I Can Make You Feel Okay (larry stylinson)

Chapter thirty-one

'Was that all today?' Harry had been working non-stop at this stupid shop, trying to please stupid Maura and he was going physically crazy. He couldn't stand in the same spot for such a long amount of time, something he blames Louis for. Throughout the day Harry had served, cleaned, stocked, too much for his brain to function, his feet hurt and he wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep. He watched the clock non-stop finally reading 2:53pm, seven minutes until he could clock off and Louis would be seated in his car across the street with a cup of tea and a kiss and a bright smile. He handed the customer her change, smiling brightly as she walked away then turning his attention back down to the clock. He heard the next customer placing their things on the counter, not bothering to look up, just taking the first item in his hand. 'Hello, how are you today?'

'How's my son doing?' Harry looked up quickly; first thought being the man was talking about him, though as he examined the man in front of him he realized it was Steve.

'You're son?' Harry stuttered at the beginning, quickly composing himself and continues to put the items through the checkout.

'Well I guess he isn't exactly my son, but you know what I mean' Harry laughed uncomfortably, continuing his actions, keeping himself distant from the man. 'So how is he?'

'He's really good, yeh.' The last time Harry had been in his presence he had laughed at Harry, telling him he was pathetic, trying to love someone like Louis, that no one could ever love Louis and that he was crazy for even bothering.

'That's good, I miss the boy' 2:57pm the clock now read, three more minutes of this man, Harry repeated to himself, placing his bags on the counter and ringing up the sale for him. 'So ever since the day I first saw you, I'd been trying to figure out why you looked so familiar' Harry tensed, placing the eftpos machine in front of Steve when he gestured to the card in his hand. 'I know you're father'

'I don't know my dad so you wouldn't have met me through him' Steve looked up at him sceptically, thinking about it.

'I spoke to him the other day, he said that you ran out while you were young' 2:58pm.

'I never met my father, I was placed with my current family after my real mum was beaten unconscious' Harry lied about the other homes he was in, he knew who Steve was talking about, knowing lying was his way to avoid the past being brought to the present, knowing full well the things this man was capable of and if Harry had to deal with it, well he didn't know how he would really. Harry handed him the receipt, watching as he scratched his chin, still staring at him with ugly eyes. 'Well it was nice seeing you again Steve, I'm actually finished for the day so I better head to the back of the store, I'll tell Lou you said hi'

'Oh please do, we love him and miss him dearly' Steve scoffed, nearly choking as he forced the words out, sending him a wicked grin before leaving the store. Harry needed to throw up, needed to force all that just happened out of his system, so that's exactly what he did. He made his way to the back of the store, taking off the stupid brown apron he’s forced to wear and hanging it up before signing himself out. Then he took his phone and made sure there was no text from Louis saying he was there yet, and made his way to the toilets. Stopping as he entered, making his way to the mirror slowly, staring into it and not seeing himself. He was a complete different person when he wasn't around Louis, he didn't have that light in his eyes, instead they were dull, his hair was flat and never curled right, he felt disgusting when Louis wasn't there, he just needed Louis. He turned around to the toilets, closing the door firmly behind him before taking a seat over the toilet, already gagging; getting the help he needed as he forced his fingers down his throat. He felt the familiar burning sensation, the tears at his eyes and the empty feeling to his stomach. He felt good, and then his phone started buzzing, Louis was calling him. He stopped the best he could, wiping his mouth and flushing the toilet then going to the sink to rinse his mouth and wash his hands, sending Louis a quick message to tell him he would be out in a minute. He looked into the mirror again just as he was leaving, putting on a smile and saying a reassuring word to brighten his mood, grabbing a banana on the way out and crossing the road to Louis's car.