Here comes the sun - Larry

CHAPTER 7

Harry sure knows how to kill the mood. He made me stop on the way so he could pluck more flowers, but now we're standing in front of his mother's gravestone.

"It's only been six months," he explains. "And I just... I feel lost without her."

I take a step closer to him, just enough so that our arms are touching. "I had a feeling you had lost her."

"How?"

"I pay attention."

"I pluck the flowers myself because it feels more personal. I know it's silly, but... I don't know."

"It's not silly."

"No?"

"No," I say, taking a breath. "I want to show you something."

He doesn't say anything but follows me as I lead us in the other direction. I'm not sure what this means for us, that we're sharing something so utterly devastating with each other, but I think we trust each other despite never having done so before.

I stop by my mom's gravestone, taking a moment to breathe. "It's almost been two years for me. And I don't blame you for feeling lost, because I do, too. My mom was... she was my favourite person."

Losing my mom was the tragedy of my life. I don't think there's any poetic way to explain it, because in the end, it just fucking hurt. It hurt so much that I nearly lost my mind. I was in so much pain, trying to comfort my sisters while falling apart myself.

He puts a hand on my shoulder. "I had no idea."

"No, I know," I say, tearing up. "I believe you'd have been nicer to me if you had. I mean, it should've been a given anyway, but... you know."

"Louis—"

"It's fine," I reassure him. "I'm fine."

He reaches out to wipe my tears away, a gesture that's as surprising as when he ran a hand through my hair, but at the same time, it's strangely comforting. "Maybe we can skip the library next time."

"Meaning what?"

"I don't mind if we go home instead." 

I smile, then take a breath. "I have sisters, so I suggest we go to your place instead. If that's okay?"

"How many?"

"Four."

He raises an eyebrow. "Busy parents you have."

"Had," I correct, making him wince. "But gross."

He smiles softly. "My house is okay."

"Are you sure? Because I know you said—"

"I didn't like you when I said that. I'm still not... fond of you or whatever, but you can come to my house."

I smirk. "I'm glad."

"Do you mind driving me home?"

"No, not at all."

I drop him off in one of the more expensive neighbourhoods—not that I had expected anything else with the father he has. He almost looks ashamed, though. It does seem a bit excessive to have a house this big for only two people, but I don't mention it. I'm the only kid at home who doesn't have to share a room, so we could definitely use a place like this, but Harry isn't in charge of where he lives, so why should he be shamed for it?

***

I'm leaning against the lockers the next morning. Niall is telling us a story, something about what he dreamt during the night, but I'm too distracted to listen. I'm watching Liam watch Zayn. I still don't know where they stand, if Liam has talked to him or taken things further, but I'm curious.