Edge of Seventeen Larry AU

Take my tears and that's not nearly all

A/n: not edited, but kinda anxious for you to read.

Harry cursed and rubbed his eye as he felt the sting from the sweat making contact with his eye. He's been running and he doesn't really know how or when but he's running and he doesn't know why, he chugs down on his water and fuck him. From the building across the street, if he's not mistaken, Louis comes out, yoga mat in hand.

He screams "Louis! Louis!"

He runs. 

And suddenly there's a crowd. He keeps screaming and Louis stops walking Louis' about to turn around.

Harry doesn't recall running, he doesn't know the streets. He doesn't really know how or when he started running.

Harry wakes up.

------

He knows better than to say a thing. It's awkward, really awkward to bring the subject on. 

Graduation.

He had first thought about not going at all. Even when Liam frowned and mumbled something about thinking things had gotten better. Back to normal.

The last game had been strange, before it had started he sat on the bench staring at the field. He wondered how many times he wished for Louis to be in one of his games. How he would dedicate the last play to him. How much of a fool he felt, how much of a teenager he felt, a useless one because there was nothing he could do to find Louis. 

And when they surprisingly won, he felt some sort of joy. He went to bed thinking that was it, that maybe he wasn't as numb as he thought. 

But now he sat at the breakfast table, things "getting better" meant things a little less obvious. As if everyone was playing a part on the game of fake pretend. But Harry didn't really felt great at home, he avoided his mother as much as he could only showing up to dinner and occasional breakfast when Des was around; he couldn't make eye contact yet, not for long, just small glances. As for Anne, she was trying, for God's sake, the moving was for Harry. She didn't care for her as much, not her reputation or her family's but her own son's life and mental health. She loved her son to death, she still does. 

And then there it was. 

Harry sat just stirring his oatmeal. Des had left a minute ago and Anne poured herself another cup of coffee. She griped the cup a little tighter as she looked down. 

"Graduation is next week." She was almost afraid to talk to her own son, for she knew it was... different now. Harry remained silent. 

"I- well, maybe you want to get a suit or we could go or- or if I could give you some money, Liam, you could go with Liam if that's what you want."

Harry could hear she was trying. She really was. How could he tell her she was not going at all? Jesus, they don't talk anymore, he used to love their routine, their relationship, it was healthy and full of life. They were lonely but together. He really screwed up both of their lives. 

"Uh- I'm don't have football practice anymore. I can meet you at the mall after school." His voice sounded so deep and raspy he was even surprised. Anne visibly relaxed and breathed out as if she had been holding her breath the whole time.

"We could catch a movie, go to the salon and give you a nice haircut." 

It felt... better. Kind of. At least someone was excited.