Bubble Gum Chapstick 🍬 (l.s.)

Chapter 7

Harry slowly stood up from the bathroom floor and leaned over the sink. He didn't want to look at himself in the mirror, but he knew that he looked like a wreck. He slowly raised his head to inspect the damage. "Fuck." Harry gingerly raised a finger to where a few large bruises were forming on his face. He aggressively grabbed and sat his bag on the counter of the sink. He scrambled through it hoping he left a concealer or something in it. Harry threw the bag to the floor when he realized that he wasn't going to find any. He leaned against the counter looking down at it, choking back a sob. Why am I like this? Why do I always let this shit happen to me? After a few long seconds, Harry stood up and aggressively wiped his tears. Now how the fuck do I walk out of here without anyone seeing? He looked around the small bathroom for any sign of an answer. His eyes landed on his bag he had thrown, and bent down to lift it up. I forgot I brought a hoodie, oh my god! Harry quickly pulled the black hoodie from the floor and shoved it on. Once he got his bag put back together, he yanked the hood up, covering as much of his face as could. Harry practically ran out of the school, keeping his eyes glued to the floor.

Once Harry got a good distance away from the school, he decided it was safe to look up again. He was almost back to his apartment, when a small park caught his eye. I mean I'd rather be sad on a swing than be sad on my bathroom floor. He shrugged to himself and walked over to the swing. Harry sat down and pulled out headphones, playing whatever he could the loudest. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the cool chain of the swing.

Harry wasn't sure how long he swung there but a tap on his shoulder caused him to jump up and yank the earbuds out of his ears. "Hey man, sorry I didn't mean to scare ya. Just checking to see if you- Harry?" Panic rolled over Harry when he realized it was Louis who tapped him on the shoulder. He tried to keep his eyes glued to the ground and managed to say a timid "Hi" to him. Louis cautiously walked over to Harry, as if he was a fawn. Louis raised a hand to Harry's hood, causing him to flinch away from Louis. "Harry.." he whispered. Harry reluctantly raised his eyes to meet Louis's, knowing he already knew what he was hiding. He once again raised a hand to Harry's hood and gently pulling it down, brushing against his soft curls. "Harry... oh my god... what happened?" Louis said calmly, searching Harry's face for answers, but only finding bruises and a nose with dried blood. "I-I" Harry froze completely, not wanting to tell Louis the truth but also not able to lie to the beautiful boy, "I'm sorry." His eyes began to water, and his head looked down at the ground. "Hey hey hey, no." Louis gently placed a finger under Harry's chin, slowly guiding him up to meet his eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry for, okay? Nothing. Do you understand meh?" Harry nodded at Louis, with more tears rolling down his bruised cheeks. "Can I walk you home?" Harry was too exhausted to fight Louis and say no so he silently nodded at the boy, and lead the walk to his apartment.

Once they reached the apartment, panic filled Harry as they walked up the stairs to his door. He can't see it! He'll hate me like everyone else. I don't want to lose him.. not yet anyway... "okay, um, this-this is me. Thank you Louis." Louis put his hands in his jean pocketed and nervously cleared his throat. "Um, Harry?" Harry looked up, slightly startled by his more cautious tone. "Why, um, why did you panic when I brought up doing the project at your apartment? Did I do something wrong? Or offend you? I- I didn't mean to, If I did I'm-" Harry grabbed his bicep. "No no no, Louis I promise you didn't do anything," Harry dropped his arm and glanced at the floor," It-it's not you, it's um, it's me." Harry protectively crossed arms in front of his chest. "What? What do you mean?" Louis tilted his head in confusion. An actual puppy. And I just fucking kicked it. "You'll-," Harry closed his eyes and took a breath in," You'll hate me too. Like everyone else does." Louis put his hands gently up to his cheeks, causing him to open his eyes. "I know I haven't know you for long Harry, but there's nothing about you that I could hate. Nothing." Harry's eyes water a bit, before nodding. He pulled out his keys and struggled to get it into the lock with his shaky hands. Harry closed his eyes for a second or two, trying to calm himself down before opening the door to let him and Louis into his apartment. Fear filled Harry's entire being and he pushed the door open slowly as he physically could, trying to savor his potential last moments with Louis as his friend. He stepped in and Louis followed right behind. Harry's heart sunk to his feet when he heard an audible gasp from behind him.

(Sorry this took so so so long! The next one should be up tonight or tomorrow, I prewrote a bunch because I'm so busy! Let me know what you guys think. Also um, are we feeling an abusive ex should make an appearance? let me know haha)