Still the One (Narry)

ch. 6

**Niall's POV**

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you knew One Direction!"  Were the first words out of Louis' mouth when he walked into my flat later that day.

"Yeah, yeah.  What do you want?"  I snapped.  I winced immediately, feeling bad for being cross with him.  It's not his fault I'm in such a bad mood.  "Sorry.  What's up?"

"You know what's up!  You know One Direction! When were you going to tell me?"  Louis bounced down onto the couch, smiling widely.

"I didn't know that I did.  It's not like I kept in touch with them after they left.  Plus, I never knew what they looked like or their last names.  I just knew them as Liam, Zayn and...Harry."  I swallowed after saying his name for the first time in years.

"Didn't you ever hear them sing when you were friends with them?"  Louis made himself comfortable, so I knew I wouldn't be able to get out of this conversation anytime soon.

"Yea, but it's been a while and they didn't have a band name by the time they left.  That must have been figured out on the show, and no I didn't watch them on it."

"Why not? They're your mates!  Your best mates."

"No, Liam was my best mate.  Zayn's Harry's.  He was one of my best mates too, but Liam and I were closer.  I didn't watch the show for the same reason I didn't keep in touch with them.  We didn't end things on a good note."  I sighed, knowing I would have to tell him about my past with Harry now.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it, but it was best if he hear it from me rather than someone he barely knows.

"What about Harry? Wasn't he one of your best mates too?"  Louis leaned towards me, already knowing this was going to be a good story.

I looked down to avoid his eyes.  "Well, Harry and I were actually a bit...closer than the others were."

"Wait, you were...together?"Louis took in a deep breath, surprised. I nodded.  "But what about Mr. Heartbr- oh!  You mean, Harry's...?"

"Yeah.  Harry's him."  I looked up at Lou through my lashes.  "That's why I didn't stay in touch with them."

Louis was quiet for a while, taking that in.  "You were in love with him?"

"Yeah.  But I guess he wasn't in love with me." 

Louis wrapped his arms around me in a comforting hug.  I leaned against him, surprisingly relieved he knew now.  "Why'd he break up with you?"

"He said he didn't want to have a relationship while he was trying to get his career going.  He didn't want anyone to know he's gay."

"But, he's out.  People already know."

"No, you know.  But that's just because  we know people he told.  He hasn't come out to the fans yet, just friends and family.  And he wasn't about to come out for me."

"He said that to you?"  I could hear Louis getting mad.  I smiled a bit in spite of myself.

"No, I just read between the lines."

"Oh...are you ready to see him again?"

"I guess I don't really have a choice, do I?"

Louis looked me in the eye, serious for once.  "Of course you do.  I don't care how much I like them, you're my best mate.  If you aren't comfortable going tonight, I'll back you up.  If you hate them, I'll hate them too.  Just say the word."

I smiled a real smile this time.  "Thanks, Lou.  But I don't hate them.  I don't blame Liam and Zayn for siding with Harry, it was their dream to make it big, and now they have.  I'm happy for them.  And I don't hate Harry, either.  It's not his fault he doesn't love me, and I'm not going to force him to stay if he doesn't want to.  I blame me.  Or, my heart really, for not knowing its over."