Don't know yet

Chapter 31

"Please, do enlighten me." Louis is properly mad now but it's not like he doesn't have a reason to be so...

Laura and Zayn look at each other with a look that Louis can't quite read before they nod at each other and then at everyone else in the room.

"Just sit back down, we'll explain everything." Liam says as he pushes Louis back onto the couch.

"So you're telling me that he's doing all of this because of his dad?" Louis' been listening to his friends talk about Harry for way too long for his liking. The worst part is they actually made him feel bad for him for a split second before he remembered that his situation was only bad because of Harry and all pity washed away quickly.

"He doesn't want to go against his dad for some reason. He doesn't want to tell me but he says it is important." Niall spoke trying to defend his best friend.

"I don't care what the reason is, he hurts me so he won't get hurt. How is that ok? How are you all not mad at him for doing this to me?"

"It's killing him to do it, believe me." Niall replied.

"Well good. He can die for all I care." Louis gets up and walks to the corridor.

"Where are you going?" Laura asks, following him with her eyes.

"Home. I'm not going to sit here and watch you all make excuses for that twat." He keeps walking towards the door, his nerves high.

Louis just doesn't get it. Have they all forgotten what he's done to him?! Harry is a heartless prick and yet they all defend him.

Louis may or may not be crying when he gets into his car. He takes one last look towards Liam's house before turning the key and driving off.

When he gets to his house there's someone sitting on his porch though Louis can't quite make up who it is. He walks out of his car and towards the person. As soon as he sees the person he frowns.

"What do you want, Harry?" Harry looks up and when their eyes meet he stands up quickly.

"You didn't go to the party." His voice sounds small and unsure.

"I'm aware." Harry nods as he swallows.

"I-I just wanted to say congratulations. You were great today."

"Well, you've said it now so..."

"Louis, please." Harry takes a step forward and Louis jumps back. "I'm not here to hurt you, I promise."

"What makes you think that your promises mean anything? You've hurt me enough for me to be careful with reason."

"If you just let me explain."

"I already know what you're going to say." Louis interrupts him. "That your dad is abusive, that he makes you go to the sports club with him and makes you be friends with those guys. You're gonna tell me that if you didn't hit me they would've hit you. You're gonna tell me that your dad made you break up with me. And you know what? I cannot think of one reason why you would listen to him to the point of hurting other people."

"Louis, please..."

"No, I don't want to hear it . You could've told me. You could've said what was happening and I would've helped you. If your dad hits you, I would've helped you, Harry, but instead you decided to break up with me. Instead you decided to beat me up with your friends and treat me like shit. If you think I'm going to forgive you just because you were doing it so they wouldn't punch you, I'm not because you were only safe at my expense."

"My mom was sick ok?" Harry shouts.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"My dad said if I didn't do what he said he wouldn't pay for her treatments. He said that she didn't deserve to be sick and have a son like me. I couldn't just let her die." Harry starts sobbing and even though Louis feels bad for him he fights himself to keep up his façade. "I Know what I did was messed up, believe me I know. But I couldn't sit back and do nothing."

"I get it, but you could've told me."

"I couldn't, if my father found out I was talking to you again he would've let her die. I couldn't risk it."

"Well then you should leave, can't risk it can you?"

"She died last night." Harry looks down and for the first time in all the conversation Louis feels sorry for saying those things to him. "That's why I was off in the game. That's why I threw the party, I was trying to forget about it. That's why I'm here now. I already lost her, I don't want to lose you too."

"You're not gonna lose me, Harry." Harry looks at him with hopeful eyes . "Because you can't lose what you don't have." He can see Harry's face break but he keeps going.If no one's gonna be on his side, he'll just fight for himself. "I'm sorry about your mother, I really am. But it doesn't change anything."

"Please, Louis." Harry takes another step forward and Louis once again backs away.

"Just go, please." Harry sighs but does as he's told. Louis stands on his porch as he watches Harry walk away.

***

"Louis! Wake up!" Lottie shouts from the other side of Louis' door.

"I am up. It's ten already, why would I be asleep?" He says as he opens the door.

"I dunno, you're lazy." She shrugs.

"Not today." He ruffles her hair as he walks out of his room.

Today is the final and they're playing in two hours so, clearly, Louis is already awake and ready to play. Today he has to bring his A game if he wants to be seen by the admitions people. They usually only go to the final and only contemplate the team's captain but maybe (hopefully) if Louis plays well enough they'll notice him too. It's a long shot but it's all he's got.