[Louis POV]

It had only been a few hours since Harry left, but it felt like a lifetime. I didn't know that I could form such strong connections with someone so quickly. 

Sure, the sex brought us closer together, but I saw it more as my feelings for him being understood and received. It was the way that he assured me he was (or at least was starting to) feeling the same towards me.

I knew Harry at least enough to know that he didn't go around outwardly expressing his feelings for people like he did for me last night. His dominant and passionate presence was already a shock to me, but he had told me after we finished that he'd never felt like this for anyone in his life before.

It was the clarity I needed.

Harry just made me feel so much more confident about who I was. Liam is an absolutely wonderful friend, but I'd never gotten that amount of reassurance from anyone for being and loving who I wanted to. 

I could tell Harry was the one, and that this would soon develop into an even more meaningful and deep relationship if he permitted it. He seemed ready to give me his love, and I surely wouldn't be resisting that. I planned to give him the same in return.

I couldn't help but crave his presence. Last night was one of the greatest days of my life, and he just made my feelings for him grow ten times stronger. I wanted him. 

I needed him.

I was interrupted in my thoughts by the sounds of a car parking in the driveway. My heart fluttered at the thought of Harry coming back to surprise me and spend the day. Spending time with him, whether it be tutoring or overnight shenanigans, was always a pleasure. I really enjoyed his company, and for good reason.

That soon changed when I heard the all too familiar chirp of a car getting locked. Harry's truck was relatively old, and he could either unlock it by using a key on the door handles, or with a fob and just without the chirping (it was broken).

I held my breath as I saw my mom and dad walk up the front door, stopping halfway for a little makeout session. I nearly gagged. 

All they did was hook up and senselessly give physical love to one another. There didn't appear to be any substance in the 'relationship' they had and I despised it.

They were both such selfish people, not caring about anyone else but each other. That's why they always left me alone when they escaped to their cabin. I was surprised and frustrated they even had the audacity to come back after leaving him for nearly two months.

I hated seeing them because they could barge into my life and feel the need to know everything that was going on in my life. I would normally tell them so they would just leave me alone, but I had a feeling they never actually listened and just used the 'conversations' as a way to make them feel like they even had a shred of a relationship with their only son.

I heard the front door unlock and they came stumbling through it, still glued at the mouth to one another. My mom was laughing as they kissed, and they clearly had no idea I was here. Sometimes I wondered what would happen if I went to go and live with Liam instead of here - I bet they wouldn't even notice.

I walked back to the kitchen, trying to hide the frustration on my face. I couldn't deal with them being here. For all I knew, they could be staying for a while which would create some nasty complications and tension.

As I walked to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water, I thought back to when Harry had come over, and when I got him drinks before watching The Shining together.

Harry.

They didn't know. They couldn't know. They didn't care about my feelings and would go blabbing to everyone if they found out I was gay. 

Harry might make me more confident about myself, but I was nowhere near that strong or confident. Just the thought made me let out a quick gasp.

I could hear my parents go quiet, which was a refreshing break from the sudden giggling and kissing noises that they'd brought into the house with them. Two pairs of footsteps grew louder as they walked towards the kitchen. 

How nice of them to remember that they left a son here because it sure as hell felt as though they forgot for a hot minute.

Well, for a hot two months actually.

"Louis!" My mom exclaimed as if we were long lost friends being reunited or something. "You're here!"

"Why wouldn't I be?" My voice was dripping with sarcasm, and they both frowned a bit but I didn't care. "I don't know if you forgot, but I've been here since you left. This is my home. It just happens to lack adults."

My dad growled, pulling my mom closer to him aggressively before raising his voice at me. "Louis, this is only for you to learn how to become independent. You're going away to college soon, and this is important. Do not blame this on your mother and me."

"Oh really," I glared at him. 

I forgot how much I absolutely hated him. He'd always been so mean to me and I never felt safe or loved around him. My mother at least tried to show some sort of affection towards me, but never left his side when he would harass me. 

"So you're telling me that you've left me alone in this house since I was in elementary school and only visited occasionally because I needed to be independent?" I spat.

"Well, when you put it that way-" My mom cut in, but there was no stopping me. I was so unbelievably frustrated with them both and couldn't stand to listen to the bullshit they had to say to me.

"When I put it that way?" I practically cried, "I'm just saying exactly what has happened! You don't give to fucks about me, you're too busy giving them to each other in the cabin!"

I tried not to smile at the comeback, but I felt kind of proud that I came up with it on the spot. I made a mental note to try that on jerks at school when the time was right.

I looked at my mom, and she suddenly looked defeated and quite small with my dad's arm hugging her waist tightly. 

A little too tightly, as if he was scared she was going to run away or something if he let go.

I was so used to seeing the lust in her eyes when she was around him, but she just looked miserable and guilty. My dad's expression remained flat and bare, but I could see his fits clench slightly.

But I didn't care. My dad looked mad at me, even though I barely did anything. The sight of them, especially him, made my blood boil.

I aggressively slammed down the glass of water onto the counter and stormed out of the kitchen, brushing by them and giving them cold stares. They didn't even protest when I put on my shoes and grabbed my car keys before slamming the front door behind me, flipping them off as left.

I stood outside the front door, trying to calm myself down. I took deep breaths, and the crisp autumn air felt cool against my tan skin. The trees rustled with the wind, and I could see the leaves of the trees starting to turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow.

I felt a knot in my stomach grow at the thought of them knowing about Harry. I wanted my parents gone because they only knew he was my tutor. They probably expected me to be dating another girl, not seeing Harry. I didn't even want to picture their faces if they learned I was gay.

I had a feeling would probably see me as a complete failure because college sports teams seemed to be relatively homophobic.  I'd heard of one too many amazing athletes refused from universities and denied the scholarship opportunities that were given to them before coming out. 

I wasn't setting out to necessarily please them or make them happy with my football career, but for my own sake, I wanted to be happy. Getting denied opportunities in college and getting alienated by my own parents wouldn't make for a very happy life. Unless I had someone who was my sunshine.

Someone like Hazza.

I sniffed a bit and took a few more breaths before walking to my car. My head was still so jumbled with the sudden appearance of my parents and I needed to get away. Away from my mom and my dad. Away from their disgusting relationship. Away from all of the homophobes. 

Most importantly, away from the fear of complete rejection from the society in which they manifested in me.

I got in my car and started the engine before turning on the radio. Spanish music started playing through the speakers, and I could feel the vibration of every beat in my seat. I wasn't sure why I listened to Spanish music especially since I didn't have any idea of what they were saying - I only knew the singers from their voices. Each had a specific sound and similar beat in their songs. 

But it was weird - something about the Spanish music felt carefree and just like I didn't need to worry about what they were saying. Instead, it provided good background music for when I needed to be alone with my thoughts.

I pulled out of the long driveway, bopping my head to the J Balvin song that was currently playing. I turned right out of the driveway and headed towards Liam's house, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel to the drums in the song.

Liam always seemed to know what to say in serious situations, even if he seemed a bit idiotic and blissfully unaware of his surroundings on a daily basis. He wasn't judgemental and showed so much support for everything I did. It was refreshing to have someone like Liam around in the midst of all the jerks at my high school. And now, the jerks at home too.

His house wasn't far from mine; about a ten-minute drive at most. When I hit a stop sign, I stopped the car and texted him to let him know I would be coming over. His parents were quite nice and treated me like one of their own when I came over because unlike mine, they were always home. But Liam normally came to my house so I didn't Mr. and Mrs. Payne a lot.

Me: Hey Li, I'm coming over

Liam: Want me to come to your place instead? It'll save you a drive. I'm not doing anything right now anyways

Me: No! That's the problem. My parents are back and I'm already sick of them. I can't stand being in the same house with them which is why I'm driving to you

Liam: They're back? It's been so long. They've been gone for over a month, right?

Me: Two months, actually. And they decided to come back without warning

Liam: Is everything okay? I mean, you normally last at least a day or two without breaking down because of their presence

Me: It's Harry. They can't know I'm gay or that I'm seeing him and have feelings for him. I don't know what to do, or even how to hide that from them

Liam: ooooh yah I could see that being a problem :(

Me: Yeah. I'll be over in less than ten minutes to talk

Liam: Ok mate, see you soon

I tossed my phone in the passenger seat before continuing the drive. A new song had started, this time it was my Maluma, and it was particularly fast-paced. The quick beat made me oddly anxious.

I still didn't know why my mom had looked particularly miserable by his side when I first saw her, but I didn't have a clear enough mind to think about it. And as for my dad, he always got under my skin, and whenever he was around and he treated me like shit. 

I wanted them to go back to their stupid cabin in Twin Peaks, but at the same time, I wanted them to feel awful about leaving me alone all the time while they stayed at the house.

If only I knew why they were home.

***

Sorry for the random little bit about Spanish music. The Latin Grammys are tonight and I'm so excited (I listen to so much Latin Pop)

Incorporating little things that I like into the story (like that movie Fear, the Latin Pop, and other stuff) makes writing even more fun 

This was a slightly longer chapter, but I felt like elaborating on Louis' parents was a bit needed

Thoughts or comments?

p.s. vote if the larry gifs make you smile :)