Always and Forever

~ 17 ~

Hiiiii it's been a minute! Finally back after some of the worst writers block I've ever had. This chapter is by me, bittersweetlou! I hope you enjoy, it's definitely not my best. If you do like the chapter though, please vote and comment. It means so much :')

"H, you know I love Louis. I've known him since we were kids. But I don't understand... why did you let him back in so easily?" Gemma asked as she was driving Harry to school. Usually Louis drove him, but he was at a dentist appointment that morning. "How can you trust him again?"

It worked out alright though, because Gemma was in town. She lived away for uni now, and didn't visit too often.

"I don't trust him yet Gem, I honestly don't." Harry said quietly. "But... I guess I just need someone. I'm prepared for him to hurt me again and I'd rather be hurt by him than never loved by anyone."

"Harry, I love you. Mum loves you, and you have Zayn-" Gemma listed but Harry shook his head.

"That's not the same and you know it." He muttered as she drove up to the school. "I don't expect you to understand.. but just let me be happy please."

She didn't even get to respond before he was slamming the car door shut.

He wanted her to just be happy for him and he felt like apparently it was too much to ask. She was only worried, not wanting his heart to get broken, which was very reasonable, but Harry was 17! He felt like he could handle himself just fine without the constant advice and nagging of people around him.

~~~

The thing with Harry was, he'd been reckless the last couple of months. He was sick of being babied all the time and treated like he couldn't do things. He hated being told Louis was a bad idea. He hated being held back from going to concerts and sports games because his mum was too worried he'd get sick or hurt. He hated the constant fussing over him.

He hated it.

Which, is how he landed himself running laps with the rest of the students in his gym class.

That day he'd decided that he was going to do what he wanted, and his family wasn't there to stop him.

Sure, it was exhausting as hell, but he felt so free as he ran, albeit slowly, but that didn't matter to him. He was running. There was a substitute gym coach, and with Louis  who was usually in his gym class being at the dentist, it was the perfect time.

Or rather, the imperfect time.

He couldn't lug around an oxygen tank while running, so he ran without it. His lungs were burning, and his legs were shaking, but he wasn't about to stop. He was going to do this. He was going to prove everyone wrong.

Though, quickly he was starting to realize that the determination of mind was fighting with the exhaustion of his body. He knew he needed to stop.

He knew that, just like he knew Gemma was right about Louis, and his mum was right about keeping him home from things.

And as the world grew dark around him that's all he could think. They're right.

~~~

He woke up in a hospital bed, and sighed. Now they knew what he'd done, and he hated being proven wrong.

"Harry! Dear god.. you gave us a scare" Anne said, pretty much the second his eyes fluttered open.

"Yeah? Well I'm fine so that 'scare' was for nothing." He muttered, letting the oxygen from the cannula in his nose, fill his caved lungs.

"Harry.." she started but he shook his head.

"I don't want to hear it mum. I know you're mad, or disappointed, or confused, or whatever, you don't have to say it out loud though." He said, closing his eyes. "Can you just go please?" He knew he'd be there a while, based on the fact he'd woken up in an actual room and not the ER. He'd been admitted and he hated that it was his own damn fault.

"Honey, are you sure that's what you want?" She asked, not wanting to leave him. He always wanted his mum when he was in the hospital.

"I'm sure mum. Please go. I want some alone time." He muttered, keeping his eyes closed.

"Okay my sweet boy.. I love you." She kissed his forehead "I'll be back later on okay?"

He didn't respond to her though, and the second she left the room, he started to cry.

He fucking hated this.

~~~

He'd just cried himself to sleep when there was a knock at the door, and a familiar voice loudly filled the quiet room.

"Harry what the hell were you thinking??"

Harry groaned, peeking an eye open. "Nice to see you too Lou."

"Sorry babe, I just-" he carded a hand through his hair, setting the flowers he'd been carrying on the little end table, and grabbing his hand. "I was so worried when I heard. Why would you do that? You could've gotten yourself killed."

"I did it because I wanted to." He replied simply.

"Well why would you want to? Harry I don't understand." Louis said, his voice full of emotion and worry.

"Well of course you don't. Nobody does." Harry snapped back. "I don't owe you an explanation Louis. And if you wanna talk about 'not understanding' then I'll tell you what I don't understand."

"And what's that?" Louis asked calmly.

"The fact that you cancelled
plans with me dozens of times, made comments about my body, oh yeah and ignored me for years!"

"Harry, I've apologized. I thought we were past that now..."

Harry sighed, trying to counter back with another angry response but he couldn't. His lip was wobbling and his eyes were watery. "Well if we're past it... then prove it to me. Don't leave me this time," his voice trembled. "I don't know if I can handle being proved wrong again."

Louis interlocked his pinky with Harry's and kissed his hand. "I won't prove you wrong Harry. Not this time."