Disappearace 2

9

Harry watched through the window of his own home as Louis drove off ten minutes later. He glanced at the clock. It was just a little past eight.

His life just became very complicated. Louis was alive and clearly, he still had feelings for him. That didn't mean they should be together. How could he go back? Either he believed Louis' crazy explanation of time traveling or saw the real truth, Louis left and decided four years later to return and rather lie to him about his whereabouts instead of taking full responsibility for his actions.

Honestly, he didn't know what to believe. Louis looked just the same. Not a day older. He picked up his phone and began to google the possibility of time traveling but that only stated the fact that it was impossible. The theory behind it was there but not the reality.

At nine he texted Nick and asked him to come over. He arrived forty minutes later. Harry realized that he had been staring at the wall the whole time.
"Rough night? You look tired." Nick smiled and hugged him.

"Yeah, I need to tell you something." Harry sighed.

Nick looked worried.
"Alright."

They took a seat in the living room. Last night Louis had been sitting at the same spot that Nick was occupying right now. Harry dragged a hand through his hair.
"I don't know how to say this so I'm just gonna blurt it out. Louis is alive. He came to visit me yesterday."

He saw Nick's face turn from shock to sadness.
"Oh. Shit! Really? Where has he been?"

"I don't fuckng know." Harry sighed and rubbed his face in frustration.

"I guess that's it between us then?" Nick said.

"What? No! He's been one for four years doing God knows what. I've moved on." Harry protested upset.

Nick smiled sadly.
"Now you're just lying to yourself, Harry. It's okay. I've tried to be patient letting you grieve his death but this changes everything."

"It doesn't have to change. I'm with you now." Harry answered.

"Do you love me?" Nick asked.

Harry twisted uncomfortable in his seat. He didn't know what to say.
"It's okay, I already know the answer to that. I thought that if I gave you enough time that might change one day but that's on me." Nick shrugged.

"I really like you, Nick! You're a great guy! I might love you one day!" Harry tried.

"I think I deserve more. I want to be with someone that falls in love with me instantly, not someone that might learn to love me someday. That big great love. You know exactly which one I'm talking about because for you that person is Louis." Nick replied thoughtfully.

"I was just a teenager when I met him." Harry huffed.

"So? That just makes you lucky in my eyes, Harry. Age has nothing to do with it." Nick smiled.

Harry just looked at him. Then he sighed.
"I'm really sorry, Nick. You do deserve more than I can offer you. I hope we can still be friends?"

"With time." Nick smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

Harry felt horrible for hurting him. He knew that Nick liked him way more than he said.
"This doesn't mean that I will be running back to Louis."

"Then you're a fool." Nick smirked and stood up. "I'm gonna go."

"Don't go. I hate this. I hope you don't feel like I used you. It was never my intention Nick." Harry said.

"There's not a bad bone in your body, Harry. I know that. This is on me. I shouldn't have got involved. You weren't ready for a relationship but I ignored it because... Anyway. I'm glad that Louis is alive." Nick said.

"Nick, this is entirely my fault. I would feel better if you yelled at me." Harry replied, feeling even worse.

"No point in that." Nick shrugged.

"Yeah...I'm sorry. Oh, and please don't tell anyone that Louis is back. I don't know what his plan is but..." Harry stressed.

"Don't worry. I won't tell. Bye, Harry." Nick said. He turned around and left in a hurry.

Harry lay down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. Just like that, he was single again. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now. Should he just go back to a life without Louis? Should they be friends? Could he even be friends with Louis? Or should he beg for him to take him back? No, he couldn't do that. No matter how Louis disappeared and why he left him. How would he ever be able to trust him again?

Louis texted him to give him his new number. He answered politely and asked him how he was but ended the text conversation quickly.

He just walked around in limbo for a couple of days. Then Niall called.
"He's alive!" Niall shouted.

"I know." Harry replied.

"You must be so happy." Niall said.

"It's complicated, mate." Harry muttered.

"I guess. So, I'm rounding up the boys. We're taking a plane to London. We'll pick you up on our way to Doncaster." Niall rambled excitedly.

"I'm not going, Niall." Harry said.

"What do you mean?" Niall questioned.

"He doesn't want to see me." Harry said.

"Nonsense!" Niall protested.

"I'm not going!" Harry said and hung up.

He should have known that Niall wouldn't listen. The next day the news about Louis being alive was all over the internet. Harry guessed that Louis finally had told the authorities. He worried about him. He thought about calling but Louis didn't want that.

Then Niall, Liam, and Zayn showed up. Even if he knew why they were there he was still happy to see them.
"Guys! Long time no see." 

He hugged them with a smile and let them in. They took a seat in the living room. Harry sighed. 
"I know why you're here. I won't go. I can't." 

Niall gave Liam and Zayn a look and they left the room. Harry embraced himself for one of Niall's firey speeches.