//past//

❝ L O U I S ❞

it was officially the crappiest day for louis as niall was on sick leave, gigi had to go to her nan's 'cause she's sick and taylor left for christmas early, too early. she said this time all her cousins are going to be in new york. and boy, did louis regret coming to school. the lad was currently dreading going to the cafeteria for lunch without his friends. now if you think friend-wise, there was harry, but the boy never talked to him at school. however, he was hungry, he didn't even had his breakfast. so fuck it. hopefully, he'll survive.

with slow steps, he sauntered towards the cafeteria, as always it was bustling with people, filled with loud chatters and laughs. louis took his lunch tray and sat on his usual seat. nervously glancing around, he started nibbling on his food.

"louis." the familiar voice of zayn startled him.

"zayn?"

"hi, lad! gigi said you are alone today. asked me to give you company," louis' eyes went wide, but he felt relief wash over him. his friends were so nice. "t-thank you,"

"don't fret." zayn sat down with a dismal hand wave and both of them ate in silence. louis wanted to converse but he was too scared to say something to zayn. "not much of a talker?"

how ironic. wasn't zayn the one; not much of a talker?

"you know if you keep quiet 'cause of them then don't." zayn continued, pointing at the group of his friends who were chattering too loudly. "they are a bunch of assholes. you just intrigue them, 'cause you are so smart, louis." louis gaped at zayn. the other boy just smiled timidly. "don't be surprised, man! i'm trying to make you comfortable. gigi asked me to be less 'hostile'." the raven haired rolled his eyes at the last part.

"y-you are, uh... it's okay, zayn. thank you. it means a lot" louis gave him a sincere nod.

"are you tutoring, harry?" louis was caught off guard with the question. harry had told him not to tell anyone. but maybe harry told zayn 'cause he's his best friend. "aye, don't be surprised. he told me and his little friends when we were getting high." okay that does make some sense. "that's why he is finally passing his classes."

louis muffled a laugh. "why, thank you."

and that's how the lunch went by. the two talked throughout the lunch time. louis was happy that he wasn't alone anymore. there was someone willing to talk to him. zayn was really nice and they actually shared quite a few interests.

"will meet you outside after school's over,"

louis gave him a thumbs up. "thank you, zayn. it means a lot."

"eh, just go!" zayn scoffed jokingly and turned to leave for his class.

-

after the school was over, louis walked out and found zayn leaning against a wall outside the school, with a cigarette between his lips. oh, man, now he'll crave for one. a little wave of nervousness washed over him when he saw harry conversing furiously with zayn. shyly, he walked to them, holding the straps of his backpack tightly. "zayn?" he called, standing a little away from them. he hated how small his voice sounded.

zayn looked up and waved his hand. as he made his way to him, harry followed him with a small frown, not looking at him once.

louis was still a little amused with zayn interacting so much with anyone. when he came, he swung an arm around his shoulder. the raven haired boy smelled like cigarettes and some expensive cologne.

"huh my car's there." harry muttered with a bit of attitude and stormed off leaving louis to wonder why he was in such a bad mood.

"cool, we're waiting here."

"we are going with h-him?" louis asked, looking at harry's walking figure.

"yeah."

louis didn't feel like going with harry. outside his house, he didn't feel safe or comfortable around the boy. he didn't bully him, but he acted distant and the same cold boy from before.

"i- um... actually i have to go to niall's. he's sick."

zayn frowned a little. "is it because of harry? the boy seemed very much okay with the thought of you riding with us, y'know?"

louis was taken aback with the statement. maybe harry was comfortable around zayn. it was too late to back off now, the curly haired boy was already pulling his car in front of them. it was also rude, it might tarnish their friendship, if there's any.

"you coming, right?" zayn asked while opening the passenger door. "huh?"

"y-yes," very awkwardly, louis slipped in the backseat. throughout the ride he looked at his shoes. harry and zayn talked, but didn't acknowledge his presence much.

turns out, zayn's house was their first stop. louis started panicking a little. but why? harry is nice when they are alone. harry looked back and raised an eyebrow. "am i your driver, richie rich?" louis apologized and scrambled out of the backseat. this was going to be nerve-wrecking.

❝ H A R R Y ❞

all through the ride to louis' place, the boy kept quiet, looking outside with a frown etching his lips and that bugged harry a lot. why was louis not talking to him? they were out of the school and alone. the silence was very awkward and harry absolutely hated it. what did he do to make louis angry? the boy didn't talk to him at all. not that he cares, it was just that might lose his dare and all his hard work will go in vain. his thoughts.

finally, when they reached the tomlinson's, louis quickly thanked harry and turned to get out, only for harry to lock the doors.

"harry?"

"what did i do? why are you angry? why are you acting so distant?" harry asked in a demanding tone. and something about that tone scared louis. taking a shaky breath, louis leaned away from harry and that action didn't go unnoticed by harry. "answer me when i ask you a question."

"please unlock the door." louis whimpered. "i'll answer once you un-unlock them. please just- this uh.. this makes me very anxious." and next thing he heard was the door unlocking and louis sighed softly in relief. now if harry tries to attack him, he can quickly prance out.

"now, answer."

"you were- were already angry when- um... i saw you and zayn had some argument and um- um i didn't want to provoke you. i was scared of.. you." louis whispered sadly, nervously playing with the hem of his jumper.

that hurt. it's like louis still didn't trust him and harry didn't like it. "you'll hurt yourself." he stated monotonously, turning his head to look away from louis.

"huh?"

"you were biting your lip too harshly." harry muttered softly. "i was angry about something zayn said about my friends, wasn't cross with you."

as realization dawned, louis quickly released his lower lip from between his teeth and blushed in embarrassment. his anxiety always got the best out of him. of course, harry wasn't angry with him. it's not like he had given him a reason to offend him. louis hated how much he overthinks sometimes and this might scare off harry. he—

"you are doing it again, lou!" harry exclaimed loudly, taking louis' hand in his and that appeared to scare the bejesus out of louis and the boy jumped back and hit his head against the window. "fuck, louis!"

"i- i... ugh!" louis groaned and snatched his hand off harry's grip and hissed in pain. okay, that hurt again. harry scowled softly, but let it slide.

"are you- well, you are not. do you feel dizzy?" harry asked dumbly, awkwardly patting louis' knee.

"no, i'm fine." louis mumbled in a small voice, subtlety, shrugging harry's hand off him. "i think i- i'll leave. i'm sorry, harry. didn't mean to hurt you. bye." and with that louis got out of the car and walked inside.

with a dejected look on his face, harry pulled his car on the road again. he didn't like the dull ache coursing through his chest, feeling very bleak. furiously, he slammed his fist on the wheel growled "what the fuck is happening?!" how dare louis push him off when he was just trying to be nice? yes, he has hurt harry's ego and yes, he should be sorry and he'll be very sorry very soon. "damn you, louis tomlinson. i hate you." but did he really?

-

❝ It hurts me every time I see you
Realize how much I need you. ❞
— Gnash

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27/03/2021

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💙 : piss off

💚 : wanker!

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not the best chapter, but please forgive me :')

excuse my mistakes. i hope you liked the chapter x