reminiscence - larry

Eight

"Right, this silent treatment is pissing me off. Why are you still annoyed at me?" Niall asks, bursting into Harry's room.

It's Thursday and so far, Harry hasn't spoken to any of the group since Saturday, besides Liam. It's not like it's a conscious choice, he just doesn't feel inclined to speak to any of them, especially Niall.

"Harry, I'm talking to you."

"I'm aware." Is all Harry says, continuing to write in his notebook.

"Quit it, will ya? I said I'm sorry."

"Doesn't mean I have to accept it."

Deep down, he knows it's not fair to treat Niall like this, after all, his night was ruined but not by Harry. Harry was merely an innocent bystander to Louis' meltdown and then Niall blamed Harry. So actually, thinking about it, it is fair.

"Harry, I know I shouldn't have said anything. I was just upset." Niall says, appearing in Harry's peripheral.

"I don't want to talk about it." Harry says, turning to face Niall and noticing his sad eyes. "Louis made himself look like an idiot. Why are you acting like his actions are justified?"

Niall's previously sad eyes harden, his gaze steely and firm. "You do realise that he just wants to get along with life, right? He doesn't want any of this drama."

"He shouldn't have caused it then." Harry says bluntly, feeling slightly threatened by Niall's perception of the situation.

It's not like Harry wants the drama, in fact he was happy to go along with not speaking to Louis ever again. Well, that's potentially a lie but no one needs to know that, especially not Louis.

"Why can't you just get on like before?" Niall groans in frustration, followed by a deep breath. "I just want my best mates back."

"It's not like we've gone anywhere, is it? If anything, I-" Harry sighs. "We're going above and beyond to make you three feel comfortable."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Then you really have no fucking idea, do you?" Niall mutters, leaving the room with a slam of the door.

"What the fuck?" Harry sighs, leaning back in his chair.

His back's stiff from the amount of time he's sat here writing stupid fucking songs. Songs he's not sure if he's going to ever perform because at this rate, his friendship with Niall isn't exactly great.

He reaches for his phone and looks at the time. 1:45pm. Either Niall's going to spite Harry and not go to his shift or he's just running late as usual. To be honest, both outcomes are pissing Harry off to no end. He looks out of his window, the grey clouds swirl around and lick into any remaining patches of blue remaining above them. He's annoyed at Niall for not understanding how shit it is to have to be in the same vicinity of the person that he loved deeper than anything before. On the other hand, he does actually realise how shit it must be for the other lads having to endure their breakup too; a breakup that they never wanted either.

He stands up with a sigh, stretching his arms above his head in an attempt to relieve the ache in his spine. He can't help but wonder why he's putting himself or the others through his stress. It's very clear that Louis and Harry being in the same place doesn't work and most likely never will. The thought of distancing himself from them makes him feel a bit sick but he'd rather not destroy his friendships.

"I'm heading off." Niall says bursting into the room without knocking. "I'll see you at the pub tonight."

"Probably not." Harry says, partly not meaning to out loud.