*1 week after the kiss*
Today Harry was taking Louis out for ice cream. The entire week had been awkward, not too awkward of course. They could still goof around with each other, but whenever Harry leaned over to kiss Louis’ cheek he would squirm away like Harry was infected with a horrible disease.
There had been at least three cop visits, where Louis and Harry had a routine: Run upstairs to the attic, sit in a box together, and stay as quiet as possible. There had been one moment when an officer was about to open the lid to the box, but Gemma had blurted out
“That’s my lingerie!” and the officer quickly apologized and left the attic.
Currently, Harry was pulling on his white v-neck as Louis sat on his bed and watched his back muscles flex. Louis didn’t know though, that Harry was secretly obsessed with Louis’ back muscles, even with all those burns on them.
Louis was beautiful.
“Ready, boo?” Louis nodded
“Give me a piggy back?” Harry laughed and nodded
“Of course!” Louis jumped onto Harrys back and giggled.
He giggled.
Someone as adorable a Louis should not be allowed to giggle in Harrys opinion.
Harry ran down the stairs as Louis screamed.
“You guys are so loud.” Gemma commented
“We try.” Harry responded and grabbed his keys, “I’m taking Louis out for ice cream.”
“Have fun.”
“We will.” Harry did a spin and walked out the front door, placing Louis in the passenger seat.
“Buckle up!” Harry leaned over to kiss Louis’ cheek. Louis pulled away and Harry nodded, mostly to himself. He got into the driver’s side and started up the car. He leaned over to the radio.
“Country!” Louis shouted
“You like country?”
“Yes. Don’t judge me. Now turn it on.” Harry laughed and did as Louis said and started driving while Louis hummed along.
The song quickly ended, much to Louis’ disappointment. He must’ve been really into that song because he groaned when it ended.
The next song started off with what sounded like wind chimes, and Louis’ face went blank as he listened to the song.
But Harry…Harry had heard this song before. He sister fell in love with it. It was called How Do You Get That Lonely? By Blaine Larsen. (Go listen to it!!)
“It was just another story printed on the second page
Underneath the Tiger's football score
It said he was only eighteen, a boy about my age
They found him face down on his bedroom floor”

Louis whimpered softly and looked out the window.

“There'll be services on Friday at the Lawrence Funeral Home
Then out on Mooresville highway, they'll lay him 'neath a stone...

How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody knows”

Harry could feel how upset Louis was right then so he reached over and grabbed his hand.

“Did his girlfriend break up with him, did he buy or steal that gun?
Did he lose a fight with drugs or alcohol?
Did his Mom and Daddy forget to say I love you son?
Did no one see the writing on the wall?”

Louis body shook with sadness
“boobear?” Harry spoke over the lyrics coming from the radio. Louis turned to look at him with tears rolling down his face.

“How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody knows”

Harry pulled over “Come here, boo.”
Louis quickly unbuckled and crawled into Harrys lap then began sobbing into his shoulder.
“Louis…have you attempted suicide?” Louis nodded, waiting for it. For the laugh, for the harsh words, but all he could hear in the car was the ending of the song

“It was just another story printed on the second page, Underneath the Tigers football score…”

Harry hugged Louis tightly, not believing that such a beautiful boy had tried to take his life.
Louis continued crying but lifted up his neck to show the burn from the rope.
“Just o-once. But my mom f-found me before I finished. She c-called my Dad up to my room and he hit my b-bum twenty five times with the belt.” Harrys hands moved down and he softly laid his hands over Louis’ bum. It wasn’t a sexual gesture; he was simply wishing he could take away all that pain. Every last bit…
“S-say something.” Louis whimpered
“I love you.”