Change | L.S.

Chapter 4: Exposed

"He did what?" Niall exclaims with wide eyes and his mouth full of popcorn. They were sitting beside each other in Harrys bed just talking about random stuff when Harry brought up what happened earlier with Zayn. Niall already knew about Harrys past, including everything about Harry and Louis. Harry had found Niall to be a very supportive friend, so he completely trusted Niall with telling him everything. When Harry had gotten to the part with him self harming, Niall had noticed Harry starting to tear up, so he just gave him a big bear hug and told him he'd always be there for him. Since then they've been almost inseparable.

"I don't think i wanna go. Maybe I'll just try to ignore him." Harry says sighing as he grabs a handful popcorn and stuffs it in his mouth.

"I'm gonna go take a wee." Niall says standing up. "And don't you dare eat all of my popcorn." He says with a playful glare before walking out of the dorm.

While waiting for Niall to finish, he decides to change into some more comfortable clothes, seeing he probably wont go out anymore today because of the heavy rain outside. He grabs his pink sweatpants with his matching pink unicorn hoodie and throws the pants on not wanting to spend any time looking at his scarred body. Yes, he was fit, but that didn't mean he wasn't insecure about any of the scars scattered around his body. He lays the hoodie at the end of his bed planning on putting it on later.

In the midst of connecting his phone to the charger he hears the door open. Turning around he discovers the room is now full of people. He assumes they're all part of Zayn and Louis' gang.

"Well hello there cutie." He hears an unfamiliar voice say. Before he can open his mouth to answer he is bombarded with hurtful and creepy comments from several people in the gang. He feels the panic rise in his chest and mentally prays not to have a panic attack in front of this many people.

"W-what are you guys doing here?" Harry stutters looking around for Louis, hoping he could help him. Even though Harry has not forgiven Louis, he is still the only person that can really give him that feeling of being safe. Being home. Of course he feels safe with Niall, but it's just not the same. No matter what happened back then, Louis is still the only one that Harry has ever really loved. That he still loves. Maybe?Now probably isn't the time to think about that. Soon he comes to the conclusion that Louis is not here and tears start filling his eyes making it harder for him too see.

Feeling very exposed in his pink pants and shirtless torso, he hugs himself tightly. He looks down not wanting to see anymore of their judging eyes all staring intensely at him.

A bunch of questions starts to enter his mind.

Harry's POV

Why isn't Niall back yet?

Where is Louis?

Will they hurt me?

Back in high school I was bullied because of a lot of stuff. Especially my long hair and my 'girly clothes'. Starting here I've only been wearing that kind of stuff if I was alone in my dorm or with Niall. I really don't want to be bullied like that in college too. That would be horrible.

My head shoots up to the sudden sound of a door slamming shut.

"Alright guys ar-" I hear Louis cut himself off and I look up at him finding him with a worried expression upon his face, looking directly in my green eyes. Tears have already begun to roll down my cheeks. Feeling embarrassed of him seeing me like this i look down again.

"Please leave, I'll be there in a minute." I hear him tell the gang. I look up at Louis with a questioning look on my face. I watch confused as they all exit the small dorm.

"Harry? Are you okay?" I shrug looking down not wanting to meet his sympathetic eyes as more tears continue to fall down my cheeks.

I hear him sigh then saying, "Come here." I look up trying to find any hesitation in his eyes. After not finding any, I sniff and jump into his safe arms resting my head on his chest. He wraps his arms securely around me making sure I don't fall to the floor.

"I missed you." I whisper quietly. Almost so quiet he wouldn't hear me, but knowing him, he can probably still read me like a book and he already knows how I feel.

After a while of being in his arms, I jumped down knowing his arms were getting tired of carrying me. Even though I was bigger than him, he would always be the big spoon, the one who always made sure I was okay. I know I still haven't forgiven him, but maybe I will. Maybe I can. Someday.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you. Especially for doing it at that time in your life. I know how hard it was for you with your dad always coming home drunk only to start hurting you when you did nothing but try to help him. I'm so sorry about the bullying by my friends back in high school, and I guess me later on, too. If I could change what I did to you I would do it in a heartbeat. I promise I didn't mean to hurt you, I really do. I did love you. I still love you. I promise. You probably still hate me and you might take some time to get used to me again, and that's okay. Just please let me show you that I'm here and I still care so endlessly much about you." Louis says while looking me deep in the eyes. He's crying too now. "How about we go out and get some hot chocolate, then talk everything through?" He asks me.

I sniff and wipe my tears away before saying, "Oh wow, this is a lot to take in. Uhm. I don't trust you enough to forgive you right at this moment, but as you said, I'll try. But that means you have to show me that you've changed for the better, and please promise me you'll stop doing drugs with those guys, they're not good for you, and I know you know that."

I take a deep breath before adding, "I'd love to get some hot chocolate with you, but could we just talk? You know, get to know each other again?" I show him a small smile feeling a bit awkward about this whole situation.

He nods and takes my hand in his with a smile. I smile back enjoying the familiar feeling of our fingers entwined again. Together we walk outside leaving Louis' friends to be standing confused. On the way to the café I text Niall saying sorry and explaining the whole situation to him. He replies saying he's happy we're trying to be friends again and that we'll just hang out some other time.

• • • • •

Hello, I hope you're enjoying my story so far. I know it's not very exciting yet, but hopefully it will be so soon. Also, I'm trying to make the chapters longer 'cause I know they're very short at the moment.

Again, thank you to my friend for helping me with ideas for this chapter. Go follow her.👇👇

Anna94034

I'll try to write as often as I can, just be patient with me please 🫶

Thank you for reading my story, I appreciate it very much.

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