optional // l.s.

fifteen

harry remembered the first day he met louis.

he started at that school when louis was a sophomore. he was downstairs, since the high school courses were administered by grade and not credit necessity. harry teaches creative writing to juniors, so louis never knew who the infamous 'hot teacher' was until he started eleventh grade.

the first day harry met louis, he had his nose stuck in a book while walking down the hallway and almost bumped right into him. he was swallowed in a black hoodie with a pair of black glasses on his tiny nose. his bright blue eyes were wide and his face was flushed as he apologized for him and made sure he was at the right class before heading inside. judging by who his teacher was, this was definitely the spot.

louis never complained about doing anything in mr. styles' class because harry was laid-back. yes, he made you work but he would also have a casual conversation with you while you're doing an assignment. he was like a teenager himself, plus he would make the class laugh by his stupid jokes and imitating others with their hair flips and snobby tones.

harry remembered the first time he heard louis' laugh.

it was soft and delicate. it was masked by a balled fist gripping the sleeve of a hoodie. it was supported by crinkled eyes and a scrunched nose, making his face twist into the cutest little thing and harry's heart warmed. louis was a soft soul, he was humble and kind. he wasn't much of a speaker but his writing told you everything.

to see louis the way he did, covered in bandages and wires, nearly killed him. louis was a special person to him. he wanted to help, he needed louis to know someone understands what he's going through and take the chance to look on the other side of things.

harry was called to louis. it was like a calling from god, pushing you to do something. harry was called to be louis' person, to be his guidance and his support. he was called to help no matter what and let louis know everything would be okay.

so when he was told louis tried to kill himself, harry broke. it took the principals letting harry have an emergency excuse to leave and find a substitute to calm the man down but he followed liam to the hospital right after he signed out. louis attempted suicide. louis backed out. he was doing so fucking good and talking to harry and all of a sudden it just...goes away.

he shut down and went in reverse. he cracked and that crack just kept going and going until the fucking glass completely shattered onto the floor. nobody swept it up, it just laid there in a messy pile.

but now knowing, after a lot of talking and expressing things, louis will get better and be back to the spunky one harry remembered, harry had a lot of hope that everything really will be okay.

---

dear sweet louis,

today in class we started reading "walk two moons", the book you recommended to me. so far, we've only gotten through the first chapter. even though i teach creative writing, i wanted to do something different.

a student asked where you were today. it was jane, the girl who sits beside you. she was concerned about how you were. i told her you were sick, it would have been rude for me to tell you that you're at revive. it's not my place.

i miss you, louis. i miss you coming into class with your animal crackers and new books. i miss giving you books and hearing your opinions about them. i sound like a stupid little kid with a crush but it's true. i just miss you, so much.

how are you doing? how is the house? have you made any friends? i hope you're doing well, keep doing good and stay strong for us. i'm proud of you for taking the chance to better yourself. you're brave, little flower. soon enough you will bloom to this big beautiful rose and i can't wait to see how you have grown. keep watering yourself with your skills. stay in the sunlight. take care of yourself.