Hello everyone! Here is the second chapter of my Horrid Henry fic! Sorry for not posting it earlier, please enjoy 💕
✨BROKEN HEARTS BOULEVARD✨
School time is finally over. The students are gathering their stuff and put everything they won't need in their lockers.
-Phew! The weather got warm pretty early this year. Henry says sweeping the sweat from his forehead. He turns to look at Ralph who seems not to be paying much attention. He is oddly quiet today, especially for someone who loves pulling pranks and telling jokes. Are you alright, man? You keep zoning out. He asks a bit hesitantly.
-Ah yeah. I was just thinking about something. Ralph replies without looking at his childhood friend. He pretends to be organizing his locker but he is really absent-minded. After a while he finally closes the locker and grabs his bag. Are you still having the house for your own this weekend? He decides to ask as they are making their way outside.
-Yes. My parents and that annoying little brat will be staying at my aunt's place. Henry answers feeling relieved he is going to have some time for himself.
-Is Dee going to join us as well? Ralph's question makes Henry to stop short. The three of them usually spend a lot of time together, although she mostly hangs out with the latter since her house is just across the street. They first met five years ago when her family moved in England for working matters. He didn't seem to like her at the beginning. She was very quiet and rarely talked. When she would sit on the porch and Henry was outside playing, she would wave at him but never really say much more than a "hello" or a "good morning". Her behavior annoyed him, mostly because he wanted to get to know her better. One day while she was reading outside, like every Saturday morning, he grabbed some of his favorite comics and crossed the street. He approached her a bit hesitantly and placed them next to her.
-This is what you should be reading instead. It's more fun. He said proudly. He was sure she was gonna throw them away or call them boring like Margaret did.
-Thank you so much. Are you going to read with me? Her question got him off guard. She smiled politely at him changing his opinion about girls. For the first time he was feeling anxious, not because he was grounded or sent in detention, but because a girl was talking to him.
-Sure! He sat next to her as she put her book on the side in order to read what Henry gave her. The boy took a quick glance at the book. "The fox and the red dance" was written on the cover. Dee noticed him staring.
-It's a book of poems. I really like poetry. She admitted handing Henry the book. Unlike her, he didn't like poetry, not even a little. He thought it was only about stupid stuff like love and nothing more. While the young girl was trying to figure out which comic to read first, Henry examined the book. While turning the pages a poem caught his attention.
warm amoeba from fragrant chamomile,
I'll write on paper again, poems in ink. "
Henry read under his breath. He had no idea what it meant but since Dee liked it, it probably had to do with stuff girls like. Girls like her.
-Ah, this is one of my favorite poems. I haven't figured out its meaning yet but the words are so beautiful! She said softly. The very first poem Henry read was because of her. The very first poem Henry read was her favorite. The very first poem Henry read was for everyone to read but for a few to understand.
-Are you coming or not? Ralph's voice brings him back to reality. The brunette boy has his eyebrow raised at him waiting for an answer.
-Y-Yeah sorry, I thought someone called me. Henry replies stuttering a bit. Finally he makes it home, he waves at Ralph before closing the door behind him as quietly as possible.
-Welcome home Henry! A pitched voice says making him sigh.
-What do you want worm? He asks bitterly. All he hopes for is his brother to "magically" disappear one day and never hear his irritating, "angelic" voice ever again.
-Henry you should talk more politely to Peter. You are not twelve anymore! His mother slightly growls furrowing her eyebrows at the young man.
-Yeah, yeah I know. Sorry or whatever worm. Henry says with a shrug before taking off he shoes and heading upstairs. He just can't take this kind of behavior from his parents anymore. Peter with his excellent manners and the high grades. Always the top student in his class. Peter who always has a smile on his face, the one who never raises his voice even when he argues. Henry grits his teeth and throws a punch at the wall, loud enough to be almost heard downstairs.
He takes a deep breath and sits on his bed. His mother is right, he is not a child. He is growing up and every year that passes she just stops caring. All that's in her eyes when she looks at him is disappointment. He looks down at his hands, the one he punched the wall with is bleeding, pretty bad. He opens his bedroom window to check if his father is outside gardening as usual and then, as quiet as a mouse, climbs down. He tip toes to the other side of the street and knocks on the door while taking a quick glance behind him to make sure no one saw him.
-Oh, hello Henry. Dee says after opening the door. She then notices the blood stains on his shirt as well as his bleeding hand. Oh my God, what happened to you?! She exclaims worryingly stepping on the side for the boy to come inside. She quickly closes the door behind her and leads Henry upstairs where the bathroom is.
-Don't worry, really, it's not important. It doesn't even hurt. He says jokingly but Dee gives him a glare.
-What did you do? She asks as she tries to find the first aid kit.
-Rock n' roll. He replies sticking his tongue out at her annoying her even more. She makes Henry to sit at the edge of the bathtub. She sits next to him and starts cleaning the blood from his hand. She prays it does not need stitches.
-Damn it Henry, why do you have to be so reckless at times? She murmurs, mostly to herself.
-I don't know. Can I ask you something as well? The girl nods waiting for his question.
-Are you in love with my best friend?
-----------------------------
The poem apparently plays an important role in this story!
What do you think is the purpose of Henry's question?
See you next weekend for the next chapter! 💖
