warm bread - Larry Stylinson AU

1

Harry runs down the narrow stairs in a hurry, causing loud stomps to shake the wooden rail.

"What's the hurry?" Harry's mom, Anne asks as she stands at the bottom of the steps.

"Work, I have to go." Harry says out of breath.

Harry reaches over and kisses Anne's cheek quickly before slamming the door behind him.

Harry walks slowly down the stone pathway. He's only a block away from the bakery when a memory of last Sunday flashes by. Harry can't get the words out of his head.

See you around.

Harry was glad he told Louis when his shift was because he really did hope that the boy with the long eyelashes would come back again. Harry had to bite his lip just thinking about it, he couldn't help but smile.

Harry's never really told anyone about his sexuality, he's had a few girlfriends but it just didn't feel right. He used it more as a way to pass time, to feel less lonely. He lived in fear of dating or liking another male because he was scared of the idea of being judged. Harry never liked the idea of being judged.

But there was something about Louis that made Harry's cheek go bright red just by looking at him, Harry couldn't really put his finger on it but all he knew is that he liked that feeling.

Harry stands outside the door of the bakery and pulls the key from his back pocket. As he unlocks the the door and pushes it open, he sounds the familiar bell. Harry sighs as flips the open sign around so it shows on the outside. He walks to the back of the shop and reaches for his apron. He places it over his head, messing his curls and ties a knot behind his back.

Harry spends the hour making bread, cookies and cakes. The basic things that he learn from his year of working at the shop. He finishes all the baking and sits at the counter, scribbling in his journal. The shop doesn't really get busy until the late morning, which would be pretty soon. So Harry waits patiently for some customers to serve.

A few minutes later the bell rings and Harry quickly looks up, he meets eyes with a lady, a regular. Harry hides his journal under the counter and smiles at her.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" Harry says with a welcoming smile.

"Two loafs please, white." The lady smiles and Harry nods.

Harry bags two loafs of white bread and hands it to the lady, a few moments later he takes her money and gives her change.

"Thank you." The lady says and Harry waves goodbye with a smile.

As soon as the lady steps outside, Harry sighs and sinks back into the chair.

Before Harry can even think about grabbing his journal, the bell sounds again and a man walks in. As Harry serves the man, two more customers walk in. Every time Harry looks up automatically, hoping to see Louis but is always disappointed.

Harry serves the lady next in line and as he does the bell rings again, Harry instantly looks up. His heart sinks when his eyes meet with the blue ones he met last week.

Louis joins the ends of the line and quietly taps his untied sneakers against the hard floor.

Harry's heart starts beating rapidly. A few customers have joined the line and the shop is full of customers, Harry tries his best but he can't stop looking at the customer who stands there with his phone in his hand and fringe in front of his eyes.

A loud ringtone sounds and Harry's heart skips a beat. Everyone looks at Louis, he doesn't even notice, he's too busy looking at the caller ID on his phone with annoyance.

"What is it?" Louis answers, rolling his eyes.

"For fucks sake." Louis growls, not caring about the al shocked eyes that stare at him. Louis looks at Harry and frowns before he slips his phone into his ripped  jeans and walks out the door, letting it slam behind him.

Harry is over taken with disappointment. He puts on the biggest smile he can and serves the last of his customers. As soon as the shop is empty he sits in his chair and sighs heavily. So close.

Harry couldn't stop wondering about who Louis was talking too or where he was going, he didn't seem too pleased. Harry couldn't bear the thought of having to wait another week to see Louis. He really hoped that he would come back.

Louis didn't come back.

Harry sat in the chair, ten minutes after closing time before he finally decided to close up the shop.

As soon as Harry got home, he went straight to bed, sleeping for the rest of the afternoon.