in the pub that we met he's got his arms around you- l.s.

one

As the lecture ended, the butterflies that laid dormant inside Harry burst into life. A mixture of excitement, nervousness and happiness filled his chest.

Louis had planned to visit him this weekend and said that he'd meet him outside the school. While Harry trusted his best friend with his life, he didn't trust that he kept his promises. That would only set him up for disappointment.

"You ready for the weekend?" Maya asked him and their other classmate, Matthew.

"Yes," groaned Matthew as he stowed away his computer while Harry hummed in agreement.

The weekend would be awful if Louis didn't show up, leaving him too long for the distraction his lectures provided. If Louis did show up, however, he wished that the weekend would never end.

Harry quickly packed up his things before he shouldered his backpack and picked up his snapback. Leaning against the wall, he waited for his friends to finish packing.

"You're so slow," Harry complained, but his dimpled smile lessened the impact of his tone.

"Or you're just quick," muttered Maya as she finally put her computer into her backpack. "You're weird, H."

"Thanks," Harry smiled proudly, causing his two friends to laugh.

The three of them spent a lot of time together at school, but not as much outside it. Harry had started to sit with Maya and Matthew in lectures during their fourth semester. It had been a pure coincidence that they even became friends.

First, Harry had been late, which almost never happened. Second, the two of them had been there on time, which was also unusual. Thirdly, and most importantly, Harry's stress had diminished his nerves and he had asked if the seat next to them was free. The girl Harry usually spent time with had dropped out at the beginning of the semester, so he was mostly alone.

The lecture hall was empty save two students who talked to the professor when Harry, Maya and Matthew finally left. They walked through the long corridors towards the exit closest to the bus station. With every step closer to the doors, the butterflies flying around in Harry's chest only became more prominent.

"I need to use the bathroom before we go," Matthew said when they were almost at the doors, pointing to the toilets on his right. "Me too," said Maya."

"I'll wait for you at the doors, okay?" Harry told them as they separated. He would need a moment to compose himself if Louis wasn't there, or to at least be able to keep it together until he got home because, while Harry had learnt over the years not to trust that Louis kept his promises, he was still crushed with disappointment every time it happened.

This time, he hadn't needed to worry, because Louis stood a few steps away from the doors, leaning against the wall on one shoulder with crossed legs, his phone in hand.

Harry's face lit up with a smile as soon as he saw his best friend, barely managing to keep himself from squealing with happiness.

"Lou," he said with a soft voice as he came within earshot. Louis' head snapped up and he immediately spotted Harry. His face split into a blinding smile as his eyes fixed on Harry.

Harry all but jumped into Louis' arms when he came close enough to touch him, Louis' arms opening automatically. Their arms wrapped around each other tightly, tugging each other as close as possible. He had missed his best friend so much.

Harry was vaguely aware of people walking past them, having conversations and undoubtedly looking at them as they hugged, but he couldn't care less. Usually he tried to fly under the radar, but he didn't care about standing out from the crowd as long as he had Louis by his side to support him. Together they were able to face almost anything.