From Everything That Was (Till Everything That Will Be)

Before (Past)

I love you when you're singing that song
And I got a lump in my throat
'Cause you're gonna sing the words wrong
- Riptide, Vance Joy

In December of that year, Louis' best friend from Manchester came to visit him in Doncaster. Louis had visited him a handful of times since he moved, but now it was his turn.

Stan arrived December twelfth which was a Saturday, and he was staying until the following Sunday. That also meant Louis had to turn down Harry when he asked if he wanted to join him in the cinema to watch a movie.

"Why?" Harry asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"My friend Stan is visiting this weekend."

"Oh." Harry looked down. "So... you're booked all weekend?"

"Yup." Louis nodded. "Sorry, Haz. I'm sure you can join us a bit if you'd like."

Harry shook his head. "I don't wanna intrude. Have fun, Lou." And then he left Louis standing alone by the sandbox on the playground.

When Stan arrived that weekend, Louis was beyond excited. He eagerly showed Stan his home, and he showed him the attic. Stan looked around, clearly impressed. "This is so cool, Louis."

"Thanks," grinned Louis. He sat down on his bed. "I think so, too. I love it."

Stan hummed, joining Louis on the bed. "You still like living here?"

Louis nodded. "I love it, actually. More than Manchester even, I think."

"We miss you, though," Stan said. "Oli and I."

Oli was another of Louis' friends, though that was a bit of a stretch. Oli was Stan's friend, and Stan was Louis' friend, and therefore they had all spent time together, but it wasn't like Oli was a good friend of Louis'.

"I know," Louis just said. He looked down at his shoes. "So... what do you wanna do? We could play football, or go visit the record store, or bake—"

"Not baking," Stan said, scrunching his nose. "And it's too cold for football. And since when are you interested in records?"

Louis got silent. "I like music."

"I know, but records, Louis? Ever heard of a CD?"

"Records are cool," Louis said, "and the shops, too. And baking is also really fun."

"Can't we just play on your PlayStation all day and eat loads of chips?"

"Sure," Louis said with a sigh. "I don't see why not."

* * *

"Did you have fun with Stan this weekend?" Harry asked that Monday in class. His eyes were set on the sheet of paper in front of him.

"Eh," Louis said. "I think I've played enough PlayStation for a lifetime if I'm honest. By the end, I was sooo bored."

Harry looked up. He looked like he was trying to suppress a smile. "Really?"

Louis pursed his lips, the pieces slowly collecting in his head. "Were you jealous, Haz?"

Harry got silent for a few beats before begrudgingly mumbling, "Maybe?"

"Why?" Louis chuckled.

Harry shrugged. "I'm used to spending so much time with you. "I just... missed you, that's all. And I know that isn't fair, you're allowed to spend time with other people, I guess I had just forgotten you also... I don't even know."