the glass boy || l.s.

CHAPTER FIVE

LOUIS

"Cheer up, dude."

I snapped my attention away from my phone screen to the weight sinking into the sofa next to me. I glanced over at Zayn, his hand extending out to offer me a drink. I accepted it gratefully and finished the bitter liquid in one go. It didn't taste the best, but I got used to it the more I drank at parties.

Zayn clapped me on the back, he knew what happened between El and I. He had been telling me to get my mind off of it and let loose for a while, but it was difficult. I really loved Eleanor and she hadn't been responding to my texts or missed calls. I sighed and gave a small smile to Zayn.

"I spot Luke over there, I'll be back yeah?" Zayn said, getting off the sofa and finishing his drink.

"Sure, man," I dismissed Zayn and watched him stride over to Luke.

I watched them make conversation for a while, Zayn with his hand gestures and Luke listening attentively. Zayn then pointed at me at some point, which had Luke and I making eye contact. Luke gave me a pout, and I rolled my eyes. Zayn must be talking about the 'El' incident. Idiot, he has no sense of respecting others' privacy when he's tipsy.

I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck and got off the sofa. I walked over to the kitchen, moving pass the crowd of people dancing and talking over the loud music. There were people playing games in the basement, but I never joined them. Usually, the games would end up sexual and I'm not going to cheat on my girlfriend.

I quickly found myself filling a cup with water. Zayn and I always took turns waching out for each other and it was my turn to be the sober-- well, less intoxicated one. I glanced around the kitchen, spotting many familiar faces from school. Everytime I turned my head. I sighed, deciding to go for a smoke.

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HARRY

"Niall, I.. I'm starting to have doubts about this.."

I stared down at my lap, picking my nails as Niall drove us to the location. It had been 34 minutes and we haven't arrived yet. I could see Niall's fingers drumming against the steering wheel, and him biting his lip in my peripheral vision. He took his time choosing his words.

"We're almost there, Harry," he said quietly. "I promise it won't be bad, okay? If at any point you want to leave, we'll go immediately, yeah? No exceptions."

I gulped. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I was already thinking of what I should tell my parents if asked about my whereabouts. I could tell them I was staying over at Niall's for some studying. My gut churned. I'm planning to lie to my parents. I'm sick.

The car came to a stop and I looked up from my lap, my eyes landing on a decent-sized duplex house. It was from from any other residencies. From the windows, I could see bright colours and the figures of people dancing to most probably the music being played.

Niall placed his hand over mine. "It's going to be okay, Haz."

I glanced at Niall and his comforting eyes. I didn't want to let him down. I nodded and got out of the car. My knees were wobbling and my feet felt heavy to even be lifted. Niall came over to my side and sorted out my attire. Just like he did in his room earlier on.

After getting out of the bathroom, Niall sat up quickly and put away the book he was reading. He let his eyes roam over my form from top to bottom, and I found myself flustered at his mouth agape.

"Harry, you're literally on fire!"

I froze immediately, before throwing my body to the ground and rolling over multiple times. I was screaming at Niall to get assistance if the fire wasn't going out. I felt Niall toppling himself over me, laughing and crushing me with his weight.