best kind of bad something » l.s.

part five

Lindsey Faulkner's party was well past started when Louis, Zayn, and Niall showed up. They'd each had a beer from the corner store before walking over. The house was packed and humid, bodies flitting from room to room. The music was turned up high and everyone was shouting over it to talk to one another. This was exactly what Louis had been afraid of, but this was also the only way he was going to be able to see Harry tonight.

Louis led the way for him and his boys upon their entry through the door. He made a beeline for the living room where a crowd of people were dancing while another group was sitting on the couches, having pushed them closer together to talk. When he didn't spot Harry, Louis continued to walk until he got to the hallway that led to the basement as well as the kitchen.

"I know you're looking for Harry, but do you mind if I go downstairs?" Niall asked. "That's usually where the stoners are and I'm hoping for a joint."

"Same," Zayn raised his hand, looking bored in his surroundings.

"Do whatever you want," Louis rolled his eyes, already walking away from them. They had no worry regarding anything in life, while Louis was not only stuck doing community service for several weeks, but his relationship was on the rocks and he needed to fix it pronto. When Louis got to the kitchen, he still couldn't spot Harry, and he was starting to feel down. What if Harry decided to not show up at all?

As Louis went to check outside, Kieran Thomas from school stopped him, offering him to do shots with him and a few other people. Louis almost refused, but decided to go for it. He was tensed up and stressed. Shots could actually help him loosen up. There were three laid out for each of them and on the count of three, everyone lifted them up one by one and downed them, including Louis. By the end, not only did Louis feel lightheaded, but he also felt a lot more relaxed and cheery. He spoke a bit with everyone to catch up and then sauntered out through the backyard doors.

Harry looked up as soon as Louis stumbled out noisily. His mouth caught on a gasp, he stared at Louis for a short ten seconds before looking away and sipping out of his red cup. Louis frowned to himself and straightened up, taking steady steps down the porch steps until he reached the grass. Harry was a few feet away and Louis just needed to get to him. Walking proved to be difficult, though, and Louis stumbled on occasion until he finally got to Harry and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hi," he said, voice quiet.

Harry's lips twitched like he was going to say something and he stilled for a nanosecond before going back to the conversation in front of him. He heard Louis, he reacted to it, but he wouldn't acknowledge him. It stung more than Louis expected.

"Harry," Louis said a bit more loudly. "C'mon. I want to talk to you."

Harry gulped this time, his body shaking from how conflicted he was. Louis hoped he was wearing him down to at least listen. He didn't know how much longer he could take Harry giving him the silent treatment.

The moment passed and Harry made no move of acknowledging Louis. Hurt, frustrated and angry, Louis turned away, walking toward the house. His vision was blurring from the tears forming in his eyes, but he still managed to stomp up the porch steps only to collide with Mason, one of Harry's friends.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Mason said, getting a good grip on Louis so that he didn't fall back down the steps. "You alright?"

Louis attempted to wipe his eyes and nodded. "Yeah," he said, peering into Mason's brown eyes. "I'm fine. Um, hi."

"Hi," Mason smiled softly. "You just get here?"

"Yeah," Louis replied as Mason slowly let him go. "A little while ago. Niall and Zayn are somewhere too."