Silent Treatment

Thirteen

Harry POV

      I watched as Louis laughed over that guy the whole time over lunch. His eyes lighting up and his smile widening with whatever the guy said. I doubt it was even that funny, it was probably just dumb and said only to see his smile. Man, I really missed his smile.

     "Harry, you okay? You look upset?" Niall asked. His questions drew the attention of almost everyone at our table. I straightened up as their eyes turned to me.

     "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about this test that I have later today. It's going to be a tough one and I didn't study for it," I responded, adding a light hearted laugh to keep the mood up. Niall changed the subject quickly to a test he recently had and the attention was off of me, just like that.

     Do you think Louis likes that kid. I could see why, but actually liking him? He hasn't talked in years, how will he figure anything out? That guy can't be okay with it all. I mean, he just keeps talking and laughing and looking at Louis. I wonder what his laugh sounds like these days. I wonder what his voice sounds like too. 

     "Sorry guys, I have to leave early. I have somethings to finish up before my next class," Zayn started as he stood up from his seat. He gave his round of goodbyes before heading towards the exit, barely escaping my watchful eye, even if he did announce his leave.

     Still, I am so upset with him and what he did. He still has the decency to act like he knows that I don't know. Wait... he doesn't know that I know. Maybe I should tell him, it would be good to be open and see what he has to say about all of this. I can do it after the next class, we both stop by our lockers then; or I can wait until I can corner him after school. Whichever comes first, I suppose. 

     I turned my attention back to Louis' table only to find him and that guy gone. Where could he have gone? I only looked away for a minute at max. The lunch bell rang shortly after that, signaling to us that lunch was now over. Maybe my attention was gone longer than I thought. I swear we still had ten minutes or so left. I picked up my half eaten lunch and threw it away, making my way to my next class.

     I could not be more glad to get out of school when the bell rang. Turns out that Zayn didn't stop at his locker, or maybe we just missed each other, as it is a likely situation. So, I never got the chance to talk to him, guess now is the right time as it is the only other time I thought of. I could just talk to him when we leave to go to the parking lot, it is a more secluded place; but, the hallways clear out pretty quickly in the afternoons. 

    "Harry, I have to show you something, it's really important," Zayn said as he rushed up to me, that man hot on his heels.

     "Who the hell is this, and why is here?" I asked, pointing at the man that had accompanied Louis all day long.

     "Louis' cousin, Liam. Not the point. Listen to this, it's a recording of the conversation I had with him earlier today, after lunch," Zayn said, handing me his phone.

     "Liam, no way. How have you been?" I asked. Why would I want to listen to a conversation between you two? Couldn't you just tell me since you both are standing here?"

     "Not us two! Man, you still aren't the sharpest," Liam sighed. "A conversation Zayn and Louis had after lunch."

     "Why were you talking to him? I thought I told you that I would take care of this!" I whisper-yelled at Zayn. I didn't want to draw unwanted attention towards us, but I was so angry. 

     "Get over it Harry," Zayn started.

     "Stop. Just listen to it. It will be important if you want to try to make amends with him. After all these years, I thought you two were still friends and I come back to find out you're not even close to acquaintances. What happened Harry? You two were so close before I left." Liam stared at me, waiting for a response. 

     "Fine, let me hear it."

     Zayn pulled his phone back out of his pocket, opened it, and went to the recording. It sat silent for a moment, before you could hear a door close and footsteps coming closer. 

     "I told you not to bring anybody with you," Zayn complained.

     "He's my cousin and it's his first day. What do you want me to do about that?" Louis asked back. 

His voice, oh how I have missed that sound. I could only imagine his arms crossed over his chest, looking angry yet defensive. He used to do that all the time when someone would undermine him and what he was capable of. It was always so funny.

     "Ask him to go," Zayn replied, "just for a minute."

     "What you have to say to me can be said in front of him," Louis replied, confusion laced in his voice. "Before you even start, I have to ask why you are writing me those letters?"

"Why were you writing him those letters," I asked, pausing the recording. "And why were you recording this conversation between you two?"

     "I was trying to make something happen! All you would do is complain from afar and I was getting sick of it. So, I came up with a plan and it worked. If you would let me finish this recording, you would see why."

"Because I finally did something about it. Those notes I've been giving you have triggered a reaction in him and he's going to do something about it soon." Zayn said.

"Why would the letters bother him? He wasn't getting them. Does it bother him that someday might actually like me?" Louis asked.

"Yes! Not like that. It's because he has a massive crush on you, I swear he loves you," Zayn replied quickly.

There was a bang and some words murmured before a silence overcame the recording.

"Will you please just talk to him and forgive him or hear him out if he comes to talk to you. I really don't care I just need something to happen," Zayn begged.

"And what if I don't want to ever forgive him for what he has done? What will you do then?" Louis said after a moment of silence.

     "So, all you figured out is that Louis is never actually going to talk to me again, and now he knows that I like him. Thanks a lot, Zayn." I turned away and started walking away, feeling completely defeated now.

     "Harry, that's not the point of this thing," Zayn called out. "Stop being overdramatic for two seconds and listen to what I have to say!"

     "Stop being overdramatic? Zayn I just found out that you spilled a huge secret of mine to the person it was about and I was flat out rejected, crushed, destroyed even. You expect me to just be fine about everything that just happened and go on like that wasn't my heart that was stomped on."

     "Nobody every said that," Liam reassured. "We were thinking of a plan to help you make amends with him. After all these years, I think it's time. I'm willing to help you out. Now, please just listen to this plan we were talking about."

     I nodded and followed them to Zayn's car. We all hopped in and drove to a place where we could all sit down and talk, discussing the options for Plan: Talk to Louis.