Just a Baker

Chapter 5

⚠️TW: MENTIONS OF SELF HARM!⚠️

When Harry and Louis got back to the front of the shop, the director of the film introduced himself to Harry as Nick Grimshaw and asked Harry to start teaching Louis the ropes. Harry had to teach Louis everything from opening the shop to closing it at the end of the day.

Harry started by bringing Louis to the storeroom to help him get a T-shirt. "What size do you wear?" Harry asked. "A Medium is fine," Louis replied. Harry pulled one from the pile and gave it to Louis. "You can change in here. Meet me at the counter when your done. You can leave your regular shirt there if you want." Harry pointed to a pile where his stuff was, Louis thanked him and Harry walked back to the front.

When Louis returned, Harry handed him a dark blue apron and he put it on. Harry blushed when he noticed that Louis' shirt was tight on him, showing off his muscles and tattoos.

"Okay," Harry started, "So the day usually starts with somebody showing up and unlocking the door. Usually, it's Susan, but we all have keys. I show up at 6 and we open at 6:30 on weekdays, and 7 on weekends." Harry continued to explain how everything worked.

He taught Louis how to bake bread and while it baked he taught him how all the machines for hot drinks worked. When the bread was done they started on a chocolate cake, which Harry learned was Louis' favorite.

About 5 hours later they slumped in their chairs, tired. "Oh! Here," Harry said handing Louis his phone, "You can pick the playlist for today." Louis smiled and took the phone, scrolling through till he stopped on "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. Harry smiled as Louis danced around singing.

Harry was surprised when Louis came and pulled him out of his seat. "Dance with me," Louis said into Harry's ear. Harry blushed as Louis spun the taller boy around. 

They danced around crazy like little boys in school. Harry did the classic air guitar hopping around on one leg while Louis played the air drums.

About 20 songs later, Nick told them to stop because Louis had to start with some scenes. Harry sat and watched Louis admiringly, saddened when he recalled that Louis was following his dreams, but Harry was not following his own.

Harry has always wanted to be a singer and was proud to say he was good at it. He could play guitar and piano and his Mom encouraged him and was always the first person to hear his songs. 

When his Father disapproved of his career goals, he sort of gave up in a way he doesn't want to admit. Sure he got this job to save money for school, but he isn't really going anywhere. He makes close to nothing and hour and his Mom tries to help, but she isn't in the best place financially since the divorce either. 

Harry had never played for anyone other than his family and well you know, they're family! They're not supposed to tell you when you absolutely suck at something (😏). He honestly doesn't really know where he is going with life. It makes him sad that after all he's been through, he can't seem to make anything of it. 

⚠️ (Start)

He looks down at the bandana wrapped around his wrist. He doesn't need to remove it to know what's underneath. Ten, 2 inch, self harm scars from when he was 15. There light now, but still noticeable. He's been clean since he started working at the bakery. Working here clams him, takes his mind off the bad things. But he gave them to himself after the whole incident with is father. He's always been ashamed of those scars.

⚠️ (End)

He looks over at his right hand and the bandage covering his new accidental cut. He honestly couldn't say he was ashamed of this one. He wasn't sure why. Maybe because it reminded him of Louis. He blushed at the thought. He literally met the boy this morning, but Harry already knew Louis would never leave his mind. 

While Harry was still smiling shyly at his hand Louis walked over. Louis grabbed Harry's hand and brought it to his face to inspect it. "Something wrong Hazzy?" Louis asked. "No. Just thinking," Harry replied with a small smile. Louis subconsciously stepped forward so he was standing in between Harry's legs as Harry was sitting. 

Still looking at Harry's hand he didn't notice till he saw Harry's bright red face. Louis looked down at the position and turned red stepping back. "Sorry," he said scratching his neck and looking away. "It's fine," Harry said shyly, when Nick yelled to them from across the room. 

"Louis stay with Harry and learn how to lock up!" Nick yelled. "Got it!" Louis replied.

Everyone left and Harry brought Louis back to the storage room. "You can change in here," Harry said grabbing his things and going to the bathroom to change. When Louis walked back into the front room he stopped and stared. Harry was reaching up to grab his notebook, but the only thing Louis noticed was that Harry only had the bottom two buttons of his shirt closed and Louis got a full view of all Harry's tattoos and his ABS! 

Louis felt the butterflies come back until he laughed when Harry dropped his notebook.

"Oops," Harry said looking over at Louis. "Hi!" Louis said laughing.

Harry laughed and handed Louis a key. "Here's your key. I expect you here at 6:15 tomorrow," harry said with a mock serious face. Louis laughed, "Sure Curly," he said.

They closed all the lights, locked the doors and said goodbye. They both walked away smiling like idiots.

As always, thanks for reading! You know the drill.