Missing: The boy who disappeared

Chapter 7 - Go Home

A/N

Merry christmas / Happy Holidays everyone !!! 🎄🎄🎄

As promised, the new chapter is here before Christmas. Hope you enjoy. This takes off straight from last chapter.

Not sure if its a TW but im letting you know there is a church scene involved in this chapter with a Reverend and Prayers. Please skip over that if you are triggered.

🚨🚨🚨

Exiting the hospital after signing the required paperwork and bidding Detective Garcia goodbye, Louis heads towards the front foyer. Approaching the exit doors, he catches sight of Oli outside in the waiting area, drawing in a deep drag of his smoke. A shake of Louis' head conveys his disbelief, the events of the day still rattling through his thoughts.

Louis mutters in disbelief. "I can't believe that Harry's here."

Oli, sharing the sentiment, nods in agreement, equally taken aback by the unexpected surprise. Oli extinguishes his cigarette, expertly flicking it into the garden bed.

"Yeah, it definitely caught me off guard when I first saw him too. I wish you could have seen the way he panicked. I mean, we were all worried, but Harry, let's just say he was adamant about accompanying you to the hospital."

The unexpected revelation adds another layer of astonishment to Louis' already surreal day, particularly the unfolding enigma of Harry's presence. Louis scans his surroundings, searching for his mother because he is in desperate need to get out of there.

“She’s over there. I think she's talking to Lottie, making sure everyone is okay.” Oli notes, his eyes tracking Jay's movements.

At that precise moment, Jay lowers her phone back into her handbag, signalling her readiness to focus on the present as Oli persists.

"You are happy Harry is here, right?" The question lingers as they both observe Jay drawing near.

"Um, I mean… yeah?" Louis responds, the ambiguity in his answer revealing the intricate emotions beneath the surface.

The impending conversation between the two lads is abruptly halted as Jay extends her hand, running it up and down Louis' upper arm in a comforting motion.

“Are you ready to go home?” she asks, her voice carrying a blend of gentleness and understanding.

However, instead of offering an immediate response to his mother, Louis shifts his focus back to Oli.

“Catch up later, yeah?” he proposes.

As Oli nods in agreement, Louis' mother, with a watchful gaze, inserts herself back into the conversation. Her eyes flit between the two, a little concerned as she senses something beneath the surface, heightening the intrigue, presumably surrounding Harry's unexpected return.

“Go and get some well-deserved rest Oli, please. Thank you for being such a great friend to my boy."

Jay words are infused with a hint of weariness. She leans over, planting a kiss on Oli's cheek, a gesture that conveys both gratitude and a sense of maternal warmth towards a lad she also sees as her own.

“ Oi, none of that, you know Louis is like a brother to me. So, with that being said, Louis…” Oli continues as he extends his arms out for a ‘manly’ hug. “ You call me if you need anything. You hear me? Anything Louis, I mean it.”

Throughout the years, Louis has often found himself thanking the stars above for the gift of such a steadfast friend. Yet, in this moment and just like not long ago, as he stands outside the hospital alongside his mother, he gazes at Oli once again with a renewed appreciation. A silent promise forms within Louis – a vow to find a way to repay Oli for being the kind of friend he has always needed. Oli's love, understanding, honesty, and never ending  loyalty has been nothing but constant in Louis' life, and as he contemplates the depth of their friendship, he senses a debt of gratitude that transcends mere words.