One Of Her Students.

Chapter Fourteen

Harry sat there for a second, letting what Louis had just said sink into him. He stared at Louis, biting his lip softly. He could feel his eyes sting of tears because the last person to ever say such a sweet thing was Aiden. His heart was pounding and Louis squeezed his hand gently, giving him a sweet smile. “I love you.” Harry murmured softly.
~

Louis froze,a bit shocked at the words that just poured out of Harry’s mouth. But looking up at the boy, the look in his eyes, he could tell that Harry meant it. Louis felt like his whole body had melted just by the kind words that left Harry’s mouth. Because he knew that it was hard to just gain the trust from the boy, but it must have taken a lot to get those words. I love you.

But then he frowned, realizing where he was and who he was with. Eleanor’s image popping into his head and guilt fled through his veins. “Please don’t say that..” He whispered.

He turned into Niall’s driveway, stopping the car. Neither of them moved - Harry’s jaw clenched as he turned back to Louis. “Why?” He mumbled, “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it..” He said quietly.

"I know." Louis said softly, "I just …I can’t." Louis sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.

"I know you can’t." Harry gave him a weak smile, "But it’s okay. I understand." He said, his voice softer with each word. He opened his door slowly, giving him a smile as if he was saying goodbye.

"Wait." Louis said, causing Harry to freeze where he was. Louis leaned over and pecked his lips softly. "Goodnight Harry."

Harry smiled, biting his lip. “Goodnight Lou.” He got out and closed the door before making his way inside Niall’s house.

~

"So you and Lou, eh?" Niall winked as he saw Harry walk inside the house. Harry turned to him, shrugging. He threw himself onto the couch, closing his eyes. He then felt Niall sitting next to him. "I’m not stupid, Harold."

"I told him that I loved him tonight." Harry said quietly, his eyes opened to look at Niall. Niall’s eyes got wide, his eyebrows raised. "I just - I meant it. I wanted him to know." He frowned.

"Did you say he loved you too?"

"Nope." Harry sighed, "He said that ‘he couldn’t.’ I understand though, I guess. He has a girlfriend."

"One that he barely even seems interested in anymore! Honestly Harry, if you looked at him when he was around you.." He trailed off.

Harry ignored Niall’s comments and stood up, “Anyways.. Goodnight Niall.”

~

The days went by, Harry and Louis talked daily. They didn’t really hang out in person for a few days, they just usually texted each other. Usually it consisted of Louis asking Harry how he was doing and if he was feeling any better. Every now and then, one of them would add an I miss you x to it. But that was usually as far as it got. Sometimes during the day, when Eleanor was teaching and Harry was at school, he would receive pictures of Eleanor at the front of the classroom. It made him laugh - he pictured Harry trying to take a sneaky picture of her. 

Eleanor and Louis were drifting. He couldn’t even remember the last time they shared an actual, passionate, and kiss that was filled with plain love. It was really obvious how they were drifting too. But it was more of a, I can’t stop thinking about Harry being in your place. Of course, he didn’t tell her that. In fact, he never mentioned Harry in front of Eleanor anymore. The last time was when he attended Harry’s mum’s funeral, and he just told her where he was going. She didn’t ask, Is Harry alright? or How did she die? She didn’t even seem to care and it honestly bothered Louis. He wanted more people to learn to care for the younger boy - he deserved it after everything that he had been through. He deserved more people who loved and cared for him.