Adore You [Larry AU]

Three.

There was 10 minutes left before lunch so I decided to leave the bathroom before it became busy. My fingers fiddled with the lock absentmindedly since I wasn't bothered if I was trapped forever. To my dismay, the door opened and I sighed as it revealed my sad reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall. I patted at my face with the sleeve of my jumper half heatedly, not really bothered if my eyes were red and puffy or not. I picked up my things and slowly made my way out the threshold and down the corridor. I knew I was walking in the complete wrong direction to meet Louis for lunch but I wasn't bothered. I already felt like a burden to him, and I met the boy 3 hours ago.

The bell rang and suddenly I was being crowded and pushed and shoved along the corridor, like a fish caught in a current. I stumbled with the crowd and saw Louis' mousey brown hair disappear in the other direction. I was half relieved yet half disappointed at the same time. It was too good to be true that I might actually have made a friend, and this early on. It was inevitable that he'd realise I wasn't good enough to hang out with and he would ditch me anyway. But something about him was pulling me in. His air of confidence and the way he was being so kind to the stranger he only just met.

Within minutes the crowd died down and I was nearly alone once again, wandering the hallways. There was a slight buzz in the air, something that was different to my old college and maybe even something I could have liked if I was just like everyone else.

I trailed my fingers along the lockers and walls as I walked slowly down the corridor. I was trying to familiarise myself with everything, the way to class, the smells, even the people. It felt nice to be in my own bubble in such a busy place, I wasn't isolated or a loner I was just Harry on a wander. I neared the end of the hall and was about to turn the corner when Louis walked out and appeared in front of me. I stopped abruptly in his path, scared of a repeat of this morning. He jumped back too, clearly also remembering our collision and grinned at me. "We're making this a habit aren't we? Anyway, you know you're going the wrong way to the canteen Harry?"

"I...er...oh.." His eyebrows knitted together but he reached out and rested his hands on my shoulders spinning me round to walk with him. He lowered his voice as we walked "I was worried about you. I went back to the toilets to find you but you were gone, and then I went to the Canteen and you weren't there."

"'M sorry." He chuckled under his breath and dropped his hands from my shoulders, putting them back into his pockets. "Almost like you were avoiding me or something." I scoffed at his remark and felt my cheeks heat up. Luckily I didn't have time to say anything as we walked through the Canteen doors and Louis guided me to his usual table. He greeted everyone even if it was with a tiny nod and picked up his bag from the bench. "Sit Harry." He threw his bag over to the other side of the table and I did as I was told.

My eyes started to scan the faces of his friends, most seemed too absorbed in their own conversations to notice me but others, such as Eleanor and the dark haired boy from the changing rooms, cocked their eyebrows at me.

Louis didn't say anything more but walked off. I watched him as he cut the queue of the food line, grabbed a sandwich and an apple then turned back and placed them in front of me "You should eat." He spoke in a low tone, trying to not let anyone else hear but I knew everyone did. Mine and Eleanor's eyes met over the table and she didn't look happy. I stumbled for something to say as everyone else became quiet. I could tell that all eyes were on me but thankfully I had a Louis and he spoke first: "Guys, meet Harry. He's new." I felt him pat my shoulder and watched as he walked round to the other side of the table. Eleanor stood up and allowed Louis to sit down but she wasted no time in seating herself on his lap. Her eyes never left me as she did all this and it made me feel uncomfortable. My heart was squeezing tightly in my chest and my palms were getting clammy.

"So Harry, where are you from?" My eyes whipped round and saw a brunette girl resting next to me with her back against the table. "Um, Cheshire."

"Oh cool, my family are from there, I go there a lot." I nodded at her and started unwrapping the sandwich from its packaging. "What brings you to our shit hole of a college then? Do they not have colleges in Cheshire?" I took a bite of my sandwich so I could have time to think of an answer.

"We moved. My sister got a new job." I turned to face her again and was met with confusion, her eyebrows dipping down in the middle and her lips pouted. "Why does your sister getting a new job mean you have to be uprooted?"

"Because it's just me and her. She looks after me and I look after her." I decided it was best to tell the truth. I didn't mean I had to go into a full on tragic soliloquy of my life right then and there. Her features softened and she gave me the same sympathetic look everyone else does when they find out pieces of my past. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's fine." There was an awkward pause and I expected her to get up and talk to someone else. Instead, her musical voice started talking again, "I have 4 sisters. It's hell. Literal hell. There is no privacy and they feel like they can butt in on everything. Like jeez it's my life let me live it, you know?" I nodded at her through a mouthful of food and she carried on going. "I also have 3 brothers. They're sort of all half siblings but it doesn't feel that way. Oh gosh I'm rambling, my bad. Did I even introduce myself? I'm Kendal. Do you know anyone else?" I shook my head and she lifted one leg over the bench so she was facing me. "Okay well, that one there," she pointed to the blonde Irish boy who was laughing so hard he was bent over the table with tears running down his cheeks, "that's Niall. He's a lot of fun. Always chilled out. If you're at a party, find him and you will have the night of your life.

The one he's talking to with the tattoo is Josh. That one sat next to him on his phone is Liam. He's quiet but can be the most fun if he wants to be. If you have a problem go to him he'll sort you out in no time at all. She's not here but he's seeing this girl called Sophia. She's okay. Hot but I don't rate her. I think she's draining him and he's too nice to do anything about it.

Then we have Zayn, the dark haired one. Just know he's high most of the time so don't get offended if he doesn't listen to your story or something. He's chill, super artistic though. He's not normally here at lunches he's normally in the art block doing some project or other. I don't really know him that well, I think he has some family problems since he never goes home. He stays in the art block till late at night and then comes in before school to do more. She's not here either but his girlfriend is Perrie. They're always on and off.

Then there's Louis and Eleanor, and that's it. That's everyone."

The bell rang and everyone stood up. The Canteen emptied quickly and before I knew it, it was just Louis and I once again.

"Let me walk you to class Harry."

"No, it's okay, I don't want you to be late."

"I really don't care, I'd do anything to miss this one. Hey, I think Kendall likes you." I scoffed and threw my apple core in the bin but missed. Louis managed to kick it up and pass it between his feet before kicking it straight into the bin and I watched with wide eyes. I shook my head trying to rid myself of his distracting fancy foot work before grasping at my thread of thoughts. "I don't think so. She was just being friendly."

"You don't know her like I do. She's never like that. I think you should give it a go. Zayn's having this massive house party on Friday night, you should come and see what happens with her." He winked at me and I felt a hot sweat wash over my body.

"I mean...I don't know her well enough and..um...she's not really my type...I just..."

"Harry, I'm not asking you to marry her. Just spend more time with her and see where it goes. Kick back a little, have some fun. Room R52 is that one with the green poster on it. I'll see you later okay. Think about it."

He bounced off in the opposite direction and I watched as I felt a weight fall onto my shoulders, making me slouch as I walked into my next lesson.