Misadventure

19

Harry's POV

"Lou?" I gently nudged his side, but he didn't stir, so I tried again more firmly. "Louis?" The second attempt worked. He shot into an upright position.

"Hmm? Sorry." He rubbed his eyes with closed fists.

"You okay?" I asked. This was the second time he'd fallen asleep in the past hour or so. We were back in the campus garden today for a little piano practice for the upcoming recital this Friday.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just a little tired."

Truthfully, I didn't feel I still needed to be practicing my piece, as I knew it like the back of my hand at this point. The real reason I asked Louis to go over it with me today was just so I could spend more time with him.

"Do you want to take a break? We could go get some coffee or tea from inside," I suggested.

He was doing it again. I watched as his eyes fluttered shut. His upper body slowly slouched forward, until his head was resting in his own lap. It couldn't be a comfortable position. He had to have been really exhausted.

"Louis?" I shook his shoulder, this time with more vigor than before. "Wake up, lovely."

He quickly sat back up, turning to me as though nothing ever happened. "Sure, tea sounds great."

I eyed him concerned. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"I feel great," he insisted. "Walk with me?" He stood up and reached out for me, taking my freezing hand in the palm of his. I carried the keyboard under my arm and we walked towards the dining hall, leaves crunching underfoot.

I loved this time of year. I loved the crisp air and the dull earthy smell, and the way it felt like new beginnings. It was the same time of year I met Louis. The thought made me smile secretively, and I gripped his delicate hand a little tighter.

"What are you smiling about?" He asked me. Oops. It looks like I had been caught.

"It's autumn," I told him.

"Autumn is cold and stupid," he said.

"It's my favorite time of year."

Louis looked at me sweetly. "Never mind then. Autumn can stay."

He released my hand to open the door for me, and a burst of warm air greeted us like a hug from a friend. I could feel the the wind-bitten skin of my fingers and cheeks begin to thaw.

Louis ordered plain black tea, and I got a vanilla chai. We took our steaming drinks outside and started walking back towards the garden bench.

Louis grabbed my jumper sleeve to stop me. "Erm, Haz?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not feeling too hot," he admitted. "I hate to cut this short, but..."

I waved my hand. "Go inside. Warm up. Rest."

"Really?" There was still hesitance written all over his face. "I feel bad. I don't mean to ditch you, but I feel like I'm gonna throw up or something."

It was in that moment that I realized just how poorly he looked. His face was paper white, and despite the cold, a sheen of sweat had broken out across his forehead.

"You're shaking, Lou." I frowned, feeling his forehead with the back of my hand. He didn't feel feverish, so that was good. "Do you want to wait here? I could walk back to the dorms and bring my car around, then drop you off at the door."

"Stop it. You're too nice to me." He looked like he felt almost guilty, which he shouldn't have. It wasn't like he could help being sick. "It's a five minute walk. I think I'll live."