Look After You

Chapter 11

~Wow...this is getting exceptionally long and I apologize! I'm trying to wrap this thing up!!~

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   The room was silent for the longest time. The green eyes searching for anywhere to look, anywhere besides Liam's knowing eyes. They eventually settled on the floor when Liam sighed deeply. "So...you're just gonna leave?" Liam watched as the boy squirmed uncomfortably.

   "Liam, I just think it's for the best right now." Harry scratched the back of his neck, still avoiding eye contact.

   "The best for who, Harry? You saw how devastated he was! I've never seen Lou so upset!" Liam crossed his arms as a flame lit behind Harry's eyes at the boy's outburst.

   "If I go away, give us some space, maybe...maybe these feelings will go away." Harry set his jaw and spoke quietly at Liam, whose mouth was prepared to interrupt, but Harry continued before he had a chance to speak. "I know Lou is upset," He paused to shake the image of Louis' broken face out of his mind. "But...I already made my decision, Liam."

   "You're running away, that's all you're doing! You're scared of how you feel so you're leaving Lou behind, to try and change how you feel, how your heart feels!" Liam took a deep breath. "Harry, you're trying to run away from love."

   Harry froze at the last word. He knew in his heart, no matter how hard he tried to deny it, that he loved Louis. He loved him so much that it terrified him. Harry wanted what was best for One Direction, and most importantly, he wanted what was best for Louis. He thought that moving out was what they need, what he needed. As if reading his mind, Liam spoke the very words that had been playing repeatedly in his head. "Styles, you are incredibly selfish sometimes."

   The curly haired teenager hung his head. He knew the truth within Liam's statement, he felt the sting of knowing that someone saw right through him. "Lou will forgive me eventually." He mumbled, more to himself than Liam. He heard the other boy scoff and then the room fell quiet once again. Harry was just about to turn around and walk out of the room when Liam's quiet whisper broke the silence. "Where are you going to go?"

   That was a good question and it took Harry a moment before he answered, "I heard there is a few flats in Primrose that are pretty nice. That's not too far away."

   Liam nodded sadly, "the boys will help ya pack when you find a place then." Harry thanked him with a slight smile as the two boys headed back downstairs.

   The walk down the staircase seemed agonizingly long, knowing that Louis was waiting at the bottom. His broken Louis. His heart ached more with each step towards the living room. Every step, a step closer to Louis. When Harry's foot made contact with the carpet, his eyes immediately flew to where Louis was still curled up on the couch. The same distant look captured in his blue eyes. Harry watched Liam sit on the edge of the couch and softly whisper to the boy. "Hey, Louie. How are you doing?" He gently pulled the blanket down to get a better look at his face.

   "I'm losing my best friend. How do you think I am?" Louis' voice was raspy and monotone, the sound unfamiliar to both Liam and Harry.

   Louis looked away from both boys, pulling the blanket back over his head while quickly wiping away any remaining tears from his cheeks. A million and one things ran through his mind in his saddened state. How quiet will the house be without Harry? How will I eat without Harry to cook for me? Whose bed am I suppose to crawl into when I have nightmares? All these thoughts of Harry not being there with him caused a violent sob to ripple within his chest. One after another, the cries shook the boy's small frame as he gripped the thick blanket for any kind of comfort.

   Liam looked helpless as he gently rubbed the crying teenager's back. He wasn't use to so many tears, but he was 'Daddy Direction' and he tried his very best to help when his friend's needed him. Harry could no longer watch his best friend cry anymore and quickly replaced Liam on the edge of the couch. He pulled away the blanket that was enveloping Louis and fell apart at the sight of his friend who was clutching his knees to his chest while tears streamed down his face. Harry swallowed the urge to cry, his eyes were too sore to cry again, but God knows he wanted to. He wanted to bawl his eyes out along side his best mate, but for Louis' sake, he tried to keep calm.

   "Lou, shh. Boo Bear, it'll be okay, I'll always see you." Harry whispered softly. "Please stop crying." The pleading tone in his voice was difficult for Liam to hear, let alone watch, as the two best friends tried to put the pieces back together.

   "Is it because of me? Be honest, Haz." Louis' voice shook as he looked up at the boy, tears still fresh on his face. 

   "No, Lou, it's not." Harry partially lied, wiping the chocolate colored hair away from Louis' forehead. "It's because of me."

   After Liam had left Harry alone after their talk, the young boy had brought it upon himself to find a solution, a solution to loving Louis Tomlinson. He had spent several minutes staring at the fan that spun on the ceiling above him before the idea popped into his mind. He'd move out, put space between himself and the boy that had stolen his heart. He had heard Zayn talk about some flats in Primrose being for rent and the weight on Harry's chest began to lessen as his plan began to fall into place. He'd move away and his feelings for Lou would stay at the flat he left behind and he'd return to being the flirt of the band once again. The flirt...towards girls. As Harry's eyes began to close, heavy with sleep, one image popped into his mind. Louis' brilliant blue eyes and his stunning smile, brightening the older boy's entire face. The image made Harry swallow heavily, remembering that he had to tell the Doncaster boy his new plan. The blue eyes transformed into watery, saddened orbs and the smile crumbled into a quivering frown as Harry drifted off to sleep.

   "I'm selfish, Lou. So, so selfish." Harry whispered into the boy's ear, his voice breaking with realization that he was leaving his best friend in the dark.