All These Smiles That I'm Faking - Larry Stylinson

Chapter 7 - Harry POV

It was an early Wednesday morning and to say I was worried would be an understatement. Turns out I was right - mum wasn't alright. Her headache persisted yesterday and she finally went to the doctor. They did quite a few tests and today I would be getting the results. I was itching in fear and so I decided to go to my secret room. However, as I neared the room I heard a gorgeous voice singing a song. It seemed to be an original and it was accompanied by the soft playing of the piano. I listened to the words. They were gorgeous yet painful at the same time. It was clearly a song about someone's death and I found myself lost in the music and memories of Gemma, so that I even forgot that whoever was playing the music had in fact found his secret room. 

Once the song was done, I decided to go inside, curious whose voice it was. On the piano stool, to my shock, I saw Louis sitting, tears streaming down his cheek. The second he heard the door open his head snapped up and I had never seen him so sad. "You have such a gorgeous voice Lou. You can be a singer. And who was the song for?" I say gently. He didn't answer so I sat beside him with my own stool and I gave him a hug. At first, he didn't respond but then he hugged me back and I could hear him sniffle and sob in my arms and I comforted him, rubbing his back slowly, calming him down. 

When he had let it all out, he wiped his face and said, "Thanks. Umm... you asked me who the song was for. It was for my mum. We were really close she passed away a couple of months ago. That's why I came here. I have an army of siblings and I needed a good pay to help my step-dad take care of them. Plus, I wanted to escape from that house - it held too many memories. What about you?"

My head snapped towards him in confusion. "Who did you lose?" He clarified and continued. "People tell me the song is beautiful very often but no one has ever cried, so I assume you lost someone close." I was surprised by his observation but said quietly, "My elder sister, Gemma." He nodded his head in understanding and asked, "Is that why Liam, Niall and Zayn are so protective over you?" "Partially" I said and though he seemed curious he didn't push any further for which I was glad. "So," I asked, "How did you find this room."

"Well, the other day while searching for you I came near this place. I hadn't see this part of school before, so yesterday I came here after school and explored the place. That's when I found this room. So today, I was missing mum a lot - It would have been her 44th birthday, so I came here to be alone for a while. What about you?"

"I am the music teacher so we usually take instruments from this room during concerts, so I know this room well. It was the old music room, back when I was at school - it always has been my favourite room. I come here to escape the world. When I'm nervous or sad I come here." I admitted. "So why were you here today?" he asked and I wasn't sure how to respond but was cut off by my phone ringing, "I was nervous for this call. Sorry but I got to take it. By the way, Lou, I'm sure your mum would have been proud of you." I saw a small smile on his face as I headed out of the school premises and that gave me the confidence to pick the phone.

"Hey mum, what are the results?" I tried to sound fine but internally I was freaking out. My mum let out a sob and I suddenly felt even more scared for her answer. "Haz, I have brain cancer. It's last stage and there is no way to cure it. I had no symptoms during the earlier stages and so we never realized." I gulped and I wanted to scream and cry but I asked my voice unnaturally stable, "How long do you have?" Mum sniffled and said, "Less than a month." and in that moment I wanted to die. "Ok Mum I'll come to meet you soon, for now I need to clear my mind." I said cutting the call without waiting for a response. I saw the time - 5 minutes till class started. Niall would be at school by now. I dropped him a message 'Ni, I'm taking leave today. Please inform headmaster' Concise with no give aways.

I ran home and picked something I had given up long ago - the blade. I slowly drew it across my arm and made a cut and another and a couple more. The stinging pain brought me to reality and I suddenly realized what I had done. Gemma's last words echoed in my mind and I felt guiltier than ever. I bandaged my arms roughly and I curled into a ball on myself just sobbing with my eyes shut tight. I was so lost in my own world and thoughts I didn't hear the door open and 2 pairs of footsteps entered and I only realized when two pairs of arms rocked me back and forth to calm me down. I faintly recognized the people as Liam and Niall and I simply sobbed into their arms, unable to stop. One word was running through my mind - cursed - that's what I was - cursed.

Double update in one day... Well what can I say I wanted to write this chapter desperately. It was so interesting - a bit of larry ; Louis's story and Harry's mum's cancer... Please comment and vote... It'll make my day :)