Sidelines

Part title

"Understatement," One of his brothers snorts.

"Ni, while I consider you a dear friend and appreciate your efforts, this is bullshit," Harry says.

"H, you bitch about him every chance you get." Noah, the frat president, states.

"I meant this intervention or whatever, not me hating Louis, you tits. Of course I hate Louis," He scoffs.

"It needs to stop, it's getting out of hand." Andy puts in.

"Right," Harry says slowly, like he's weighing his options, then claps his hands together with false delight. "We can ship him off!"

Everyone in the room groans, two of his older brothers coming over and grabbing him by the arms, dragging him to the couch and pushing him to sit.

"Look, H, you do realize you're jeopardizing our chances in the Championship, right? I can't remember the last time we had a productive practice that didn't revolve around forcing you two to get along," Liam says, collapsing at his side. Harry crosses his arms over his chest, muttering to himself. He knows this thing between Louis and him is ruining the team, but how do you just stop hating someone?

"All we're asking is that you leave your negativity at the door," Liam says in response to silence.

"Easier said than done," Harry grumbles, not looking at anyone in the room.

"Harry, what the fuck do you want me to say? What can I do to convince you? Which do you care more about, your potential career as a professional hockey player or making sure Louis knows you don't like him?" Liam snaps, exasperated. Harry bites his lip, not having anything to say to that.

"Step up, please. Be the bigger person, and for God's sake, try to ignore him," Liam says with finality, his expression now pleading.

"I'll try." Harry replies, his eyes lifting to Liam's face as he nods.

"Yeah, you will," Liam says, voice laced with a threatening undertone, but then just like that, his face softens and he claps Harry gently on his shoulder.

"Please, for the sake of the team, just ignore him," Liam says gently, squeezing Harry's shoulder. Harry tenses his jaw and nods, wishing it was any fucking easier than Liam makes it sound.

"Right, I'm gonna need this in writing." Niall states, dropping down on Harry's other side.

"God, fuck off," Harry scoffs, grinning until Niall actually thrusts a clipboard and pen at him, with an actual fucking document attached.

"Are you fucking with me?" Harry asks in disbelief. Granted, there's not much to it, a couple of sentences in an ugly font with a line for signature at the bottom.

"No, look, I'll even read the fine print for you," Niall offers. "Says, if you violate this contract, you have to move to student housing until the season's up."

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Harry scoffs, honestly a bit hurt that they would throw him out like that.

"C'mon, mate. It's just, we really need this for the team. Also, you're going to get yourself in real danger with coach if this keeps up. If you want the chance of becoming a captain next year, or getting drafted in the fucking NHL, you've gotta step up. We all love you, man, but we're serious about this," Niall explains, heartfelt and genuine. Harry doesn't say anything, just signs the paper with a harsh grip and gets off the couch to head straight for his room.

"H," Someone calls, but that's useless. Harry stomps upstairs like a petulant child, already dialing his mom's number, it's lunch time in San Francisco so she shouldn't be too busy. He slams the door of his room shut and locks it, waiting for his mom to pick up as he falls onto his bed.