As Long As My Heart Beats

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Playlist

Wherever You Will Go - Charlene Soraia

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

*Harry's POV*

"Uhm, here we are." I pull my car over in front of my house, and look over at Louis. He hasn't said a word since he got in the car, just stared straight ahead with a blank look on his face.

"Oh." He unclips his seatbelt and swings the door open. I catch a glimpse of thin red lines on his arms but stay quiet.

He looks up at me over the top of the car. "I really appreciate this," He says quietly, his eyes sincere and cautious.

I smile. "Don't worry about it." The truth is, I am attracted to him. It's weird, I mean, I've never liked a guy before. But there's something magnetic about him.

I unlock the door and lead Louis inside. I take his coat and hang it up, then go into the kitchen. "Do you... want something to eat or drink?"

He nods. "Just a glass of water."

I sigh. "You sure? You look..." thin. ill. "I mean, you didn't have anything at the cafe, you must be starving."

He swallows, his fists balled up. "I'm sure."

"Okay." I shrug, fill up a glass of tap water then make myself a mug of tea and a slice of toast.

Louis sits down at the long oak table, looking out of place amongst the wooden furniture and oak beams. He picks up a photo of me and Alex, my ex girlfriend, from a side table. "Is this your girlfriend?"

"Nah." I shrug. "My ex. I was on the way back from breaking up with her when I saw you."

"Oh." He shrinks into himself. "Sorry. That you split up with her, I mean."

"Ah, its alright, it was a bad relationship anyway, never would have worked out." I spread butter on my toast and come over to sit opposite him. "So, how come you were on the bridge?"

"I was going to jump..." Louis says, a duh, obviously look on his face.

"No, yeah, I know that part." I dismiss with a wave of my hand. "I mean, why?"

"Don't want to talk about it." He mutters, staring at his cup of water.

"Okay." I sip at my tea. "Um... do you want to change? You look freezing, your clothes are soaking."

He nods. "Sure. Thanks."

I finish off my toast and take him upstairs to my bedroom, and hand him some joggers, a t-shirt, a jumper and some wooly socks.

I step outside to give him some privacy, resisting the urge to watch him through the keyhole to make sure he doesn't stab himself with a pen, or jump out the window.

I don't know what's wrong with me. 12 hours ago I was happily snuggled up with my long term girlfriend (who was definitely a girl, believe me, I checked), not in any way bi or gay. But now, I've broken up with said girlfriend, taken a surly, suicidal stranger into my house and somehow developed a bit of a crush on him. I bury my head in my hands, trying to figure this out. What happened?

I hear the bedroom door open, and Louis asks, "Are you alright?"

I look up. "Sorry. Yeah. Bit of a headache."

My clothes practically swamp him, the grey knitted jumper which fits me snugly coming down to his knees, the sleeves dangling past his hands. I guess I hadn't taken into account our height difference; I'm 6 foot 3, but Louis must be around 5 foot 9, half a foot shorter than me. He looks... good in it. Really good. I want, more than anything at the minute, to kiss him, or just hold him.

I can't though, obviously.

He swallows, and I realise that I've been staring at him. "Is something wrong?" His hair falls over his eyes and I resist the urge to move it.

"No. Of course not." I smile, although I feel conflicted on the inside. What is happening?