Outcasts

Chapter 10

Waking up next to Louis, naked, was one of the greatest feelings in the world. It was a lazy Sunday morning. English rain pattered quietly against the windowpane, but besides that, it was completely silent. Slivers of cloudy light peaked weakly out from between the blinds giving the room a dim glow.

Harry’s eyelids drifted open on their own accord. The first sensation he noticed was the warm embrace of two tanned, toned arms around his bare chest. After a small moment of recollection, Harry shuffled closer to the strong arms and sighed in contentment, snuggling his head into Louis’ chest. He looked up through his thick eyelashes to see Louis’ sleeping face.

Unable to help himself, Harry continued to stare at his boyfriend. Tiny breaths puffed gently from Louis’ slightly parted lips. The older boy looked serene; facial muscles slack, except for the slight smile at the corners of his mouth. He was quite possibly the cutest thing Harry had ever seen.

With slow, careful movements, Harry extracted his limbs from Louis’ hold, and got up from the bed. After slipping on his boxers, he made his way into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the both of them. He picked out a simple combination of eggs, bacon, and toast, and set about to making the meal.

Harry had always found his home in the kitchen. Not only was he comfortable among the pots and pans, but he had a true talent when it came to culinary arts. He kept his love of food preparation somewhat of a secret, afraid he’d be mocked as if he wasn’t nerdy enough. The only person besides his family who knew of his hidden talent was Liam, who had promised to keep his lips sealed tight as long as Harry made him delicious meals on occasion.

As Harry put the finishing touches on the quick meal, he felt a sense of pride. He loved that he had the ability to cook a wonderful breakfast for the person who meant the most to him.

After arranging the food on the plate, to give it even more appeal, Harry padded across the living room and into the small hallway leading to Louis’ room. Mindful of the full plate in his hand, Harry delicately balanced it in one hand, and pushed the door open with the other.

When he entered the room, Harry was glad to see that Louis had yet to wake up. After pressing a soft kiss to the older boy’s temple, Harry gently shook Louis out of his slumber.

Louis’ eyes opened after a few sleepy blinks. His normally clear blue eyes were clouded with heavy sleep. After noticing Harry, Louis grinned brightly and pulled Harry in for a messy kiss.

“What’s that?” Louis asked, looking questioningly at the full plate in Harry’s hand.

“I made you breakfast.” Harry replied shyly, as he handed Louis the hot plate.

“You made me breakfast in bed? Aw Hazza, you’re so sweet!” Louis said.

Harry handed Louis a fork, and watched in anticipation as Louis took a huge bite. As the older boy chewed on the warm food, he groaned in satisfaction.

“That’s it Harry. I’m keeping you. No use trying to escape, because you’re mine now.”Louis stated seriously, after he had finished chewing the mouthful of food.

Harry tried and failed to ignore how quickly his heart rate skyrocketed at his boyfriend’s playful words.

“I think I’m okay with that.” Harry responded breathlessly.

-x-

The couple spent all of Sunday watching shitty action movie and cuddling on Louis’ sad excuse of a bed. They kissed lazily and laughed at each other’s lame jokes. All in all, Harry was happy. Every moment spent with Louis was pure bliss. The absolute joy Harry experienced with his boyfriend was intoxicating and addictive. But all good things must come to an end; and that’s how Harry found himself flopping down grumpily into his seat at the beginning of first period on Monday morning.

Harry suddenly had the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Suspiciously, he looked around him and quickly noticed that Liam’s regular seat beside him was empty. His eyes scanned around the classroom in suspicion, until he found what he was looking for. In the very back corner of the room, Liam was sitting down at a normally vacant desk and glaring fiercely at Harry.  

                “What the hell?” Harry mouthed in Liam’s direction.

                Liam’s only response was a roll of his eyes, before redirecting his attention to the notes in front of him.

                Before Harry could make any other attempt at figuring out the cause of Liam’s rudeness, the teacher began handing out a test that Harry had completely forgotten about.

-x-

                At the end of the period, Liam was the first to leave the room. Knowing Liam’s next class, Harry dashed after his friend, pushing past anyone who got in his way. He caught up to the angry boy quickly and grabbed onto his shoulder to stop him.

                “What’s your problem?” Harry gasped, still trying to catch his breath.

                “Just let me get to class, okay?” Liam said in exasperation.

                “Not until you tell me what the problem is. You’ve never been mad at me.”  Harry demanded.

                “Fine. You really want to know?” Liam questioned.

                “Well, yeah.” Harry replied warily.

                “You are Harry.” Liam said flatly.

                “What?” Harry asked.

                “You’re the problem. You used to be someone I could trust and rely on. You used to be smart and reliable. But then all of the sudden some drop-out stoner kid gives a shit about you and you’re a complete dumbass! You let him changed you! I’m with Zayn and I’m exactly the way I’ve always been. Do you even care about anything besides Louis anymore? You’ve let your whole life go to shit without even noticing! I know you’re lying to your parents now at least once a day, and last week you didn’t do the Chemistry homework. I bet you didn’t even know about the test we had last class. You’ve become everything you hated. And I’m not going to be the one to fix you.” Liam said passionately.

                Harry couldn’t reply. He couldn’t possibly think of a response. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Liam was right. He had not only changed, but he had lost touch of who he was.

                After Harry didn’t respond, Liam sighed in defeat and stomped away.

                Harry watched him go until he was swallowed in the churning sea of teenagers. He felt lost, alone, and broken. Harry had not only disappointed his best friend, but he had disappointed himself.