BUTTERFLY EFFECT🦋 (L.S.) [finished]

CHAPTER 17

TW// self-harm

Louis could swear that for every minute that went by, the clock seemed to manage to fit five more in there. This Monday was not being easy, every class more dull than the next. Harry didn't come to their house that morning, he just sent a text.

"Headache. Tell miss Maples. Don't be late."

"You okay?"

No response.

That had Louis worrying all morning. He just wanted the lessons to be over so he could go check on Harry later. He was now walking in the hallway, eyes glued to his phone, waiting for the screen to light up with a text that didn't come.

'Still no answer?'

Zayn asked, Liam wondering too. Both of the lads looking at him concerned. Louis shook his head, looking miserable. He hadn't seen the curly lad since Sunday morning, when he threw him out because his mum was minutes away.

They reached the locker room, not ready to face an hour of whatever game the gym teacher had come up with today, when their faces totally dropped.

On the door there were three pieces of paper with something scribbled in black marker.

NO FAGGOTS BEYOND THIS POINT

IF YOU LIKE BOYS GO CHANGE WITH THE GIRLS

WE'VE SEEN WHAT YOU DO AT PARTIES, WE WANT TO HAVE SAFE SHOWERS!

Louis was ready to murder whoever did that, but the door was locked, only the three of them being left out. Then they realised, the party. It was in the neighbour town, but still there were a couple kids from school. They just didn't think it would be this much of a big deal, maybe just some rumours, everybody was drunk and having fun.

'Does this mean we've been outed to the whole school?' Liam asked, not really expecting an answer, tears starting to fill his eyes. Zayn just hugged him, bitting his lip.

'I'm killing them, I'm fucking killing them!' Louis said, pounding on the door. He was ready to smash down the door when it opened, a confused gym teacher behind it, the boys in the locker room acting like they didn't know anything. But a dark haired boy smirked, blowing his cover, and made Louis go completely mad.

'I KNEW THIS HAD TO BE YOUR DOING YOU FUCKING MORON.'

Before anyone could stop him, Louis was right in front of Charlie, punches coming from everywhere. All his senses were completely turned off, he only reacted to screams and a sea of blood coming from the boy's nose and covering his fist.

'What is going on here?' The Headmistress presence made all the lads in the room, including the teacher who was phisically restraining Zayn, freeze in their spots.

'See f...for y..yourself.' Liam let between sobs, signaling the door.

Her lips turned into a fine line, fury written all over her face, behind the small glasses sitting on the bridge of her small nose.

'Mr. Tomlinson, you are getting Mr. Blackwell to the nurse, and taking the rest of the day off.'

'But...'

'No buts, off you go, quickly or you might have to carry Mr. Blackwell, he is looking rather unwell.'

'The rest of you, detention after last period, no one is going to go home until these awful events get cleared up. Mr. Malik, Mr. Payne, you shall stay to help me, if you want. Mr. Plum, you may let Mr. Malik go, please. Everyone, back to class, now.'

***

Louis was trying to walk his anger off but not succeeding, until he was standing outside of Harry's house, his worry for him kicking back in.

He rang the doorbell, Anne smiling, greeting him, ear glued to her phone. She made some signals for him to enter and muttered upstairs.

He found Harry curled up in a ball under the covers of his big bed, his curls hiding his face.

'Hey baby, how are you feeling?' But he got no response.

Louis took off his shoes and clothes, except for his boxers, getting in bed with him. He had been spooning him for a while, kissing his head softly when the lad finally faced him. Harry's eyes were so red and puffy, blood coming out of his lip, that he was bitting way too hard, his nuckles white, holding his pyjama's sleeves tightly.

'Oh, Haz, baby, what happened?'

Harry just started crying again, this time against Louis' chest. He finally gathered the strenght to articulate some words.

'My d..dad called, said he misses us... bet he m...misses hitting my mum too...The motherfucker should be in prison.'

'He's not?'

'He's just got a restraining order, not enough. What if he comes here?'

'Shhh. He won't, you're safe.' Louis just kept on cuddling Harry, who was barely holding on.

'Everyone I love just breaks my heart.'

'Hey baby, that's not really true, you know that's not true.'

Louis lifted one of Harry's arms to put his hand to his chest, just at his heart, when he saw him groan in pain.

'Are you hurt...?' Louis lifted his sleves only to find too many fresh cuts across Harry's forearm, lifting the other sleeve to find some more.

'Harry...' The boy looked away, ashamed.

'I'll be right back, baby.' Louis went to the bathroom, quickly finding some alcohol and gauze. He fought back his own tears, and went back to the bedroom.

'This is gonna sting a bit, but it heals too, okay?' Harry nodded, he knew, he had repeated that process countless times, but he let Louis take care of him. It felt nice. He was so gentle, he wasn't judging him, he could sense how he almost understood him. Practicing sports that had such a toll on the body, you pushed through the pain like it was nothing, sometimes even looking for it, a way to empty your head.

'That's better...'

'Wait, what happened to your knuckles?'

Louis noticed for the first time how his fist was all red and peeling, from the fight earlier, the pain just sunk it, making him whine a little.

'Nothing important. Now let's sleep for a bit, yeah? Everything will look better afterwards, I promise.'

Harry fell asleep in Louis' chest, his even breaths acting as a lullaby.

________

This was... intense.

Hope you are all okay! Remember that you are loved, and valid, and important.

I love you all! Hope you are all okay.

Love,
Leo x