I Remember You Laughing [Larry Stylinson]

Chapter 19- The Old Truck

Harry POV

"Oh, great! It sounds spritely!"

"Yep. It's running smooth. Just keep it of the bumps and you'll be fine."

Greg threw Anne the keys to the old blue pick-up truck, and she caught it in one hand while holding the Thursday morning newspaper in the other.

Louis' sisters woke up late as usual and were still having breakfast at ten in the morning. Harry, Louis, Anne, and Gemma were on the front porch looking on as Greg pulled in the yard with Anne's newly fixed truck. He had taken it for a test run to make sure everything was working. 

Harry hopped down the stairs and handed him his pay. They thanked each other, and as he made his way back up the stairs he saw the keys in his mother's hand as she absently held it up while reading the front page headlines.

Harry froze. Gemma froze. Louis looked confused, because the keys were directed at him.

"Mum?" was all Harry had the breath to say. He watched as Louis stood so still, peering back at him, obviously for a sign that it was okay to take them.

Anne jiggled the keys impatiently, looking up from the newspaper, reflections of daylight on her spectacles blocking the view of her eyes.

"Louis, Sweetheart. You can drive around town wherever you want. Take in all the sights. Your sisters and I will move around in Gemma's car." she said, in a chipper tone.

Louis' face lit up like a party bulb. Harry was glad Louis was excited about it, because he was not. And looking at his sister, she wasn't too thrilled either.

Harry's furrowed eyes zoomed in on the keys. Harry wasn't old enough to drive yet and even if he was he wouldn't really have anywhere to go, except maybe at Niall's, but-

Harry wouldn't say he was jealous, just. . .completely livid. Harry's earliest memories were of playing hide and seek in that old truck with Gemma, and driving around with his mother. She didn't seriously just give it away to Louis!?

First she accuses me of taking advantage of his kindness. Then she gives him the truck? 

After he had gotten up that morning and was surprised to see Louis already up and cleaning the pen, he had told Harry he made it clear to his mother that he wasn't going to sit around on his ass the whole time during his stay. It had been early and Harry was still mad at the time, but as the morning got brighter and hotter it sank in how Louis stood up for Harry and insisted on helping him with his chores. And now Harry was all geared up to apologize to Louis for walking off on him and ignoring him last evening. He was currently trying to build the courage to tell the boy what he wanted to know about his broken down relationship with his mother, but the way she spoke to him while giving him the keys, like he was her pride and joy or something, Harry could not help but feel like he was being replaced. 

With a deadly glare directed at Louis, Gemma grabbed the keys from her mother like a wild animal, and threw them at Louis, walking away.

They ended up slamming into his chest where he caught them, still shocked. He gathered himself just enough to throw his arms around a beaming Anne, thanking her in a ramble.

"I know exactly where I want to go next!" he declared, and looking back at Harry, big grin taking over his face, "Are you coming, Harry!?"

Harry snapped out of his thoughts to see Louis' eager eyes on him. Feet still glued to the spot, his words caught up on his tongue. He's taking me? Of course he is. Who else would he take? I have to show him around. Me. Nobody else. Wait- he wants me to ride around with him all day!?