Pretending From The Start, Larry Stylinson Fanfiction.

Chapter 21 - Broken

"I invited the boys round," Anne told her son as they both stood in the kitchen, making a delicious meal for the family. Before X Factor, Anne and Harry used to always cook meals together and bake, so she was grateful that something good was coming out of the pain. 

"Have you told them?" asked Harry, stiring the mixture in the saucepan. 

"Not yet," Anne replied. "I was planning on doing it later, unless you wanted to?"

Harry shook his head, eyes watching the mixture spin round with the spoon he was using. "I don't think I've got the strength to bring it up again," he mumbled. "I ... don't even think I wanna be around when you do."

Anne looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I don't want to see their angry, sympathetic, and confused looks when you tell them," Harry explained. "So when they get here, I'm going upstairs. Please, make sure they don't come up 'cause I know what they'll say."

"You sure, love? You'll have to face them eventually."

"Just not today," said Harry, turning the stove off by the knob at the front. He lifted the saucepan and held it out to his mum so she could inspect. "What do you think, Mum?" he asked.

Anne had a good look at what Harry had cooked then back up at her son, smiling. "You've always been a good cook, love."

Harry smiled back, "I now."

The family sat at the table and ate the mean Harry and Anne had cooked for them. Just as they were finishing up, the doorbell rang. Anne looked at Harry, knowing it was Louis, Liam, Zayn, and Niall.

Harry sighed, standing up. "I'm gonna go lay down and get some rest." He didn't wait for a reply as he walked out the kitchen and up the stairs. 

Anne took a deep breath, heading out the kitchen. She walked to the front door, pulled it open, to see the other four members of One Direction, smiling happily at her. Anne returned the smile, inviting them in. After giving them all kisses on the cheek, she lead them to the sofa.

"It's great to see you're doing well, Anne," spoke Liam as he sat down on the sofa.

Anne grinned. "Thank you, Liam." He smile started to fall as she remembered why she invited them round. "I am doing well, but Harry's not."

The Irishman sat on the arm of the sofa, even though there was plenty of room. Niall looked up at her, questionable look in his eyes. "Is that why you invited us round?" he asked Anne. "You wanna talk about Harry?"

Anne nodded, looking round at all the boys. "He ..." she trailed off, unable to put the sentence into correct words. She sighed, shaking her head. "He's broken," she finally said. 

Louis was suddenly extremely interested and one thing popped into his mind. "What do you mean broken?" he asked Anne. When Louis asked Harry why he was cutting before, Harry told him it was because he was broken but Louis fixed him, that's why he stopped.

So with Louis no longer around, Louis knows it's a possibility that he's started again.