” Laila muttered making eyes on her.

“Is that because I haven’t finished reading ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’?” She asked her, displeased.

“Oh, and that’s some sort of a sin between you, Literature students?” Louis joked. Everybody laughed and the situation seemed to normalise, except for me, still uncomfortable with their presence.

“Not to me, but apparently so to Miss Franzen…” Bernie said. Her name, right then and there, gave me a sudden lump on my throat and Laila’s face transmuted her expression from delighted to worried. I had not think about Miss Franzen since I told Louis about her. Something about the entire story made me feel extremely guilty. Bernie sighed. “Laila is right. Sorry, boys. I can’t go.”

“That Miss Franzen sounds evil…” Louis said grimacing at me. Well, that was enough.

“Just let them go, Louis,” I snapped. Laila looked into my eyes with some shade of despair. I tried to look serene but I’m not sure I succeeded.

“Why don’t you come to our flat on saturday? We’re having a bit of a party…” Zayn said and the awkward moment seemed to pass. Everyone was smiling again and the boys patted each others backs.

“Oh, that would be great!–––Bernie exclaimed. Let me give you my number so you can give me your address–––she winked at Zayn. We are in a hurry.”

“Well, ladies, we have your word on that. So there is no turning back,” Louis said.

We bid our farewell and Laila and Bernie walked away holding by the elbow. As I watched Laila go, I couldn’t yet shake off the bad feeling Louis’s mention of Miss Franzen gave to me. That whole conspiracy was his idea. He can be so insufferable.

“So, that was Laila–––Louis said to me. I think I’m in love…” He joked looking at Liam. I stepped closer to him and threateningly gazed into his eyes.

“First of all: What the fuck are you four fools doing here? Do you think you can just show up at my University and make a scene with Laila and her friend?” I grumbled. I was so mad at him.

“We were too curious about her after what you told us yesterday,” Niall tried to explain even though I was speaking directly to the plot’s mastermind, the ‘Tommo’ himself.

“Yeah, and we were bored to death. So, don’t be like that, dude,” Zayn spoke.

“Second of all–––I pointed at Louis’ nose. You stay away from her and you too,” I said turning to Liam. He glanced at me acting all confused but I knew him too well, playing naïve the entire time.

“Is Miss Franzen around?–––Louis carried on, trying my patience. I thought you preferred her. She sounded more of your type. Isn’t Laila too ‘soft’ for you?” He certainly didn’t know his limits.

“Louis, shut the fuck up if you don’t want your arse kicked–––I claimed. You know nothing about Laila so you keep it quiet.” He just held my gaze. And about Miss Franzen, don’t you have the ability to distinguish reality from fantasy? Those are two absolutely different dimensions!” I tried to explain to him.

“Let’s go looking for her!” He snapped, stepping towards the main entrance.

“Are you mad, Louis? I’m not joking. She is my teacher. She grades me…” I said frankly annoyed.

“You must be fun at parties,” he replied with irony.

“Come on, let’s go before something else happens–––I said trying to calm things down. And speaking of parties, what party is it anyway, Zayn?” I turned to his direction and then was when I saw her getting out from the building. I felt my heart race. I tried hard to remain indifferent but the lads perceived my nervousness.

“Is that Miss Franzen?” Louis and Niall asked in unison, staggered.

“Don’t be so obvious, lads–––Liam told them discreetly as she passed us by. Don’t get Harry into trouble.”

“Mister Styles,” she harshly spoke to me. The four of them noisily gulped.

“Miss Franzen,” I nodded staring at the ground. When she was at some prudent distance, Louis jumped to grab me by the arm.

“I saw sparks everywhere, Harry!–––he blurted. Come on, just leave innocent Laila to us and you go after that magnificent woman.”

“Knock it off, Louis!–––I snapped, knackered. I can’t even speak to you anymore. I’m going home. You go get lost.”

–.–.–

Notes

The boys are on board! Naughty Louis, Respectful Mister Payne, Snotty Zayn and Hug-a-lot Niall. I can't wait for that party...

I adore Louis so much I dreamt about him last night.

Check out my other Fan Fiction here:

Dreaming Of You

So thankful with everyone <3