Once in a Lifetime

Thirty-Five.

Niall and Liam had wandered back to the car to phone their families, but Louis decided there was someone he wanted to see before he left for good. Harry went with him, walking through the corridors until they were standing opposite a wooden door. They weren't sure if he was even going to be there, but Louis was adamant he wanted to at least try. He knocked on the door, stepping back slightly as he waited. When the door opened to reveal his professor of three years, he was met with a puzzled smile.

"Ah, Tomlinson, Styles, I wasn't expecting to see you today, would you like to come in?" Louis nodded, saying hello as they followed him into his office, sitting down on the chairs each side of the desk. "What can I help you both with today?"

"Well, obviously we've just got our results and I kind of wanted to thank you, really. For three years you supported everyone and helped us get our degrees, but this last year you've been so kind to me. You never pushed me or threatened to kick me off the course, you allowed me extra time and extensions and never punished me for not listening during lectures. Through all the physical assignments you took my, um, eating habits into account and never made me work any harder than by body would allow. You always offered me support and guidance, reminding me that I wasn't a failure, and that there were ways I could turn it around. You really helped me, Sir, and that's something I could never thank you enough for. Because of you, I have a degree that I'm proud of, and a grade that my family will be pleased with." Louis could feel Harry smiling slightly beside him whilst he talked, eventually taking a deep breath at the end of his little monologue.

"Louis, you're a good kid, and what kind of teacher would I be if I allowed you to throw away your potential? I'm so happy that you've turned your life around and accepted the help out there, and I'm especially pleased to see how much you've grown this year. To begin with, I had no idea Harry was giving you his notes, but after a while I noticed he'd always leave a pile underneath your seat, so I pulled him to the front one day and asked him what was happening. Would you like to tell the rest of the story, Styles?" Harry nodded, blushing slightly.

"Um, well, you asked me if Louis was okay, and I told you that he was struggling but I wanted to help. I hated seeing you upset, Lou, and I knew that you had always got good grades in the past, so I wasn't willing to let you lose all your hard work. I persuaded Professor Edwards to let me continue giving you my notes because I cared about you and wanted to see you happy. That was before I knew what actually happened with Zayn, but as soon as I knew everything it made me more determined to make sure that you got the help you needed. I was never just going to stand by and watch you fall apart."

"I can see how much you two have helped each other, and it's been lovely to see your relationship blossom. You've both always been good students, always working hard and completing everything I've thrown your way, but you never interacted during class. I don't know when that changed, or why, but watching the two of you pass notes when Louis wouldn't talk to you, steal glances at each other as I talked, and arrive and leave together, really showed me the power of having people around you who really cared. I don't know anything about your relationship, and to be honest I don't want to, but just know that I'm very happy you've both got each other. And, on that note, its lovely to see that when you're with Louis, you're not as nervous and you don't fill your sentences with ums too much. You've both helped each-other, and it's been a pleasure to watch." Louis and Harry both smiled, thanking their professor for his kind words and for everything he had done. "Before you go and I never see you again, Louis, I'd like to tell you a story if that's okay?"

"Of course, we've got nowhere to be."

"When I was in high school, at just fifteen years old, my friend Jason was tragically killed in a car accident, and much like you, I didn't know how to handle all of the emotions I was feeling. Back in my day, mental health wasn't openly talked about, so I didn't have the support of my family or friends when I began to struggle and crumble under the weight of my grief. I will always remember my maths teacher, Mr Davis, keeping me back one day and telling me that I needed to grow up. According to him, I should have been hiding my sadness, and acting like the man society needed me to be. Of course, being so young and naïve, I listened to him. I pushed my feelings aside and refused to grieve for Jason for many years. Unfortunately, that came back to bite me many years later when I had a depressive breakdown and tried to take my own life. By brushing everything under the carpet, it eventually became so full that I tripped and couldn't get back up. At this point I had already become a qualified teacher, and I had friends and a support system that allowed me to deal with everything properly and come out the other side much stronger. This is why, Louis, I wanted to make sure you knew you always had someone to turn to if you needed it. I promised myself that if any of my students ever felt that they were struggling in any way, I would never turn them away. I would give them whatever they needed to face their situations and come out the other side, just like I did." Louis and Harry were stunned. They couldn't believe that their professor, who always started the lesson with a smile, had struggled so much in life. "You never know what someone is truly feeling unless you take the time to listen to them, and if that is the only thing you take away from our three years together, I believe you'll go very far in life." After they'd digested the information and the conversation had come to its natural end, they both shook hands with Professor Edwards and left the building, joining the happy faces of Niall and Liam.