Harry sighs, he had reached town and he didn't know where to go. So he sits on a bench and he leans forward putting his hands into his hair. God Louis was so irritating. From the insults he was given and the fact he thinks he can take whatever he want just because of the fact he owns nothing in the house.

He slowly feels wet droplets fall from the sky, he peeks out to look at the bench being sprinkled with them. He sighs and just feels the water getting more and more heavier as the rain progresses. He wanted to find shelter but he had no idea where he could even go. He couldn't go home because he would of been attacked by his stepfather, and if he went into a house of someone he knew he felt like he would be too attacked by questions on why he isn't around anymore.

Suddenly a shadow goes over him and the rain stops hitting him. He takes a second before looking up. He sees a man, probably around his age staring down at him with his umbrella over the two. His eyes chocolate brown and his hair in a messy quiff. "Why are you sitting in the rain?" The man asks with a deep voice. Harry takes a moment before he sighs.

"It's complicated..." Harry said looking forward

"How complicated can something be? Come on my uncle's store is just around the corner and we can talk over cocoa."

Harry sighed and took his offer walking side by side with the man as they walked to the bakery. "So you're the nephew Greg talks highly about?"

"Yes I am, treats me just like a son when my parents were killed in the earthquake a few years ago."

Harry nodded. "My dad was killed in the earthquake too, then my mom died from cancer just a year ago."

The man frowned. "I'm sorry about that. So, I'm Liam by the way, and let me guess you're Harry?"

"What? How do you know?"

"My uncle talks about a boy who always puts a smile on everyone's face." Liam spoke, making Harry blush. "And you know, I think it's true though. I think you've got a great smile, even though I've not seen it yet."

Harry didn't understand that he was being so nice to him after only knowing them in such a short time. He watched as Liam made the cocoa and hand him the cup with a few cookies before he sat down next to him.

"So what brings you into town?" Harry asked, knowing Liam went to school a few towns over and it wasn't close to break.

"I decided to take the semester off to help out my uncle, with his old age he needs someone to carry the heavy sacks into the bakery as long with helping out with other things around the shop."

Harry can't help to feel a sense of guilt wash through him. He would of been able to help but he's kept busy enough at home. "I used to help your uncle...but after my mother's death I had to do more at home..." He speaks with a sigh and rests his hand on his head.

Liam looks to him as he sips his hot cocoa. "Yeah he would talk about how much you were willing to help." He says with a kind smile and it goes silent for a second before Liam clears his throat. "You going to tell me why you were out in the rain?" He asked

Harry looks to him and he sighs. "My stepbrother is a little frustrating..." He speaks running a hand through his messy and lengthy long hair. Liam rises an eyebrow and watches him for a second.

"Frustrating enough to make you sit out in the rain..." He states. Harry frowns for a bit before he nods with a shrug. His gaze goes elsewhere hoping he didn't have to bring much more of the topic. Liam sighs slightly and wants to know more about the boy. "So...you going to this ball the prince is hosting?" He speaks.

Harry shrugs and looks to Liam. "I might...I mean I have a suit but I don't really have everything else..." He speaks as he swirls his hot cocoa slightly.

"Let me help you, everyone is going to be at the ball! It's supposed to be a masquerade so even if your family sees you there they won't know it's you."

"How can I? My stepbrother has ordered me to paint his room tomorrow."

Liam rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, so you can't ruin his chances on getting the prince to notice him?"

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't read the whole flyer did you?" Harry shook his head letting Liam continue with what he was saying. "Apparently the Prince is looking for a husband or wife. His uncle has to step down because he's becoming really ill and he doesn't want to leave the country without a second ruler to his nephew."

"That would explain why my step-brother got all weird when he took the flyer from my hand."

"I mean I would too if I wasn't already taken."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at that, making Liam laugh along with him. "I bet whoever you're with is very lucky to have you."

Liam blushed. "Thank you. I'm sure that whoever you end up with will be lucky to have you as well."

The stayed there for a couple hours, Harry's stomach interrupting their silence and he finally got a look at the time. "I really don't want to go home and make dinner."

"Then don't go home, go back in the morning and do whatever until I come get you to go to the ball."

Harry stares at him for a while and he smiles. For once in a long time Harry feels he had truly made a friend. "Can you help me get some stuff for it? Like a mask and stuff..." He asked. Liam smiles at him and reaches over and puts his hand on his shoulder

"I would be honored..." He said. Harry smirks before the two get up and put the hot cocoa away and they got to work. "I made this mask on my own..." Liam smirks before he looks to Harry. "I can make you one just as good if you want." He said with a quirk of his eyebrows.

Harry smirks a little before he nods. "Alright Liam...show me what you got."

Liam smiled and he went into the back to grab his box of fabrics, rhinestones, jewels, and buttons. "It's something I do in my free time, it keeps me sane." He took out the mask that was so intricate and so well put together, it was beautiful.

"This looks so cool and the beading, you must prick yourself on the needles often."

Liam just shrugged. "It's still something I love to do so it doesn't really bother me anymore."

"So, what were you thinking of how mine should look?"

"I was thinking of maybe like just to do a white one that only covers your eyes. There will be simple embroidery on it with silver beading and rhinestones. It shouldn't take me too long, like a few hours."

"Are you sure you want to do this for me?"

Liam nodded. "Of course, consider me like your fairy godfather."

Harry looks to him and he smiles at how grateful he is to have him help. It doesn't take too long for Liam to smile at his creation, and for Harry to smile along with him. He picks it up and looks to Harry. "Here try it on..." He says as he holds it out for him.

Harry gently takes it and he places the mask onto his face and lets the elastic fall into place at the back of his head. He takes a second before looking to Liam. Liam smiles widely and claps excitedly. "It's perfect Harry! It makes you look so mysterious and cool." He states

Harry blushes before he picks up the mirror and looks at himself. Liam was right, it was perfect, it suited his face well and his eyes matched the whole design of it. "Thank you so much Liam..." He says with a wide grin.

Liam let out a loud yawn and looked at the time. "Why don't I take you back to mine, uncle made some dinner and you can stay the night. Pretty sure Greg will appreciate you coming over."

Harry nodded. "That sounds like a great idea."

"Great, then let me lock up the store, grab the leftover bread and then we can get going." Liam got up and put their empty cups into the sink and then did everything he needed before he locked up the store. "My car is out back, it's too wet to walk home."

Harry followed Liam quietly and slipped into the driver's seat as they drove the short distance to the home. As soon as they walked inside they were met with an aroma of homemade sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. "Smells like homemade pizza." Harry's stomach growled at the smell making Liam chuckle.

"Uncle loves to make homemade pizza." Liam kicked off his shoes, Harry following in suit as they walked to the kitchen to find Greg rolling out dough.

"Harry my boy, how are you?" Greg asked after he hugged his nephew and ruffled his hair.

"I've been better, thanks for asking."

Liam just gave his uncle a look as to tell him to talk to him later about what was going on. Liam grabbed them all some beers and they sat down at the dining table as they ate and talked about random things that were on each others minds.

And for the first time in forever, Harry was genuinely happy.