FINGERTIPS ║ Larry Stylinson

11 ║ Doubts

July 20th

Calling Louis late at night had almost become a habit for Harry. When he was tired of laying in his bed for too long, turning around over and over again, he would just call Louis for a while. Not too long, less than 40 minutes but it was enough to calm Harry. Short after his voice would start getting slower and slower and deeper as he was falling asleep. He had asked his neighbour if he minded, many times, he was scared Louis would get sick of it and get angry at him, he didn't want that. But Louis didn't mind, at all, really. It actually helped him quite a lot as well. Harry's voice was a great distraction, taking all the place in his mind and pushing away all the dark thoughts he could have hidden in his brain. He even found himself wanting Harry to call earlier so they could talk for a little longer. So when Louis looked at his phone that night around 2 am, he felt his heart getting tighter in his chest, no call. He hadn't seen Harry today and he wished they could have called. He had spent the day in Manchester with Liam and Zayn and now all he wanted was to call Harry, hear his voice and maybe read a bit to him. It felt weird. He didn't know where all of those things he felt were coming from. Sometimes he would have to stop himself from staring at Harry's smile because it seemed like the most beautiful thing he had ever been the witness of. Or he would have to force himself to let Harry's arm go when he was taking him back to his house. In all honesty, Louis wanted more and more time with him, it felt wrong in a way. He missed him and it didn't feel like when he missed Zayn or Liam, it felt way more powerful, even a bit painful. Like something really heavy had been put over his chest and he could barely think of anything else.
So when the hours went on and on, Louis stayed awake, with the secret hope deep in him that he would see Harry's number on his phone screen. But it didn't happen. It was 6 am when Louis turned around on the air mattress that was on the floor, he sight and looked up to his own bed where he could see Zayn's back. He could see the shadows from his muscles. He could also hear Liam snoring, wondering how Zayn could sleep with a such loud noises next to him, and he sighed loudly as he stood up silently. He put on a pair of sweatpants, way too big for him, falling a bit on his hips. He opened the door and left the room, trying to be as silent as possible as he went downstairs. The light of the telly was projecting his shadow against the wall and Félicité looked up when she heard the footsteps. She looked at her older brother, frowning as he sat down next to her.

"Why are you awake already?"she asked, surprised.

He shrugged, she wouldn't be the one he would confess to. Not that she didn't know how to listen, it was probably the opposite actually. Félicité was an amazing sister and an even better confidant. She knew how to listen and she used to give pretty good advice to anyone who needed it, even at such a young age. She liked that, feeling helpful, like some people could count on her to comfort them. So Louis had every reason to confess to her, but she was his sister. His little sister. He was the one who was supposed to listen to her, not the contrary.

"I couldn't sleep, and Liam is snoring too loud." he said as he massaged his temples softly.

She pinched her lips together and looked down to her manicured hands for a minute, like her nails would give her the tips about how to bring up the subject. She seemed calm from what Louis saw but her brain was actually running fast to find how and where to start. So it was silent for a bit, only the unknown movie on the telly could be heard, until she spoke up.

"Did you break up with Tamara?" she asked with a low voice.

Well, okay, maybe it wasn't the best way to start the conversation but she didn't have time to think much more about it. Indeed, she knew their mother and step dad would soon be awake and downstairs, so she had to take a chance when they were still alone.
Louis looked up quickly. Why? Why would she ask? Well actually, maybe that was because they didn't see her around in a while and maybe also because of the fight they heard the week before. Yes, probably. He shook his head silently, without a word and he could hear her sigh softly.