Look After You

Chapter 7

   The rest of the award ceremony went quickly and smoothly as the boys were unable to snap out of their shock and focus on what was happening around them. Before they knew it, the ceremony was over and they were being ushered to the after party along with the sea of people. The after party was held in a very extravagant ballroom and the boys quickly shifted into party mode. As they entered the hall, they were greeted by Danielle and Eleanor. 

   Danielle embraced Liam into a tight hug as he buried his face into her dark wavy hair. Eleanor walked up to Louis and threw her arms around the boy's neck, sloppily kissing him. Louis was caught off guard by his girlfriend's sudden affection, but reluctantly kissed her back. Harry watched, all the color in his cheeks drained away, leaving only pale flesh. Eleanor pulled away with a cocky smile on her glossy lips, "I'm so proud of you, babe!" Louis smiled and thanked the girl, his hands never leaving her sides. 

   "I'm going to go to the bathroom." Harry announced to the other boys before walking off quickly. Liam watched him disappear with sympathetic eyes.

   It took Harry a few minutes to find the restrooms in the unfamiliar place, but when he found the door, he prayed that no one else would be inside. He shoved the door open and relief washed over him when he realized he was alone. Turning the faucet on, he splashed cold water onto his face, trying to get the color to return. His reflection deceived him, he looked like normal Harry, but on the inside, he was breaking down. He looked so happy with her. The boy felt hot tears begin to fill his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away  with his sleeve. I can't cry over him, he was never mine. 

   Eleanor hung tightly onto Louis' side as he scanned the room, looking for Harry. He hadn't seen the boy since the after party began almost an hour ago. The sound of Eleanor's voice blended in with the background nose as Louis squinted into the crowd of people, searching for those curls. "Lou! Are you even listening?" Eleanor slapped his arm, causing him to glance down at the girl attached to him.

   "Yeah, carry on." Louis nodded and began walking towards Niall, Eleanor's grip on his arm tightened as she walked with him.

   "Hey mate, where's Harry?" He shouted over the music towards Niall, openly interrupting whatever Eleanor was saying. "Ehm, the bathroom I think. He didn't look so good." Niall pointed in the direction Harry had headed.

   Louis nodded and detached Eleanor from his arm and put both hands on her shoulders. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He smiled slightly, walking away from his girlfriend, who pouted next to a noticeably uncomfortable Niall. 

   The older boy fought his way through the crowd to get to the exit. He wandered down an echoey hall until he saw a sign that read 'Restrooms' with an arrow pointing to two doors on the right. Louis walked much faster, feeling lighter from removing Eleanor from his side. He gently opened the men's bathroom door, poking his head inside. His blue eyes saw Harry leaning over a sink with his head down, his curls covering his face. Louis frowned and silently walked over to his best friend. 

   Harry jumped and tensed at the feeling of a hand gently touching his back. His saddened green eyes grew wide when he saw Louis standing behind him, a concerned look plastered over his features. Harry quickly stood up and took a deep breath before turning around to face the boy, hoping his voice wouldn't give himself away. 

   The heart inside of Louis' chest beat faster when he saw red rims around Harry's damp eyes. He placed the boy's face in his palms and forced him to look into his eyes. "Haz, what's wrong?" Louis whispered, wiping away some hair that was covering his beautiful baby greens.

   Harry looked away, avoiding eye contact while he came up with a lie. "Too much alcohol, felt sick."

   Louis felt that Harry's answer was a little suspicious since he had seen the Cheshire boy drink much more without getting sick, he once watched him have a hour long conversation with a cat for Christ's sake. He didn't want to push the younger boy, so he nodded, releasing Harry's face. "Feeling better?" 

   "Yes, thanks." Harry nodded, wiping his cheeks one last time. "Why'd you come in here?"

   Louis looked stunned by Harry's question, the raspy tone in his voice jerking on his heart. "I was worried about you, Haz." Harry gave a slight smile before Louis grabbed his face once again, but this time, he kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You can always talk to me. Always." Louis took a step back and smiled at the moppy headed lad, whose eyes had become wide, causing him to look like a baby deer. Louis' heart skipped a beat when he felt Harry's arms wrap around him.

   "Thanks, Lou." Harry smiled, pulling away, slightly embarrassed by his sudden embrace. Louis hadn't minded the tight hug he had received from Harry, he wanted him to never let go, but he ignored his feelings and ruffled Harry's hair. 

   "Anytime, babycakes!" An arm draped over Harry's shoulder as Louis squeezed him once more against his side. "Now, let's get back out there before they get more worried, yeah?"

   Harry nodded and walked with Louis back out into the main hallway. The two boys headed back to the party, walking side by side, reminding Harry of how they were in boot camp. They were inseparable at camp, they went and did everything together, true best friends. Granted, the friendship hit a bump after Harry's fling with Caroline. Harry preferred to forget about that. And after Eleanor came into the picture, it stopped being Louis and Harry. The two boys were still close, however, closer than average best friends.