Hey guys! Sorry for the MIA, I was on holiday for three weeks visiting my grandparents, and when I came back it was straight into work for me.

I hope you like this one!

THIS IS UNEDITED.

Chapter Twenty-Eight — He's not here for you

"Difficult feelings get in the way. Difficult feelings, when for someone else, can. Not. Stay." — bvsw

"I don't know why you're making such a big deal out of it," he shrugged.

"Because it is!" I shrieked, "You are not driving me to school! Melody will have a field day and I'd rather that not happen on the first day back, H!"

Harry rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his coffee, "Squirt, someone is taking you, it's not that we necessarily want to it's because someone of legal age has to, and I don't know if you've realised but… you're not."

I groaned wiping a hand over my face, "Do you know how much Melody taunts me about you being my brother?"

This was crap. Absolutely crap. So crap it's ruined my whole day. I love Harry, he's my brother so I clearly, obviously do, but he can be so self centred sometimes it's unreal. You're probably thinking, did I read that right? Yes. Self centred. Thinking of himself. The only reason he wants to be the one to take me is because of the exact reason I don't want him to take me: Melody.

He only wants to take me to school so he can make some massive scene outside so that all the attention gets put on to me, thinking Melody can't taunt me anymore because, in his crazy mind for some damn reason, he thinks it'll make me popular. Bully-less. White.

I'd rather not play that game of chicken to be the loser I already am.

Being my first day back someone did have to drop me, according to school rules, because I took time away for mental health. What they actually mean is they don't want to have the responsibility of me not showing up, just incase something we're, per say, happen; meaning death. Meaning me killing myself.

Harry rolled his eyes again, "Ally, if she says anything I'll just tell her what an asshole she is."

"NO!" I screeched, "Absolutely not. That's the only reason you want to take me anyway!"

He shrugged, "Half true."

"Please, Harry. Call the principle, explain to him you can't make it. Pleeeeeaseeee."

I was begging. Not my best compromising to ever happen, but I was now desperate.

"I'll take you," A voice sounded from the hallway. "No biggie."

"Are you sure?" I smiled softly to Beth, pleading her with my eyes.

She nodded, "'Course."

"Thank you," I grumbled, turning to Harry, "See. Beth to the rescue."

He glared at Beth, hating the fact she stuck up for me. Harry was my best friend, but we bickered a lot growing up, it was only since dad dying he stopped the annoying older brother act, but with me getting better, getting back to myself and becoming the jolly little sister he had before, I can see the old tormenting ways reaping through him. He's always been protective, and I know he loves me, but he likes to get on my last nerve.

"Beth to the rescue," he chuckled, "Better get going squirt. I'll pick you up."

I had already grabbed my bag and Harry's car keys for Beth as he muttered behind me, kissing Beth goodbye. I opened the car and threw myself inside, my belly flipping with nerves. Was I ready to go back? It wasn't going to be any different than before was it? I was still the smartest girl in school, I was still going to be the first person to finish with a GPA of 5.22 - I planned to kick ass.

The only problem was I planned to kick ass in silence, and now it was going to be seen and I hated it.

An hour left. One hour. That's all I had left to make it through an entire school day without Melody, and I was impressed with myself. When I thought about it though, I hadn't even seen her to be able to avoid her, it made me question if she still went to school here or exchanged.

Luck wasn't too much on my side, so settling for being absent for today, I tucked myself into my desk for English AP. At the front, centre like always. Mr Jacobson was one of my favourite teachers, always easy to impress but only ever, and I say this from facts and memory, liked my essays because they spoke realism and truth. Not dry and half hearted explanations.

I drummed my fingers over my text book, resting my chin in my other hand, waiting for Jacobson to waltz in like he usually does, throw me a wink and start teaching. Moments later, he does exactly that, and everything goes smoothly. We discuss Romeo and Juliet, we get an assignment for next week, and I made it through the whole day without being recognised.

I felt like I had achieved something. That was, until I was legging it outside my school doors as soon as the bell rang and cringed when I noticed Archie standing by his car, sunglasses down (do all the boys have a signature stand with glasses that happens to be the same?) with, I kid you damn not, Melody trying to speak to him.

I cringed again, hesitantly walking over, half wanting to run but also half of me having the intention to try free him from the flirting she's probably throwing all over him like she's the sun and he's a plant needing to grow. Only difference was she wasn't the sun, and Archie certainly didn't need any more sunlight to grow, Jade gave him enough of that.

"Als!" Archie called when he noticed me, grinning ear to ear. I shrunk back as Melody turned around, "Ally!"

"Grey?" Melody laughed, "You're here to pick up fatty grey?"

Archie growled, "Fatty?"

Melody shrugged, "She could loose a few pounds."

"Hey, Arch," I said barely above a whisper, "What you doing here?"

"Harry told me to come grab you, take you to Steve's steakhouse, so c'mon slide in," he said, practically ignoring Melody's presence.

"You're rally here to pick up grey?" Melody laughed again, smirking my way, "He's not here to pick you up. No way. Tell him to stop being stupid, fatty, and take me out for dinner."

Archie threw an arm around my shoulders, and as usual I flinched, but shook it off as fast as it came. This was Archie. Plus, I wanted to wipe the smug look of Melody's face; nothing better than leaving her speechless no matter how much my heart was in my throat. Flipped and squished, ready to be thrown up.

"I am, and we are leaving now. Austin's waiting for you," Archie smiled down at me, "In fact, do you want me to take you home first and change? I have a feeling he's gonna… be a bit upset about your outfit."

Melody scoffed before I even had the chance to reply or object, "You are joking, Archie, was it? What's she got to change for? Look at her, even wearing a summer dress she's still ugly."

"Actually, her boyfriend is obsessed with her, and so are all her other friends, which half are boys, so fuck off. You're irritating me." He said swiftly.

I widened my eyes in shock, Archie didn't usually loose his cool, but with his jaw gritted shut and his posture tight, I could tell he was irritated.

"Excuse me?" She huffed, stamping her leg.

"Don't you have a boyfriend to get to?" I asked, it wasn't too loud, but by the hate I could see building in her eyes she heard.

She stuck her hip out and crossed her arms, "We broke up, some girl he used to date or… something. Anyway besides the point. I don't believe you have a boyfriend, and I certainly don't believe you have friends, let alone half are boys."

Archie opened the car door for me, gently pushing me to get inside. I could see he wanted to shield me from Melody, and I knew he could tell I was getting irritated by her, so I complied jumping in the passenger seat.

I did roll down the window though.

"You can leave now," The blue eye boy said agitated, the crinkles by the corner of his eyes stood out and his jaw locked.

She smirked, stepping to the left to send daggers at me, "Don't worry, fatty, I'll catch you out on whatever incest shit you got going on here."

I bit my lip nervously as I watched her walk away, her perfectly shaped ass wobbling as her hips flicked naturally left and right. Her long blonde hair was straight and down her back, as usual, and she wore a very tight, very short, shall I say, black dress with spaghetti straps.

Let's not forget her famous Jimmy Choos.

I sighed sadly. She was perfect, as much as I absolutely hated it, and I couldn't help but think what it'd be like to be her. Perfect family, perfect life, perfect body. She had it all, and she damn well knew it and I was insanely jealous of that — I'd never dare to admit it.

Shame her personality didn't match, though.

Sarcasm. Her personality is probably my favourite thing about her, how she deters boys with brains. The boys who aren't fooled by her stupid perfume that smells like stale flowers burning your nose. The boys who see past the body, noticing the devil flame in her eyes. It never died, never faded. That was the other thing about Melody, as long as that flame was alive, she was the fire that would continue to burn me down with just one look.

We had stopped by the time my brain had slowed the thoughts. I was completely zoned out and realised I wasn't actually alone in the car. All my thinking about Melody and how much I hated her caused me to forget I actually had company I did enjoy, and how grateful I was for how he acted with her. Shutting her down politely — and I never thanked him.

"Hey, Arch?" I said, my hand hovering over the door handle. I wasn't confident enough to look at him through my embarrassment of what she'd said, "Thanks for that."

"Ally, wait, please?" He replied, his voice questioning. It took me a moment to turn to look at him, but I did, and he was sat leaning back in his chair, a soft smile on his face reaching his eyes.

I let go of the door handle and relaxed back myself, sinking into his BM. I didn't realise until now how big it really was and how tiny I must look in the seat. Engulfed by the sides of the sport bucket it was. It was a lovely car, an expensive car that smelt just as expensive as it was. Did all the boys have money?

"Ally?" He asked again.

I shot my eyes up at him this time, "Hm? Oh! Sorry, I, uh, just… sorry. You okay?" I had got distracted.

He chuckled lightly, his eyes glistening as he stared at me. He had caught my eye, and the more he continued to hold it the hotter I was getting. Was the heating on? Was the oxygen in the car being sucked out? Why did it suddenly start to feel intimate? Holy crap.

"I wanted to talk to you," he said gently, "I wanted to just explain something."

I licked my lips, half terrified half nervous, my hands shaking my heart jittering. What hell did he want to explain?

His breathing got deeper, his pupils got bigger. "I just wanted to say that, I—"

"Hey, you made it!" I heard Jade's bubbly voice as she pulled open my door.

I jumped out of my skin, not expecting it, but grinned wide with a grateful she saved me from her boyfriend, yes her boyfriend, from telling me something I definitely knew but didn't want to know. Didn't want to hear.

"Why you hiding out here for? We've ordered the food," she said again, practically pulling my arm. "Come onnnnnn."

Her fiery red hair was curled perfectly as it bounced with her body. I unplugged my belt and got out, smiling sheepishly at Archie who sat like someone had just stole his puppy.

He was definitely going to say something he shouldn't have.

"What did you order me?" I asked her walking to the diner.

She smirked, "Austin had it covered, apparently."

I raised my eyebrow, "He does?"

She nodded, closing the door on her boyfriend who she had left behind. Was I missing something?

"There's my baby girl," His rough voice stood out from the others as he spoke, not a care in the world embarrassing me, but I couldn't help the slight blush that rose to my cheeks and the smile painted on my face.

I made it round to him and watched as his eyes fell on me, completely indulging me with his hazels. I shivered under his gaze but continued to walk to him, noticing how his pupils had dilated and his lips were parted wet.

He was tantalising.

"Hey, baby," he whispered in my ear as he snaked an arm around my hip, kissing the side of my head, "You look beautiful."

Beautiful. My belly flipped. Gotta get used to that.

"T-thank you," I squeezed out as we sat down.

I noticed everyone was here, Trish, Beth, Dez, Jas, Jade, Archie, Austin and Harry. There were candles on the table, and a glass of champers in the middle.

I furrowed my brows, "What's happening?"

"My birthday weekend, baby!" Jade screamed out from her chair.

"It's your birthday?" I panicked. Why had no one mentioned anything?

Trish chuckled from opposite me, "Look at you panicking, it's her birthday Sunday. But apparently, little miss bubbly over there has a birthday meal on the Friday the week her birthday falls on. If only we all did that,"

"Oi, you," Jade narrowed her eyes at Trish jokingly, "Just because you aren't lucky enough to have a boyfriend like mine,"

"Bitch," Trish laughed, "Are you going to open the champers or what?"

They all began to talk between themselves and I felt Austin's hand on my thigh as he lightly squeezed. I turned to smile at him, not noticing how close he actually was, and he stole a small peck as I turned my head.

"How was school?"

A flashback of what happened with Melody burned it way into my head, but I smiled through it and replied with a simple, "Good."

"I missed you," he nuzzled his nose into the side of my neck.

Does he not know we are at a dinner table?

"Austin!" I scolded, pulling away slightly, shuffling my chair.

"Absolutely not," he grumbled, pulling my chair as close to him as possible, causing a loud and very slow squeak of the chair legs on the wooden floor. "Too far."

My cheeks were pink — they're now red.

"Ew, guys, get a room," Jas groaned.

Harry spat out his drink, chocking, "No! No no, nooooo rooms. No, Austin." He pointed.

Austin held his hands up defensively, "Dude, I got you. No rooms."

Harry sighed relief, far too quickly for Austin's next response.

"Yet." He said, smirking knowingly.

I swear he made it his everyday challenge to wind him up.

"So, Ally, how was school?" Dez asked suddenly, I was hoping everyone else had forgot I'd gone to school honestly.

I shrugged, "Alright I s'pose. I got it done."

"No slapping Melody this time?" Trish chuckled, taking a sip of her wine.

The flashback flew to my head in an instant and I furrowed my brows embarrassingly. I chugged down the last of my wine, finishing with a 'Ah' as I swallowed the last of it.

I shook my head, "No."

"I understand why she did though," Archie spoke, relaxing back in his chair, "The bitch is nasty."

"Arch!" Jade scolded.

He rolled his eyes, meaningfully at her. What was seriously happening there?

"Jade, you didn't have to listen to the crap I did when I picked Ally up. She's mean. Really mean."

Everyone's eyes were suddenly on me as I shrunk back, Archie's eyes were full of sorry but I swallowed the lump forming as Austin towered over me.

"What's he on about, baby?" He asked.

I shook my head, "She was just being Melody—"

"Als—" Archie started.

"Please stop," I begged. I noticed Jade's what the fuck face as she stared at him, its her birthday so I get it, why's he so hooked on me telling everyone.

"Squirt," Harry started, everyone was serious now, and I felt more vulnerable against their stairs.

This is what I didn't want, pity. I was always the unfortunate one, the one everyone had to baby. I didn't want to be babied anymore, I wanted to move on with my life.

"It's fine, H. She just said a couple things but I'm used to it, I can ignore it, I dealt with it. Drop it."

It fell silent, all that was heard between our group was the clattering of cutlery around us and the clinking of glasses. My eyes wandered to the stage, I really hoped I wasn't pulled up tonight. I had very little energy, and I felt like my happiness had been drained from today. First day's back were always hard, right? For anyone? I convinced myself they were. Everyone had a bully somewhere, not just me, I wasn't that worthless I was the only one.

Was I?

"Ally?"

"Hm?" I gazed back at Jade, who was smiling sympathetically at me.

"What you going as?" She asked.

I raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

"Oh shit," I heard Austin say from next to me.

"You didn't tell her?" Trish's amused face gleamed at Austin.

"Tell me what?"

"My birthday, duh," Jade said excitedly, her mood changing from the daggers she was sending Archie, "On Sunday, there's a party here, but it's even better this year for my twenty-first," she wiggled her brows.

I waited, "Whyyyyy?"

"Because it's a costume party, bitch!" She screamed excited, "Wanna know the best part?"

Trish squealed in her chair with Jas, whilst Beth and I looked at each other confused.

"Update me?" Beth asked confused.

"We're all going matching!" Trish said wiggling her own brows. "We have the costumes already. Guess what we're going as…"

I sighed, this cannot be good, "Tell me."

"Playboy bunnies!" Jas shouted.

"Hell fucking no!" Austin and Harry both shouted together.