Underneath It All {l.s}

VIII

"I miss you."

Was what just came out of Louis' mouth. Damn, Harry misses Louis too.

But just because Harry misses Louis and his free spirited ways doesn't mean he wants to jump right back into going on all day trips with him. No random trips to the tattoo parlor at two in the morning because Louis' bored or staying over to watch movies in a makeshift fort. Not any of that justifies kissing and making up so fast... well minus the kissing. Still, Louis' going to have to wait it out, it's not going to happen overnight and Harry hopes Louis eventually understands that.

Still, on the other side of Harry's mind, he's upset and doesn't want to hear a single word come out of Louis' mouth anymore. Just wanting to walk away and be all dramatic about it, but he can't do that. Not when Louis' gazing at him and standing quite close. A part, a very small part of Harry wants to lean in just a little; Louis looked so warm and maybe also because Harry just wanted to be close to him. But that's only a small part, a teeny part that doesn't override the rest of Harry's problems with Louis right now.

Afterwards Louis continued, bringing Harry out of his thoughts.

"I miss you being around," Louis admitted, shuffling a touch closer to Harry.

Although he hears him loud and clear, this is confusing for Harry. Everything Louis' saying right now is! He is talking about missing him which contradicts completely his actions from some weeks ago. And for Harry, actions speak louder than words; it's all just a big bunch of mixed signals if you ask him.

Louis' actions and words are just so erratic Harry can't keep up with any of it! It's mentally exhausting!

Suddenly, Harry frowned as he took a step back to create some much needed space between them because he just feels so smothered.

"Do you even hear yourself talk?" Harry started, finally breaking his silence. "I don't even understand you sometimes," slowly backing away some more, ready to just go back inside and tell everyone his goodbyes because he doesn't feel too great anymore (not that he already did feel the best in the first place). Ready to get the hell out of here and back in his bed where he should have been in the first place. Away from Louis and any of that mess back inside pertaining to the Louis and Edith thing.

Silence was filling the space between the both of them and this bothered Harry. Louis wasn't saying a damn thing now and ugh! Harry's done. So done with tonight.

So he is just turned on his heels and marched back inside towards their table where Niall and Zayn were still sitting fairly close together; drinking beers with Zayn's arm around Niall's shoulders, but that's not important. What's important is Harry going over there and telling the two that he is leaving.

"Zayn," Harry began, now standing across the table with his arms crossed, looking at them. "I'm sorry and I know this will make me out to be a shit friend but I need to go home.

Zayn looked confused for a moment, scratching at his chin, and his eyes on something else. That something else being Louis who was sitting back in his seat right down at the fucking table and Harry just wants to scream. He can't get away from him at all and it bothers Harry that Louis' not even pulling him aside and explaining himself. Harry just doesn't even acknowledge Louis at this point and focus on the couple in front of him.

Zayn's eyes fallen back on Harry as he caressed Niall's shoulder gently. "It's not even nine yet, H! Are you sure?" Harry nodded because he was sure. He was so, so sure that he wanted to get the hell out of here.