Unconventional (LT x TS)

Chapter 2

Harry leaned in, puckering his lips slightly. Taylor met him halfway, and as their lips touched, Harry felt like throwing up. It was okay, he thought. Money, this was all for- "Harry!" Taylor shouted, looking down at something. They were at the park, a mid-day stroll that their management had thought up. Harry followed her gaze and found absolutely nothing. Masking his annoyance with a saccharine smile, Harry looked down at her.

"Yes, love?" he asked with a tight smile. She ignored him and focused on something in the distance.

"There," she whispered, her lips not moving. Harry followed her line of sight. There were cameras. Heaving an unnoticeable sigh, Harry grabbed her hand and swung it between them. He was absolutely exhausted, and it had only been a few hours. Harry was ready to die.

"Let's walk," he suggested, pulling Taylor along. She followed easily enough, and they casually strolled towards the cameras. It was taking everything in Harry to fight the grimace that threatened to take over his face. Taylor's hand felt like lead in his. Heavy and poisonous. He couldn't wait for this to be over.

A blinding flash stopped both of them in their tracks, and Harry threw his free hand over his eyes. He knew he wasn't supposed to acknowledge the paparazzi, but he couldn't help himself anymore. He threw a glare in the direction the flash came from, and ignored it when Taylor squeezed his hand in warning. Harry knew that that picture of him would grace the cover of many magazines, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Let the world see how he was really feeling for once.

-----

Louis watched from the couch as Harry entered their flat, looking completely defeated. Everything about Harry seemed deflated, from the way his curls fell flat against his head to the way his shoulders were hunched over. Louis didn't know what to do. "Harry?" he asked. There was no response. Harry kicked his shoes off and made his way over to where Louis was sitting, and Louis looked up at him.

"Hi, Louis," Harry finally said. Louis raised his eyebrows. "I'm home," Harry continued.

"Yes, I see. Welcome home. How was your outing?" Louis asked. He was fighting back a frown--this was the most awkward conversation he and Harry had ever had. He couldn't read the other boy, no matter how hard he tried.

"It was fine. I'm going to, uh," Harry trailed off, and motioned to his bedroom.

"Don't let me stop you. I'll see you for dinner?" Louis asked.

"Mmm," Harry threw over his shoulder, and Louis watched as he walked away. What in the world? Louis let his frown take over his face as he laid back on the couch. He threw his head back and stared at the ceiling. What was going on with Harry? Louis knew that he was having a hard time with the PR stunt, but he didn't understand what different about this one. Harry had done PR stunts before, but he had never reacted like this. Maybe he had a problem with Taylor? But Taylor was perfect. Taylor, who had her hair pulled back into a ponytail today, Taylor who had worn the most beautiful coat, Taylor... Louis shook his head. This wasn't about Taylor. But maybe she could help.

Louis sat up and grabbed his phone from the table next to him. He unlocked it and opened the phone app, but then thought twice. He could barely look at Taylor without turning into a blubbering fool--there was no way he would be able to make it through a phone call. He closed the phone app and opened his texts instead.

LOUIS: Hey, love. Heard you and Harry went out today! How did it go? x

Louis hit send, cringed, and then fought the urge to throw his phone across the room. He was sure he could an award for 'most awkward texter'. The ding of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked down.

TAYLOR: It went alright. Don't know what was up with Harry, though, is he doing alright?

LOUIS: I don't know.. was going to ask you the same thing. Did anything happen today?

TAYLOR: No, nothing weird happened. We just went to the park, but he was really on edge the whole time. Not sure what was going on.

LOUIS: Oh, okay. Thank you :) . How are you?

Louis cringed again and considered signing up for texting lessons. He had just wanted to redirect the conversation but had somehow found the most unnatural way to do so. After shaking his head to clear his mind, he looked back down at his phone.

TAYLOR: I'm good! How are you?

Louis couldn't keep the smile off of his face. He fell back against the couch again, holding his phone over his face. He was finally texting the girl of his dreams.

-----

Harry couldn't even make it to his bed. He slumped against his door and sank down to the ground. His chest felt like it was on fire, and he could barely breathe. He tried to reach out for his phone to call Louis, but it had slid out of reach when he fell. Leaning his head against his door, he tried to take a deep breath and calm himself. He didn't know what was happening, and his head was spinning, and he- he needed to stop thinking. Harry closed his eyes and just tried to breathe.

After a few minutes of breathing, the burning feeling subsided and Harry felt like he could move again. Using the door handle to pull himself up, Harry stood up wobbly and made his way over to his bed. He sat down heavily and stared at the wall in front of him. What just happened?

Harry looked over at his phone where it lay on the floor. Too far. Sighing, he turned around and laid down, burying his head in his pillow. Images of Louis fawning over Taylor flooded his mind, and he squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't forget the way that Louis had called the girl beautiful, how he had mused about asking her out. Harry felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He didn't realize he was crying until the pillow became wet and uncomfortable under his face. He lifted his head slightly before dropping it back down in the same position. He didn't even care anymore at this point, but he secretly hoped that Louis would come in and check on him. He knew that the other boy had sensed that something was off, and a small part of him was desperate for Louis' care and concern. Harry fell asleep waiting for Louis' entrance which never came.