Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 12

comment plsss makes my day

Harry followed Louis through his front door, standing awkwardly in the porch as Louis hung up his keys and his coat.

"Do you want tea?" Louis offered, socked feet padding across the floor into the kitchen.

"Yes please." Harry said quietly, pausing for a second before adding "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier."

"Don't worry about it." Louis said softly, turning to look at him. "I don't want you to feel like I'm cornering you or anything, I'm just worried about you, that's all. You don't have to tell me anything, I just thought that it might be nice for you to just try and have a break for a bit."

"I can't talk about myself right now." Harry warned.

"That's fine." Louis answered and silence settled between them.

Harry stood in the corner- out of Louis's way as Louis bustled around the kitchen.

"How was your mum?" Louis broke the silence as he handed Harry the mug.

Harry shook his head. "I don't know."

"Didn't you go and see her?" Louis frowned, gesturing to follow him into the living room.

"Barely got a chance to see how she was. She didn't want me there." Harry explained, looking down as he trudged after Louis.

"Why not?" Louis asked, immediately adding "you don't have to tell me of course."

"She hates me." He shrugged, trying to act like he didn't care but obviously doing an awful job of it. He took his bottom lip in between his teeth, looking away as he blinked back tears. "But it is what it is."

As he spoke, the door creaked open and two small figures stalked in.

"Oh hello," He spoke, wiping the tears from his eyes as Louis turned to acknowledge them.

"Harry, meet the cats."

"They're beautiful." A watery smile appeared on his face. He placed his teacup on the table, lowering himself onto the floor as Penelope walked over to him warily.

"Will they like me?" Harry looked to him.

"They already do." Louis grinned as Oscar nudged against Harry's arm.

Harry looked down, scratching Oscar behind his ear. "Hello Oscar, hi Penelope." He cooed, "oh, aren't you just lovely?"

Louis sat back in his chair, smiling as he watched Harry interact with the cats- an invisible weight seeming to become lifted off of his shoulders.

"Thank you for inviting me over." Harry said quietly.

"Of course. You're welcome here anytime, you know?"

"I appreciate that. Thank you."

"You can also call me or text me anytime you need to talk or incase you need some company."

"I don't have your number."

"Really? Here." Louis took out his phone, passing it to Harry. "Put your number in."

Harry did so and Louis texted him a little smiley face.

"Have you ever had to have a conversation with the headmaster?" Harry tilted his head, turning to look at Louis.

"What, like about the weather?"

"Not quite. You know how in school they would pull you into the headteacher's office because they were worried about you or something?"

"Um...no? Should I?"

"Oh...well, nevermind then."

"Do you have to talk to the headmaster because he's worried about you?" Louis frowned.

"He wants to, yeah. I don't know what he's worried about though." Harry grumbled, "feel like I'm back in school."

"It may be that you've not really been in these past two weeks and you don't seem too happy at work." Louis suggested and Harry winced.

"Yeah. Is it noticeable?"

"What, that you've got something going on?"

"Yeah." Harry looked down, running a hand through his hair. "Not that I do," he added quickly, "just that I seem a bit unlike myself."

"Quite noticeable, yeah, you just don't seem so great."

"Guess I'll have to cheer up then." Harry groaned.

"You're allowed to be sad." Louis frowned, leaning forward to rest a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I know, I'd just rather not show it in public." Harry shrugged.

//

"Hi Gemma." Harry spoke guiltily into the phone.

"Harry, oh my god."

"Hi." He squeaked.

"For fuck's sake you bastard!" She yelled and Harry took the phone away from his ear.

"I'm sorry for not calling." Harry tried.

"Why the fuck would you do that to me?"

"I'm sorry." Harry repeated, "if it's any consolation I didn't talk to anyone."

"You can't just go off the radar. You know what happened last time you fucking did that!" Her voice cracked and Harry gulped, wrapping an arm around his waist.

"I'm sorry."

"No, Harry. No. Last time that happened you tried to kill yourself."

"But I'm still alive. I just couldn't talk to anyone." He told her. "I'm sorry, I've just felt like shit and I- I've still been going to work though. I'm okay."

"H, I love you okay. Please try to remember that you're never alone. If you need to talk about anything, anything, you can call me or text me. I just need you to know that."

"I know." Harry murmured, "I know. Thank you."

"Is this just another depression episode or has something happened?"

"Mixture. Depression episode and seeing mum. I'm fine now Gemma, I am. Louis forced me to go to his house and it actually made me feel better. He has cats."

"I'm glad, Louis sounds like a wonderful person. And I really am sorry about mum. I should've listened to you. We both know you're always right."

"I am always right." Harry agreed with a small smile.

"God Harry, I'm so glad you called me back." Gemma breathed out.

Harry inhaled, feeling guilty. "I really didn't mean to scare you I'm sorry. I'll reply to you everytime from now on."

"Good."

it hurts me that I can't share my achievements of my stories and stuff with people I know irl