It was February first and Louis couldn't handle being in the same area as Harry. It was the boy's birthday, for fucks sake and Louis had gotten him something a few months back and now he's just gonna take it back and get the money he paid.

Harry meant so much to Louis and Harry had promised he wouldn't end up like Niall or Calum. But he did.

Louis sighs, looking at his dress that was hanging on his bathroom door. It was silver, with sequins across the bottom. He was probably going to the dance, it wasn't a definite decision though.

The teenager walks over to his dresser and pulls out a random outfit, not even caring if he looked decent or not. Niall was coming to pick him up and he was nervous.

He keeps thinking to himself, Why did I forgive him? But then realizes that he kinda sorta still has feelings for him and that everyone deserves a second chance. Except Harry, of course. And Calum.

Niall pulls up and honks his horn, biting his lip as Louis walks outside. He gets in the passenger side silently, giving Niall a small smile.

Niall drives to school and clears his throat. "So...are you going to the dance tonight?"

Louis shrugs. "Dunno yet. Harry had asked me before but we...yknow.."

Niall makes an, "Ahh," sound and purses his lips. "Well, if you decide to go you can go with me."

"Are you asking me to be your date?"

"No!" Niall flushes red, and coughs. "Maybe..."

Louis chuckles, picking at his sweatpants. "I'll let you know."

Niall nods, cheeks still pink.

Louis gets out, grabbing his backpack and walks off. He heads to his locker, seeing Harry snogging Noelle against his own and his throat closes up for a moment before he opens his locker.

Noelle giggles, humming. "Happy birthday, baby."

Harry smirks and kisses her cheek. "Thank you, love."

Louis grabs what he needs and quietly closes his locker, glancing at the two before softly saying, "So are you two...together?"

Noelle snickers and Harry hums. "Maybe, maybe not."

Louis gulps and nods, murmuring, "You seem happy with her..."

I don't like her.

She can go suck one.

Harry nods, scowling. "I am, Louis. Why is it any of your business?"

Louis shrugs. "You seemed happy with me, I was just wondering..."

"I wasn't. It was fake. All of it."

Louis flinches. Ouch.

"Oh..why, though?"

Harry smirks, shrugging and the bell rang.

"So I pretty much fell for a game, didn't I..."

"Just go to class, Freaklinson."

Louis' breath hitches and he looks at Harry with tears in his eyes. He gulps, walking off.

He skips the whole day, half of it hiding in the restrooms with a razor and the other half just walking around town like a homeless person.

It was around one thirty when a car pulled up by him and someone got out. Louis looks up from his seat, he was sitting on a bench and Zayn walks over to him.

"What do you want?" Louis quietly asks.

"Liam's going batshit crazy, Lou."

"Don't call me that. We're not friends."

Zayn sighs and sits beside him. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I was jealous..."

"Jealous? Why?"

"Because...you have a great brother that looks after you and you're really...really beautiful. And Harry is an idiot for hurting you and I wanted what you had."

"But...why?"

Zayn sighs, gulping. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

Louis nods slowly.

Zayn takes his shirt off, revealing bruises and scratches. "My uncle abuses me...I live with him and my aunt because my parents are in rehab 'cause they're needle junkies. I'm kinda sorta in the closet? I think I'm bisexual...but I'm genderfluid and it scares me. I want the courage you have, because you walk around in skirts and dresses and you're okay with that. I get scared that I'm gonne end up being physically abused more and stuff..."

Louis gasps and looks at his marks. "Oh Zayn...I'm sorry..."

Zayn shrugs, sighing and tears up. "Plus my little sister just passed away not too long ago and she was all I had left..." He sniffles. "Niall and I haven't talked much, and Hannah was like my best friend. She accepted me for who I was and just..."

Louis pulls him in for a hug, rubbing his back. He closes his eyes, allowing Zayn to let it out.

"I'm sorry," Louis murmurs. Zayn whimpers, sniffling and puts his shirt back on.

"Don't be, I deserve it.."

"Oh hush. You don't," Louis pokes his cheek. "Hey...I accept you. Just because we don't get along sometimes doesn't mean I can't support you for who you are."

Zayn smiles softly. "Thank you...truce?"

Louis fist bumps him. "Truce."

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