Read All About It

Chapter 11

Okay, so my bravery had definitely worn off as the day progressed. We were steadily approaching our complex and I was trying my best to hide the fact that I was visibly shaking from pure anxiety and nervousness. I wanted to talk to Louis about everything, I really did, but this was scary as hell and I had no idea what would come from this. I just need clarity, I guess. I hate not knowing what is going on, or letting things just hang out in the open.

I need underlined statements and highlighted sections, not fine print.

Louis thankfully reached the door before I did. My hands were shoved in my pockets to keep them from trembling.

“Let me go change into my pajamas and then we can talk, alright?” Louis said as he scuttled to his bedroom. I decided to preoccupy myself for the few minutes he would be away with putting the kettle on. Maybe some tea would calm my nerves. 

Calm the fuck down, Harry. It’s just Louis. You can do this. At least there was some small part of my brain that was actually rational and levelheaded. 

I prepped the two cups of tea- Louis just sugar and mine with two sugars and a little milk- and brought them out into the living room where I sat and waited not so patiently for Louis to be ready.

“Alright,” he said as he pulled his bedroom door shut and walked towards me, “let’s talk.” He seemed happy, but there was a tinge of seriousness that was deluding his overall boisterous persona.

“Okay, so first off, I want to apologize for how I acted with the letter situation. I shouldn’t have snapped like that. What I said was harsh, and I realized that later.” I gripped the tea cup to steady my hands. Not once did my eyes stray from the liquid in my cup.

“Harry, don’t apologize for that. It was warranted. I felt like shit for reading them. It wasn’t my business, and I invaded your privacy. I deserved everything that you said. It was curiosity, you know? I promise not to look through your things again, alright?” His answer seemed slightly rehearsed, so he must have been expecting this conversation. His question was rhetorical, though because he quickly continued talking, not giving me a chance to answer. “I want to know, are you alright though? I know I shouldn’t say anything, but the letters you wrote have some worry festering inside me that I can’t exactly push aside and-“

“Louis.” I said cutting him off.

“Yeah?”

“I want to lead this conversation, alright?” I didn’t want him worrying over me. Everyone has the rights to their own thoughts, and everyone thinks of things they aren’t proud of. What I wrote isn’t anything that should be looked in to and cause worry. 

“Oh, okay.” My response seemed to have halted his worrisome rant that he was fully prepared on spilling.

I, however, wasn’t as prepared as he seemed to be. “So, uh…how are you feeling?” 

He looked at me for a little bit and down at the ground, seriously considering what and how he should answer. “Honestly? Scared. Confused as fuck. I don’t understand a single thing of what is happening right now.” His answer sent a wave of calmness over me and I had never been so grateful until that moment.

I let out a soft chuckle. “Me too.”

The room filled with silence shortly after. Both of us were searching for what to say next, but weren’t exactly sure how to follow the mutual confession.

Louis was focused on his cup and dilegently stirring his tea when he finally broke the silence. “Can I ask you a question about the letters?”

“Yes.” I’m vulnerable enough as it is, so why not.