Hidden Scars (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 1

"Here is your order, ma'am. Anything else?" Louis asked the lady as he placed her order of black coffee and chocolate cookie on her table for herself and her young daughter.

"No. That's all. Thanks." She replied.

He returned to his normal position behind the counter waiting for another customer to enter the shop so he could assist them.

Louis worked at this coffee shop for the last one and a half year and he is glad that he is not messing things up here or he'd get fired, just like his last jobs. In the past few years, he got a lot of jobs but ended up getting fired because of something he does.

He watched his co-worker, Zayn, coming towards him after serving some table. He had olive skin with black hair pulled up perfectly in a quiff, as always. He has a little bit of facial hair and had his ears pierced. All together he was really good looking. And also the reason Louis sometimes found himself in a hole of selfpity. Zayn was perfect and here Louis was working with him far away from the word. But gladly, he became a friend of Louis. His only friend. Or in other words, the only one who might actually give a small damn about him. For that he is grateful.

"Yo, mate. What are you thinking 'bout?" Zayn asked reaching Louis and patting his back once.

"Nothing. Nothing." Louis knew Zayn could see through his lies but he decided to let it go.

He is his only friend and after a long while of them being it, Louis told him about his awful past. Well, he didn't want to but he had to. That day Louis was in the bathroom of the employees' room, curled up crying because of the news he got about his mum passing away. To make matters worse, the funeral had happen and he had no clue about it. No matter what she did to him, Louis still loved her, he couldn't think anything otherwise.

Zayn heard his sobs and found him in a state of close to breaking. Very close. Louis had tear stains on his cheeks with fresh tears falling down. His nose and cheeks were red from all the crying and his hair were really messy. Zayn held him really close to himself when he had Louis tell him everything miserable that had happen in his life. That day and onwards, he became over-protective for the boy. He found out about his cuts as well and made it his job to regularly check if the boy didn't do it again. But still it didn't stop Louis to harm himself whenever something happened. Anything triggering happened.

"So you coming tonight?" Zayn asked.

"Hmm? Oh yeah." Louis gave him a small smile. Honestly he hadn't smiled widely, or even truly, in years, and even thinking about this fact makes his chest feel heavy.

"Great. We get off work in half and hour so you're coming with me." He smiled showing his teeth. He really became happy whenever Louis agreed in hanging out with him, as he thought Louis staying alone all the time wouldn't help his condition. According to him, Louis needed someone with him. He even asked the broken lad to move in with him but Louis just couldn't. He couldn't live with Zayn because then they'll be together all the time. What if he got tired of Louis? He feared this and couldn't take the risk.

Later on, when their shift was over, Zayn had Louis walk to his car and he drove them to the pizza place few blocks away. Zayn's few friends were gathering there and they all knew Louis so Zayn asked if he could come with to which they all had no problem at all. Honestly, Louis wished they had a problem with it. He was terrible at socializing. Really, really terrible. And he was just praying for the night to end fast.

They arrived there and Zayn immediately spotted his group of friends sitting across a table. He lead Louis there and his nerves were exploding.

"Hey Zayn!" One of his friend exclaimed happily and they all shared their greetings.