One Meaningless Promise

One Meaningless Promise~4

Chapter 4.

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~One Year Later~

Louis walked down the hallway of Simon's office complex, listening to the light padding of his footsteps on the tile, accompanied by silence. His eyes were locked straight ahead and his feet moved quickly with an edge of nervousness as he made his way to Simon's office to discover the "big news" that was awaiting them. After their tour had ended, Simon had called each of them in for a meeting, saying that it was important and urgent. The tour had been incredible-and sure, it had its ups and downs, but when things aren't going well, you just have to step back and take a few moments to remember how wonderful your life is and you'll be okay.

"Good afternoon, Louis, good to see you." Simon's loud voice echoed through the large room as he entered.

"Good to see you, too." Louis smiled, scanning over the room.

It was mostly, if not all, white; white chairs, tables, lamps, you name it. He thought the room looked too formal and sharp, except for the four lads that were sprawled out on one of the white couches together, Liam between Niall and Zayn, and Harry on the far end.

"Hey, mate!"

"Hi, Louis!"

"Hey, man!"

Louis smiled brightly at each of the boys, but he felt his heart clench as he looked into those forbidden, beautiful green eyes. Harry smiled, glad to see his ex-best friend, but his face quickly fell as he remembered that Louis was, in fact, his ex-best friend. Ever since that first meeting with 'Modest!', Harry and Louis have been slowly, painfully ripped apart from each other. After the 'no winking' policy came 'no hugging', then 'no sitting nest to each other', and eventually they had just learned by habit to grow apart. For Harry, it was manageable, because he didn't see much of Louis outside of the band. If he was with him too much, it would be unbearable not to want him even more. Since they had stopped interacting with each other, Harry's anxiety and asthma had seemingly disappeared, as if his body had known that he was going to have to face life without Louis. That he didn't need Louis by his side. That he could manage being alone.

Louis sat down on the opposite side of the couch, out of habit, and leaned into Zayn's shoulder as Simon cleared his throat.

"Well boys, I'd like to congratulate you on finishing your third tour, first of all. And second of all, I have some good news. Or bad news. Call it what you like."

Harry stared at Simon's fingers which were drumming annoyingly against his desk. He had no idea what he had in plan for the band, but he knew it couldn't be that bad.

"You boys are going to be taking a little vacation for the next fifty days. We're sending you to Bouvet Island for a well deserved break."

The boys were silent.

"It's a small, remote Norwegian island that'll keep you out of sight until the time is up. We're not telling anyone where you are, because we think it's best to give you some privacy. While you're there, you can work out some personal issues you may have."

Simon's dark eyes flicked from Louis to Harry. No one said anything for a moment. They didn't know how to react to this. Either they should be happy and relieved, or angry.

"Sweet." Niall broke the silence and the tension in the room all in one.

"Sounds good." Zayn smile at Liam.

"Okay." Harry said quietly, not lifting his glance from his lap.

Louis nodded and sucked in a large breath of air, trying to push back the toxic feeling creeping into his stomach. Six months on a small island with Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Harry. The only way Louis had maintained his sanity for the past year was avoiding that certain curly haired boy. He figured that if he stayed out of Harry's path, he wouldn't even remember that they would've been best friends if it weren't for management. Should've. But now that he gets to spend half a year stuck on an island with him, he isn't sure how he can handle it.

"Be right back."

Louis rushed out of the office and into the nearest bathroom, locking himself in a stall and sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. He dug his fingers through his hair, breathing heavily and screwing his eyes shut as he drew his knees into his chest. Turning towards the toilet, he gripped the edge and retched fiercely into the bowl. Tears slipped down his cheeks as his stomach emptied into the toilet, and he wiped his mouth with some toilet paper, flushing his lunch and breakfast down. A sob lodged in his throat as he stood up and opened the door. Harry stood, leaning against the wall outside of his stall with his legs and arms both crossed. Louis froze as his emerald eyes flew up and stared him straight in the face. No emotion was hidden in his expression. Looking away, Louis strolled past him and to the sinks, washing his hands with soap and hot water before drying them.

"Are you alright?" Harry remained in his position, his stare still locked firmly on Louis.

"I'm fine, thanks." Louis spat, throwing the crumpled paper towel into the trash bin.

He pivoted towards the door and took a step before a larger hand caught his own. His eyebrows furrowed in irritation as he spun around and shook his hand away from the gentle hold. He looked up to meet Harry's gaze, confused when he observed that the boy looked actually hurt.

"Louis..."

He hadn't heard that low, scratchy voice in what seemed like ages.

"What, Harry?" Louis asked coldly.

"When we're in Bouvet, maybe we could try and be...friends again." He gulped, his pink tongue swiping quickly over his lips.

Harry stood silently, his hands in his pockets, waiting for the older boy to reply. He felt a sense of longing for his best friend as those bright blue eyes glared up at him. He didn't care if he was glaring, he was lucky to even get a sentence from him.

"Jesus, Harry, do you even know why I've been avoiding you?" Louis yelled, his voice echoing through the bathroom.

"Louis, I-"

"No, Harry, my answer is no. I'm sorry."

And Louis was sorry as he stared up at the taller boy. He thought he'd need seen anyone look more wounded in his life. He hesitated before striding out of the door, leaving Harry and the building behind him, leaping into his car and starting the ignition.

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