"It has been a week, Louis. You can't avoid work forever. Simon's not going to believe that you are still sick." Zayn storms into Louis' room early in the morning.

"Leave me alone, Malik."

"You have your dream job and now you are literally only playing with it? Harry has already been in the office this week, he won't be there." Zayn says.

"I'm not feeling good."

"Hop in the shower, Louis you stink."

"Fuck you." Louis murmurs but pushes the blanket off him anyway. He is not ready for this, totally not. He doesn't want to see people. But Zayn is right, after rotting in his bed for a week he should probably take a shower.

He is still very much hurt about everything and every single time he closes his eyes, he sees Harry in front of him, saying that he loves him and every time it hurts more and more. Louis wants to believe him, because he loves him too, but he is not sure if he can handle the heartbreak again. It's getting too much over the past year.

And then there is Taylor. She only texted him to ask about Aiden, if they are back together because she has seen some pics on Instagram, acting like they didn't just have the biggest fight of their life. Louis didn't answer her. She hasn't even tried yet to make it up to him and honestly she can fuck off.

When Louis arrives at the office together with Zayn, a bunch of people come running towards him with camera's and they are shouting.

"Louis, where did you disappear to?"

"Are you back together with your ex?"

"We haven't seen you with Taylor."

"Harry Styles left your building crying, what happened?"

The last one hurt Louis, like deeply. He hates to think about Harry crying. He hates to make him upset, but this was not the time yet for Louis to hear this. He has problems believing what he said because of what happened in the past.

"Go away, guys!" Zayn pushes the people away from Louis, who is close to having a panic attack. Sylvia, the girl from reception that Zayn fancies, heads over to the boys. She carefully takes Louis by the hand and leads him towards the back of reception while Zayn chases the paps away.

"Hey, Louis breath, yeah?" She sits down in front of him, on eyelevel and tries to calm the boy down. "It's okay, breath in, breath out." A few minutes later Zayn comes rushing inside.

"Oh, Louis..." his face looks sad and he takes place next to his best friend, Sylvia takes some distance.

"You're okay, Lou." He rubs his back and Louis' head is resting on Zayn's shoulder.

"I don't want it, Zayn." He sobs. "Can I be irrelevant please?"

"You were never irrelevant you dork." Zayn jokes and it lightens the mood. "But people will stop chasing you, I'm sure."

"I hope so, I don't want this...Can we just go upstairs now and get to work?"

"Work? Are you sure, I don't mind bringing you home."

"No, I just need to do something now." Louis stands up and walks to Sylvia, pulling her in a hug.

"Thanks a lot for the help. I appreciate it a lot."

"That's okay, Louis. I saw how bothered you were."

Louis looks over at Zayn and a small smirk plays on his face.

"Maybe you would like to come out with Zayn and I to grab a drink tomorrow? It's on me, as a thank you. Feel free to bring a friend with you."

"You don't have to do that, Louis. I was just being human."

"No, no it's the least I can do."

"Okay, alright should I give you my number then?"

"I don't have my phone with me right now." Louis lies. "But why don't you give it to Zayn? I'm sure he'll update me on what you guys have arranged."

Zayn quickly sends Louis daggers while the boy leaves the room with a smirk on his face. His own love life is a mess, but that doesn't mean he can fix the one of his best friend.

--

"I'm so glad Harry didn't show up in the office today." Louis says as the day is over, taking his seatbelt.

"He has already a few times but you were never there." Zayn shrugs. "I think he's tired of lunch with Simon."

"I would be too." Louis rolls his eyes. "Not the most interesting company that man. Hey, where are you driving to?"

"McDonald's, though you would be in." Zayn says.

"How can I not be into McDonald's, good thinking Zayn." Louis nods. He hates to admit it but he is happy that he finally has left his room. He needed it more than he thought. The sunshine, the fresh air, feeling human,...

He does something he shouldn't have done though. He takes his phone and opens social media. The first thing he sees are pictures from Kendall and Harry walking together. Louis' blood boils and immediately Harry's voice echoes in his head. I love you. And if things couldn't get better, he also got a text from Aiden.

Hey Lou

It has been a week now, I hope you let everything sink in. Want to meet up?x

Louis doesn't get the chance to answer, Zayn's car stopping abruptly, but Louis doesn't see the yellow M that stands for Mmmmmmmmmmm, finally good food.

"Where are we?" Louis asks. "Because if this is you trying to kill me, I'm in."

"Get out the car, you idiot." Zayn rolls his eyes.

"What?" Louis is confused but still does what Zayn says.

"You're not the only one playing matchmaker today, Lou." With those words Zayn starts the car again and drives away, panic rushing over Louis.

"Lou?" Louis turns around, his breath stuck in his throat. There is Harry, wearing a loose with shirt and a light skinny jeans, his hair pulled back in a bun. He is gorgeous.

"H..." he breathes out, heart beating in his throat. "What? What is this?"

"I made us a picnic. I hoped... Can we talk please? I miss you."

"Yeah." Louis nods. "Yeah, I miss you too."

A small smile plays on Harry's face.

"Can I take your hand?"

Louis blushes and nods, his fingers touching Harry's. He leads them away from the road, into nature and only 2 minutes later there is this open grass field and in the middle a blanket.

"It looks amazing..." Louis looks around. "But, I mean, shouldn't you be here with Kendall? I just looked on social media and-"

"I'm going to tell you the complete truth, Lou." Harry says. "And I just hope that you will be able to forgive me. I care about you, a lot." Harry grabs Louis' hand and his thumb caresses Louis' palm. "And if you have any questions after what I'm going to say, ask them. I need everything clear between us because I can't go another day like how we were. I can't lose you, Lou." Tears are welled up again in Harry's eyes and Louis hates it.

"I will, because honestly I need us to be fixed too..."