Misadventure

2

Louis' POV

It rained for an entire week. It was Wednesday again, and I was meant to have my second piano lesson with Harry this afternoon.

Unfortunately, not unlike last week, I was scheduled for detention again.

Unfortunately, unlike last week, it would be for the full hour instead of just half.

Apparently I was a "repeat offender"

And

"Needed to learn my lesson."

The principal thought he could get me to learn from my mistakes? Pathetic. I was in year 11. He was the one who should've learned by now that disciplining my antics was a lost cause.

It wasn't my fault that my brain moved one thousand miles per hour and needed constant stimulation. It was both a blessing and a curse. It was the reason I was so skilled at piano; a prodigy if you will.

It was also the reason was constantly being disciplined by adults. If I went too long without something to keep my busy brain occupied, I was bound to get myself into trouble out of sheer boredom.

Lunch period came around, and I made it my mission to find Harry. It didn't take long.

Those gangly limbs and his mop head of chocolate curls made him stand out in the crowd.

He didn't have lunch, or lunch money. I bought us both soup, a sandwich, and a carton chocolate milk, then I practically dragged him by the arm to join me at a round table by the window.

Harry looked tired and dazed. He stared in my direction, but it was like he was looking through me rather than at me, directing his attention out the window at the grey, dreary sky.

"Eat up, buttercup!" I gave him an encouraging smile and nudged his tray towards him.

"You didn't have to buy me lunch," he said.

I frowned. "You have to eat."

He gave a lifeless shrug. It was just then that I noticed the pale, purple half circles under his eyes, like he hadn't slept the night before.

There was a lump in my throat.

If he was already having a rough day, I was scared for what I had to tell him. I didn't want to make it worse.

"I have detention. I'm really sorry. I can't do the lesson after school," I rushed to tell him before I lost courage.

His face fell.

Damnit! Why couldn't I have stayed out of trouble, just this once? Not for my sake. For Harry's sake.

I had to make it up to him somehow. "What if you keep me company in detention. You could use it as a study hall," I suggested. "Then I'll come to your house after and give you a piano lesson, as promised."

Harry visibly flinched.

I backpedaled. "Only if you want to." I took a bite of my sandwich, trying not to look too disappointed. The bread felt thick and heavy in my mouth, sticking in my throat.

God, I was so stupid. I started to realize that maybe Harry didn't like me as much as I liked him. Was I coming on too strong? Scaring him off?

I'd lived in Eastbourne my whole life, but my friend group changed like the weather. Will Mcginny had been my longest friendship, but we'd grown apart ever since he started picking on the new student from Ireland last spring, and I told him off for it.

Then I met Harry for his first piano lesson. He was so gentle, kind and sensitive. It pained me to see him always sitting by himself with his head down, whether at lunch, in study hall, or in the library.