The Writer and the Singer (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 26

     "Harry. Harry!" Louis called, trying to pull Harry out of his revere. He hadn't moved for the half an hour since Aubrey had walked in on them and fled. Louis had since paced in the doorway as he waited for Harry to do something. He knew he needed to give Harry space. Louis recognized that he had just ruined his best mate's relationship with a girl he knew he was in love with. What was I thinking? How did I let this happen? Louis groaned. When it hit the 30 minute mark of Harry remaining motionless in the freezing weather Louis decided he needed to make him at least come inside, if deciding not to stay at Louis' house then for Louis to take him to his own home.

     Harry didn't acknowledge Louis's calling. He only stirred when Louis rested his hand on his shoulder. Harry's eyes were wide when he met Louis's. "Oh shit...I didn't mean to...sorry about that. Listen just get out of the cold, ey?" Harry slowly rose. Louis noticed his eyes appeared glassy and he seemed almost robotic. "Do you want to go back inside or go home?" Louis spoke slowly analyzing Harry's reactions.

"Home." Harry responded softly. Mechanically Harry walked in front of Lou and passed Louis's car.

     "What are you doing, Haz- Harry?" Louis cleared his throat, correcting himself by using his given name.

"Going home." He called indifferently, not turning as he continued down Louis's drive way.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'll bloody drive you home." Harry continued walking, wishing he had driven his own car there as he attempted to block out Louis.

     Panic and frustration rose up in Louis as Harry continued gaiting away from him. "Harry get in the damn car or I swear to God-"

"Shut up Louis!" Harry spun around to look at him, eyes wild and cheeks flushed. Louis was surprised at Harry's outburst, Harry had never shouted at him like that before and Louis doubted he had at anyone else either.

     Harry's snappiness heightened Louis's own causing him to sharply reply, "I'm sorry, ok?! I'm really fucking sorry I was an asshole and kissed you back and you lost your girlfriend because of it. I am sorry. You're still my best mate, Hazza, and I'm not letting you walk to your house in winter when you're this worked up. Now for fuck's sake get in the damn car." Harry stalked towards the car and slammed the door behind him. Lou stood frozen for a moment before rushing to the driver's seat.

     Harry stared blankly out the window lost in thought. To Louis the silence was blaring. Usually no one else could be heard over Harry and his chatter and he missed it like mad as they were trapped in the car together. Regret filled him as he heard the exchange he and Harry had had ring in his ears. The need to apologize filled him, but his throat felt too thick to speak. When he next looked over at Harry from the corner of his eye he saw wetness spilling over onto his cheeks. "Harry! Oh Haz!" Louis immediately pulled over, unbuckled, and reached for Harry, stopping a few inches away from his arm. When a whimper escaped Harry's lips Louis didn't have a choice but to embrace him.

     "Oh Haz, I'm so sorry." Louis couldn't seem to hold him tight enough as he quietly sobbed into his shoulder. When his shirt was stained with salt water and Harry had stopped crying Louis continued rubbing circles on his back, to sooth him in a way his words couldn't.

Harry sniffled before he spoke, "Sorry 'bout that."

"No Harry, I'm sorry." Louis looked him straight in the eye. Harry gave him a half-hearted smile and Louis happily returned it, thinking somehow things would turn out ok.

-

     Marie had a smile painted on her face as she walked, almost danced to the picnic table.

"Did you get lost honey bunches?" Carolann asked when Marie was a couple yards from the group. Marie blushed.

"No, I just got caught up talking to someone."

"And who was that?" Carolann questioned lightly.

"Zayn, Zayn Malik."

"Who is he, James Bond?" Niall teased chuckling. Marie flushed a deeper red.

"Mar, you're blushing!" Aubrey teased her.

"Leave me alone, nerd."

"Marie's got a crush!" Aubrey hollered loudly.

"Have not!"

"Do so!"

     "I just spoke to him for the first time today." Aubrey shrugged her shoulders, this fact seeming insignificant.

"Aubrey was already in love with Harry the first time she heard him sing and they didn't speak for ages after that!" Carolann added. Suddenly it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the world. Aubrey's smile faltered. She felt Niall trying to meet her gaze. She hadn't told anyone other than Niall about Harry and her breaking up. Harry hadn't shown up that whole week of school and Aubrey pushed thoughts of him as far away as possible. She knew she had to tell everyone now, but that meant thinking about it, which was why she had prolonged doing so.

     Aubrey avoided eye contact with everyone by looking down at her sandwich. "Harry and I broke up." Aubrey heard herself say, thinking she sounded choked.

"Wait what?" Lilly asked. Aubrey simply nodded, keeping her eyes down.

"But...but it's Harry." Lilly said. Aubrey could feel her eyes sting and she attempted to blink them back.

    "Aubrey will be ok. She's strong and independent and she doesn't need anyone. Isn't that right, Aubrey?" Niall swooped in and saved her from the dreadful situation. Aubrey raised her head to meet his gaze and small smile. She returned it gratefully and nodded.

    Murmurs of apologies were spoken. Quick to change the topic Aubrey put on a mask, much more put together than she felt internally and asked Marie and Carolann, "So how was your art class?" The conversation continued from there, leaving the subject matter of Aubrey's relationship alone, much to her relief. Niall shooting her sympathetic glances at her and carefully watching her the remainder of lunch, made her feel better, safer somehow.

*Author's Note: I made you guys wait a little longer than my usual updates where they're posted on the weekend, but it's over 1K words to make up for it (: I'm going to be super busy this week and weekend, so I'm not planning on updating then. I'll post something as soon as possible though. Please, please, please vote and comment babes xx*