Hey sorry for not updating in a while. Sunday (08/02) was my bday and I had a nice day. Also school is next week ugHH so I don't think I'll be on as much but we all know that's a lie. Lol ok hope u like this chapter :)
------

It was now Saturday and Louis had absolutely nothing to do. Harry was visiting his grandma and won't be back until Monday at school. Of course, he could text Niall since they were sort of friends. But, he didn't want to.

He did it anyway.

[To: Niall]
Wanna hang out? :/

[From: Niall]
Sure. Not to be rude, but why me?

[To: Niall]
Well, idk if Harry told you, but he's not here. So why not? Just come pick me up.

[From: Niall]
Ok then...

Louis rolled his eyes. He doesn't necessarily like Niall, but he's an alright guy. He's kind of accepted the fact that sometimes Harry wants to hang out with Niall only because, "we talk about things that I will eventually tell you. Just not now." Harry reassures Louis that he loves him and will always be his best friend, but his eyes say much more than that.

That's like Louis' super power; reading people through their eyes. You can hide your feelings really good, but Louis will break through your walls, your barrier, that you've created. And, he knows he does this. Louis does it a lot. Even with Niall, Louis can tell that the blond kid is hiding a boatload of secrets whenever he looks at Louis. He just doesn't call Niall out on it.

Speaking of, a red Honda pulled up into Louis' driveway. Louis stomped his cigarette out, and walked to the passenger side of the car, getting in. He immediately rolled his window down, knowing Niall hates the smell. Yeah, so does Harry.

"Where to?" Niall asked, driving out onto the open road.

"Anywhere but here." Louis replied. The two ended up going to the mall, walking around aimlessly, and talking. Until Louis brought up a certain long, curly headed best friend.

"So, how are you and Harry getting along?" They stepped onto the escalator, going to the top floor of the mall.

"Real well. I didn't think I'd ever find someone who understood me like he does."

"What do you mean?"

"Harry understands that it's hard talking to people sometimes. Your hands get sweaty and start to shake, you feel nervous, like you're going to puke all over the place."

Louis pondered his words for a moment. He didn't know this much about Niall. He wish he would've known earlier, so that way he didn't judge him so quickly. Louis won't say this has changed his whole observation on the blond guy, he's already somewhat grown a liking towards him.

The thing is, if you're nice to Harry, then Louis is nice to you. However, if you're rude and nasty towards Harry, Louis will just come back harder. You see, it's a pattern; everything ends with Harry. The curly haired boy is a constant in Louis' life. And, he'll always be a constant in Harry's life.

Louis didn't say anything to Niall, both boys knowing it's best not to. They continued walking around until they got hungry, so they went back down to the first floor, taking the elevator this time.

When they got to the food court, they both stood in line at Domino's.

"I'll pay." Louis said. Niall looked at him confusedly.

"What? No, I will."

"Listen here blondie, we're not going to fight over who's paying like that girlfriend and boyfriend bullshit. End of story."

Niall put his hands up in surrender, and pursed his lips. They were next in line and ordered what they wanted. Louis pulled out his wallet, a green lighter falling out. Niall looked down at it, shaking his head. He picked it up, wishing Louis didn't smoke. Or, at least telling Harry that he's doing it.

"I'm not telling Harry I started again." Niall looked up, seeing Louis.

Again? What does he mean again?

"I know what you're thinking, I can see it in your eyes. I'd rather not talk about it. C'mon." The blond nodded, following Louis to an empty table. They ate in silence, it wasn't an awkward one, but you could sense the tension.
After they threw their trash away, Louis had Niall take him home. They bid their goodbyes, and Niall drove off while Louis entered his house.

"Lou?" He heard his mom call from her room. Louis took his shoes off by the door and headed up the stairs. He went into his mom's room, seeing her laid on the bed and watching a movie.

"Hey, mom" Louis sat next to her, taking a handful of popcorn from his mom's bowl. She sent him a playful glare to which he smiled at.

"What's up? You look down." Jay turned the TV down and gave her son her undivided attention.

Louis sighed. He didn't know if he wanted to tell her that he started smoking again or how he hasn't even told Harry about it yet. However, he didn't enjoy lying to his mom.

"Mom, I'm doing it again." Jay silently gasped, putting her hand over her mouth, "And, I haven't told Harry yet. I don't want him to worry about me." Louis looked at Jay, seeing the disappointment in her eyes. But, Jay didn't say anything, she just hugged him.

Mother and son, hugging and basically spending the rest of the day together. And yeah, that sounds lame, but sometimes a mother's love is all you really need. Louis isn't the typical teenager who shuts his mom out and gives her shit. No not at all.

Ever since his dad left with his sisters, he's always been by Jay's side. Louis helped her with chores and errands. She had a good paying job, thankfully, so Louis didn't need to help with bills, or buy food. However, he does sometimes like to treat his mom by taking her out for lunch, or ordering dinner if she didn't feel like cooking.

Later that night, Louis was in bed, thinking. Not about anything in particular. Just about Harry. He misses Harry, even though he's been gone for like, a day. He misses the way Harry hugged him whenever Louis would open the front door. He misses the way Harry would argue that it's rude to just waltz into people's houses when Louis would tell him that he could just walk in anytime. No knocking.

It was then, when Louis realized that he can't go a day without having Harry by his side. Louis almost feels...lost. He can't navigate correctly without his compass, without Harry.

Louis sighed, looking at his alarm clock. 2:48AM. He got out of bed, grabbing a sweater, then going downstairs and out the front door. Louis couldn't exactly go anywhere since he didn't have on shoes, let alone socks.

Instead, he sat in the middle of his driveway. From his pocket, he took out his pack of cigarettes, taking one out, then lit it. Louis inhaled the smoke, making it come out of his nose.

Louis didn't know what he was doing or going to do. Telling Harry he's smoking again is a big deal because he hasn't done it in three years. He wanted his best friend to be proud of him, but he'll only be disappointed.

And, Louis doesn't want that. Anything but having his best friend disappointed in him.

----
Sorry to end it so short, next chapter will be longer. Idk how I feel about this chapter. Its my favorite so far tbh.

QOTC: what's your favorite ice cream flavor?

My favorite is vanilla or cookies n cream.

~tangy