It's safer in the dark

Part 16

Louis POV

Harry and I walk downstairs hand in hand. The boys are all in the kitchen laughing and joking around as they cook dinner together. As we enter the room, Scott is standing at the island bench chopping some capsicum while Edward and Drew are drinking a beer each. Andy is by the wok on the stove grilling some chicken for a stir fry. At least it's a somewhat healthy dinner. We are greeted with warm hello's and smirks towards Harry and I but no one says anything. Harry pulls me into his side, and I see the boys smile at the gesture.

"Um guys, Louis has something he wants to talk to you about" Harry says.

The boys look towards us curiously. I'm so nervous, I don't want them to hate me. My heart is beating a million miles a minute and if Harry's arm wasn't holding me tightly, I would have bolted out of the room already.

"Sure, should we head to the lounge room?" Andy asks.

"Yeah, that might be a good idea" Harry suggests.

Andy turns the stove off and the boys grab their beers and walk into the lounge room. Harry and I follow behind. They are all looking at me with concern and I hate it.

They all take a seat on the lounge together and Harry and I stand in front of them. I can't make eye contact with any of them, I feel like I've let them down. They sense my uneasiness and somehow know this isn't an ordinary talk.

"So, I'm guessing that this chat is not just about telling us that you two are finally together? Which we are all thrilled about by the way" Drew says.

I smile, but shake my head no.

"Well, you're scaring me Lou, what's going on kid?" Edward asks concerned.

I take a deep breath and look up from the floor, Harry keeps a steady hand on my waist.

"Please don't h-h-a-ate me" I say my voice breaking.

"Louis" Scott starts but I shake my head making him stop talking.

"I-I-I I've been lying to you over the past year" I start, and I feel Harry's grip on me tighten. I take another deep breath and close my eyes.

"I've been abused and picked on at school for the past year by Joey and his group. Since I came out as gay, they have been hating on me and have made it their mission to make my life hell" I say.

I open my eyes as relief washes over me. I've just confessed my deepest darkest secret to my brothers, but I still can't look them in the eyes. I don't want to see how I've disappointed them.

"Oh my god Louis, why didn't you tell us bud? What, what's been going on?" Scott asks. I sigh again, keeping my eyes on the floor.

"Those Facebook messaged you found were from Joey. Every bruise I've ever come home with was from him and his group. They beat me up daily, pretty badly, spit on me, call me names and tell me to kill myself every single day. It was their fault I ended up on the bathroom floor the other night. They poured water over me and pushed me and that's why I hit my head. I sniffle trying to hold my tears in. I hear multiple gasps from the boys, and I feel so ashamed, but I need to keep going.

"I'm so sorry I can't stand up to them, I-I -I tried but they just beat me up worse. That injury last year that I told you was from a football tackle when I had two broken ribs. Well.... that wasn't from football. I tried to tell Joey and his group to leave me alone and.......they didn't like it. I'm sorry that I'm so weak and pathetic. I'm sorry you have to put up with me as your brother I really am" I quickly rant out.

"Stop right their Louis Tomlinson." Andy shouts "This is not your fault Louis, Jesus Christ kid. We just......We had no idea" Andy says, tears in his eyes.