The New Roommate - Larry Stylinson AU

Chapter Five - Jealousy

Niall absolutely loved the present from Louis and Harry. He had ripped open the wrapping paper and had been so excited with the scooter that he hadn't even bothered to open Zayn's present right away since he was too busy zooming around on the child's toy.

Louis watched Harry's face as he laughed at Niall winding in and out of boys in the corridor on the way to maths. He couldn't help but stare at those gorgeous dimples and the way Harry's green eyes sparked when he was really, genuinely happy.

"Thanks so much, Harry!" Niall said for the billionth time that morning after Louis told him the scooter had been Harry's idea.

"That's okay," Harry said quietly, smiling at the Irish boy. He may have been at the school for weeks already, but trusting people was something Harry found hard. Louis could see the apprehension in his eyes dissolving slightly every day though, and he was looking forward to the day his friends could see the funny, talkative side of Harry that only he knew.

***

"Okay, let's mix things up. Instead of being paired with the boy next to you, please work with the person behind you. Now, work on the card sort together."

Louis scowled at his maths teacher, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. Not because he was annoyed that he didn't get to work with Harry, but because he didn't want the curly-haired lad to have to work with someone he didn't know. However, his nerves immediately disappeared when he heard the familiar accent behind him and remembered that it was just Niall that sat behind Harry.

Harry, relieved that he could work with Niall, was still a little worried. He knew that his anxiety of other people was getting ridiculous but he couldn't help it. Louis was the only one he felt truly comfortable around, although he knew that Niall and Liam and Zayn were great guys, too. They had always tried to involve him, to make sure he wasn't left out, but Harry found it difficult to open up to them.

"Hey Curly!" Niall chirped cheerfully when Harry turned around his chair to face him.

"Hi Niall," Harry tried for a shy smile.

Niall talked loudly to Harry as they matched up the cards. Louis was surprised when he heard that familiar bark of laughter, the goofy laugh that Harry did when he really thought something was funny. Louis turned around to see his roommate and best friend laughing together and instead of a smile stretching across his face like he had assumed, his mouth twisted down into a frown. He was suddenly extremely jealous that it wasn't him making Harry laugh like that, that it was Niall that got to work with him. And then he felt a really uncalled for anger towards Ed, the boy he was partnered with because he'd much rather be with Harry.

Louis kicked himself mentally and told himself to pull himself together. He wanted Harry to be friends with Niall and his mates. Of course he did. He wanted them all to get along so that Harry could finally be himself around people other than just Louis. But Louis hadn't been expecting the green-eyed monster to roar up as soon as it happened.

***

Louis tried to be happy when Harry walked beside Niall and Josh on the way to the dining room instead of hanging back with Louis like he normally did. The two boys seemed surprised that Harry was actually joining in the conversation, making witty little remarks here and there instead of being completely silent like usual. But they were happy about it, nonetheless. Niall especially, since he knew that Louis and Harry had become close and he knew that Harry must be an alright bloke if him and Louis were always together. Louis had explained to the boys that Harry was just very timid around other people and it would probably take him a while to warm up to them. But he had also said that Harry was actually really friendly and polite and talkative, and Niall could believe that now.