Best Friend's Brother

Chapter Twelve

Louis couldn’t breathe.

He was dressed in his robes, fiddling with them absently as he watched girls and guys with last names that started with A’s go up onto the stage. It wasn’t even ten minutes into his graduation and Louis already felt scared out of his mind. There was nothing to do but sit and watch and pray that he didn’t make a fool of himself when it was his turn to go up. 

From where Louis sat, he could just make out the faces of his mum and Liam. Louis hadn’t even gone up yet and his mum was teary eyed. Louis knew that when he did go up, his mum would probably be an emotional wreck. They’d had a good, long talk last night about college and growing up, about becoming an adult and moving on to the real world. Jay had told him that she’d always be there for him, if he needed a boost along the way or anything, really. It had comforted Louis enough to fall asleep that night with too many worries. But now, since he was actually at his graduation, he was freaking out.

He felt like he was a couple of minutes away from a panic attack. Louis groaned. The principal had just called out the name “Hannah Baker”, which meant they were only in the B’s. How long was this going to take?

Looking over again to his mum and family members, Louis sighed. Where was Harry? He was supposed to be here by now. And if he was here, he’d be sat next to Liam, but no, there was absolutely no sign of the curly-haired boy. Great that really made Louis feel so much better.

"Thanks for the comfort," he mumbled under his breath, earning a funny look from the person sat next to him. Louis could only sheepishly smile at the lad. He didn’t know any of the people sitting next to him. Zayn’s last name started with an M, Stan’s started with an L, his friend Ed’s started with an S. All the people around him Louis hadn’t even spoken to before, which was rather odd, actually. Louis was one of the most popular guys in school. How come he didn’t know any of these guys?

Louis knew he was desperate when he dug out his phone to text Liam. He needed someone to talk to at least. His little brother would just have to do.

"Where’s Harry?! Have you spoken to him? I’m sorta freaking out over here!!" He texted. It couldn’t be further from the truth. 

"told him not 2 com cuz dads hur" Liam responded. Louis smirked at his brother’s terrible grammar before thoroughly reading the text. Whose dad, Harry’s? Wait, what would Harry’s dad be doing at Louis' graduation?

"Who, Harry’s?" he asked.

Not even a minute later he got a reply. “no u idiot ours” 

Oh. Louis’ dad was here. No wonder Liam told Harry not to come. When Harry had first suggested they come out to Liam, and Louis had said his father was quite possibly one of the worst homophobes in the world, he hadn’t been joking. His dad would no doubt question Harry left and right which, honestly, was rather ridiculous. Louis was allowed to have male friends, wasn’t he? Even if Harry was so much more than just a friend…

A surge of disappointment ran through him. This was Louis’ only high school graduation, and Harry wasn’t here to celebrate it with him. He felt like screaming because it was so unfair. All because of his dad’s hate…