Forbidden {L.S.}

Eight(H)

Niall and I ended up ditching school the next day as part of our plans. I was expecting Louis to call and demand to know where I was, but I never even got a text. Niall had me bring my phone but lock it in the glove box.

"Look, it's nothing bad, there's no reason you can't ignore him for a little bit."

"No, trust me, there's plenty of reason not to ignore him, but whatever," I mumbled. Niall didn't get that there was a constant threat between Louis and I. Any second something can rip us apart and I wouldn't be sure if I was going to see him again. Just because I was mad didn't mean I wanted anything to happen to him.

Niall looked at me while we were driving. It had probably been twenty minutes of just music at that point. "You've been really quiet."

"I'm just thinking, Niall," I dismissed. "Let me think."

"Leave Louis alone. Just five hours, I want you to forget he exists. We're going to be playing stupid games and running around and if you're distracted by your phone then you're not having fun which is the whole point." Niall glanced at me, then back to the road. "It's one day. You guys will be fine. We're both gone, he probably put two and two together."

"Fine, fine," I sighed. "What exactly are we doing?"

Niall shrugged and continued to head out of town. "Having fun. We'll figure that out as we go. But you're not worrying."

"Fine, whatever, Niall." I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes. "I'm just worried. I feel like there's something wrong that's going to happen."

"Nothing's going to happen. You just need to relax and remember that space away from your boyfriend is good, still." I looked at Niall, and he glanced at me. "It's good to get some space."

"We're practically married at this point."

"I would agree, but you guys still don't have to be around each other. If you miss him, that's good. If he misses you, that's good. It means that you guys truly care. Don't worry about it too much. You've been together a year, Harry. You don't have to be married yet."

We stopped and got some breakfast before Niall started driving out of town. I tapped my fingers on my legs and looked out the window, not expecting a text.

I pulled my phone out and checked the text despite Niall telling me not to. In my defense, it had been nearly two hours since I put the device away. I had ever right to check it and make sure no one was dying on me.

Lou💙:
Are you coming home tonight?

I shut off my phone and took a deep breath. Probably, I didn't want to think about it yet. I wanted some space.

Three hours, multiple games of laser tag and two pizzas later, Niall and I decided to take a break. We got in the car again and I grabbed my phone, seeing a call from my mom. I looked at Niall and showed him.

"Have you guys been talking?" Niall asked, grabbing two bottles of water that he keeps in the car. I took one while shaking my head. "That's weird."

I took a drink before calling her back. When I heard my dad yelling in the background, I sighed. "Hi, Mom."

"Where the hell are you? You need to be home."

I shook my head. "I'm living with my boyfriend, no I'm not coming home. I'm pretty sure you and dad are drunk and think I'm in tutoring or something stupid like that."

"Harry Edward," she snapped. "You are still-"

"I have a restraining order against Robin, remember? I can't go back and I don't want to, frankly."

"Harry," she sighed. "I miss you." I heard her start to choke up, but I could tell it was fake. I hated how she cried like that.

"Are you still with him?" I asked coldly. I took her silence as her answer. "I'm not going back." I hung up and rubbed my face. "Why does she think that's okay?"

"She doesn't, she's desperate to get you back. I don't agree with her," Niall added on, "but maybe you could start seeing her a few times."

I wasn't going to argue. I knew I wouldn't talk to her. She made the choice not to leave Robin when he sent me to the hospital. He didn't force her to stay, and I won't force her to leave. She shouldn't be expecting me to come back the first time she calls, though. Any time she calls. He could have killed me.

"Why are things so complicated all the time?" I groaned.

"Well, H, you kinda signed up for it when you agreed to date Tomlinson." I hit his arm, which made Niall laugh. I relaxed in the seat and smiled a little, trying to shake off everything else.

Louis wasn't perfect, I'm not perfect. I love him way to much to give him up over something stupid. I needed him like I needed air. If I didn't have Louis, I probably would have gave up and dropped out last year, the struggled for a long time to be able to stand on my own. This was one small slip up. Even if he did only break up with me for her, he still broke up with me. He didn't cheat on me. It might be one of the worst way to rationalize things, but I didn't want to lose Louis over this, and I'm the one deciding what happens.

The balls in my court, I just have to decide if I want to keep playing with Louis or go to another court.