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"You're sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes."

"You don't want me to take you to the hospital?"

"No"

"You're sure?" I double checked, watching him struggle with the zipper on his jacket.

"Yes! I'm fine okay!" He told me, exasperated.

"And you don't need any more cookies?"

"Well ... "

...

After filling a bag with takeout containers, mainly cookies and pastries, I had to see him off.

I was frustrated I couldn't do anything more for him, but at the end of the day, I didn't know him, or what he'd left behind. I could talk his ear off, I pretty much already had. I could give him cards, and brochures, and numbers to ring, but it was up to him. If he wasn't ready to ask for help for, there was nothing I could do.

Sadly, I understood you couldn't help everyone, my work at the centre definitely proof of that.

Hopefully, I got through to him enough that he at least knew where he could go if he ever needed help.

So I watched him walk out with a heavy heart, hoping he would be okay, and that he knew where he could go if not.

I carried on with my week, the same as usual. To much time cooped up in meetings, attempting to sort out a few new contracts. I was hoping to expand slightly.

A nearby gym that had just opened was about to go under, but with a bit of funding and some fresh new ideas I was sure they'd do well. The man running it was lovely, a chap called Liam, he just didn't have enough experience, or money, to transform the place.

I guess that was where I came in! I had a few ideas for the place, wanting to add in a juice bar, and freshen it up a little.

It wasn't the first time I'd gone outside of the whole café/coffee shop scene. An art studio had caught my eye a few years ago, which I'd bought out - training up a few new artists and turning it into a school of sorts.

There was just a lot of paperwork and negotiations to get through. Very time consuming, though at least it kept me distracted from Louis.

I felt as if I should have been doing more, or maybe if I'd said something different to him he might have opened up to me a little more, gone and got some help.

I was probably just over thinking it though, as usual. I'd barely met the kid, he was most likely fine now, maybe I just caught him on a bad day.

Two weeks later though I turned up on Sunday, as usual, to see him sat on the doorstep, chin resting on his knees, huddled into a little ball.

I guess it wasn't just a bad day.

He looked absolutely drenched, his thin torn jacket clearly providing no warmth for him.

As I moved a little closer, he lifted his head and I gasped, rushing over to him. He was bleeding, near his hairline, looking as if a chunk of hair had been pulled out. Combined with a split lip and a bruised eye, I knew I couldn't let him leave without knowing he had a safe place to leave to.

"Louis sweetheart, what happened?" I asked, rushing over to him.

He burst into tears, shoulders shaking with the strengths of his cries. I quickly bent down and wrapped him up in a hug, trying to ignore how I could feel just how cold he was, and how his ribs were sticking out.

"I'm so sorry!" He sobbed, as I shushed him and guided him under one arm, allowing me to unlock the door with the other hand.

"I didn't mean to come again, I'm so sorry, I just, I didn't have anywhere else to go" He continued, wiping at his eyes roughly.

"You're fine, just relax love. I told you to come back, no issue. I promise I'm not mad." I told him, watching as his shoulders slumped in relief when he heard I wasn't angry. Bless him.

"I won't ... I won't stay long I promise. If I could just maybe use the bathroom?" He asked meekly, sniffling slightly.

"I tell you what, you go clean yourself up a little and I'll make us some tea, I think we should have a little chat yeah?" I asked him gently.

He looked slightly hesitant still, but I knew how to convince him. "I'll even get you some more of those cookies you like" I told him, grinning when he gave in and nodded.

"Thanks Harry, I um, I really appreciate it."

"No problem Louis, everything's gonna be fine."

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