who's gonna save us tonight (l.s.)

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A/N: High school AU, set in America, and I've made both Harry and Louis be in the same grade/be the same age for convenience.
I'm so horrible, this is the THIRD fic I have currently in progress and it's positively ridiculous. I'm never going to finish ANYTHING.
That's a lie, yes I will. Don't worry yourselves, I'm not going to be postponing my other stuff, or putting them on hold, or canceling, or anything like that.
This was supposed to be a one-shot, but now it's not. I think it's going to be a few short parts put together, and I'm going to try to finish it as quickly as possible so that I can get back to my other ones. I feel like this part ended kind of awkwardly, but, oh well. 
Anywho, I haven't written in a while, and this idea kind of came to me last night and I had to get started. It's a bit more serious than my more recent stuff, just warning you, and it's going to be slightly sad at first. 
Title taken from Gavin Degraw's "Who's Gonna Save Us," Wattpad is not letting me post a link on the right for some reason so if you'd like to listen to it, you'll have to look it upppp!
As usual, I don't own anything or anyone. Happy reading!
IMPORTANT: Addressing Gryles -- personally, I'm not a big fan. But, it's necessary for this story to happen. Do NOT worry. I hate giving away endings but this time I think I need to, it IS going to be a happy, Gryles-less ending. So. Put up with it for the sake of the story, yeah? 
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: This story does get slightly confusing at times, so I want to clear this up: All of the chunks that are in italics are Louis' flashbacks. In each flashback, Louis does specify what grade he's in, so you can follow along with when things are happening :) There are only flashbacks like this for this chapter and the second one, so after that you won't have to worry about them.
A HUUUUUUGE thank you to @uniquelyxlarry for the PHENOMENAL cover she made for this story :) 
This story is for M.P. He won't ever read it, but regardless, he provides the inspiration. So thanks, bud.
Hope you like it, and comment what you think! :) 

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"And then we went to this art museum, Louis, and he put his arm around me --"

"How lovely."

"It really was! And then we had lunch in these gardens, surrounded by all these beautiful flowers --"

"Fantastic."

"--and then he told me I looked nice, and like..."

Harry trails off and sighs dreamily. Louis wants to throw up. 

"He's perfect, Louis. I didn't think I'd ever find anyone like him." 

Louis briefly turns away to hide the grimace spreading across his face, and when he's sure he's composed his features into something that can (barely) pass as genuine, he faces Harry once more. "That's fabulous, Haz. I'm glad that you and Nick are happy."

Harry's grin gets wider, and he gently rests a hand on Louis' arm. Louis pretends like it isn't burning into his skin. "Thanks, Louis. Really."

Louis shrugs, and scratches his nose. 

They're silent for a moment, then Harry lightly nudges Louis' leg with his foot. "Hey," he says quietly, in that soft voice that makes Louis' heart hurt. "What's up?"

Shit. "What do you mean?"

Harry's smile fades a bit. "Just wanted to know if you were okay, is all. You seem kind of...off."

Louis forces himself to smile, and gives Harry a tiny nod. "I'm great. Promise."

Harry's eyes flit about Louis' face, and then come to rest upon Louis' eyes, as if searching for something. Louis smirks, and flicks Harry's cheek. "What, you don't believe me?"

Harry's mask of concern cracks here, and he smiles a little. "Nah, of course I do, you freak. I've never not believed you; why should I start now?"