My Habit from This Town

6) Us Again

Song for the chapter is Us Again by Chuck Wicks

**Louis' P.O.V**

"Haz?"

I had done it. I took the risk. If it wasn't him, at least I would know. I put it out there, so I just had to see if he would pick it up.

He looked at me as if he knew what I meant. I think I was right. I was more sure than ever that I had found him.

"Lou-bear?" He whispered back. I hadn't been called that in 11 years. And right here, right now, it was us again. Floods of memories of our growing up together came back; every forgotten memory was back. I just burst into tears as he embraced me with the strongest hug. I missed him so much and now I had him back.

Then a small, awkward cough came from a chair next to us. I forgot about the other boys. I looked up and saw three pairs of eyes just staring at us. Trust right now to be the moment Liam and Niall stop fonding over each other. Zayn interjected.

"Do you guys, like, know each other?" He asked, slightly shocked. We both nodded slowly.

"We used to be best friends until I moved." Harry informed them,still looking at me. "Do you mind if we go somewhere else? I feel like we need to catch up." He asked Zayn. Zayn agreed and Harry grabbed my hand and gently pulled me out of the room. I allowed him to lead me, still crying and still in shock.

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**Harry's P.O.V**

I led him to my room so we could talk privately. I'm sure Liam had the sense not to interrupt us. He was probably too busy flirting with Niall anyway. We had so much to catch up on. I had so much to ask. I'm sure he did as well.

I broke the silence, which wasn't awkward but it wasn't comfortable either. "How have you been, Lou? I can still call you that right?" He nodded.

"I've been... well.... not great. Although given the situation we are in, I guess that's the same with you." He replied. He was right. I wasn't. But I wanted to be.

I was about ask him something, but he beat me to it.

"Why did you leave so suddenly? Nobody knew you were leaving."

I knew I would have to explain this. I just didn't think he would ask so soon. I guess now was a better time than any to explain.

"I had a heart condition. Doctors had found a heart that I could have via transplant, but it was quite far away. I would have to stay in hospital for a while and for some reason mum decided to move away for good. I figured dad was going to come and move with us, but he didn't. I've never been told why but I figured it was probably my fault. They were always arguing about what was best for me. I just hate that he took Gemma with him. I get to see her on holidays and things, but it's not the same." I explained. I've never really told anyone this, especially not when I just meet them, but with Louis it's different. Maybe it's because we knew each other when we were little, maybe it's just him. I feel safer around him, and yet more vulnerable. I knew deep down that I still had to be careful, as I felt similar to this when I met Ethan, but with Louis these feelings are stronger.

"It's why I'm here, actually." I continued. "I couldn't deal with all the pressure of having to be healthy, mentally and physically, all the time as to not strain my heart. So, I fell into a depression, a deep one. I tried to kill myself a few times, but I always regretted it after. Luckily, I usually had my boyfriend there to help me. He was so protective over me. I loved him so much. We broke up though. After my most recent attempts, the doctor recommend I come here to help me battle my depression. He said he couldn't deal with me going away for so long, so he broke up with me. And that's that." I felt a weight lift off me after telling him. Nobody has ever cared enough to listen to me rant before.

We spent the rest of the afternoon swapping stories of growing up. The bullying we faced, the relationships, the break ups. We never once were uncomfortable. It was around 9pm by the time we finished. We missed dinner, so we had to go down and eat then but we just joked around as we ate together.

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**Louis' P.O.V**

Harry and I spent every waking minute together all week. It felt like when we were little. It was as if no time had been missed. It was now July 30th. Me and Harry were hanging out in my room, as per usual. Niall and Liam were with us also. We had all gotten really close since we got here and I wouldn't want it any other way. I had started to feel that maybe I didn't hate it here after all.

Someone knocked on the door. It was Zayn.

"Harry, you've got a visitor. Meet you in the box room in 5?"

"Yeah, sure." Harry answered as Zayn left. "Didn't realise mum was visiting today. Wanna come say hi?"

I followed him as we walked through the house. We had gotten used to the big building now, so it wasn't hard. Niall and Liam stayed in our room, as we didn't need them as guides anymore.

As we opened the door, a man stood up and faced Harry. I saw Harry's face drop. He whispered a name so quietly I almost missed it.

"Ethan."