➳ claude // l.s.

XXIII

    " I'm in love with Louis Tomlinson. "

    " We know. " Niall responded unfazed, laying carelessly on the couch, legs crossed at the ankles on the table, while his eyes were glued to his phone's screen.

    " But- wait what? " Harry tilted his head in confusion at the two boys in front of him.

    " It was obvious, come on lad. " Liam smiled sympathetically, before reaching for a pack of cigarettes from the table.

    " Since when do you smoke? " Harry quickly changed the subject, being more confused than ever.

    Liam shrugged in response, before taking the cigarette in between his plump lips, brown eyes fixed on Harry.

" Let me tell you one thing, Harold. " before Harry even got time to argue with Niall, the lad continued. " Only a man in love would do anything for their loved one even after so much shit they've done. " Wow, finally something smart escapes his mouth. " So yeah, it was obvious. "

Harry bit his lip, being stripped of a response, but he nodded his head slowly. Was he the only one who didn't realize that?

    He's fucked. He's so fucked. What is he even going to do now?

    And, what if he hadn't saved his life? What would have happened then? Did God really have to go horrendous lengths to make Harry realize he's in love? He hasn't been in love since the beginning of time. This surely wasn't a good time. He just wanted to befriend Louis.

    As far as Harry has noticed, Louis is in a really vulnerable state and not stable, so no, he doesn't want something romantic with him. Getting yourself tangled in such mess is no good. But befriending him isn't bad, right?

" Harry Styles is wanted in the principal's office. " a lady in her late thirties announced as soon as she entered the classroom, making every head turn.

    Anxiety clawed at Harry's heart as soon as he heard those words, every sound starting to leave an echo behind. What is going on?

    He hesitantly got up from the desk, Liam glancing worryingly at him as he did so, but Harry nodded his head in an attempt to reassure him.

    I'm sure it's nothing serious.

    Harry followed quietly behind the woman, gaze focused on the tiled floor that was stepped on by his own feet. He didn't even realize they already arrived at the principal's office until he accidentally bumped in her, quickly muttering a faded ' sorry '.

    As he lifted his gaze from the floor he also noticed that Louis was forcefully dragged by an older man, to which Louis opposed but to no avail. He, somehow, felt a weigh lift off his chest at the sight, but reality hit him. If Louis was there too, he must have done something bad. Once again, anxiety began tingling his body from head to toes as the thought crossed his mind. Anxiety and something else...

    The lady placed her palm on Harry's back, guiding him inside the office but not entering. Right behind Harry was Louis.

    " So what did you do? " he heard Louis mutter under his breath, Harry responding with a shrug, that he hoped looked careless. He doesn't want Louis to know that he's actually panicked.

    " Sit down, gentlemen. " the principal ordered sternly, holding a cup of coffee at his mouth, loudly sipping from it which scratched Louis' ears. He placed the cup on his desk and brought himself closer to it, dragging the chair loudly on the wooden floor. Harry couldn't help but glance at Louis whose face betrayed an obvious grimace on his face. " So, I was told that neither of you attended the detention you were given. " his voice was filled with hostility as he spoke.