Your Addictive Heart || l.s

Enjoy the Ride

TW: Panic Attack

"T! T! T!" Liam and Zayn shouted like Neanderthals as they greeted the nineteen-year-old with bear hugs.

His friends were smiling ear to ear as they embraced their old friend. "Alright, Alright. Give a guy some space, yeah?" He poked Liam in the ribs.

Louis wondered if he could sneak away. He already felt nauseous. How was he supposed to pretend everything was okay? All he wanted to do was find Harry. To explain.

"How's it going, Louis?" Tito singled him out with a mischievous grin.

He looked different somehow in just the past few weeks. His dark hair was almost to his shoulders and apparently, they kept the razors locked up at his university.

What did he expect from him? They weren't friends. He never even apologized for that night. He'd call him out in front of everyone if it weren't for the fact that it was Harry who wanted to keep it a secret.

"Good," Louis decided was a sufficient response. "I'm going to go find Harry." He enunciated his name to remind him that he wasn't interested then and he still wasn't.

"I think he went home." Olivia directed him. "He seemed upset. Don't think he's looking for company." She had a familiar look about her. A hand on her hip and pursed lips had Louis wondering why she looked on the verge of whipping out the claws. He couldn't remember doing anything to upset her.

Unless...she knew?

There was no way Harry told her. He said he didn't want to.

Louis ruled the possibility out by how she interacted with her friend's older brother. There's no way she wouldn't let him hear it if she knew the truth about that night.

"I'm sure he's alright." Zayn gave his arm a comforting squeeze.

"Yeah." Louis agreed with him for the sake of not raising suspicion.

"So, does that mean you're free then?" Tito turned to Louis so that nobody but him could see his smug face.

Louis felt unreasonably warm. He hated the way he looked at him in front of all these people. Louis tried to distance himself with small steps. How did he make him feel so small? So weak?

He shot him a suggestive wink before turning back to the group of friends huddled outside the field. "I say we have a little get together at our place. Yeah?"

"Sounds good." Liam agreed for the rest of them.

Louis didn't like the idea of being at that house. He didn't like the idea of being anywhere near this guy. He needed to get himself out. The heaviness in his chest was starting to make his breath catch.

No. Not again.

He felt his legs go numb. Why was it so hot?

"How about we meet you guys there?" Zayn thought aloud. "I forgot I left something at Louis' the other day." Louis didn't understand. What could he have possibly left at his house?

"Are you sure?" Liam asked. Liam always gave him rides so his concern was valid.

"Yup. We shouldn't be long. It's that red sweater I love." He stared at Liam with a look Louis couldn't read.

"Oh, the red sweater. Got it." Liam gave him a soft smile.

Zayn returned it with a reassuring smile before whisking Louis away towards his car.