optional // l.s.

twenty four

louis stepped out of liam's car and stared at the building before him. he remembered when high school used to be fun. he used to be on the junior varsity footie team in ninth grade. he used to participate in art club and choir. he used to have friends.

this was before everything went to shit.

he didn't know what happened but everyone drifted away. nobody looked at him the same. maybe it was when he came out as gay. maybe it was when he kissed this boy sophomore year and he went around telling everyone they fucked. maybe.

he used to love school. he could be himself. but now school is just a vacancy in his heart. he hated it. he didn't want to read the letters plaqued into the top of the building above the top story windows. he didn't want to walk through those large double doors and sign himself in. but he had to.

it was one of the last senior meetings regarding graduation, class rings, pictures and the last few months of school. louis has yet to confront his guidance counselor and tell her that he has no hope for college. he may just get a job once he graduates, find a one bedroom flat and go from there. he doesn't have a car, he doesn't have his lisence, what's the point?

everything in life is okay except for right in this moment. his relationship was going well, his medicine and therapy have been fine. harry actually offered to have louis stay more often but louis didn't want to feel like he was bugging harry (even though the lad would run to the end of the universe for him.)

"is harry here today?" liam brought him out of his trance.

louis looks over and nods. "it's almost lunch so he will be going on break soon."

the two boys sign in through the front office and louis makes his way down the hallway. a few students were wandering the halls waiting for the lunch bell to ring so louis snuck into the elevator to head up to the third floor.

once he heard the bell, liam parted to find zayn and louis made his way to harry's classroom when the students disappeared. he knocked on the door a few times before opening it, seeing harry sitting at his desk on his phone.

"room service," the small boy said and shut the door, climbing into harry's lap when the man opened his arms. he greeted him with a kiss and snuggled into his chest, burying his head in his neck.

"missed you," louis murmurs.

"i missed you more, baby," harry squeezed him. "what time is the meeting? they said roughly around fifth period."

"one thirty," louis said. "i'm just filling out my information for my diploma. i can't afford my cap and gown. i don't think i'm gonna walk."

"um, you're most definitely walking," harry interjected. louis pulled back a bit and harry tilted his chin up to peck his lips. "because i already paid for everything."

"why?" louis whispered.

"because you deserve it. you're almost done with school. you need to walk across that stage and get your diploma to show these people that you did it even when you didn't want to."

louis looked up into his eyes. "you're amazing."

"why, because i love you?"

louis froze for a moment and harry rose an eyebrow.

"it's true. and i won't hesitate to admit it. i love you. i am in love with you, lou. i want to be your happiness and i want to be your home. i need you to believe everything i say because i have never lied to you, why would i lie now?"

louis teared up and looked down. "i.."

"you don't have to say it back but i'm just letting you know i can't keep it in any longer," harry brushed his hair out of his face. "you make me whole. you are who i look forward to seeing, talking to, being with, everything. i want you and only you."