The Boy in the Bookstore | l.s ✔

Twenty Seven

Days until Louis' birthday: 4

It was the last day of school before Christmas and Harry and Louis both felt burnt out. The first term of year 11 had been difficult but Harry was learning how to manage the stress of his GCSEs. He had sat his mocks a month ago, achieving A's in English Lit and Language and Art and B's in everything else. He was proud of himself, as was Louis and the rest of his friend group. They were hanging out in the new cuddle stop that Harry and Louis had found and claimed as theirs. Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the gifts he had bought for his friends. He gave out all the gifts to his friends, who all opened them on the spot. They all liked what Harry had brought them, he was happy he knew his friends so well. Niall immediately unwrapped the chocolate bar and began to eat it.

'Harry, thank you! This is my favoutite kind of chocolate - free!' Niall said through a mouthful. Harry smiled, head rested on Louis' shoulder. Zayn had already begun testing the markers that Harry had bought for him, making sure that they worked okay. He began to draw a comic-book style character, sketching out the features. It already looked good. Harry had gotten Liam new headphones because he knew that he enjoyed listening to music. He had put a lot of thought into all the presents he had gotten and was happy that they all liked everything. The bell rang, announcing the start of afternoon lessons. Because it was the last day of school, everyone had the afternoon off and they were allowed to hang out with different classes and year groups. Harry had arranged that Louis, Liam, Zayn and Niall would all go to Harry's form room and spend some quality time together before the holidays. They sat around a table to the back of the classroom, listening to music and talking about their plans. Niall was going home to Ireland to see his family, Zayn was having a quiet time with family and Liam was going on holiday. Harry was holding onto Louis' hand, his head rested on Louis' small shoulder. He felt tired but incredibly happy. He had been spending a lot of time overthinking recently, and he felt very tired mentally. Harry had been desperate not to fall into a rough place mentally and every time he felt himself falling he had to pick himself up and it was exhausting. He knew Louis would try and help him, but he didn't want the older boy to worry. He had enough going on in his life with everything going on with Jay, he didn't need to know that Harry was struggling. He had been extra-clingy recently because in his head it was so negative. His brain told him things that made him question himself. Thoughts like Louis doesn't actually love you or your friend's don't actually care or everyone hates you. Harry was what he thought most and it was exhausting because Harry knew how much everyone cared. He knew deep down that he was stronger than what he thought, and that the things he thought came from a place of insecurity. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he was going to be alone one day and that terrified him. He must've looked upset because he felt Louis squeezing his hand, shaking him out of the dark thoughts that were running through his mind.

'You okay, H? You look as if you just saw a ghost!' Niall said laughing. Harry nodded his head, stating that he was fine. Louis studied Harry. The older boy was very good at reading people, and he knew that there was something on his mind.

'I just need some a-air, it's too hot in here.' Harry said quietly, standing up.

'Do you want me to come with you, love?' Louis asked, looking worried. Harry nodded and the two boys left the classroom.

'You're telling me what's going on inside that head of yours as soon as we get to somewhere more private, okay?' Louis said sternly. All he wanted was to be able to help Harry with whatever was on his mind. He didn't like seeing Harry scared, and if Louis could take some of the pain away, then he would be able to at least empathise with his boyfriend. He thought he was relatively good with advice and he recognised what most of Harry's insecurities were. They reached where they sat at break times and sat down on the floor. Louis held Harry's hand, his small arm around Harry's shoulders. He was shaking slightly and his breathing was irregular. Louis began to slow his breathing down so Harry could copy the breathing patterns and calm down. It was better to prevent a panic attack then for Harry to have one as he never coped well afterwards.Harry's breathing slowly began to regulate and when it returned to normal, Louis placed a kiss on Harry's temple.