Path of Destruction

Chapter Three

Warning: This story contains scenes of self harm.

Harry woke up that morning and understood the downside of burning.  The burn on his arm from the night before had blistered. It was extremely painful and he had a strange urge to itch it.

He got dressed and slipped on his usual bracelets.

That’s when it hit him.

He had broken his promise to Zayn.

 And if Zayn found out, he had every right to break the promise he had made to Harry. He hated himself for being so stupid. So careless. Zayn would never trust him again.

Even worse, the whole band would know of his self harm.

 And once one secret is out, it is only a matter of time before the whole truth begins to unravel.

 Later, after a long day of signings followed by a concert, the boys were back at Louis and Harry’s apartment. Liam and Zayn seemed to be interrogating Louis on his current relationship with Eleanor, while Niall was in the kitchen helping himself.

Harry listened to the questions they had been asking, he took in each response Louis would give. He felt the rage building up inside of him.

How could Louis be with Eleanor? She wasn’t right for him! How could Louis not see what was right in front of him?

 Harry’s thoughts suddenly came to a stop. He couldn’t see what was right in front of him, because Louis wasn’t gay! He saw him as his best mate, and that is all he would ever be to him.

Harry realized he needed to accept and deal with this simple fact.

And he knew just the way to do it.

“Hazza, come sit with us!” Louis’s melodic voice rang in Harry’s ears. Even something as simple as just hearing his voice would give him chills. He was perfect.

Louis motioned for Harry to come sit next to him. Harry strolled over and sat himself next to Louis. If Louis saw the hesitation in which Harry sat, he didn’t say anything, or let it affect him. Louis leaned his head against Harry’s neck and smiled sweetly up at him.

“I’ve missed you Haz!” “I feel like you have been distant lately.”

These words broke the smile on his face.

The rest of the boys all nodded in agreement, except Zayn who glanced away.

Liam was the first to talk, “Yeah mate, I mean if something is bothering you, you know you have us to lean on. You can tell us anything.”

Harry felt Louis sit up and then wrap his arm protectively around him, squeezing his shoulder every so often just to let him know he was there for him.

It was gestures like these that made Harry’s heart melt. It gave him hope.

“Really guys, there is nothing wrong. I have just been really tired lately, we’ve had a hectic schedule the past few days and my body is just adjusting. Nothing to worry about.”

The boys all seemed to glance at each other. Harry could tell they didn’t believe him.

It was only a matter of time.

After watching a movie that night the guys all crashed on the sofa. Louis had already went off to bed and Harry was just returning to his room.

He was just getting into bed when the door opened.

Just the person he did not want to talk to.

Zayn.

“Harry we need to talk.”

“Zayn are you breaking up with me?!” Harry said this with a shocked looked on his face. “But I thought things were going so well!”

“Harry, this is no time to joke. The rest of the lads are seeing right through your lies. I think you need to be honest and tell them exactly what is going on.”

“Zayn, you know I can’t do that.”

“And why the fuck not harry!” Zayn was beginning to get angry. “If you aren’t doing it anymore then what is the harm in telling them?!”

They shared a few long glances as Harry searched his mind for what to say.

But there was no need.

Zayn spoke first.

“That is, if you are not doing it anymore…” His voice trailed off.

Harry’s stomach dropped.

With Zayn’s next words he knew it was over.

He would see the burn.

Zayn would tell his secret.

“Let me see your wrist Harry.”