Mr Bump - A Louis Tomlinson fanfic

Chapter 11

~HARRY'S POV~

"Lou, mate, I'm almost there. Which number house is yours, again?" 

"Just meet us in the cafe, mate. We needed to get out of the house."

"Alright, see you in a bit."

I hung up the phone, swerving as a car almost collided with me. I cursed under my breath, slamming on the brakes.

"Arsehole!" The driver screamed out of their car window, but I just shook my head.

I was a bit preoccupied. I had Clara's suitcase in the passenger seat and Louis's worried tone on my mind. I rang him earlier, asking if I should bring down Clara's stuff. He sounded flat, depressed almost. I wasn't happy about it, at all. I thought ever since Clara had come into our lives, he had perked up considerably and left the 'old' Louis behind. His tone on the phone brought back memories of his harsh break up with Eleanor.

I pulled up to the local cafe, apprehensive about what I was going to be met with. I thought maybe Clara had left him, but why would he be asking for her stuff? Maybe she would be leaving, but surely she would come down to London instead of making me come up? I guess I would see.

I cut the engine, grabbing her suitcase from beside me. I sighed, clutching the suitcase to me before leaving the car. I could see them inside the window, and to my dismay Louis seemed to be pleading with her. She can't be leaving yet, can she?

I walked in tentatively, moving towards their booth. Suddenly, her shrill voice shrieked.

"LOUIS. For God's sake, just fucking leave it okay! It's none of your business in the first place. I'm beginning to regret telling you now." She snarled, and rose from the booth. Louis reached out for her, but she pushed him away. "Piss off, Lou." 

She didn't notice me until she walked straight into me, and almost fainted in surprise.

"H..Harry, what are you doing here? Wait, did you KNOW I was meeting Lou's parents?" She demanded, and I hesitated.

"Eh.. Here's your, erm, suitcase.. Think I'll have a quick chat with Louis, actually. D'you want to sit in my car, or...?"

"No. I'm going for a walk." She answered flatly, her eyes narrowed. She pushed past me, bumping my bicep with her shoulder. I turned to Louis in question, but he just slumped further in the tacky leather seat.

"Move up. Now, tell me what's wrong. Is she leaving?" 

"Evidently."

"No, I mean for good. Like, leaving us? The whole fake relationship?"

Louis stared at me in accusation then.

"Keep your mouth shut! We're in a public place, Harry. No. She's not leaving us.. She's just stressed. Majorly."

"Louis, you're going to have to tell me. You're freaking me out, if I'm honest."

He sighed, fiddling with a napkin. He seemed frustrated.

"I.. I can't. I wish I could, Harry, honestly. But she trusted me, so.. No. I don't want to lose her trust. All I will tell you is that she has to be under our constant protection. I'm not losing her now." He swore fiercely, and his determination startled me.

"Jesus Christ, Lou. Has she gone AWOL from the Army or something?"

"Funny. Harry, I've never seen her so... vulnerable. It upset me. I.. I need to be honest with you Harry." He looked into my eyes, running a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"You know you can tell me, Lou. What is it, mate? Is she sick?"

"No, this isn't really about her.. Well, it is.. I- I think I'm falling for her." He whispered, his voice sticking in his throat.