Angels in Hell (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 35

June 12th, 2023
Alternate Universe

*Harry's P.O.V.*

"What if he doesn't like me?" she asks.

I push her brunette bangs from her face and kiss her cheek.

"He'll love you,"I whisper. "What's not to love?"

She blushes.

"Whatever."

I take her hand and pull her through the front door of my house. Ed is sitting on the couch with a slight smile on his face.

"Hey Ed!" I say. "This is Leslie Linson. Leslie, this is Ed."

She smiles causing cute crinkles by her eyes.

"Oh! This is the girl I've heard so much about!" Ed exclaims.

Why is he being so cheerful? It's scaring me. Leslie giggles and puts out her hand.

"It's nice meeting you, she says sort of shy.

That's the way she is. Shy... until you get to know her. Ed shakes her hand.

"Make yourself comfortable," Ed says gesturing to the livingroom. "I'm going to finish up dinner so we can eat."

"Thank you," Leslie says.

Ed smiles and leaves us alone in the livingroom. I lead Leslie to one of the couches and we sit next to each other with our hands remaining intertwined.

"Why are you being polite?" I ask.

She laughs.

"I want to make a good impression."

"Well, stop being so polite. Be yourself, Les."

She gives me the "really?" look and chuckles again. I give her the look right back.

"I'm serious, Leslie. Be your sassy little self. He'll love you for you," I continue.

She grins and nods.

"But not too sassy," I add.

She giggles and kisses my nose, sending tingles down my body. I met Leslie five months ago and we immediatly had chemistry... no kidding. We had Chemistry class together. She is so special, beautiful, funny, and absolutely perfect. I really like her. I don't know if what I'm feeling is love, but I love whatever I'm feeling. I love how happy I am around him and how happy he is around me. I meant she, not he. My mistake...

"Dinner is ready, kids!" Ed yells from the kitchen.

I squeeze Leslie's hand and pull her into the kitchen where plates and food are set on the table. Leslie and I take a seat next to each other. Ed sits across from us.

"So, Leslie... Tell me a little bit about yourself," Ed says.

I take a bite of lasagna and look at Leslie. She glances at me. I give her an encouraging smile. She smiles, too. A real smile that reaches her eyes.

"Well... I'm on the girl's football team at school," Leslie says sweetly.

She takes a bite of her lasagna. How is she cute even eating?

"Oh really? Harry was once on a football team," Ed says.

"Was he?" Leslie questions looking at me.

She raises an eyebrow.

"You learn something new everyday," I say amused.

She leans fowards when she laughs and rolls her beautiful blue eyes.

"But how come you suck at football?"

"Oooh!" Ed says. "Burn."

My mouth gapes open in fake shock.

"How could you say that?" I say jokingly.

She laughs and playfully slaps my arm.

"I'm only kidding," she says laughing still.

"No, you're not. I know I suck."

She snickers. I look at Ed who is smirking at me. I mouth, "What?" He only shakes his head and resumes eating.

"Do you play any instruments?" Ed asks Leslie.

"Yes, actually. I play a bit of piano," she says. "But I have a difficult time with singing and playing piano at the same time."

"She can actually play "How to Save a Life" by The Fray," I say smiling.

"Really?"

I nod and smile cheekily at Leslie. She blushes and pushes her hair behind her ears.

"You have a good taste in music," Ed says.

She grins.

"Just like Louis," he adds.

I throw my fork down on my plate and send glares like daggers at him.

"Who's Louis?" Leslie asks.

"You never told Leslie about Louis?"

Ignoring Ed's question, I grumble, "Don't you dare bring him up now, you bastard."

Ed looks surprised. I push my plate away suddenly losing my appetite.

"Sorry," I whisper before storming off to my room.

I run into my room and lay on my bed, stuffing my face in my pillow pet. (Yes, pillow pet. Don't make fun of me... It's a penquin. Tee hee.) How dare he bring him up. I'm trying to forget him. I didn't want to tell Leslie about Louis. Not until I felt like the time was right.

"Harry?" I hear a voice say behind me.

I wipe away my tears as he sits on the edge of my bed.

"Where's Leslie?" I ask.

"Eating. I couldn't wait to talk to you," Ed replies.

"What's to talk about?" I ask.

I sit next to him and sigh.

"Want to hear the truth?" Ed asks.

"Yes."

"Even if it hurts?"

"Yeah."

I peer at Ed and he smiles at me.

"I think Leslie is a lot like Louis," Ed says suddenly.

He was right. That did kind of hurt.

"How?" I ask.

"Your description of Louis matches Leslie very well."

"How? I ask again.

"Brown hair, blue eyes, plays piano, likes The Fray, sassy, football-"

"I get it."

Ed sighs and pats my back.

"I just think that maybe... you found someone like him and you're trying to replace him and forget him for good."

"I wish I could forget him, but.... it's just not possible.

"You can't forget him, Harry. And you defidently cannot replace him. You love him."

"So... Do you think that I should break up with Leslie?" I ask looking Ed in the eye.

He puts his tattooed arm around me.

"That isn't my decision. Just do whatever makes you happy."

And I did. That night, I talked to Leslie about Louis. She responded by saying that we should take a break. I agreed thinking that'd it be best if I did try and figure out... everything. I sat down that night and listened to the radio. I think you know by know which station.

"This next song is dedicated to a friend of mine. If you're listening, enjoy," Louis says cheerfully.

I listen until I hear "Look After You" by The Fray, Louis' favorite song other than "Who Let the Dogs Out?" He knows how happy it makes me. He knows how happy he makes me. I've tried getting over him, forgetting him, and replacing him... but now I know it's no use. I don't want Leslie Linson. I want Louis Tomlinson. Correction. I need him.