The high school library.

A safe space from any person who's popular, which meant Luke was there as often as possible.

It was always deserted, no one with social standing would be caught dead there, which was why it was a haven for Luke. He was able to have a short break from the mockery, and he didn't have to worry too much about watching his back.

"Luke, do you know where my grade book is?" History teacher Mr Peralta asked the student.

The two were in the library during Luke's free hour. He often spent time with the young teacher. Jake Peralta had been friends with Luke's older brothers before the two men had moved away after college. Jake came back to his home town to teach at the school there, where he'd met Luke the first day of class and instantly took a liking to the small boy. They'd met before, but it was a while ago in passing and neither had remembered the other. But a small, almost friendship had developed between the two, which had been one of Luke's two saving graces in this school.

The other was the school librarian, Mr Styles. Unlike Mr Peralta, Mr Styles knew what went on in school with Luke.

The blonde haired boy hadn't wanted to tell his brothers friend about the bullying he was subjected to, because he was afraid the teacher would tell them. Even though they both lived about 8 hours away from home, Luke knew that if they'd heard about the issues he was facing, they'd be right back there to beat some highschoolers up. Luke knew that would only make things worse for him. Having his brothers come back and tattle for him? Despite their good intentions, it would not work out.

So Luke just pretended like everything was fine.

Harry Styles was just more perceptive than Jake was. Or maybe it was because he found Luke huddled in the corner of the library one day in tears, bruises up and down his arms and torn clothing that revealed small cuts on the boys pale skin. After that day, he'd taken a closer look at what happened around him, and it wasn't difficult to see once you knew what you were looking for.

Mr Styles became the person Luke would go to when he needed to talk to someone, and the library was the place he went to when he needed an escape. If the bullies were out for blood, he would run to the library and park himself in front of Harry's desk, talking to the tall, curly haired brunette while helping put books back.

But even with the two teachers, Luke still wished he had a friend. Sure, it was nice to have someone to go to during the day if he needed help, but it wasn't like he could text them after school or hang out at the movies with them over the weekend.

"It's right here, Mr Peralta," Luke giggled slightly, sliding the green covered spiral bound notebook across the table to the teacher. It had been right in plain sight, but somehow he had missed it.

"Thanks," Jake grinned sheepishly, knowing he was likely to loose things if he wasn't careful. He shuffled some of the papers that were thrown across the table into a pile and set them aside. "Would you grab a book about the French Revolution for me?" he asked, not looking up from his work. Luke knew the teacher was planning lessons now and nodded.

"Okay," he thought it was strange that he wanted one on the French Revolution since they were learning about American Rev in class, but maybe Mr Peralta had surprised him and actually been ahead of his work for once.

Shrugging it off, he went over to the history section, knowing immediately where he would be searching. He had to walk from the table they were sitting at near the center of the library to the back corner and up the third aisle in the history section. Helping Mr Styles put books away after school really came in handy sometimes.

He grabbed a thick book on the French Rev, now quite knowing what his teacher needed, but he figured this one would be good enough and retreated back to their corner of the room. Luke fixed his wine colored skirt, fluffing it around his legs as he sat down. He handed the book to his teacher who grabbed it with his left hand, placing it to the side while he underlined something in his notes.

"Thanks, Luke."

"No problem," Luke pulled a folder from his backpack, deciding he needed a break from chemistry and was going to work on his English paper for a bit.

The two were silent for a couple minutes, both focused on their work until Luke noticed a small commotion by the front door.

He looked up, glancing over his teachers shoulder at the new arrivals. That was odd, because no one ever came in to the library, let alone halfway through a class, but Luke figured he knew the reason when he saw who it was.

Three sets of eyes met his and smirked as they walked farther into the library. Luke ducked his head, hoping that maybe they wouldn't notice him. Maybe they weren't here to torment him. Maybe they actually were here to work on an assignment.

The second Luke felt something in his hair, he knew that wasn't the case. Carefully, so his teacher wouldn't notice, he reached up and pulled the spitball from his quiff. He tried not to make a face as he brushed it to the floor, continuing to write the outline for his paper.

Luke ignored the rest of the spitballs as best as he could and finished his work. He didn't even look up because if he drew attention to the boys standing near the bookshelf behind his teacher, Mr Peralta would notice them.

"What, Robspierre? That's not..." Jake grumbled, flipping the book over and looking at the title. "Lucas, why do I have a book on the French Revolution? We're not that far in the curriculum."

"That's what you asked me for, sir." Luke smiled.

"It is?" Jake groaned, sliding a hand over his face. "Darn. Would you mind terribly getting me the book on America?" Mr Peralta looked up hopefully at him.

Luke gulped. If he did, that would mean he'd be unprotected. The odds of something bad happening increased dramatically once he was away from the teacher.

"Y-yeah. I'll be right back." Luke knew he couldn't say no, because then he'd have to explain why he couldn't go. And that seemed worse than getting his ass beat.

Luke took the offending book, biting his lip as he walked the same journey from his table to the book shelves in the back corner of the library. He knew the boys were following him, it was only a matter of time before he would meet them in the dark corner.

Why weren't there more lights over here?

He walked into the history section and looked down the aisles, seeing someone walking in the same direction as him, watching as he continued down the path until Luke stopped at the shelf he needed.

"Hey, Twink, whatcha doin?" A tall, brown haired hazel eyed boy stalked over to Luke, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his ripped, black jeans, and his signature, ever present smirk etched onto his lips.

Luke didn't answer him, choosing instead to find the book he needed. Maybe if he was quick enough, they would leave him alone.

He restocked the French book, then shuffled away from the brown haired jock. Unfortunately, before he could get too far, another boy closed him in on the other side.

"Hey, Fairy, my boy Ash was talking to you," Calum, the dark haired boy with brown eyes snapped, crossing his arms and standing in the middle of the aisle so Luke wouldn't be able to pass by him.

Luke frowned, they liked to call him nicknames like that because of the way he looked. He was rather petite, short, and feminine looking, and the fact that he liked soft fabrics and wearing skirts didn't help that he was a target for bullies.

Luke figured if he was going to be teased, he might as well be teased for wearing things he liked.

"S-sorry," He stuttered, trying to find a way to escape. There was another boy, Michael, with light purple standing behind Ashton, ensuring that Luke really was trapped. "C-can I get through?"

"Oh, yeah, you have to find a new book, don't you?" Ashton cooed in a baby voice. Luke nodded hesitantly. "That was you can go give it to your daddy, yeah?" He inched closer to Luke, hoping to intimidate the younger boy. Judging by the way his stocking clad knees buckled, Ashton would guess he was successful. "Where's daddy now, huh? He gonna come protect his little baby twink?"

"H-he's just a teacher, w-we don't..."

"Why not? You're gay, yeah? You're hot for teacher?"

"N-no," Luke whispered, hating the fact that his nose twitched as he tried not to cry. This was the extent he was able to stick up for himself. He hated arguing, hated going against other people. It just wasn't in his nature to push back or quarrel with others. Luke was submissive, quiet, and generally calm. He preferred to go with the flow and deal with the aftermath. He was a little pebble, tossed by the rushing stream; he would never be the big boulder that forced the water to go around him—that was Ashton.

Ashton was the star soccer player of their school. As a freshman, he was accepted to the Varsity team without question, he just had a natural talent for the sport. That gave him instant status in the school. He'd been popular before that, but high school was really where he gained his status.

Girl after girl threw themselves at his feet, literally worshipping the ground he walked on. All the girls wanted to date him and all the guys wanted to be him. He came from a rich family, kept good grades, played a sport. There was nothing he didn't have.

"Aw, is the little baby gonna cry," Ashton taunted, pushing Luke's shoulder. Luke huffed when he was knocked back into one of the shelves. Luke, Calum, and Michael, who had been standing in the shadows, stepped closer, closing Luke in. He had no way to escape, no where to go.

"Hah, little twink can't defend himself," Calum jeered, poking Luke's shoulder. Luke whimpered, trying to shrink in on himself. He knew that wouldn't work, but making a smaller target for them usually helped protect him from too much pain.

Ashton brought his fist down into Luke's soft stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him to his knees as he struggled to take a breath.

"Bet he's used to being like that on his knees," Calum muttered, causing the other two to laugh. Luke just lowered his gaze, looking at Ashton's black boots, hoping this would end soon.

"Is that right, little slut? Like to be on your knees for your daddy?"

Luke didn't answer. He never did.

"I'm talking to you, whore." Ashton growled, fisting Luke's hair and forcing his gaze up to the angry boy. Luke winced at the harsh tugging on his scalp. "Look at you, you disgust me," Ashton let go, pushing him to the floor. "Let's go boys," he announced to his friends as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period.

Michael followed Ashton, stepping over Luke's body on the floor. Calum didn't miss the chance to shove his foot into Luke's ribs before walking away.

Luke waited until he was certain the bullies had left before gingerly sitting up and taking stock of his injuries.

His side hurt, as did his stomach but he couldn't check those for bruises yet, he'd need a mirror and to not be in a public place so he could lift up his shirt. His head was a bit sore from Ashton's rough grip, but he would be okay. At least this time he didn't need to take a trip to the nurse. He would be okay.

Luke stood up, reaching for the middle shelf to help pull himself to his feet so he could continue looking for the book Mr Peralta needed. He had to get back to their table so he could pack up his stuff and get to his last class.

He scanned the row, cursing the fact that he had to bend down to get the book from the bottom shelf. He held his ribs with his arm as he leaned over, taking a sharp breath at the pain it caused.

"Luke, what are you doing?"

"Just g-grabbing the book," he said, looking up quickly at the teacher.

"Why did it take so long?" Mr Peralta asked from the end of the aisle where he was standing, waiting for his student. "Class is over, you need to get your stuff."

"I know," he found the book he was searching for and handed it over, minding his injuries. He had to get real close to the teacher so he didn't have to stretch his arm out and pull on his sore muscles. "It was mis-shelved, I had to really search," Luke gave him a half smile as Mr Peralta put his hand on his students shoulder and lead him back to their workspace.

"You're a good kid, Luke. I really appreciate all your help."

Luke felt his cheeks heat up at the kind words he rarely heard from anyone other than his parents. And they had to be nice to him, but this felt genuine and natural and it almost made him forget what had happened.

"You're welcome sir, I'm happy to do it."

Luke reached down to grab his bag and quickly shoved his papers in the folder, sliding it into his bag and slipping it over his shoulder.

He had one more class for the day, and then he could leave this hell.

He only hoped he could make it that long.

***

Poor Lukey. No one understands ☹️

Hope that was okay, I swear it won't be like this for the entire book. Also sorry it took a couple days to publish another chapter, I was hoping to publish this faster, but I've been playing guitar in my spare time instead of writing...I'm gonna try and do better though! 

What 5sos song should I try to figure out next? And would anyone like to hear it when I figure it out? The options are: 

Woke up In Japan

Waste the Night

No Shame

18

Hope you're liking the book so far, if you wanna vote or comment that would mean the world to me! Love you all, 

~ashtonfortherwin