Unwinding (Completed)

15

Louis manages to avoid Liz after the game. They lost, which was a major letdown, but Louis knows he put his very best into it, so it wasn't the worst thing that could've happened.

He makes a straight line towards the boys locker room and cleans up, washing the sweat off of his body and putting on a fresh set of clothes.

Louis takes longer than needed, waiting for all the other boys to file out of the room. Once they're all gone, Louis waits another few minutes before going outside. He see's Harry leaning against the light-pole built next to the lockerroom.

"Waiting for someone?" He asks him, raising a brow.

"You." Harry smiles, "We have Ice cream to get, yeah?"

"We lost, though." Louis frowns, "Don't think I deserve any, Styles."

Harry shrugs, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jean jacket, "Sure you do, lets go?"

"Okay, where's Gemma?" Louis asks as they start to walk towards the parking lot, he feels a little embarrassed; He doesn't want anyone to think there is something going on between the two of them. Harry is known to get around, while Louis is known to be a kid with morals. He doesn't want anyone thinking different.

Harry sighs, hesitating before answering, "She went to Elizabeth's house." He tells him as they approach his car. He opens the car door and smiles gently at Louis.

Louis nods, smiling, "You don't have to be careful about saying her name, I'm not mad at her." He tells Harry, before mumbling a thank you and getting into the car.

Harry shrugs and shuts the door, then situating himself into the drivers side. "Still, don't want to keep it on your mind." He explains.

Louis nods, "Well thanks." He tells Harry, "You know, I'm not actually up for anything right now, I hope you don't mind?"

Harry shakes his head, "Of course, I get it." He assures Louis, trying to shake the disappointment. He can't be developing any type of feelings towards Louis. "Home it is."

-

"Louis! Louis, wait up!" Louis turns around and sees Elizabeth rushing towards him. He was on the way to the cafeteria, He was trying to avoid Liz all day. He doesn't want to talk about it.

Louis stops though, looking at her expectingly, "Hey, Liz."

Liz smiles a little, then sighs, "Hey, look, I'm sorry." She starts, "I had no clue, at all, He explained the whole thing to me last night after we got home." She's shaking her head now. "I knew he had another family at one time, but I promise you that I had no clue that it was you, Lou, I would've told you."

Louis nods and smiles, "It's okay, don't be sorry, It wasn't your fault at all."

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" She asks, frowning a little.

"I don't know, I think I just didn't want to talk about it, not because I blame you or anything." He promises, "It's just hard, you know, for me to wrap my head around, and um, It kind of hurts, a lot."

Elizabeth nods, full of understanding, "Yeah, of course, I get that." Louis smiles at her in appreciation.

-

James: So, your birthday is soon!

Louis: That it is, isn't it?

James: You'll be 17, isn't that cool

Louis: I guess so Dad lol

James: Dad?

Louis: I dont know haha you just sound like a parent

James: Well Im just excited, youll be legal

Louis: True, so hows your mom?

James: She's okay, I almost have enough to put her into the hospital. i just need a couple hundred more....

Louis: You mean the amount i gave you wasn't enough?

James: Afraid not, it's really expensive for some reason. Ill probably have to pick up some extra shifts. Which sucks because theres no one else to take care of my sickly mother

Louis: You said you need 200?

James: Yes.

Louis: Ok give me a minute

-

"Mom?" Louis asks, watching his mother brush out the tangles in Doris's hair.

"Hm, boo?" She ask, sparing him a glance before telling Doris to keep still.

"So, you know how my birthday is in like, a week?" He asks, "I was wondering if you could just give me the money you would spend on presents? I want to go clothes shopping for myself instead."

"Are you sure?" She asks, looking at Louis with raised eyebrows, "Well, you'll have to wait until your birthday, still."

"But Mom, Aeropostale has a huge sale right now, it ends Friday, thats only a day!" He exclaims. He really deserves an award for his acting.

Jay chuckles, shrugging, "Okay, Lou, get my card off the dining room table, put 300 on your paypal, okay?"

Louis's eyes widen, "That much, Mum?" He asks, mouth agape at the amount. He could honestly purchase so many things he's been wanting for months.

He knows thats selfish to think of though, when James's mother is dying and in dire need of a good hospital with liable treatments.

-

Louis: Check your paypal...

James: 300? Louis, oh my god. Thank you so so so much.

Louis: Anything for you, now call the hospital, she needs to be in there now.

James: Okay, Lou. Thank you. Beyond words, I cannot even begin to explain to you how much this means to me and my mom. She's been so sick for so long, and I think now she's finally going to the proper care shes needed for a very long time.

Louis: She deserves all good in this world, so do you James. The way you care for her is so touching. I wish I could be there by your side, I know this is hard to do alone.

James: Even with the distance between us, I've never felt the slightest bit alone because of you. You are such an angel, Louis. You have no idea how much this means to me. I'm in debt to you, forever. My heart aches knowing I can't thank you in person. I want to tell my mother about you so badly, but she already feels wrong for burdening me. I don't want the guilt looming over her.

Louis: I completely understand that, you never have to tell her, even after she does get better, okay? I wish I could be there, James. I really wish I could.