Smoke || larry

6

Nothing exciting happened at Louis'. Harry, Louis and his two roommates - Zayn and Matthew - got completely, stupidly drunk. Perrie came later and once her and Zayn started to have loud sex Harry left. He drunkenly found his way home and when he came in his mom didn't even care. She didn't notice he was gone and she didn't notice he was wasted and she just didn't care. Harry put himself to bed and cried.

He skipped school Tuesday because he felt gross and kept throwing up, but now it's Wednesday and he's back. The school feels empty even though the halls are filled with people. Harry isn't ready to see Niall and he isn't ready to deal with assignments and homework. He'd rather stay in bed and watch movies and cry. Perhaps, he'd rather go to Louis' and drink his heart away. Both options are better than being in this terrible place.

Liam is by his side in an instant when he's at his locker. His warm smile makes Harry feel better. He knows no matter what, Liam is always there for him. Niall doesn't make an appearance and Harry is thankful for that.

Math class passes in a blur of equations that Harry just doesn't care enough to understand and then it's physics. It's so awkward once he walks into the room because him and Niall sit next to each other. They're always partners because of their seating and Harry is cursing himself for sitting with him at the beginning.

The class is filled with tension and what hurts is that Niall doesn't try to apologize. He just looks anywhere but Harry and tries to scoot farther away whenever he can. Harry basically sprints from the room when the bell rings and into his next class.

Lunch is better, mostly because Nick offers to take him out. They both go and grab pizza - walking instead of driving on the cloudy day. Nick is chewing happily, content with the silence.

"So how's Dan?" Harry speaks up. Dan's Nicks boyfriend and he graduated last year, but the two are still together.

"He's great. We're going out this weekend," Nick says. His smile grows just talking about the boy and Harry smiles back at him.

"You guys are so cute," Harry tells him and Nicks smile just grows even more.

"Mhm. You should come with us sometime. He's been asking about you," Nick tells him. Harry bites his lip because he's not one to go out. He's not even worried about being a third wheel because Nick and Dan aren't obnoxious as a couple. He's more worried he'll burst into tears at some point.

"I'll try," Harry tells him honestly.

They arrive back at school and Harry feels his stomach drop again. Home and school are his two least favorite places and they used to be his favorite. The day flies by again and then Harry is back in his car. He doesn't want to go home just yet so he stops at the grocery store to get some snacks for himself. He's in the chip aisle when he sees someone familiar.

"Hey, Louis," Harry grins when he sees him. Louis turns and his face lights up at the sight of Harry's lanky figure.

"Harry. What brings you here?" Louis asks with a smile. Harry raises his hand that carries chips and pop.

"Buying some snacks," he tells him. He moves so they're closer and sees Louis has a little basket filled with all types of food.

"Having friends over?" Louis questions and Harry shakes his head.

"Just me."

"Do you care if I join you? We can do it at my house. The boys are out for the night," Louis asks nicely. Harry bites his lip to hide his smile and nods his head. Louis appears sober for the first time since Harry's known him and he follows him around as he finishes shopping. They chat aimlessly and Louis is such a people person it's not even awkward.

They both get in their separate cars after they pay and Harry follows Louis to his house. They meet up again when they walk to the house and then they're inside. Harry takes off his shoes and walks into the main room. Louis goes to the kitchen and returns not too long after.

"What do you want to do? We're out of beer so I can only offer water or juice," Louis tells him apologetically.

"I have my pop thanks. I don't really know what to do. I was going to watch movies," Harry tells him. Louis nods and sits in the arm chair while Harry lies across the couch.

"Kill Bill?" Louis asks and Harry just nods his head because he doesn't really care. Louis puts it on and Harry quietly laughs every time he quotes the film. It's really gory and half the time Harry's covering his eyes and Louis just laughs at him.

"Why are you laughing?" Harry whines, his eyes covered. He glances over at Louis to see him smirking in his direction.

"Because you're hiding your face. It's not that bad," Louis laughs again.

"It's gross! I hate gore," Harry tells him with a pout. Louis just laughs harder and shakes his head.

"Why'd you agree to this movie then?" Louis inquires and Harry shrugs, peaking at the television again.

"I didn't really care at the time."

Louis just shakes his head and grabs his remote. The movie stops and Harry slowly moves his hands down to his lap. There's a small silence and then Louis is looking at him again.

"Want to go on a walk?" he asks. Harry nods and gets up, stretching out quickly. Louis just watches him and then walks next to him to the door. They slip on their shoes and walk out into the chilly night. Louis' hands are in his pocket and he shuffles his feet as they walk down his driveway and onto the sidewalk.

"So, what are you doing this weekend?" Louis asks him. Harry glances over to see Louis looking straight. His side profile is almost as pretty as him face on.

"Nothing. I should probably do homework, but I have no motivation," Harry says with a casual shrug. Louis chuckles and looks over at him, his head tilted.

"You want to come to another party? It's a guy from my uni hosting it," Louis asks him. Harry feels his heart beat quicken because it seems like Louis is asking him on a date, but Harry's too shy to ask if that's what it is.

"I could maybe come. We'll see how I feel," Harry tells him - not promising anything. He hates making promises because he could be having a bad day that day and decide not to go. Harry doesn't like breaking promises.

"I understand. I hope you come though," Louis tells him sincerely. And Harry knows he'll go now because he doesn't want to let Louis down.

It's then that it hits him that he hasn't thought of Gemma once and he hasn't cried at all. Since he's been with Louis he feels okay - not good, but okay - and he's completely sober.

It's a good feeling.