Simply Love [Larry Stylinson]

Chapter 21 (incomplete)

Chapter 20

 

Harry

 

November 8, 2013

 

A simple text from Lou sends my head into utter confusion and worry.

Louis: Things didn’t go as planned, to the point of tears behind closed doors.

 

It makes no sense. I send multiple texts in reply, asking what he means, but I don’t get so much as a ‘read’ in response. To be honest, I’m imaging Louis lying on his bed crying, but I could be totally wrong. Crying could refer to anyone, and although it’s still not ideal, I’d prefer if it weren’t Louis.

Harry: Louis? Are you okay?

 

After an hour or so, I finally get a reply.

Louis: Hi Harry, it’s Fliss. I’ve got Louis’ phone, he’s fallen asleep. I can see he hasn’t told you what happened. I will, if you like.

 

Harry: Will Louis care? Gimme a call.

 

My phone rings, and I slide across the screen.

“Hi Felicite,” I say.

“Hi, Harry,” she whispers in reply. “So basically what happened, Louis told me earlier today because I stayed home from school sick a-”

“Are you okay?” I cut her off briefly.

“Yeah, thanks. Anyway, he told me while we were chatting, and I’m very happy that you two are happy. So he told mum and Lots and the twins at dinner, he was nervous as, too. Mum started to, like, tear up and trying not to cry. Lottie just seemed really upset, but definitely only because he hadn’t told us. Same with mum, too. I know they’re both fine with it, but they’re just going to have to get over the slight betrayal they’ll feel. The thing is, I know it’s not because he didn’t trust us. He didn’t get a chance to tell them that, because he took one look at mum and Lottie and left the table. I followed him up to his room, and he was crying and stuff. He cried himself to sleep, and now I’m just using his phone to tell you.” Fliss explains.

“Well, shit.” I reply quietly. “Sorry, excuse my terrible language.”

“It’s fine,” she assures me. “But, well, I’m making sure he’s okay while he’s here, but you’ve got to as well, yeah? I don’t know how long mum and Lottie will be hurt, but neither of them are good at holding grudges.”

“Yeah, I will. I’ll ring him tomorrow or something. Gosh, I feel so lucky now that my family were accepting and stuff. I know I told them I was gay ages ago, but yeah. Anyway, I’ll let you go. It’s probably past your bedtime.” I suggest, smiling softly despite the situation.

“Harry,” she laughs. “I’m thirteen and it’s a Friday night. It’s only eight o’clock.”

“Well, sor-ry. Anyway, bye. I’ll see you sometime soon, I’m sure.”

“Deal, bye Haz!”

“Bye!”

I drop my phone to my bed, sighing and running a hand down my face. It’s not an issue of me being irritated at anyone; I’m just upset that Louis is. This is proving to be much more stressful than I thought it could be, more stressful than even Louis and I figuring this out between us, and that was some fair emotionally straining stuff.

I decide that going downstairs and spending time with Gem and mum and Robin could take my mind off things, so I do. My footsteps are heavy as I try to mask my emotions in relation to Louis, trudging downstairs.

“Haz,” Gemma starts, looking at me confusedly. “What’s wrong?” I shake my head and sit down next to her on the couch. Some cooking show is on TV.

“Nah, nothing. I’m ‘lright,” I dismiss, shaking my head.

“Hm, that’s a likely story. Spill the beans?” Gemma presses.

“I’d rather not,” a frown etches itself onto my features.

“Alrighty then, I understand. Want a move night tonight?” The proposal makes me smile.

“Sure,” I reply.

“Cool, I’m selecting the movie though. No chick flicks, we’re going horror,” Gem grins at me.

“Horror? Really?”

“Yep,” she pokes my side.

“I hate you, you know that?” My pain of a sister grins even wider, if that’s even possible.

“Yeah, love and hate – what’s the difference?” She sits back against the couch with a satisfied look on her face before muttering, “just kidding, we can watch something decidedly not-horror, just for you.”

“Aw, I’ll buy you something nice for Christmas.” I tease.

“I take that back, rich boy. You’re a menacing bastard.” A disapproving clearing of a throat comes from the doorway and Gemma turns with an irresistible innocent look on her face, her childhood special.

“Watch it,” mum grins despite her irritated tone. “You’re both currently under my roof, I can ground you.” Gemma shrugs, nonchalant, whilst I frown. “But, you know, school and careers, I can’t really do all that much anyway. You’d probably manage to find a way out of it, anyway.” I laugh quietly.

“Mum, we’re going to watch a movie tonight; something decidedly not horror. Care to join?”

“Sure thing. Any ideas?”

“Hm, Top Gun?” Mum nods eagerly.

“Yep.” Gemma grabs the disc from the DVD rack and puts it in the disc drive.

This will all be explained in the following author's note