MUTE

6. Project

Ever since Louis had his emotional breakdown the other day, he's been even quieter than before - if that's even possible.
Harry is really worried about him now and he's wondering what these bad memories were.
He has to know what they were, but he's afraid to ask because he doesn't want him to have another breakdown.
He doesn't know if Louis can handle another breakdown, the only thing he does know, is that his friend's fragile.
"Harold, are you alright?" Liam questions interrupting his thoughts "Yea...I was just thinking-" "About Louis, right?" Liam interrupts and Harry gives him the 'How did you know' look "I can tell something's up with him... He's too quiet for his own sake," Liam says emphasizing the word 'too'. "He is, isn't he?" Harry confirms, earning a nod from his friend.

"Alright class, I would like to talk about a project you'll be doing for the next four/five months," the teacher says earning groans from some of the students. "You'll be paired up with the freshman year students and you'll be working on a short film... you have to come up with a story, and make a film out of it, all by yourself," she explains before grabbing some cards and envelopes. "There will be seven groups of five and each group will have a budget of about 2 grand... Please use it wisely," she adds before calling out the groups.
"The rest of your group will be waiting outside after class," the teacher informs.

"I can't believe that we've been paired up with Louis," Zayn says plopping on the seat next to Harry.
"Just because he doesn't like you back, doesn't mean you have to be an asshole to him and it's only a school project anyway," Liam says and Zayn is a little shocked because Liam doesn't normally talk like that.
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"Please get together with your partners and exchange your phone numbers," the teacher - Ms. Adams - says. Louis timidly walks towards his group - which consists of the trio Harry, Zayn, and Liam - with his blonde haired companion Niall.
"I've never seen you around school before," Liam motioning to the blonde boy with a nod of his head, "I was transferred from Ireland, today is my second day of school," the lad informs in his glorious Irish accent.

While the four of them exchange numbers, Zayn just stands there shooting looks at Louis.
"We'll exchange ideas during lunch, okay?" Liam informs to the two younger boys.
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When Harry enters the cafeteria, he sees Liam and Niall laughing at each other and he smiles slightly because it's been a while since Liam laughed like that.
He walks over to the line and buys his food before making his way to the table; that's when he notices that Louis isn't there and neither is Zayn "Where are the other two?" He questions sitting down "Louis said he would be a little late," Niall says before turning back to Liam "Zayn went to the washroom, he should be back any second," he says before taking a bite of his French fries.
Just as Harry is about to eat his salad, Zayn plops on the seat beside him "Where's your boyfriend?" He questions, "He's not my boyfriend and even if he was, I have no idea where he is," the curly haired boy says before eating his food.

After what seems like ages, Louis finally turns up and he has a paper bag in his hand he shoots everyone a look that says, 'Don't even ask,' before sitting down and the boys keep their mouth shut.
"So... Niall and I talked while you guys weren't here and our idea was, that we're in a boy band or something and we play these massive shows and we break up at the end... What do you think?" Liam explains, "Well, first of all, where's the story behind it and second of all, how are we supposed to be a boy band if 'Tommo' here *points to Louis* doesn't say a word?" Zayn questions, "Well, 'Tommo' has a voice, you know," Louis says, catching the boys off guard, "When did you start taking again?" Zayn asks "Thursday," Louis said "Your voice is nice," Niall and Liam say at the same time, earning a mouthed 'Thank you,'
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"So you're talking from now on?" Harry questions as they make their way to Harry's car "Yea, I kinda missed my voice and there's no point in not taking anyway...I mean it's been three years," Louis says before getting into the passenger seat.
The curly haired boy grunts in agreement before sitting in the driver's seat and driving to his house.

"It's nice," Louis says as they enter Harry's driveway "It's not much, but at least I don't have my sister here to get on my nerves," Harry says and Louis gives him a look that says 'You have got to be kidding me,' "What?" Harry questions, "You're lucky, I had to deal with four little sisters my entire life," the younger boy explains as they enter the house "Four little sisters, that's tough," Harry says while taking his shoes off.
"What do you want to do?" he questions, "I don't know... Homework? Or work on our project a little?" Louis shrugs "Come up with a story or something," he adds. "Liam already came up with a story," Harry says as they walk to his room and sit down on the bed "Well, then let's start writing the script," the feathery-haired boy says before grabbing a notepad and a pencil.
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"It's good... I'll give it to Liam tomorrow, to see if it represents his imagination," Harry says when he finishes reading the script Louis spent about two hours on. "Good, could you please help me with my homework now?" The younger boy questions and they get right to it.
"Jeez, what are you guys doing in math?" Harry questions "3D stuff... Didn't you guys do it?" Louis asks shooting him a look "Yea, but not in freshman year... We started at the beginning of this school year," Harry informs, but he tries to help him out anyway.

"I have no idea if it's correct," Harry admits "It's ok... we'll see about that tomorrow," the younger boy says before exclaiming that he has to go home, "Why don't you stay the night? We could watch a movie or something," the curly haired boy suggests earning a skeptical look from his friend "You do know we have school tomorrow, right?" he questions "Yea... it's just that I did the same last week and you have all your stuff at school anyway," "You just spent the night at my house, because I had an emotional breakdown," Louis says and Harry rolls his eyes "You were the one who asked me to stay, the breakdown just convinced me to say yes," he explains.
They keep going back and forth like that until Louis decides to stay.
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"I really like it," Liam says giving the script back to the feathery-haired boy "How are we supposed to get so many extras?" Zayn questions crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "Look around you Zayn *motions to other students* the school is full of them," Louis says with a cheeky smile gracing his lips and the boys look around the cafeteria.
"Let's start with the storyboard then... We can change things later," Liam says before proceeding to eat his lunch, that's when he notices that Louis doesn't have any lunch, "Dude, it's been three weeks and I've never seen you eat lunch, like ever," he says. "Yea and you didn't eat last night, or this morning for that matter," Harry adds and all eyes land on the feathery-haired boy, "My stomach is just not having it lately, but I'm not hungry anyway," he says.
"How can you not be hungry... I'm starving," Niall days before eating what seems to be his second mashed potatoes and meat, "I'm just not hungry, " Louis half-yells before standing up and disappearing out of the cafeteria.
"Did I say something wrong?" Niall questions with his mouth still half full. Harry just shrugs and watches the younger boy leave.

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