Good Morals [Larry Stylinson]

Ch. Twenty-Six | The Secret's Out

[E:✔️]

"Okay, Niall, spill. Tell me everything. From the start, alright, I won't interrupt, I won't make fun of you, I won't get upset. You know I wouldn't. I feel like rubbish, anyway, couldn't have the energy even if I wanted to," Harry set Niall's cookie dough ice cream (topped with chocolate sprinkles and fudge) in front of him and sat down in the booth across from his. He picked the spoon out of his own ice cream (plain vanilla with sprinkles and strawberry sauce). Niall rested his head in his hands, propped up on the table. He grabbed his spoon and dug into his ice cream, shoving it in his mouth. "Well," he started, swallowing his bite, "Remember the dace they had for the incoming year nines?"

"Mhm," Harry hummed, taking a small bite of his treat. "Well, when the four of us, Li, Zayn, you and I, went together, I hadn't seen any of you yet since my mum dropped me off later than you three. And When I saw Z, I dunno, I thought he looked really handsome, really good in that button-up and slacks. It was simple but he just-" Niall paused, taking in a deep breath, "Something in my heart just, I don't know how to describe it, it felt like everything around me slowed and all I saw was him. I snapped out of it when you guys saw me and ran up to me. Remember him giving me that hug, and you and Li just waved and patted my shoulder? And how he slung his arm around my shoulders? Am I crazy for thinking that that's any sort of sign? Even if it was just back then. I just," he sighs, staring at the frozen treat in front of him. He shovels more down, seeming stressed. "Hey," Harry said quietly, "Slow down, I don't need you choking here. Not on ice cream, at least," he attempted to lighten the mood before getting serious. "Do you want input yet? I know that's not the end of it."

"I know you know, Haz, and I hate it," the blonde pouts, "I'm supposed to be the all-knowing master," he jokes. "But," he draws out, I guess I'll finish telling you. We might be here for a while," he bites his lip, looking to the side. "Fine with me." Niall nods, "Okay," he bites his lip again, watching his friend scoop ice cream into his mouth, "so after that I sort-of had heart-eyes the rest of the night. Especially when they played the slow songs, and he always picked me. It made me feel special. Not that-not that you or Liam don't make me feel good, it's just that it felt...odd, but a good odd. Then," he took a deep breath in before sighing heavily, "over year nine, ten, eleven and now it just, I couldn't," he groaned, "couldn't get him out of my head. Still can't! And it's annoying and I wish it would just go away because I'll never have a chance. He knows we're friends, but only that," he stops to think, "maybe it's for the best I keep it to myself," he meets Harry's gaze, "to make sure the friend group doesn't get ruined," he finished. He closes his eyes, before opening them again and staring at his now-empty cup, melted ice cream pooled at the bottom. "Alright, then, do you want input now, or none at all," the green-eyed lad asked softly. The other took a second before nodding. "Okay, so it sounds like infatuation, but it also sounds like you love him, Ni. Even if you can't be with him that won't change that fact. Love is hard, I know, but I'm here. And you never said anything about the night at the park, or why you and him stayed fallen over until I walked up, what was that about?"

"He just fell on top of me, and it was embarrassing," Niall blushed. Harry hummed and nodded, smirking, "Right, right. Anyway, back to the focus, what I said about Gigi and Zayn, seriously, they are just close. Gigi could possibly like him but Zayn is either oblivious or knows she potentially likes him and is choosing to ignore it. Meaning, he doesn't like her. Further meaning that the glances he gives you when you're not looking and the way he smiles when you laugh could mean something. I'm not promising, but it seems he really likes you. As a close friend if nothing further. I'd just try subtle hints or at least smiling at him more. Being petty over Gigi won't help your case with wanting to know if he likes you. Or whatever you wanna do with the situation."

Niall sits, slumped in his booth and thinks about what Harry said, words trailing through his brain and a few imprinting. Does Zayn really just like Gigi as a close friend? Should Niall try and get closer, or give subtle hints to Zayn? It'd risk their friendship, but then again there's that small chance that that year nine dance meant the same to the dark-haired boy as it did to the blonde. Just maybe.

"Got it," Niall smiled, making the other do the same. "Now, onto your situation with Mr. Loverboy," he wiggles his eyebrows, Harry's eyes widening, "Ew, stop. I'm serious. I messed everything up, Niall, and I don't feel like putting up with that kind of talk. I ruined everything, and being a nice student went out the door. Well, kind of. It's gonna be the same way as it was when he first got here. I'm just nervous and uncomfortable and it's awkward and I want 'ta run away," Harry went on, voice cracking. "Lean in, can't risk anyone hearing this," he whispered pleadingly. Niall obliged and leaned in, a bit nervous, because this was extremely serious, apparently.

"I tried kissing him," Harry jolted back in the booth, looking down and wiping his eyes, "And it's horrid and he yelled at me and probably hates me more than he did when I was being rude and disrespectful. I want to throw up, vomit all over the place because I feel disgusting," he tried holding back tears. He did well, save for the few hot tears that ran down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. He leaned over the table, "I went in after school to thank him for something, and we made eye contact and I don't know what happened, but we just looked at each other, the whole world stopped and I didn't know what was happening until we were so close, I said some things and so did he, and then I went in and so quickly he stood up and told me to get out. I feel awful, I risked his career, what if someone walked in! He'll be the one in jail for my wrongdoing. I just," he hiccupped, "I feel ridiculous, melodramatic even, crying over a stupid mistake like this. Maybe if I wasn't so stupid and inconsiderate and selfish," he rambled off. "Hey, Harry, look at me. Look at me," Niall prodded until his friend did what he was telling him to. "Yeah, you shouldn't have done it, but please for the love of God don't hurt yourself, beat yourself up, don't do anything stupid like that. He doesn't seem fazed. He said he was glad you were back and it was obvious he meant it. Don't doubt yourself, he probably got mad that he let it happen, so really if it's anyone's fault, it's the both of you. I don't think it is anyone's fault, though, Haz, it's okay, people get caught up. Like, consider it, though. He was leaning in, too, and he let it happen. Don't you see that he might be feeling upset over himself? Like maybe he does...like you. Don't get upset, just think, I'll repeat it over and over if I have to convince you he is clearly feeling at least a little something I will."

Harry stayed quiet for a good few minutes, making the blue-eyed friend anxious, picking his nails.

"Whatever, it wouldn't matter anyway."

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