He was doing alright mostly, people were being especially around him in their attempts to keep his mind off it, and though it didn't usually work he was grateful. Even Shaznay wasn't making her usual comments when she was in a class with him.

It had been a week since Lula had left, and they had heard nothing. Not a call, a text, an email, nothing. He didn't say a thing but it was clear to everyone that he was terrified for her on top of missing her as well. He didn't know much about Congo, he never really mentioned it to Lula for fear of upsetting her, but he knew how dangerous it was. He knew there were child soldiers, and that a few members of her family had just disappeared.

For awhile he thought that maybe she had been reunited with her father, but soon the negative thoughts started creeping back in. Last he had heard, her father had stopped writing to them. He could be dead, or in a lot of trouble.

He woke up that morning feeling alright, he laughed at Rhiannon's terrible jokes at breakfast (not noticing the pleased smile on Mrs Budgen's face) and had participated in the first class he had that morning-she was never in that class anyway.

But then he checked his phone at break, and like the past six days, there were no texts, no emails. Just like that his mood plummeted, and he found himself thinking somewhat selfishly, that hopefully she hadn't been reunited with her dad. She would be safer without him, right?

Sitting down at a computer in the library, he opened his school email and started a new one, typing in Lula's email address. His fingers hesitated over the keyboard as he thought of what to write. Tapping his foot impatiently, he jumped when a honeyed voice rang out from the other side of the desk. "Can you stop that, please?" It was Gabriella, and despite her politeness her voice held no sign of kindness. Frowning he stopped tapping, and turned back to the computer. "You're Harley, right?" She asked.

"Yeah." He replied.

"I see. You were friends with that Lula girl, weren't you." Her tone was matter of fact, and she had a slight smile on her face.

Harley gave up writing his email, and clicked the exit button. "What do you mean, 'were'? We're still friends." He said quietly, starting to stand up.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed after your failed campaign she would have dropped you quickly. Plus, why would she bother with her friends here when she's probably caring more about not getting kidnapped? " Gabriella said it in such away that Harley flinched.

"Piss off, you probably don't know anything about Congo." He snapped. Realisticly, he knew it wasn't that likely that she would be kidnapped but Gabriella's words were laced with a sense that she was so sure of herself, and it caused a chill to run through him. Plus her sophisticated accent and poise made it seem like she knew everything, and as if he was a stupid little kid who couldn't help his best friend.

"Oh, I know what's happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo." She said, confirming his thoughts. "Unlike you uncultured people of this school, I try to keep an awareness of the world." Gabriella replied. Harley grabbed his bag, avoiding her piercing gaze. Realising she had upset him, she seemed to reconsider her words, as if she felt slightly sorry for the boy. After all, she had no one, and now neither did he. "Look, I'm sure she's going to be okay, she's a clever girl so she'll be careful and-"

"I said piss off, yeah?" Harley couldn't listen to anymore, pushing his chair away forcefully he stormed out of the library, feeling his mood go from bad to worse.

English passed by extremely slowly. Every time Harley glanced at the clock the hands seemed frozen. Lula should be sitting next to him, furiously scribbling notes. Saying that, Mr Budgen should be lounging with his feet on the desk, a newspaper held indiscreetly in front of him. At that moment, Harley had never felt so alone. Not even the day his nan died, at least he had Pheonix to look after him. Pheonix had left after a day, he had to get back as he had no where to stay and had work in the morning. As soon as the bell rang Harley had disappeared the second Mrs Mulgrew stopped talking.

He found himself slumped on the bench that stood in the garden of the school. There were two more trees since Denzil's, one for Mr Clarkson and one for Mr Budgen. Grantly's hadn't grown much, it had only been over one term since his death. Yet it still was a source of some comfort, along with the peacefulness that came with it.

There was no one around, everyone was in lessons or the library, which was where he was supposed to be yet he felt his free period would be no use. Checking his phone yet again, Harley saw there was nothing new.

Harley still couldn't believe it had taken him so long to tell her. He really had only just realised it not too long before, but he tried to squash his feelings down because they were best friends, and he didn't want to feel that way about his best friend. Her news had hit him in the face, woken him up. She was leaving, and it was his last chance. It took him a while to tell her, he was scared she'd be angry after he told Maggie where she was. He almost didn't do it, but then he thought, what would Pheonix do? He probably would have told her well before. But he wasn't Pheonix, he was Harley. He would do it his own way.

When she told him she loved him as well, it was bitter sweet. His eyes stung with tears but he ached to smile, because she felt the same way. Of course he felt stupid for not telling her before, but he did it. He loved Lula with all her imperfections because she understood him, however different they were. But of course he didn't know what love really was, did he? He was 'just a kid' after all.

The bench sank a little as he felt someone else sitting down, and looking up he saw it was Archie.

"You alright?" He asked, folding his hands and resting his elbows on his knees. Harley nodded, suddenly irked that his quiet had been disturbed.

Archie was nice enough, if not a little outspoken. "I'm fine. Just needed some air,"

"Ah right, Gabriella is a bit..." He paused for a moment, smirking. "well.. bitchy, if that's not too far."

"Oh, you saw that." Harley said quietly, he hadn't realised there was anyone else in the library at the time. Archie shrugged, nodding. "Doesn't matter though, she's just a stuck up cow."

Archie laughed, lounging back. "Heard about Darren then? Turns out he's been taking photos of the girls in the changing rooms. Lenny told me, he said they're well pissed off. Dunno about that really though, the girls in this school were probably waiting for something like this." He said, shaking his head.

"Lula wouldn't." Harley told him stiffly.

"Oh no, I didn't mean- yeah that was a bit far, sorry. Should we get some lunch?" Archie backtracked, his relaxed demeanor becoming uncomfortable. He'd tried steering the conversation away from Lula, but it seemed like Harley was still hurting. His efforts didn't pay off though.

"Nah, not hungry." Harley sighed, standing up. He grabbed his bag and walked off briskly in the direction of the library. Maybe people would leave him alone in there. To his annoyance Archie followed him, but he didn't try starting a conversation. On the way he passed Maggie, who stopped cheerfully as she spotted him.

"You okay, pet?" She asked kindly, noticing how his face was crestfallen.

"I'm fine, alright? Why won't people leave me alone?!" He snapped, pushing past and storming into the library where he dropped his bag and stood there, breathing heavily. One week, with nothing. That was seven days, and the possibility of something going wrong for each day. She wasn't safe, and she probably wasn't happy either. It wasn't fair, she had every right to stay in the UK! Everyone in the school agreed, couldn't the stupid immigration see that? They protested, they did as much they could!

But maybe it was his fault. He threw the paint can, and it could have hurt Mrs Spark. But he'd been so angry, she just wouldn't shut up with her views, she just wouldn't give it a rest, and he just couldn't stop himself-

He just couldn't take it anymore, and he just wanted to sit down and cry. One week. One week too long. He knocked the pile of text books off of the desk, feeling slightly better as he heard the sound of them crash to the floor. It didn't change anything though. The silence that followed made him uncomfortable, like an itch, and no one was around. Breathing heavily Harley stood there, and slowly tears started running down his face and he felt stupid because all he could do was stand there and cry whilst Lula was out there somewhere in a dangerous country.

He couldn't stand the silence anymore, and suddenly he was pushing the books off of the shelves throwing them, kicking anything in his sight, anything to release the pain, he saw red. He was so upset that he couldn't see Mrs Mcfall rush in, or the crowd of people outside the library who dispersed quickly in her presence.

"Put that down, right now!" Her voice shocked him, and he stopped still, holding a monitor in his hands. He watched Mrs Mcfall approach him, her face a picture of shock as she took in the messy surroundings. He didn't care about the stupid books.

"It's not fair, Miss!" He wept, subconsciously putting the monitor back on the table. "We've not heard anything! It's been a week and she hasn't emailed, called, nothing,"

Mrs Mcfall looked distressed to see Harley in such a state. "I know, but that's not a reason to take your frustrations out on the library!" She scolded, and raised her eyes from the chaos on the floor to meet red eyes and wet cheeks. "Oh Harley." She sighed. "We have to be patient, we will hear from Lula again!" She soothed. Bullshit! She doesn't know what's gonna happen! Harley thought angrily, kicking a pile of books out of the way. Flinching, Mrs Mcfall tried again. "When Lula is ready! For now, we wait!"

Harley only considered this for a second as he tried to calm himself, but it wasn't working. "Wait?! So we do nothing?" Another wave of sobs came over him. "This school sucks. Mrs Budgen, she did something! She got suspended! It's just not fair!"

"Will you just please calm down, Harley." Mrs Mcfall said softly, but to no avail. He grabbed his bag, pushing over more books as he stormed out of the library, ignoring all the looks from other students. For now, he just wanted to find somewhere quiet so he could calm down by himself.

A/N: I think I'll do a few one shots or something because I just love these characters. Thank you for reviewing and please let me know what you think! or any suggestions or whatever.