Turdy Seven (A Heleanor Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

Awkward.

Awkward was all Harry felt at the current scene. He suddenly felt so out of place, like he shouldn't be there at all. And then he came to the realization that he shouldn't be. He realized how sketchy this must look from Louis' perspective, or from anyone's for that matter. A guy finding his girlfriend and best friend together after doing who knows what. Harry could only begin to imagine what thoughts were running through Louis' head.

Everyone's expression was a unanimous mixture of shock and nerves. No one had any idea what to say or do, but Louis seemed eager to get on with things. He stepped through the door and kissed Eleanor's cheek as he passed by her. "Morning, love," he said in obviously false cheerfulness.

"Louis, are you alright?" Eleanor wasted no time in blurting out. She was completely lost with Louis' actions. Then everything made sense when she saw him head straight towards Harry. She was at loss for words as she watched her boyfriend take Harry's T-shirt in his fists and pull him threateningly close.

"Me? Oh, I'm great. I come here to see how you are, just to find that Harry's already beat me to it," the harsh sarcasm resonated deep in Louis' tone, giving Eleanor the worst feeling in her stomach. His voice level never heightened for a second. His face began to redden in anger and his entire body had begun to shake with the overbearing emotion he was feeling.

Louis had never felt so mad towards anyone in his life. Harry was the last person he thought would ever make him feel this way, yet looking at Harry's worried face he wanted nothing more than to hurt him. What was he thinking? He could never do anything to harm harry. It was the fact that now he was not only facing the possibility of losing Eleanor, but losing Eleanor to Harry.

He had no idea what may have happened between the two of them, or how long Harry had been here. What if he came last night? Or worse, what if Eleanor called Harry after he left and asked him to stay?

With his mind going in far too many different directions, his gaze dropped from Harry's face slightly. Louis wasn't able to think while staring at those innocent eyes. His own eyes connected with Harry's T-shirt, still tight in his grasp. The grey cotton was marked with wet circles. Tears. He instantly made the connection. "Oh, look at that!" Louis now shouted, "Well isn't that just wonderful?! Harry coming to the rescue; aren't you, Harry?"

Both Eleanor and Harry were completely in shock and frightened for that matter. This was completely out of character for Louis. The pair knew they hadn't done anything wrong, yet knowing they had caused Louis to act this way made guilt render inside them. He'd never looked so hurt or mad.

Eleanor bravely stepped toward the boys. Harry was trying to keep calm, but the worry was evident on his face. He never imagined being in Louis' grasp would ever be so intense. He wouldn't dare look at Eleanor, frightened by what Louis might do in this rash moment. Before either of the boys knew it, Eleanor had Louis held back. He still had a hold on Harry, but she now had one arm across his chest and a hand on his shoulder. With her forehead rested on his back, she could feel the shaking stop throughout her boyfriend's body. She knew just how to calm him.

"Please stop," she merely whispered in his ear, the words barely audible by Harry.

Just when Eleanor thought his episode was over, Louis spoke up again. "Why should I? Why should I bother to do anything you say when you obviously prefer to have Harry here than me?"

"You know that isn't true," her tone was kept low and soothing.

Harry used to think nothing could be awkward between him and his best friend. He stood corrected. He couldn't feel more uncomfortable. He had to watch as Eleanor attempted to gently pry Louis away from him. Surprisingly, he complied to her tender ways. He turned to face her while keeping Harry in his peripheral vision.

"You shouldn't be mad at him. He came here looking for you. He was only trying to be nice when I started crying all over him." She had a sheepish smile on her face. A useless attempt at making things seem more casual.

"Why were you crying?" Louis asked almost immediately. He knew the answer. His ego just needed to hear it.

"Be-because I'm sorry. Last night was my fault. I'm sorry," Eleanor stuttered.

Harry was left disappointed by her response. She had just promised him not to blame herself, yet there she was telling Louis she was sorry. This made him look at her quizzically over Louis' shoulder. She was indifferent to the questioning stare. "Could we talk alone for a minute?" She asked.

Louis was hesitant, not sure how fast he was willing to let his anger go. He nodded after his moment of thought. "We'll be out in a bit, Harry." She said and went towards the kitchen once more.

"I'm really sorry, mate." Louis said to Harry while Eleanor could still hear him. It made her happy that Louis was already apologizing to Harry. She thought it was one more problem out of the way. Louis knew it would please her, and that was the only reason he did it.

As soon as Eleanor walked through the kitchen door and out of sight, Louis turned back to Harry. He was taller and had a much stronger build than Louis, but he wasn't sure what Louis might have been capable of doing only a minute ago. Harry was perplexed by Louis' sudden and strange apology. It all became clear as his apologetic smile turned back to an accusing glare now that Eleanor couldn't see or hear them. "I think you better go now," Louis said, sounding more like a menacing order than a suggestion.

Harry caught on quite quickly and returned the frown in a less angered expression. His was more disappointed. Disappointed that the boy he considered his brother seemed to be slipping away, and it was all his own fault. Without another word he backed out of hallway and made his way out the front door, leaving delicate Eleanor with his raging friend. As he walked, he began to wonder if he would always feel this way whenever he left her with him. Like he was abandoning her and leaving her to his mercy. He didn't feel as if he would ever have a choice in leaving her. After all, Eleanor was Louis' girlfriend, not his.

Eleanor watched Louis enter the kitchen. Her serenity had been left behind along with Harry. She hoped she would be able to talk to Louis without Harry there. She couldn't help but wonder when things had become so complicated.

Louis casually leaned against the counter top. His nonchalant attitude made Eleanor calm down. It didn't seem that they in for a fight, or at least she hoped not. She felt bad for not taking Harry's advice to keep from blaming herself. However, she had decided it was the easiest way out of this ever growing disaster. Louis was definitely not going to take the blame and she couldn't allow for Harry to do so either.

"Look, Louis, I'm sorry about everything that's been going on between us, but there's no reason to bring Harry into this. You know he hasn't done anything wrong. And yeah I realize how it looked when you got here, but it's ridiculous that you would even think anythi-" Eleanor's rant was cut off by Louis' lips.

This kiss was different from the one he had attempted give last night. This time there was no hesitation, and to Louis' astonishment, no struggle. He didn't have high hopes for what would happen when he closed the distance between them. He assumed she would push him back, slap him, or any reaction other than acceptance. She wasn't exactly enthusiastic either, but this was a step closer for Louis.

Eleanor didn't want to reject him again. The last thing she wanted was to repeat last night's events, so she allowed him to kiss her. As she stood still, Louis proceeded to pull her closer. He didn't want her to come away from him yet. Eleanor felt his lips fall into their usual rhythm against her own. Even though it had been a while since he last kissed her weeks ago before leaving England, she felt completely familiarized with his kiss.

They parted for a moment, but Louis rested his forehead on hers. "I don't wanna fight anymore," he said quietly. He needed to end this fight now, and kissing her was the first thing that came to mind when he was so desperate.

He pecked her lips once more before Eleanor gave him a small nod. He let go of her the second he got what he wanted. She knew this wasnt resolved though, it wouldn't be until they spoke about it properly.