Don't know yet

Chapter 3

It's been almost a month since they started their project and it's going surprisingly well. Most of the times they've gone to Louis's house which meant having to deal with the girls asking to play with them every once in a while. Lottie tried to help keep them entertained but they still found a way to escape her. Harry doesn't seem to mind though; he's always very soft with them, almost as if he wasn't himself when they were around. Louis's grateful for that, he loves his sisters a lot so he really doesn't want to have to punch Harry in front of them if he didn't treat them properly.

They have agreed that their project should be about chemical reactions that can be done with products that anyone has at home. They are going to show what the reactions are and then explain the reason why it happens. They've decided who is going to bring what to school and who's going to say each part and so far everything seems to run smoothly. They haven't fought much except in football practice where they seem to disagree so much even Coach Higgins doesn't have the patience to deal with them most of the time.

Today,they have to show their project to the whole class which has made Harry very nervous. He has some flashcards with the information he has to remember for the presentation and he has been studying them all day. Louis finds it really funny how much Harry is trying because he just understands it so he hasn't thought about much.

Meet me in the chemistry lab in 10.

Louis looks at the message with a confused look. What could Harry possibly want? He grabs his lunch and goes to the lab still confused as to what is waiting at the other side of the door.

When he walks in he finds Harry pacing back and forth biting his nails. He has the flashcards in one hand and is mumbling something under his breath, too quiet to be able to hear it from where Louis is standing. Harry lifts his head realizing that Louis has walked in. He puts his flashcards down on the table next to him.

"Finally, you really are slow"

"What do you want, Harry?"

"I don't understand this and you seem to be good at chemistry so..." Harry picks up one of the flashcards, pointing at the reaction written on it.

"Why do you care so much? It's just one reaction."

"I just need to get an A on this project, Ok?"

"Why?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because"

"I'm just not the best at chemistry and the test didn't really go well; I can't fail this class if i want to play the football matches this season. Plus this is your presentation as well."

Louis thinks about it for a bit. He could not help him and take his spot as a football captain this season, but if he does that he'll mess up his average. Harry looks at him with a desperate look. He looks so vulnerable and helpless it makes Louis feel some kind of warmth in his chest. It's not the usual feeling of being better than Harry, not the usual pride that comes with his failure. It's this kind of pity that just makes him sad, truly sad and empathetic. He tries to ignore the feeling and just tells Harry to sit down, getting out a paper to be able to explain better.

Louis explains to him the reactions while eating his lunch and Harry just listens, sometimes making an intervention to ask him to repeat what he doesn't understand. Soon enough the bell rings and Louis looks at Harry with his eyebrows raised as to ask if he understood.

"Ok, I think I get it. Thanks, Princess." Harry pats Louis' back as he gets up to occupy his usual seat. Louis rolls his eyes, the feeling of pity completely gone by now, and does the same.

"I don't even know why I agreed to help you. You are so ungrateful."

"You obviously are in love with me, I'm like your knight in shining armour who comes to rescue you."

"I was who helped you, you egotistical moron."

"No need to insult me, I'll keep your secret" Harry winks at him in a playful way and Louis rolls his annoyed at the boy in front of him. He doesn't even know how he doesn't get dizzy when he's with him because he spends most of the time rolling his eyes at him.

People start showing their projects and then it's Louis and Harry's turn. They get up and start their presentation. Harry's shaking but he hides it well. Louis isn't as nervous but he is quite shy standing in front of the whole class. He fidgets with his hands waiting for Harry to finish the introduction. After that, they both start to make the reaction and explain each thoroughly. When they finish, they clean up the table and sit back in their seats.

The teacher congratulates all of them and then tells them to do some exercises from the book while she marks each presentation. At the end of the class she hands every pair a piece of paper with their mark and observations in it.

A. You need to work on your presence while presenting. I could tell you were both a bit nervous but the information you gave was accurate and you delivered it in a very dynamic way. Next try something less messy.

Harry lets out a big breath as if a weight has just been lifted off his shoulders. Louis just smiles with a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, he just got an A on his project, on the other, he just helped Harry stay in the team this season.

"Thank you" Harry says it with a soft, sincere tone but with an annoyed expression as if he really doesn't want to say it.

"Your welcome, my peasant"

"Peasant?"

"Well, apparently I'm a princess, but you definitely are not a knight, so you must be a peasant."

Harry doesn't respond, he just frowns at him in confusion.

"Don't worry, when I'm queen I'll make sure you get to clean the castle for me" He winks at him and Harry doesn't change his expression. As he turns around he sees how Harry rolls his eyes. He smirks before going out.

In practice, Harry is bossier than usual. Normally it would annoy Louis a lot but this time he just feels proud. It's clear that the peasant comment has gotten under Harry's skin. Louis tries to disobey him as much as he can without getting yelled at by the coach and that makes Harry even angrier.

When practice finishes Louis can feel Harry staring him, sending him daggers with his eyes. He just smirks while getting his stuff and leaves.