The Twins - LS

1 - Harry

Harry Styles

IT HAD BEEN a few days since he heard from his twin brother.

It was nothing to worry about, but the sheer fact that he had an uncomfortable feeling about it, that bothered him. Also, adding in that fact that his phone calls had gone unanswered. Just thinking about the multiple possibilities of his brother must have gone noticed by his employee, because he was wrapped out of his thoughts and noticed the tight grip he had on a book.

"Go easy on the book, will you?" Louis snipped.

The release of the book was instant. His hands let go of the book, and he began stacking them with the rest. At the moment, there wasn't much he could do but wait. But waiting wasn't always a good thing. Especially with Edward as a twin brother.

Louis must have noticed the worry lines between Harry's forehead, because his expression turned sympathetic. While Harry never outright said anything pertaining to his brother or his problems, Louis seemed to pick up on them whenever Harry mentioned anything about him.

Or maybe it was the tone of his voice when his brother's name was mentioned.

For a background thought and throughout the many years, his brother wasn't perfect. Nobody was, but Edward was the exception to making more mistakes than others. For the most part, the things his brother did or the way he acted, was the fault of his parents and the way they raised them. 

He was a lost. And he was a confused soul, said the psychologist.

While Harry had the tendency to walk the straight line, and do what he was told by his parents and others, Edward was different. He was known to do his own thing, but he always did it with a twist. His thoughts began to fill with deeper thoughts when he shook his head, remembering where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. With redden cheeks due to embarrassment, he turned to move some more books.

"Are you okay?" Louis quietly asked.

A few months ago, he was financially stable enough with the bookstore that he was able to hire someone else to help around. He wasn't looking for someone with much experience, because the work they would be doing would be minimal and it was a bookstore. There wasn't much to be asked, and the pay wasn't great, but there was improvement for it and Louis was the only one of the few who applied.

Harry wasn't looking forward to interviewing people, mostly because he had a weird sensation in him when he thought of having to trust someone else with his bookstore. His bookstore that he dreamed of having since he was a small child. Something Edward always teased him about. Even though he never had a vision for his future.

But on that Monday morning, when Harry was set to do that interviews, and noticed the bright smile on Louis's face when he entered in the small space, Harry knew how the interview would go. He of course went through with the interview, and if anything, it solidified his choice with hiring Louis. Now, a few months later and his weekly paycheck had gone higher, he was happy to be able to trust him. Though sometimes he stared at Harry a little longer than usual. His eyes would linger in Harry's direction long after the conversation was over. And that confused Harry. He never questioned it. Because questioning it would make it become a reality and he knew better than to test that.

Harry contemplated the question for longer than necessary, before settling on a nod. He gave his employee a small smile. "I'm fine." He passed a couple of books over his way. "You don't need to bother yourself with worrying about me."

"We work together." Louis protested, a small crease forming between his brows. "Of course I would worry."

"Is that the only reason?" Harry found himself asking.