Always and Forever

~ 17 ~

Hi! This chapter is written by me, bittersweetlou. This is quite possibly the shortest chapter I've ever written, and I apologize. It literally took me like 4 days just to write this as I'm kind of working my way through more writers block. Anywayyyy enjoy xx

"Will you come this time? Please?" Zayn asked, doodling in his notebook as class was about to start.

"Zayn, I've told you so many times. I'm not really a party person.. and you know how people can be," Harry replied. It was a new school year, and Harry was feeling more self conscious than ever. He'd started chemo and radiation treatments over the summer, and now, being back and looking worse than before, he just didn't want to be around people as much as possible.

"I know but we're juniors now, people have mellowed out. It could be really fun." He insisted, genuinely just wanting Harry to get out of the house a bit.

"I'll think about it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What am I doing?" Harry muttered to himself as he pulled on some black skinny jeans. He would've rather been laying in bed and watching movies, but here he was getting ready to go to a party.

A fucking party.

The only parties he'd ever been to were Louis' when they were younger, and to say he was nervous was an understatement. He felt like he had to go though, it seemed like a right of passage almost. He was 17, he needed to experience a real party.

By the time Zayn picked him up he was just a ball of anxiety. He barely said a word throughout the entire drive.

Once they were at the party, Harry was regretting things even more. People were everywhere and it was just too much for him.

He pushed his way through the crowds and hoards of people until he finally reached the back door. It was pretty chilly out, so no one was in the yard and Harry decided that was his best chance at getting some peace. So, despite the low temperature, he went outside and sat on the back porch, just looking at the stars. Sure, he'd rather be at home but this was a significant upgrade from the crowded, stuffy party going on inside.

His peaceful silence didn't last long however, as soon he heard the back door open. He turned his head to see a very drunk Louis and he could've sworn his heart stopped beating for a moment.

"Harry," Louis slurred coming over and plopping himself right down next to him.

"Hi." Harry replied quietly, staring straight ahead, not knowing if he could look at him without breaking down. They hadn't spoken in so long.

"So.. cancer huh?" Louis said, sighing heavily.

"Yep." Harry replied, his voice stiff. He couldn't help but wonder if Louis would be talking to him right now if he was sober.

Probably not.

"That's rough... are you like... gonna be okay and stuff?"

"I dunno. Probably." Harry said flatly, "but it's not guaranteed."

"Oh..." Louis was quiet for a while, "I've missed you, you know"

"Sure doesn't seem like it" Harry responded, having a hard time believing that after the last several years.

"I have." Louis insisted, "I've made all these friends, and done all sorts of things... it's been fun and all, but none of it even comes close to the feeling I have when I'm with you."

"Louis stop-"

"Not even Eleanor, my own girlfriend makes me feel the way you do Harry."

"You're drunk Louis." Harry said, trying not to just let Louis in like this, but butterflies in his tummy were making that a really hard task.

"I know." Louis replied, scooting himself closer to Harry. "But that doesn't mean these feelings aren't real."

Harry was at a loss for words as Louis put his hand on his chin, turning his head to face him. 

And when Louis leaned in for a kiss, Harry didn't stop him.

By the time the party was over and there were only a few stragglers left, Zayn came outside looking for Harry.

He was definitely surprised when he found Harry to be asleep, but what surprised him more was that he was asleep in none other than Louis Tomlinson's arms.