#hbh

“I’m a lonely sack of shit is what I’m trying to get across” you huff as you look up, chatting with your mates in the common room, complaining about single life as you watch Amerie pash her painfully gorgeous new boyfriend from the boys school

Hartley is temporarily sharing different facilities with the school while Hartley high gets fully rebuilt after the fire, it was nice having the new crowd, annoying watching everyone suddenly fall in love with random boys

“We’re at an all boys school right now, surely you can heal your loneliness and woes in some way” Darren comments with his eyebrows raised as Quinni nods in agreement, Ant and Harper sat near each other while Ant nods dumbly with them, you were trying to get a response from Ant, but you always fail to remember his brain works at a snails pace“I have my eye on someone” you say with another pitiful huff

“From the boys school?” Ant looks up at you cluelessly and you just nod stiffly, okay, you wanted him to say something, maybe not quite that outright with it, while Darren shares a look with Quinni “We haven’t really been here long enough- you always take a while to gain feelings for people-“ Quinni says matter of factly, you couldn’t blame Quinni for being honest, that’s how she was programmed, but it was really starting to feel like 'let’s not catch hints' day

“Well maybe I do like someone from Hartley yeah-“ you start and Ant says a dumb little “why’d you lie?” You suck a breath in “sorry” you say passively and Ant cuts you off “and who do you like” he whispers "like" in a way that’d make people think the word was banned in your group

People often described Ant as an idiot, and to be fair, he did no favours for himself, but it wasn’t like you do any favours for your own smarts considering you were the one hopelessly in love with him

“She doesn’t have to tell anyone” Harper speaks up simply, speaking frankly as usual from her, and Ant looks ever so slightly lost at the fact you wouldn't tell the group, and Harper adds “And knowing you you’ll tell Spider what she says” she comments as a little jab without it being an insult of his character

Ant gives a little huff “I’m trustable! Darren would tell Cash” He says like that makes him sound any better and Quinni shrugs “people actually like Cash” Darren nudges her with an amused and hushed “Bruuutal”

Ant just flops back in the seat hes in and admits defeat while you all discuss your singleness, random things where Darren jokes about the creepy year 13 that probably is technically a year 17 by now surely wanting you, Quinni crinkling her nose in disgust at the idea, Harper snickering at you all as you talk about it

He tends to end up talking to you separately about whatever because you two had been walking home together since you both started at Hartley at this point, he had his own opportunity to talk about this and you couldn't lie at this point, you kinda hoped he'd bring it up

And, seemingly enough he decided to read your mind the second you two were out of the school, he turns to you "You know that isn't true" he says and you pause "what isn't?" And he shakes his head "that I'd tell Spider who you liked if you told me" he says with a little shrug, you hummed a little, with a barely noticeable huff of relief, you knew he wouldn't but you liked that he made sure you knew that

"Sooooo" He says expectantly and you just laugh "You wish!" You giggle at his insistence as he intentionally stumbles over to bump shoulders with you "Just tell me- I won't tell Spider, I won't tell any of the boys trust me!" He says and sticks his pinky out at you, you just giggle "hey put that thing away!" You laugh and Ant just laughs a little, teasingly grabbing your hand and interlocking pinkies with you

Suddenly it's quiet all around you "Pinky promise!" The childishness breaks you out of the silent moment after about the minute of a real intimate feeling, you just shake your head at him with a little snort, you're getting to your house now so as you walk to your house and stand by the gate