The Boy in the Bookstore | l.s ✔

Four

A/N: Please remember trigger warnings before proceeding this chapter contains mentions of physical abuse - especially the latter bit of this chapter. The triggering content will be signified that it starts and ends with a '*'. If you need me/any resources, I will have them linked in the comments . All the love, stay safe and remember there is help out there, do not be afraid to reach out. 

'You excited to go to the store tomorrow, H?' Zayn asked as they left the classroom to meet up with Liam and Niall, who were waiting impatiently by the tables on the yard. When they reached the two boys, Niall immediately tackled both Harry and Zayn into a hug.

'What took you so bloody long?' Niall asked, laughing.

'We were t-talking with M-miss S-smith.' Harry replied, looking down and biting his lip.

Of course, you guys had super-smart English. Me and Liam had basically a free period, set 3 English is the best, we did no work.' Harry shifted uncomfortably, he didn't like it when people didn't do the work they were set/ Liam cleared his throat, trying to change the topic.'

'Anyway, me and Niall - Zayn probably agrees - that we wanted to say how proud of you we are. You've come so far, H. Even if you don't see it, we all do. Even if it was Niall's fault that we know because he can't keep his loud, irish mouth shu-' Liam started, before he was cut off by Niall, who claimed that whilst his mouth was irish, it wasn't that big. 

'T-thank you, guys. But you shouldn't b-be proud o-of me. I'm ashamed.' When Harry said this, he watched the faces of his friends fall. Harry guessed that this meant they were upset, or angry that he had said this.

'P-please don't be angry with m-me, I can't help how I feel.' he looked down, as if his feet were the most interesting thing in the world. 

'Oh Harry. Please don't be ashamed. Is there a particular person who you like right now?' Liam asked, his eyes almost sparkling, he really wanted to know. Niall nodded his head frantically, excited to know who the one and only Harry Styles had a crush on.

'D-don't laugh, but Z-zac Effron. H-he's really good at a-acting and really c-cute.' Harry blushed harder than he thought was possible, and Niall literally giggled.

'I'm so happy and proud right now H. This must be so hard for you, and you're doing so well.' said Zayn quietly. His comforting tone gave Harry the confidence to look up and make eye contact for a few seconds.

'Thank you, Zayn.' he whispered without looking down, trying to hide his smile that he actually spoke to someone without stuttering and holding eye contact. The rest of the day, Harry was on cloud nine. Celebrating this 'little victory' put his mood right up, and he loved that his friends bought him a celebration brownie to mark the occasion in the canteen at lunch.

-

When Harry thought nothing could bring his mood down, he was right. However, that all changed when he arrived at home. He knocked on the front door, but nobody answered. Reaching under the doormat for the spare key, he picked up the small piece of metal and put it into the lock. When it opened, he stepped inside, the house was too quiet, even for someone who loved a quiet environment. He walked into the kitchen to get a drink of tea to settle his nerves and feelings of unease. He got out his favourite mug - a plain blue one - and put the teabag in. Walking across to the kettle, he put enough water in and set it to boil. He then poured the water onto the teabag, careful not to spill any and burn himself. He let the beverage brew for a minute, before adding milk to the taste he liked. He sat down in his usual chair and got started on his work. He made maths homework due in for the next day - something that Harry found incredibly unfair, but he let it go. His head started spinning, he hated maths. There was something about it, he just didn't understand when he would ever possibly need to know how to label the sides of a triangle. He had been working for 20 minutes when he became frustrated. Trying not to let any tears fall, he just carried on. His mind wandered, looking back on his day. He was proud of himself, and his friends were too. He knew how lucky he was to have any friends at all. He had heard stories of other kids with Asperger's growing up with no friends who couldn't handle being alone. He was beyond lucky to have not lost his friends - yet, anyway.