The Parallels (Larry Stylinson+Niall Horan)

Chapter 48

Harry

Today was the day that I was scared of. The one day that I had desperately tried to ignore, the one day that I had tried to run away from, but who can defy time? It was Saturday and Louis was supposed to leave at five in the evening. He wasn't by my side this morning because his mum insisted on him staying at home. I couldn't really disagree. He was going away from her, too, after all.

I felt tears prick my eyes, but I made no movement to wipe them off. I laid motionless on my bed, not caring about getting up or getting ready. I suddenly felt like a big part of me was being taken away. I felt as if half my heart was going to be so far away that there would be no connection left. I felt like all of my energy was being drained from my body. It may seem dramatic, but Louis brought the feeling of warmth and safety to me and I was scared to lose that.

There was also something that I never told Louis. I have been on anxiety pills ever since the incident, but my doctor had suddenly told me that she believed I didn't need them anymore. She said that she was surprised to see such a drastic change in my behaviour and that it was safe to stop taking the meds. Although, she told me to keep them on me at all times as a precaution. I was genuinely taken aback by her revelation and I couldn't help, but feel even more love for Lou. However, I felt afraid that I might start needing them again.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise when someone entered the house and came upstairs. As frightening as that sounds, I had locked the door so only someone with a key could enter. I barely registered the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs and getting louder by the second. The first thing that I felt was the bed beside me dipping with someone's weight. I turned my head to come face to face with Louis sitting beside me.

"Why are you crying, baby? Please don't be so upset." he said, his expression instantly turning to one of concern, sadness lacing his voice. I could see that he too was on the verge of crying. I sniffled in an attempt to regain my voice.

"I'm sorry, Lou. I love you." I said, but that only made me start sobbing completely.

"Haz." he sighed. He picked me up in his arms and held me close to him. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his smell and crying harder.

"Baby.. I promise to call you as soon as I reach and every day right before I go to class and as soon as I'm done with my schedule. I'll face-time you as many times as you'd like and tell you I love you a thousand times if you want me to." he said, stroking my back and playing with my hair.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I cried, sobs racking my body.

"Shh Haz. It's okay. I'm not mad. Get it all out." he whispered, his voice shaking slightly and even then, he was rocking me back and forth like a baby. His hand was placed firmly behind my head as my chest was flushed against his. He rocked us both in an attempt to calm me down. How was I going to live without this?

The room was quiet for a while, except for my sobs. Neither of us spoke anything. I was shaking violently in his arms while he just let me cry in his neck. I was hugging him like my life depended on it. That's when I felt a wetness on my cheek, but it wasn't because of my tears. He was crying, too.

"Lou.. I'm so sorry. Please don't cry. I love you. I'll promise I'll be a good boy and I will not be sad when you leave. I promise I’ll be strong for you. Do you trust me?" I asked, looking up at him and reaching over to wipe a few tears off his face. I wasn't confident if my voice was convincing at that moment, but I meant every single word. He seemed to understand that, though.

"I do, baby. I know you'll be good, you're always good. You’re the strongest boy without having to say so. I love you so much." he said, kissing my head and letting his lips stay there. He shut his eyes tightly, letting a few more tears fall.