a guide to modern philosophy ⁽ᴸˢ⁾

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ xᴠɪɪɪ*

Harry is on the phone with his mother for two hours now. He has got to greet his big sister, too. They caught up with the news and gossips, Harry finding out his cousin is pregnant. He promised his mother to congratulate her as soon as possible. He was working with the clay the whole time, showing his mother his work and talking about how he is excited about this project.

He didn't tell her he's been hanging out with a son of the British Prime Minister, though. Of course, his mother knew Louis. He is very popular in the UK because he brings so much attention to the public, especially as the son of the country leader.

Harry knows how Louis' troubles bring bad light onto the Prime Minister. Every time he went home for holidays and his whole family met for a BBQ reunion afternoon, the politics topic came on at least twice during the event. And everyone discussed how the Prime Minister's son is doing this and that, how scandalous it is and how it makes the country look silly.

Harry never was into politics that much. That is probably the reason why Harry didn't recognise Louis straight away. He knew the basics and had opinions, but he never really liked to discuss it because he knew how the topic can make a whole arguing session between people who don't agree with another.

He was a witness of such a scene once when his uncle almost threw a fork onto another uncle during a Christmas family party. Everyone has that one uncle no one likes and bear with him just for the sake of good family relationships. This uncle likes to get drunk and talk about the most inappropriate topics during Christmas. He makes a bunch of racist jokes and insults the LGBT community, too. Harry's blood always boils during his uncle's stupid speeches, but his sister always keeps him quiet so they wouldn't make any drama on such a day as Christmas.

"Hey H, you ready?" Niall comes into Harry's flat, not even knocking. Harry doesn't mind, it's not the first time Niall did it and surely not the last. It would be worse if Louis was here, though.

"Is that Niall?" Anne asks through Harry's phone.

"Yes, mum. Niall and I are going out to-"

"Oh my God hi hunnie hiiii! I can't see you, Harry show me Niall!" Anne cuts Harry off, reaching to see Niall, even though it won't help her at all.

"Hi Anne, how are you lot there in England?" Niall comes behind Harry, snaking his hands delicately around Harry's neck and puts his chin on top of his curls.

"It's good, you two should come and visit again. It was fun to have you, Niall," Anne says excitedly.

Niall visited Harry's home a few times, just like Harry visited Ireland. They know each other's family and they have great friendships with each other's mums.

"We will have to talk with Harry about that. We don't know when we are going to fly to the UK."

"Harry said he would like to visit soon," Anne keeps the conversation going, totally forgetting her son is there as well.

"Oh really! He didn't tell me yet. We will talk about it, definitely. Now tell me some news and gossips!" Niall exclaims and Anne starts to talk about the cousin's pregnancy all over again.

"Pet, it's half-past nine, you should get ready," Niall whispers to Harry while Anne talks about some village gossip and Harry's eyes widen.

"Already? Let me take a quick shower then," Harry stands up from his chair and rushes to the bathroom. He still hears his mum talk, not even stopping when Harry leaves the room.

He takes a quick shower, deciding not to wash his hair because he doesn't have time and he is going to the club - it will become sweaty and smelly anyway. He puts on his apple shower gel and rubs his skin so he would be perfectly clean, everywhere. When it's done, he comes out of the shower and dries himself with his white towel, stepping in front of the mirror above the sink. He shaves his small stubble and puts on his favourite perfume on his neck, chest and wrists. He lets his hair in a mess of curls, walking out of the bathroom and finding Niall still talking to his mum about some gossips from showbusiness. Harry shakes his head at them.