TORN

Chapter 7: Entangled Worlds

For days, Y/N had felt Harry distancing himself from her. It was subtle, but it was there. His glances weren't as intense, his embraces less passionate, and even in their private moments, he seemed absent. She had tried to understand the cause, but each time she brought it up, Harry evaded her questions. It was frustrating, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

In truth, it was the kiss with Louis that Harry couldn't get out of his mind. That one moment under the night sky had thrown him completely off balance. Louis' carefree attitude, the way he challenged Harry, had stirred something in him he couldn't explain—and didn't want to. Though he tried to focus on Y/N, his thoughts kept drifting back to Louis. That was why he had been distant with Y/N.

To break the tension, Y/N had given Harry concert tickets. "I thought it might be good for both of us to unwind a little," she had said, flashing him a bright smile. Harry had hesitated—not because he didn't want to go to the concert, but because he was afraid someone might see them. A colleague, a student... It was risky. But Y/N had eventually convinced him.

"No one will notice us, Harry," she had assured him. "It's a concert. Everyone will be focused on themselves."

Now they stood in the middle of the crowd, the band playing on stage as lights flashed wildly over the audience. Y/N moved to the beat of the music, but she could tell Harry was nervous. He seemed tense, his eyes darting around as if searching for someone familiar—a teacher or student who might recognize him with Y/N.

"Are you okay?" Y/N asked, leaning closer to him to speak over the noise of the music.

Harry nodded, but it was a strained nod that didn't convince her. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, though she could feel his absence. She was about to press him when a familiar yet completely unexpected voice sounded behind them.

"Oioi, Professor! What a surprise to see you here!"

Harry's body stiffened instantly. That voice—he would have recognized it anywhere—Louis. Lately, he had thought about him often, about the kiss, about the tension between them. But here, now, in the middle of this concert, Louis was the last person he had expected to see.

Y/N sensed the change in Harry's posture and turned around. In front of them stood a young man with brown hair falling casually over his forehead and a wide, cheeky grin. It was clear that this Louis had a certain way of meeting people—open, direct, and a little provocative.

"Louis," Harry said, his voice almost flat, as if he couldn't believe what was happening.

"Oh, so you remember me," Louis said with a quiet laugh before turning his attention to Y/N. "And who's this?" His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked between Harry and Y/N.

Harry hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "This is Y/N... my student."

Y/N suddenly didn't know how to feel. She didn't understand what was going on, but the way Louis looked at her unsettled her. "Yes, I'm his student," she finally said, though it sounded almost like a defense.

"So, she's the reason you had to down those whiskies the other night?" Louis grinned broadly, as if he had just dropped a bomb into the conversation and was waiting for the explosion.

Y/N blinked in confusion. "What?" She looked at Harry, her heart starting to race. "What's he talking about?"

Harry looked like he wanted to run away. "It's... nothing," he muttered, but his voice betrayed more than he intended.

"Oh, it's definitely something," Louis said with a small laugh. "Omg, I love the drama!" He was clearly enjoying every word he spoke, and the way Harry squirmed before him.

Y/N felt her stomach twist. None of this made sense. "Harry, what's going on?" she asked, her voice now sharper and more demanding.

Harry looked at her, but he couldn't hold her gaze for long. "It's complicated," he said quietly, but Y/N could tell that wasn't enough. Not now, not after everything Louis had implied.

"Complicated?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "What's complicated, Harry? Explain it to me."

"Yes, Harry, explain it to her," Louis said with a grin, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure she'll understand."

Harry shook his head, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Louis, please..."

"Oh, now you want me to stay quiet?" Louis raised his hands in mock innocence. "No problem, I'll leave you two to your little secrets." He winked at Harry before turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

Y/N stood there, confused, hurt, and angry all at once. She had no idea what had happened between Harry and Louis, but she knew it was more than Harry was willing to admit. "What was that?" she finally asked, her voice quiet but full of determination.

Harry looked at her, the desperation in his eyes clear. "It's... complicated," he repeated, but this time, it sounded like he really believed it.