Darling

Chapter One

Monday morning came all too quickly. Harry woke up to his alarm, the memories from the night before came flooding in all at once. He smiled to himself as he climbed out of bed. The conversation from the last night with his crush, Louis, replayed in his mind over and over. As he fixed his hair in the bathroom mirror, he smiled at his reflection. Harry walked out of his bedroom, bag across his shoulder, and made his way downstairs where he saw his mother reading the newspaper on the kitchen bench. Harry smiled and walked towards her.

"Morning, mum," he said with a smile, sliding into the bench seat opposite her.

"Good morning, love," she said as she glanced up and smiled at him, setting the newspaper down. Harry looked down, smiling to himself as he again, recalled last night's conversation with Louis.

"What's going on with you?" His mum asked, sipping on her coffee and giving him a curious look. Harry looked up at her warm face debating on whether to tell her or not.

"I messaged Louis last night and he responded. We talked for a bit and then he asked me out. And I know what you are going to say," He blurted out, cutting her off knowing she was about to interject, "That it is too soon, and I need to be careful. And I know, I will be." She smiled at him, and Harry knew she was happy for him.

The loud noise of the front door opening with someone shouting startled them both. Harry shook his head and laughed as his best friend, Niall, entered the kitchen.

"Morning, Anne. Morning, Harry," he said with a smile on his face.

"Good morning, Niall!" Anne exclaimed, setting down her cup of coffee and embracing Niall in a hug. He embraced her too.

"Now, off you go to school, or you are both going to be late," Anne spoke, glancing at the clock on the wall behind Harry. She let go of Niall as Harry got out of his seat.

"Bye, mum. I love you."

"Love you too," She called out as both Harry and Niall made their way out of the house. Niall's car was parked out front and as he climbed into his car, Harry had an uneasy feeling. He looked over at his friend in the driver's seat, he looked pale, and his eyes filled with tears.

"Niall," Harry said gently, reaching his hand out and placing it on Niall's shoulder as a comforting gesture.

"I'm sorry. I'm fine," He smiled weakly, as he took a deep breath while blinking his eyes countless times to make the tears disappear. 

"I don't believe you." Niall closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"It happened. Again." When Harry heard those words, his heart instantly sank because he knew exactly what Niall meant.

"I am so sorry, Niall," Harry said, in a hushed tone.

"I'll be fine. Let's just focus on getting through this week," Niall murmured as he pulled out of the driveway.

The journey to school was quiet. Niall was focusing on the road and Harry couldn't help but let his mind wander. Scenario after scenario played out in his head of what could go wrong on his date.

He knew they were unrealistic, and that it would probably be fine, but he couldn't help feeling the intense anxiety of the 'what ifs.' By the time they had pulled into the school car park and Niall had parked the car, Harry's mind was a swirl of confusion and panic. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, hoping for a sense of calmness in his crazy imagination.

By the time lunch had come around, Harry could see that Niall was feeling happier than he was in the morning. They sat in the far corner of the cafeteria, away from the noise. Niall was chatting happily to Harry about the fact that his crush had smiled at him while he lined up for math earlier that day. Harry thought it was sweet the way Niall was gushing over it.