The Boy in the Bookstore | l.s ✔

Twenty Four

Days til Louis' birthday: 11

It had been a week since Harry's panic attack and when Harry had told Louis that he had saved his life, and the whole dynamic of their relationship had changed slightly. Everything felt fragile again, and both boys acted like what they had was breakable. It was almost as if what they had needed to be protected, like it could crumble at any moment. It worked for Harry, but he just wanted more. The snow had somewhat melted, and it was the first day back in school after weeks and weeks of snow days. It was the first day back in a few weeks, and Harry was ready. He had gone back home a couple of days ago and felt relieved to be back in his routine. He missed Louis' company, he loved having the older lad's presence around him. He was a slight bit anxious about school re-starting but he remembered that they would be breaking up for the Christmas holidays in a week, meaning that the work wouldn't be overly strenuous. Harry threw on his crumpled uniform - it had been stored in his bag seeing as he had gone back to Louis' the Friday before the snow started and didn't come home for a week - sorted his hair out and went down for breakfast. It looked very cold and icy out, and Harry wasn't about to push his luck walking to school in his normal shoes. He was incredibly clumsy, and never missed a chance to fall over. Anne and Gemma weren't awake yet, and Harry longed to be in bed and wrapped up warm. It was quarter-past eight in the morning, and it was only just getting light. He groaned tiredly, not understanding why he was being dragged into school so early. He quickly drank his tea before walking out of the house and off to school. 

The cold air hit him as he opened the door. It was absolutely freezing, and he didn't want to have to walk. There was still snow left on the ground but rather than it having a satisfying crunch as Harry stepped on it, there was more of a wet and mushy sound. He saw Liam - who was standing next to Louis - waiting for him at the end of the road. He walked as quickly as he could towards them, not wanting to fall on the ice and snow.

'Baby! Is it weird that I missed having you around?' Louis said, pulling Harry into a tight hug. Harry was over the moon that Louis had actually missed him.

'I missed you too, bub. Where are Zayn and Niall?' Harry said, smiling widely.

'They're "sick".' said Liam, putting air-quotes around the word sick.

'Skiving?' Harry asked. Liam nodded in response, trying not to laugh.

'Rubbish excuse if you ask me.' Louis said under his breath, causing Harry and Liam to both laugh. Harry mutch prefered the small size of the group, and he had never previously realised how close Liam and Louis were. Their friendship was predominantly jokes about the other and making fun of stupid things that the other said. Harry held on to Louis' hand, listening to the jokes that his boyfriend and Liam made and even laughing occasionally. Harry said his goodbyes to his friends at the gate as he had to go straight to form that morning. He quickly changed into his school shoes, trying everything to not get a uniform detention. He sat down in his chair at the back of the classroom and crossed his arms on the desk before putting his head down. All he wanted was to be back at Louis' place, watching a movie, being cuddled and kissed and drinking hot chocolate. He was the first to arrive, meaning that he could have a few quiet moments to himself. He had come out of his shell a little - thanks to Louis, of course - but he was still very internal and he still didn't like to talk to people. The anxiety and self doubt that he always had were still there and he very much thought that he was going to have to live like that forever. Other people filed into form as Harry was deep in thought, not one of them acknowledged he was there. Harry didn't mind that as much as he thought he would, standing out made his stomach churn just thinking about it.

The rest of the day went by extremely quickly. Harry hung out with Liam and Louis at lunch, trying his best to make small talk with the pair of them. Louis mainly talked about how his little sisters wouldn't shut up about how great Gemma was and how they had had a lot of fun decorating the house. Harry was happy that the girls were able to have some kind of christmas and didn't mind sharing the holidays with Louis' little sisters. Besides, if the girls were spending time with Gemma that meant that Harry and Louis would have to spend time together. Louis had told them all about how Jay was doing well, and how she may be able to come home from hospital over Chrstmas. Although Harry had never met Jay but from what Louis and his sisters had said about her, he assumed that she was pretty amazing. Anne was having all of Louis' family over on Christmas Day and was cooking for everyone.This was the first time since his dad had left that he was actually looking forward to Christmas.