They Don't Know About Us (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 1

I scowled at myself in the mirror. First day of school and it seems like there's not a damn thing in my closet that looks good on me as I was getting ready. I rolled my eyes and instantly took the hem of the blouse I was wearing, slid it off and threw it on my bed as I walked past, back over to my closet once again. Eventually, I had found what I thought could be perfect for my comeback during my senior year. Last year was horrid. My life didn't exactly go as planned. Halfway through the year, my depression hit me like a brick. I started becoming antisocial, and distanced myself from my friends, family and the rest of the human race, to be honest. I dropped out of the sports that I loved being in and everyone thought I was going crazy. I started focusing mostly on my studies, and that's it, which definitely makes this year ten times better, especially because I know a lot of what I'm talking about now. This year was going to be different. I was going to be myself again without forgetting everything that I learned the year prior, I was going to make sure of it.

I applied the amount of eyeliner and mascara that I thought to be just right for my first day. Just the way I used to do my make-up. I feel a lot more confident about myself this year. Last year, my fashion sense seemed to take the same route as my emotions. I started wearing hoodies and yoga pants all the time; hair in a messy bun. Before I went in the wrong direction, I was one of the best dressed girls in my class. I stared at myself long and hard in my full-size mirror. First at my long blonde hair, which was straighter than usual today, second at my make-up, third at the cropped leather jacket I wore over my white v-neck, then last at my dark blue skinny jeans and studded black ankle boots. I slid on some silver bangles over my wrist and a necklace my brother got me last year when I wasn't doing so well.

My brother is a few years older than me. His name is Oliver. Of course, I call him Olly. He was my savior throughout everything. He knew exactly what to say at all times. Too bad he wasn't here to give me my morning pep talk like he usually was. He's gone back to college in New York for a new semester. I took a deep breath and grabbed my navy blue Aeropostale bag with my notebooks in it and began down the stairs toward the kitchen for breakfast.

My mom greeted me with a sweet smile, which was reassuring. I smiled back and sat down on a stool at the island as she set a glass of orange juice in front of me.

"You look great already, honey." she said obviously proud.

"Honestly, I feel great." I replied.

She smiled widely, "That's good. What would you like for breakfast?"

I thought to myself, "Hm... A bagel will be fine!"

She nodded, and walked to the other counter and fixed me a bagel. I smiled to myself. It was already a good start to my day. My mom always had that effect on me. I remember how much it hurt her to see me change so rapidly, and I felt horrible, but it seemed like nothing could get me out of that state. As I finished my bagel, I threw away the paper plate I had used, and kissed my mom's cheek as a reassuring goodbye.

I grabbed my car keys from the bowl on the stand by our door. It's been a while since I last drove my car. My mom always insisted that Olly drive me place to place to make sure I was okay. I felt like a caged puppy the entire time, although I know it was only out of good intentions. I drove a blue Chevy Cobalt. Once I pulled into the school's parking lot, and found a parking space, I knew it was time to face my fear. To face everyone that I had left so confused and blind. I got out of my car, and looked at everybody hanging around the courtyard. They stared at me. Some confused, others proud. I smiled at them sweetly, hoping to avoid any confrontations. At last, I saw my best friend, Lindsay. She smirked at me as I approached her and our guy friends Jamie and Colton.

"Look who's bringing sexy back!" She cheered at me. Shortly after, the boys joined in with her. I shook my head at their silliness and eventually reached where they were standing.