Smoke || larry

21

"Are you coming to the movie marathon at Louis' tonight?" Niall whispers to Harry at the lunch table. Nick eyes them questioningly and Harry just flashes him a warm smile. He's in the dark about everything and he likes it that way. Nick doesn't need to know about him. Harry wants Nick to still like him unlike everyone else.

"Obviously. Will you pick me up from Liam's? Tell him we're going to get food and then finish physics or something," Harry says. His moms taken away his car keys so now he relies on Niall to be his chauffeur. Niall happily does so because he gets free liquor every time he drops Harry off.

"I can do that. Don't look now, but your newfound father is watching us across the table," Niall chuckles. Harry turns to see Liam watching them with raised brows and Harry just rolls his eyes and looks down at his plate of food.

Liam's been everywhere lately. He'll call him in the middle of the night and often calls Niall when they're supposed to be together. He's become overbearing in his protectiveness and Harry knows he knows he's with Louis. That he's always with Louis.

"Still coming over after school?" Liam asks him and Harry bites back the urge to roll his eyes rudely.

"Course." Harry replies shortly and that's the end of the conversation.

The day passes slowly and Harry texts Louis all through his last class. Louis' replies are short since he's in a lecture and Harry pouts because he wants to have an actual conversation with him.

When the final bell rings Harry mindlessly follows Liam to his car and sits in the passenger seat. The ride is quiet and awkward - not like how it normally is - and Harry feels guilty for that.

When they arrive at Liam's familiar house, Ruth is in the kitchen for a change. She graduated last year and lives in her own apartment with her boyfriend. Harry doesn't see her much anymore.

"Harry," she smiles at the sight of him. She pulls him into a hug and she smells of flowers like always. Harry clings to her and can't help but smile. Ruth is someone that just makes you smile.

"I didn't know you'd be here," Liam says as he reaches in the fridge and pulls out an apple. He tosses one to Harry too and Harry just catches it, making Ruth grin.

"Thought I'd stop by. It's nice to see you now and then," she tells Liam and Liam just shrugs and takes a large bite of the crispy fruit. Harry nibbles on his and listens as the siblings talk. They often tease each other and it reminds him of him and Gemma.

Gemma.

He hasn't thought about her much lately. It's like her voice decided to stop haunting his mind and he's so thankful. She was going to drive him mad.

"Are you with us?" Ruth laughs as she waves her hand in front of his face. Harry jumps and then gives her his crooked smile.

"Sorry, went off to lala land. What were you saying?" He asks and she just chuckles lightly and shakes her head.

"I'm leaving. I said I'll see you soon," she tells him. Harry just blushes and moves forward to hug her again.

"Bye, sis," he mumbles into her hair. It's something he's always called her and she gives him a light squeeze at the name.

"Be good," is the last thing she whispers before she's flashing her homey smile and walking out the door.

"So," Liam starts awkwardly and Harry just shrugs and grins at him.

"Xbox?" He asks and Liam grins back at him.

"Definitely."

The rest of the evening is spent like they used to be. Both boys claim the other is cheating and they wrestle and Harry is laughing with Liam again. It feels good and his day gets better when Niall pulls up because now he gets to see Louis. Liam just waves at them as they go and Harry knows Sophia is more than likely coming over.