Song: basic instinct, The Acid.

"I thought you weren't going to baby me" Louis said with a smirk whilst Harry opened the first aid kit.

"It's only a small cut, and you pretty much won the fight. It's not like I'm dealing with much here" Harry shrugged, opening a small sachet that contained a wipe.

"Too right I won it" Louis replied with a grin.

"How did you even manage that?" Harry asked as he dabbed a antibacterial wipe over the cut above Louis' lip. "Jakes like twice the size of you"

Louis winced from the sting of the wipe against his fresh wound, and Harry apologised quietly. "I guess I was just so angry that I couldn't think of anything else but hurting him. When you're that furious you don't really register the pain" Louis shrugged, mindlessly twiddling his fingers as his hands rested in his lap, sat on his bed with Harry in front of him.

Harry threw the wipe away and stood up to wet a cloth with cold water in the bathroom. "Why were you so mad?" He asked as he walked back over to Louis, pressing the cloth against his jaw to sooth the dull ache.

"He pissed me off the other day, then he and his mates beat up Zayn. I obviously wasn't going to let him bad mouth my family and-" Louis stopped and shook his head.

"That last comment?" Harry added for him with a sad smile.

Louis looked away from harry and bit the inside of his lip, breathing deeply. "Well, yeah. It's not true though. I won't have him spreading false rumours about me"

"What's so bad about it? Nobody would care" Harry said, his hand going cold from holding the cloth for so long.

Louis brushed Harry's hand away and held the cloth himself. "Because I'm not gay and we're not dating. Why would I be happy if people thought that?" He scoffed.

Harry wiped his wet hand on his joggers as he stared at the bed sheets. "I wouldn't expect you to be happy, I just don't see why you'd be bothered enough to start a fight over it"

"What? You wouldn't be bothered if people thought you were dating me? The guy you hate?" Louis asked with a bitter laugh.

"I never said I hated you" Harry glared at him. "And it wouldn't affect me because I would know the truth. I don't care if others think I'm dating you when I know I'm not"

"Yes, because you don't have a reputation to uphold" Louis bit back. "Do you even know what would happen if the media caught on that there's a gay rumour about me? If my father heard?" He raised his brows, "I'd be ruined"

"You're a sixteen year old boy Louis. There's nothing to ruin" Harry stood up and paced the room. "Nobody gives a shit if you're gay, and your father shouldn't care either"

"But I'm not gay!" Louis stood up too, throwing down his cloth. "That's my point, I don't want people believing I'm someone I'm not!"

"What, gay people are a certain type of person now? You're embarrassed to be associated with them?" Harry asked with a clenched jaw, his eyes filled with anger.

"I never said that! All I'm saying is I don't want false rumours spread about me, is that too much to ask?"

"No, but is it too much to ask for you to do so without being so blatantly ignorant?"

"Ignorant of what?"

"Of how you fucking word it. You're acting like being gay is something to be ashamed of when it's not"

"If guys like dicks then good for them, but I bloody don't and I'm not going to let people think that" Louis said carelessly.

Harry looked at him with pure disappointment. "Such a typical homophobe" Harry mumbled, turning his back on Louis.

"I'm not a fucking homophobe!" Louis shouted back at him, grabbing Harry by his shoulder to turn him back around.

Harry whipped around and slapped Louis' hand away, "Yes, you are. And I don't doubt it's because of your fathers doings either"

"So what? Just because my father doesn't agree with it doesn't mean I don't, just not for myself. If Liam or Zayn or even you or Niall came out I wouldn't care, but denying a rumour about myself doesn't make me homophobic" Louis argued, trying to find the right words to explain himself.

"So if I came onto you right now it wouldn't make you feel uncomfortable?" Harry asked, surprising Louis.

"Anyone would feel uncomfortable if someone randomly came onto them" Louis scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Harry took a step closer. "Not if they wanted them to" he challenged, staring Louis in the eyes.

Louis stayed silent, unable to find his words until a knock came to the door and he finally stepped away with a glare. "Yes?" He called out, and Professor Corden opened the door.

"Good, you're both here. The headmaster wants you both in his office right away" Corden said, and Louis was expecting it, but he didn't know why Harry was involved.

"Okay" Louis said with a nod, and the professor disappeared back into the hallway. He looked back at Harry, "I didn't want you to, by the way" he said as he clenched his jaw. "Let's go"

Louis quickly walked out the room with Harry following behind him. Once again he was furious, and what pissed him off more is that today had been a pretty good day, minus the fights, and Harry had to go and ruin it with his accusations.

He was nice to the boy today. One, because he was in a good mood, Two, because he had felt bad about the football incident. And Three, because for once he was tired of the arguing. He had wanted just one day to forget how he should be acting, forget the ever lasting grudge the two shared for each other, and just go with the flow. He should have known they wouldn't make it till they went to sleep.

And Louis was telling the truth, he wasn't homophobic. He didn't care about who was attracted to who, or what gender people liked; it didn't affect his life so why should he? He only cared about misinformation. Maybe if he were in a different position it wouldn't bother him as much, but with the name he carried he couldn't live with that certain rumour attached to him. He wouldn't be surprised if his father disowned him if such a thing were to be true.

"Will you get kicked out?" Harry asked as they walked upstairs to the top floor where Filches office was located.

"No, my father wouldn't allow it. They'd be crazy to even try" Louis replied. "I'm just wondering why you're involved in any of this"

"Maybe they wanted witnesses or something?" Harry guessed.

"Probably" Louis agreed with a shrug, not in the mood to talk to Harry.

They walked a few more steps up in silence until Harry sighed. "You're really going to be like that?" He asked Louis after noticing his distant response and harsh tone.

"Yes. I'm in a bad mood and I'm sure you don't want to talk to a homophobe" Louis said sarcastically, his lips pressed together in a thin line.

"Louis we argue all the time, what's the difference about this one?" Harry asked tiredly.

Louis stopped walking and turned to look at him. "I've been nice to you all day, which I didn't have to be by the way, and all I get at the end of it is accusations of homophobia. I'm drained and I'm not dealing with that bullshit" he turned around and continued walking.

Harry stood in shock for a moment before regaining his sense and rushed to keep up with Louis, who had quickened his pace due to his anger. "It just pissed me off the way you said it. I know you've been nicer today, and I'm glad. But that doesn't change the fact that we argue, we don't like each other and you said what you said"

"You think I don't know that?" Louis chuckled. "You think that just because I was nice to you for a few hours that means I want to be best friends? No, it doesn't change a thing"

"Then why be nice in the first place?"

"I was nice to you out of pity. I felt bad that I had injured you, and I tried to make up for it so my conscience could rest"

At that, the only emotions left to consume Harry were anger and sadness. He was sick of trying to better Louis as a person, tired of trying to befriend him, drained from their arguments. He was done with it. Done with being pushed away, done with Louis treating him like shit, done with the confusion. If Louis wanted it his way, then so be it.

The two finally made it to the top floor where the headmasters Office was located. Once there they could hear chatter from behind the door, some voices sounded angry, others timid. Louis knocked and they were called inside.

It was the busiest they'd ever seen the room, as usually it was only themselves and Filch. The headmaster sat at his desk talking animatedly with Professor Cowell, who was stood besides him. Jake was sat in front of the two, with his four friends behind him. Next to Jake was Zayn, who was sat on another chair with Liam behind him, his hands resting by his shoulders. And for whatever reason, Niall stood away from the group by the bookshelf, relieved to see Harry walk into the room with Louis.

Louis walked over and took the final seat besides Zayn, smiling at him slightly before turning his attention to the headmaster. Harry accompanied Niall and the two inched their way closer to the group as they whispered about something Louis couldn't make out amidst the noise.

"Okay, now that we're all here we can get to the bottom of this" Filch began when everyone had gone silent. "Would anyone like to tell me why there's been numerous injuries today?" He asked them, looking between the students with a pointed look, though nobody spoke a word. "No? I've got plenty of time to wait"

Louis rolled his eyes in annoyance, wondering why he seemed to be the only one wanting to get this over with. "Jake and his mates beat Zayn up, I beat Jake up. Can we go now?" He said impatiently.

"No Mr Tomlinson, you can't. There's clearly a bigger part to the story we're missing here, I'd like to know what it is" Filch replied calmly.

"Well I don't even know why Zayn got beat up. All I know is Jake and his friends deserved what they got" Louis shrugged, looking at Jake who scowled at him from the chair over.

"Nobody deserves to get beaten up Louis, we don't tolerate violence in our school" Filch sighed, rubbing his forehead out of stress. "Zayn, do you want to tell your side of the story?"

Zayn hesitated a moment before speaking, "Uh, well me and Liam were in the courtyard on our way to the common room, and Jake and his friends were there. They called us over and started asking about Louis-" Louis whipped his head to Zayn with a confused expression. "They wanted to know what room he was staying in, and if there were any um, I don't know, like secrets? I guess you could say, about him. We obviously weren't going to say anything so we tried walking away-" Louis smiled in relief. "They started insulting us-"

"What were they saying? You need to be more specific Zayn" Cowell interrupted.

"Um, they called us fags-"

"No we didn't! I swear sir we-" Jake interrupted loudly, leaning forward in his chair.

"Let Mr Malik speak, you'll get your turn to explain once he's finished" Filch stopped him with his hand in the air before gesturing for Zayn to continue.

"They also said I didn't belong in the school because I'm not wealthy, they said I should go back to public school" Zayn admitted with a frown and Louis' anger was at boiling point, ready to bubble over. "We tried ignoring them but they started to provoke us. They were getting up in my face, saying nasty things, so I tried to shove them away so that me and Liam could leave. That set them off and they started to punch me whilst they held Liam back. They hit me in my face, kicked my chest, arms, legs. Liam finally broke away from them and got Jake away from me, he took me to the nurse and that's about it really"

"That's not how it fucking happened at all-"

"Watch your language and settle down" Cowell warned, glaring at Jake.

"Liam is that how it happened?" Filch asked.

"Yeah, it's exactly how it happened. Zayn wouldn't lie about something like that" Liam confirmed with a firm nod.

"Jake?" Filch turned his attention to the furious boy, allowing him to explain.

"Zayn hit me first" he pointed to his black eye, "look what he did to me! Anything I did was in retaliation to that"

"Actually I gave you that" Louis said with a smirk. "Zayn did nothing to you. I know because I had a clean canvas to work on"

"He's lying! Zayn gave me the black eye, Louis did the rest"

"I couldn't take credit from a bruise like that, Tommo did good" Zayn laughed, and Louis gave him a fist bump.

"Harry, Niall. Did Jake have a black eye before the fight with Louis?" Filch asked.

"No" Niall said, and Harry shook his head.

"Everything we've heard so far suggests you started the fight unprovoked Jake. It'll be a lot easier for you if you just admit the truth" Filch said.

"But I didn't! Of course they're going to have the same story, they're all friends!" Jake pointed to the five of them accusingly.

"We're not all friends, actually" Harry said, glaring at Louis.

"Either way, it seems that Louis is the root of the problem here" Filch said unexpectedly.

Louis' brows pinched together in confusion. "How? All I've done is stick up for people"

"Well, before things turned ugly between Liam, Zayn and Jake, Jake was asking for information about you. Now I don't know for what reasons, but it's clear you don't like each other"

"So that means it's my fault he's been snooping around trying to find my dorm room?" Louis scoffed, "That's on him, I left the situation alone"

"What situation?" Filch pressed with narrow eyes.

"There isn't one" Jake said.

"He's just jealous of my position, and because I wouldn't befriend him, due to his fucking attitude, he hates me for it" Louis said as he lifted one leg over the other, resting his ankle on his knee.

"Like I'd want to be friends with you" Jake hissed back.

"Trying too hard with your first impression suggest different" Louis replied smugly, remembering how Jake had put on this whole persona of the 'cool guy'.

"So it's you and Jake that had a problem before anyone else got involved?" Filch asked Louis.

"I guess. But on my part, I never asked for anyone to get involved, I can handle him myself. Jakes the one who brought Liam and Zayn into it, and I don't even fucking know why Niall and Harry are here" Louis replied, not caring for his use of bad language.

Filch stayed silent for a moment, in deep thought, before he leaned closer to his desk and stared at Louis. "Would you say you have trouble containing your anger, Mr Tomlinson?"

The question threw Louis off, and he didn't quite know how to respond. The room felt tense and awkward whilst nobody said a word, and Louis tried to cover the feeling with laughter. "Trouble containing my anger?" He mocked the headmaster. "What is this, a therapy session?"

"Not only did you beat up Jake today, but you also injured Harry. Not to mention you sent four boys off the pitch during practice. Is there a reason for your violence?"

Louis looked around in disbelief. Jake and his friends were trying to hold back their laughter, Liam and Zayn were as confused as he was, Niall looked sympathetic whilst Harry showed no emotion what's so ever. "You're joking, right?" Louis finally asked.

"Why would I be joking Louis?" Filch said, and there was no amusement on his face.

"Because what happened with Harry was an accident, I kicked the ball too hard and he was the goalie, my aim was off" Louis explained, his voice slowly rising. "I don't think that constitutes for anger issues"

"Are you sure it was accidental though?" Filch asked.

"Of course it was! Tell him Harry" he looked over his shoulder at the boy with pleading eyes as he was losing his temper.

"Professor, I'm sure Mr Tomlinson never did it on purpose. Sporting incidents happen all the time" Professor Cowell suggested.

"Harry. Was it an accident?" Filch turned to him, ignoring Simon.

Harry stared into Louis' desperate eyes for a moment before turning his own down to look at the floor. He gulped as he toyed with the strings attached to his joggers, shying away from the attention he was receiving. "No" he said quietly.

Niall's mouth dropped open in shock whilst he looked at his best friend in disbelief. Louis felt utter betrayal, humiliation and shock as Harry blatantly lied in front of him. Harry knew how sorry Louis was after the accident, how bad he felt and how he had tried to make up for it all day. And yet he forgot about the kind words and comfort in an instant.

"He's lying! It was an accident. Niall was there, ask him!" Louis shouted, pointing towards the blonde.

Filch looked at Niall expectantly, as did Louis, hoping he could count on him. Niall looked from Louis to Harry, who wouldn't make eye contact as he continued to stare down at the floor. "I-I uh, I can't be sure" Niall stammered out, he didn't want to lie but he also couldn't turn his back on his best friend.

"How so?" Cowell asked, and Niall's heart was practically beating out of his chest.

"I wasn't watching. I didn't see what happened" Niall said sheepishly.

The pit in Louis' stomach was growing and twisting and boiling with anger and sadness. All he had done today was try be nice to people, stick up for them, comfort them, be there for them. And all he got in return was lies and accusations. He knew it was a bad idea. He knew it wouldn't benefit him. He sure as hell wouldn't be making the same mistake.

"They're both lying! Go ask the fucking nurse, she'll know what was said when we went to see her. Hell, ask coach if you need to, I said the same bloody thing to him!" Louis exclaimed.

"That won't be necessary" Filch replied.

"It is fucking necessary! I'm not being accused for something I didn't do"

"You need to calm down and watch your tone Mr Tomlinson. You're just proving everything we've been saying"

Louis let out a sarcastic chuckle, "Proving what? That I have anger issues?" He asked mockingly. "I have every right to be angry right now!"

"Louis calm down mate" Liam said, leaning over from behind Zayn's chair to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You may have a right, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to control your anger. We think it would be wise of you to see the school counsellor-"

"Who the fuck is we? I'm not seeing some stupid counsellor for problems I don't even have!"

"Louis it's alright, calm down" Zayn hushed him, noticing the boys growing panic.

"He's crazy I'm telling you" Jake mumbled to his friends who laughed in return.

"We called your father and he is coming to visit you tomorrow so we can sort out appointments and get his permission-"

"He won't give you fucking permission. This is a piss take! I'm not seeing a counsellor" Louis stood from his seat, shouting the words at the headmaster like a crazed man.

"Louis sit down" Niall said, moving closer until Louis turned around and stopped him.

"Fuck off. You don't tell me what to do after that! Lying right in front of my face after I was nice to you from the very beginning. You're a complete prick" He turned to look at Harry, who had finally lifted his head at the commotion, and shook his head. "And you" Louis let out a breathy laugh, "Well, I should have expected it really, but it was still a fucking surprise" he walked closer to him as Harry kept his mouth shut. "Goody two shoes Harry styles with all his morals and positivity" Louis scoffed, "looks like even you're not perfect".

"Maybe you should think before you speak" Harry finally said, not breaking eye contact.

"And maybe you should stop acting like a saint when you're not" Louis replied before turning away. "Believe what you fucking want, I'm done with this conversation" he said to his professors from the middle of the room, all eyes on him. "Oh, and a piece of advice" he paused, "don't alway judge a book by its cover" he looked towards Harry and Niall one last time before he stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut on his way out.

At this point he didn't care if he got in more trouble for leaving. He knew if he stayed in that room any longer he would lose control, possibly get expelled. Though now that didn't sound like such a bad idea.

The day had been tragic, showing up too early for practice, hitting harry with the football, Zayn getting beat up, beating up Jakes friends, accusations of homophobia, and now Harry and Niall turning on him. The only good thing that came out of it was Zayn and Liam weren't mad at him anymore.

The worst part of it was he didn't know what he had done to change Harry so quickly.

Sure, they didn't get along in the first place, but Harry had always made an effort to keep their arguing on the safe side. He made sure there was a limit, and that anything he said was half hearted; but today was different. Harry had gone out of his way to get him in trouble, had humiliated him in front of the people who already didn't like him, and he showed no remorse for his actions.

I don't need fucking counselling. I don't have anger issues. Harry lied. It's his fault. He's the reason I'm being treated like some sort of mental freak. Niall's just as bad. Fucking liars.

As louis walked back to his room with long, quick strides and a scowl on his face, people moved out of his way as quickly as possible with confused and worried expressions. He barely noticed them, too absorbed in his own thoughts to see reality through clear eyes. His mind was hazy and his ears ringing, clips of the conversation playing on repeat in his head.

'Is there a reason for your violence' 'calm down Louis' 'you need to calm down and watch your tone Mr.Tomlinson' 'Louis sit down' 'you're proving what we're saying' 'that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to control your anger' 'maybe you should think before you speak' 'your father is coming to visit you tomorrow' 'he's crazy I'm telling you'.

Louis roughly pushed open his door and slammed it shut once he was alone in his room. He breathed heavily as his back hit the door, running his fingers through his hair roughly as his eyes glazed over with unshed tears. His knees gave out and he slid to the floor, struggling for air as his lungs felt like they were burning out. His hands trembled and it felt as if his head was about to explode.

Air. You need air.

Louis stumbled to his feet and raced across the room clumsily on shaking legs and blurred vision. He knew he had knocked over valuable items as he went, but he couldn't bring himself to care whilst his mind was racing. He ungracefully opened the window and was instantly hit by a harsh, cold breeze that was like a slap to the face.

It helped for a moment until Louis was panicking again, pacing the room as if searching for answers he wouldn't find.

'No' 'I can't be sure, I wasn't watching'
'We argue, we don't like each other, and you said what you said'

As Louis collapsed to the floor, his first tear escaped and the world went black.

——————————————————

"Should we go get someone? He must have been out for at least half an hour"

"No, I'm sure he'll be fine. He probably passed out due to stress or something"

"I knew we should've gone after him sooner"

"We would have overwhelmed him, he was clearly in a state if the room says anything"

The voices hit Louis first and his headache second, a harsh pain that shot through his skull like a bullet. He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut tighter.

"I think he's waking up"

"Louis. Come on, open your eyes for us mate"

Louis gently blinked his eyes open, wincing from the light emitting from the chandelier. He closed his eyes a few more times and once they came into focus he was met with Liam and Zayn's faces, looking down at him with worried expressions.

"There you go" Liam smiled sadly, brushing Louis' messy fringe from his eyes.

"What happened?" Louis asked with a rough voice, noticing he was laying back in his bed.

"That's what we should be asking you" Zayn said with a slight chuckle.

Louis looked around the room, first noticing the books knocked over onto the floor, then the broken lamp, a smashed mug laid next to it and his plant pot had toppled over, soil dusting the carpet. His brows pinched together before his tired eyes landed on Harry and Niall, who were sat watching him from the boys bed.

"Get them out" Louis said weakly, staring at them with nothing but hatred in his eyes.

"Louis we don't want any-" Niall began, only to be interrupted by Louis.

"Get out. Now" He ordered, pointing to the door with a shake to his hand.

"This is my room too" Harry replied with an edge to his tone.

"Not anymore. Get the fuck out" Louis bit back, frustration rising in him once again.

"Tommo, they-"

"Get them out my room now!" Louis shouted, cutting Liam off as he sat up in his bed.

"Lads just leave yeah, give him some space" Zayn said to Harry and Niall softly.

Niall had a deep frown on his face as he looked at Louis' distressed state. He felt bad for contributing to the mess, but he knows he could never go against Harry, he was his best and longest friend after all. "I'm sorry Louis" Niall said before standing to leave the room, waiting for Harry.

Harry's jaw was set tight as he stared at Louis, and he didn't know which emotion overpowered the other; anger or regret. He wasn't used to being mean to people, it wasn't in his nature. And yet he found it so easy to crack and throw Louis under the bus. Maybe it was because deep down he knew the boy deserved it after treating so many people like shit, including himself, or maybe he truly did hate the boy. He couldn't be sure. Either way he didn't know how to feel about his actions.

Harry stood without another word and took Niall by the arm, leaving the room with a slam of the door that shook the walls.

Louis sighed in relief and dropped his head into his hands, breathing deeply to calm himself. He sniffed and looked up again, giving Zayn and Liam a shy smile. "So. What happened after I left?" He asked them.

"Jakes being sent home for a week as punishment and his friends have detention for two, Jake will join them when he returns. Me and Zayn have been let off with a warning seeming as they don't know if we told the truth or not about provoking the fight, but we didn't lie anyway. Nothing happened to Harry and Niall, and i guess Filch is going to try get you in counselling" Liam explained, scratching his neck towards the end.

"How is that even fair? I stick up for my mates and my family and they think I've got anger issues. He provoked the fights for no reason, says my family is fucked and all he gets is a week back home" Louis scoffed, "I'd take a fucking week off over counselling"

"It isn't fair, and if it comes down to it I'll speak against it, Liam will too" Zayn said with a reassuring smile, "Jakes the one that needs counselling. Who even does shit like that?"

"Exactly" Liam agreed, "I'm more surprised at Harry and Niall than anything. You didn't do what they said, right?"

"Of course not. It was an accident, I kicked the ball too hard and my aim was off so it hit harry in the face. I might hate him but I wouldn't do that on purpose" Louis said through gritted teeth.

"I don't get it, why would they lie?" Zayn said mindlessly, looking into space as he thought over the situation.

"Harry's a prick and he's got Niall wrapped around his finger, that's why" Louis said with a venomous tone.

"Hm, well I'm sure your father will have it sorted tomorrow. So don't stress alright" Liam said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "Yes you were a dick to us the other day, but we're over it now. I mean, you showed you care when you beat the shit out of Jake and sent his minions limping off the pitch, so it's safe to say we forgive you" he said with a grin, causing a small smile to appear on Louis' face. "You get some rest whilst we clean this up" he gestured around the room, "I could talk to Harry about swapping with me for the night if you wanted"

Louis softened at their kindness, "yeah, that would be great" Liam nodded at him and stood up with Zayn. "And thank you for this, and for not giving up on me" he said quietly, picking at his nails.

"No worries Tommo" Liam replied, "Zayn, go find some stuff to clean this up with would you?"

"Sure, I'll be back soon" Zayn agreed, quickly leaving the room.

Liam started on the books, picking them up one by one and placing them back onto their shelves. Louis watched him from his bed as he pulled the covers up to his chin, a smile gracing his face.

"You and Zayn are really close. It's nice to see" Louis said shyly.

Liam faltered with his job for a second before placing another book onto the shelf. "He's a great person to be around. He's got this bad boy exterior when on the inside he's got a heart of gold" He said with a lazy smile.

"Yeah. You're good for each other" Louis let out a small yawn, covering it with the back of his hand. "Sophia was asking about you by the way, she's interested"

"Who?" Liam asked with a confused expression, causing Louis to laugh.

"Sophia Smith. Hangs around with Eleanor"

"Oh, the brunette girl?" Louis nodded. "Haven't even spoken to her to be honest, she seems, nice, though" he said unsurely.

"Not gonna lie to you mate, she doesn't seem your type" Louis admitted with an amused grin.

"How so?"

"She's your typical girly girl, materialistic, gossips about anything and everyone" Louis shrugged, "got a pretty face though, I'll give her that"

"Yeah, I guess" Liam said disinterestedly. "I don't mind being single at the moment though"

"Let her down gently then. When I said interested, it boarders more on obsessed" Louis chuckled.

"Lucky me" Liam replied sarcastically. "Can't you just tell Eleanor that I'm taken or something, then she can run off to tell Sophia?"

"I mean yeah, I can if you want. But are you sure? You don't wanna give her a chance?"

"Nah, not at the moment. If I'm interested in the future I'll speak to her, right now I'm not looking for anything" Liam denied.

"Alright, whatever you say Payno"

Zayn walked back into the room holding a broom, a dust pan, cloths and a bin bag. "Got them" he said, walking over to Liam.

"Thank you" Liam said as he looked up at Zayn.

"No problem. I'll get started on the lamp" Zayn said, making his way over to the smashed lightbulb.

"I can do that, you might cut yourself" Liam said as he hastily got up to stop Zayn.

Zayn chuckled and held Liam back by his shoulder. "I can handle a lightbulb Liam, I'm not a damsel in distress"

"You sure?" Liam asked, looking like a sad puppy dog.

Louis watched the two in amusement. "It's a lightbulb payno, not a bomb"

"Right, yeah. Um, I'll finish with the books then" Liam replied, awkwardly pointing over his shoulder as he backed away slowly.

Zayn raised his eyebrows and smirked at the boy before shaking his head and kneeling down to clean up the shards of glass.

Once the two had finished and the room looked relatively normal again the two were about to leave, Zayn to go to his own room and Liam to go talk to Harry, when Louis stopped them.

"Guys" they turned around at the door. "Uh, I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate this. And, you're good friends" he said sheepishly, toying with his bed covers as a blush coated his cheeks. "So, Thank you"

They looked surprised for a moment before they relaxed into warm smiles. "No problem, get some sleep yeah, I'll be back soon" Liam replied, and Louis nodded back.

Louis had never felt more alone once they had left, and the realisation dawned on him that he didn't like the feeling after all.

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Author notes:

Don't hate me! I know you probably didn't expect this kind of chapter after the last one was filled with fluff or whatever, but in my opinion it needs to get worse before it gets any better!

Soo, hope you liked the chapter. It is a little bit shorter than the past couple ones but I decided to leave it there so I can write the next chapter how I have it planned.

Love you all xxx