Jealousy Doesn't Look Good On You (lirry/larry)

Chapter 2

The annoying thing, Harry thought, about going to UNI wasnt the teachers, the homework, or even the other students, but the fact that he was too proud to accept the money his parents offered to pay for college with. He knows that in the long run its good, good that he is paying his way through college without borrowing money from his parents. 'It builds character'; thats what his mother had said. He doesnt really see how paying for his own college education builds character, but he knows that its kinda like a learning experience, learning that not everything in life comes without work.

So that's why, after a long day at school, for it felt longer than just the 4 hours it was, he has to go to work at some hipster cafe/coffee shop where he gets paid shit money. The only good thing about working there was Liam. Liam was his fellow employee who was just a year older than Harry and was also paying his way through UNI.

Its raining by the time he walks into the entrance of the cafe and is embraced by the familiar warmth and smell of espresso and baked pastries. He honestly doesnt know how the place stays in business with a Starbucks just down the street, but he assumes its just because its been around longer then the Starbucks so its what people know. People like to be around whats familiar, what theyre used to. As he walks in he see's Liam mopping up what looks to be a spilt coffee and a lady holding a baby in one arm and an emptry tray of coffees in the other.

"I'm so sorry! I was picking up coffee on the way home for my husband and I! Here, let me he-" the lady was saying, but was cut off by Liam looking up at her from where he was bent over and saying:

"Its really okay, I completely understand. I'll make you another coffee, on the house." he said with a warm smile.

"Are you sure? It's really okay, I can pay" she said.

Harry locked eyes with Liam and nodded his head in a way to say hi. Liam smiled at Harry, eyes crinkling in the corners. Harry walked behind the counter and into the back room to stamp his time card just as he heard Liam say once again that it was okay and he would try to hurry to make her coffees so she could be on her way.

Harry put his apron on and walked back into the main room and saw Liam making the lady her coffees. He grabbed a dish towel and swatted Liam with it. Liam chuckled at Harry as he walked towards the register to ring up the next customer. He finished writing down the mans order on his cup and handed it over to Liam to make.

"So Leeyummm, how's your day been?" Harry asked as he washed the blender.

"Eh, decent. How 'bout yours mate?" He said as he called out the name of the next customer to get their drink.

"Oh, absolutely fantastic" Harry said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

They made small talk throughout the night and as the rush of people getting out of work and UNI went down it was soon just Liam and Harry left.

"When are you taking your break?" he asked casually

Harry looked at the clock and thought about it, "Ehm... I guess right now, there's no one else here"

"Okay, just come back out and let me know when you're done so I can take mine" he said as he took out a batch of cookies to go in the display case. Harry nodded at him and walked through the swinging doors. Harry sat at the table in the back and grabbed his phone to check his emails.

One new email:

Harry, I set up your plane ticket for the 23rd, is that okay?

Love, Mum

Fuck, he said loudly. He sent an email, an email, back confirming that it was okay. Harry had completely forgotten that christmas was coming up and he was expected to go back home for a few days and celebrate the holidays. But he knew that his family always celebrated with Louis' and he would surely be there with some new twat hanging all over him. Harry had been begging off seeing his family during the holidays for the past two years because he knew that Louis would always be there. He heard the door swing open and he felt Liam come in and stand next to him.

"Are you okay? I heard you yell." he said as he sat in the chair across from Harry.

Harry blinked at him a few times and cocked his head to the side.

"Yeah, everything is fine. I just have to visit my family over the holidays" Harry said as he began thinking about how he could get out of this.

"Oh? Im taking it that thats a bad thing." Liam said confusedly.

"Yeah, I just... I cant go alone. I cant see him." Harry said as he looked over at him.

"Well, mate, Im sorry. I wish I could help." he said as he looked sadly at Harry. Harry stared thoughtfully at him but his thoughts were interrupted by the bell ringing and signifying a new customer. Liam began to get up to go back and ring up the customer but Harry stopped him,

"Nah, mate. My breaks over, take yours" Harry said as he walked over towards the door

"Thanks Harry" he said as he smiled sadly at Harry.

+

By the time Harry's shift was over Liam had already left. Harry walked quickly to his flat to avoid the bitter wind and icy rain that was pouring down. He couldnt afford his own car to drive and the bike he usually used had been stolen the week before. He walked up the stairs towards the front door of his flat. He shoved his key in the lock and it stuck, unmoving. He tried to pull it out but it was stuck inside the key hole, he cursed loudly and banged on the door with his fists. Cheap-ass flat, he thought. He walked over to his neighbour's door and knocked. He heard soft footsteps approaching the door and it swung open.

"Harry? What are you doin' 'ere?" said the Irish accent of Harry's neighbour, Niall.

"Ehm, this is really embarrassing but my key got stuck in the door and... yeah" He said as he scratched the back of his neck and looked at the ground.

Niall started laughing and grabbed Harry and pulled him into his flat, "It's okay mate, happens to the best of us" he said

"Yeah... Do you know how I could fix it?" Harry said, looking around Niall's flat. Which was surprisingly nicer than his own.

"I've got a tool box in the closet, we'll jus' unscrew the door knob and you can go right on in" he said with a smile. He walked over to the fridge and grabbed a Guiness. Throwing one over to Harry, who barely caught it. Niall beckoned him over to the living room and plopped down on the couch, turning on the TV and telling Harry to sit down. Harry sat down in the recliner next to the sofa and opened his beer.

"So Harry, we haven' talked in awhile, whats up?" Niall said as he took a sip of his Guiness.

"The sky" Harry said bemusedly. Niall looked at him and let out a barking laugh that Harry wishes he had instead of his own slow drawl of a laugh.

"Uh, but seriously, I have to go to some stupid family gathering for the holidays." Harry said through a sigh

"That sounds awful mate, just talking to awkwardly to cousins that you havent seen since you were five" Niall said

"Well, it not exactly that big. Just my mum, her husband, my sister and a few aunts and uncles" Harry said sheepishly

"How is that a bad thing? I would give anything to see my family up Mullingar for the holidays. But my boss wont let me take the days off of work" Niall said sadly

"No! I want to see my family, I havent seen my sister in years. Its just... my family always celebrates with my..er...Ex-Boyfriends family. And he'll be there for sure, probably with some new 19 year old boy hanging off of him." Harry said as he took a long swig of his drink.

"Ah, I see. You dont want to seem all alone and not over him. That sucks, mate." Niall said as he grabbed the remote and changed the channel to some comedy that Harry had never seen before.

"Yep" was all Harry said before him and Niall settled into a comfortable silence.

After about half an hour Niall got up and went to get the tool box and walked over to his front door to fix Harry's. Harry followed him and watched as Niall unscrewed the door knob and pushed the door open.

"You'll have to replace the door knob and get a new key. But for now it should be fine. You just wont be able to lock your door." Niall said as he stood up and walked back inside. Harry thanked him profusely and as Harry was about to close Niall's door and walk over to his own Niall stopped him,

"You know, just get one of your friends to pretend to be your boyfriend and go with you. Make your ex miss you and want you back" Niall said. Harry stared at him before saying that okay, he'll think about it.