Beauty can be found in everything, even the dullest of places. This is a concept that Louis prided himself on believing in, well in everything but himself. The truth is the 16 year old lad struggles to with self esteem. It wasn't always like this, when he was young he use to be a vibrant, flamboyant, carefree kid, but since his forced coming out in year 10 and the bullying that followed he has never seen himself the same.
Looking in the mirror this morning before school all Louis can see is his little tummy, thick thighs and big ass. His feathery brown hair never staying in place the way he wants it, his little square glasses covering his blue eyes that he wears on days like today when his eyes are too dry from the constant contact wearing. Pulling his baggiest hoodie over his head to cover all of his imperfections Louis lets out a sigh.
"Louis hurry dude we are going to be late." Liam Louis's older brother shouts from behind his bedroom door. Liam is two years older than Louis he is in Year 13, Co-Captain of the football team, star player and overall beloved son and friend. "Sorry Li, I'm coming" Louis grabs his backpack slinging it over his shoulder and heads out the door.
"Louis did you eat?" Liam asks as Louis enters the kitchen, looking down at his feet Louis sighs. " 'm not hungry." "Louis you need to eat breakfast." Shaking his head and ignoring Liam, Louis goes to the cupboard to make himself a cup of tea. "Louis come on Harry is outside we don't have time for you to have a tea this morning. Grab a granola bar and lets go."
A small pout forms on Louis lips as he put the cup back as he realizes he is not going to have his morning tea. He grabs his bag and puts on his pair of red vans before following Liam out to Harry's black Range Rover. Harry Styles, is Liam's best friend since Year 5 and the guy Louis has been crushing on for the past 3 years. Harry has been picking the two brothers up since Harry got is license last year.
Louis climbs into the backseat quietly while Liam and Harry share their good mornings. "Morning Lou" Harry smiles as he turns to face Louis. "Here i brought you this i figured you slept in too late again to make yourself your morning tea" Harry hands Louis a travel mug of tea. Louis blushes and mumbles a quiet thank you to Harry, Harry giving him a warm smile in return before turning back to face forwards and drive towards the school.
The drive is spent with Liam and Harry discussing strategies and starting line for their up coming tournament in two week, Harry is the co-captain of the team with Liam. Louis just listens quietly while staring at the back of Harry's shoulder length brown curls that were wrapped in a series of different bandanas that Harry owns. Louis wonders what it would feel like to run his fingers through, believing that it was probably the softest thing in the world. Besides his hair Louis often gets lost in Harry's face, his sharp jaw line or his piercing sea foam green eyes that Louis wouldn't mind losing himself in. Not to mention his plump, pink lips that Louis often dreams about and the way that they would feel against his own.
So caught up in his day dreaming Louis didn't even realize that they had arrived at the school Louis froze when Liam and Harry hopped out. Louis wasn't ready to go in, once he stepped foot into that school he knew that the day was only going to get worse. Louis sat there numb unable to move or speak. Suddenly Harry opened Louis door causing Louis to jump. "Sorry kid, you weren't coming wanted to make sure you were okay" Harry smiles. "S-sorry i-i am c-coming" Louis stares at his hands still not making a move to get out.
"You sure because you aren't moving" Harry chuckles. Louis starts to tear up "S-sorry" "Lou, kid what's got you looking so sad do you need me to get Liam?" Louis shakes his head. "s-sorry i-ll l-leave y-your c-car n-now" "Hey how about Li and I walk you to your class would that help?" Louis gives a small nod in response. "Okay come on kiddo." Harry reaches out his hand for Louis to take, Louis timidly takes Harry's hand as he helps him out of the car. Once his feet touch the ground Harry releases Louis hand causing a small frown to form on the boys lips.
"Li we are walking your brother to his class" Harry shouts to Liam who is standing by their friend Niall and Zayn's cars that is a couple cars down from Harry. Niall and Zayn are two of Liam and Harry's buddies from the team, the two add an interesting dynamic to the group. Niall is a loud, fake blond Irish man, where as Zayn is the raven haired goofy, artsy lad who gives off a mysterious vibe.
Liam nods in response and the 5 of them make their way into the school. Louis trailing slightly behind the 4 as they make idle chit chat about their plans for the weekend. A loud cackle from Niall causes Louis to jump and whimper as he bites his tongue.
"Louis you okay?" Liam asks when he hears the small whimper come from his brother. "F-fine L-Li" Liam slows down to walk beside Louis wrapping his arm protectively over the youngest shoulder. "I bite my tongue" Louis whispers so only Liam can hear. "Oh Lou, you okay?" Liam chuckles. "Not funny Li, it hurt" Louis pouts. "Sorry Lou" Liam smiles.
Once they enter the front door, Niall and Zayn say their goodbyes and short walk down the hallway from the front door they reach Louis locker. He quickly grabs his books putting his backpack in his locker giving Harry and Liam an nod letting them know that he was ready to go. Harry and Liam walk on either side of Louis as he grips his books tight. Neither of them know the real reason as to why Louis is anxious at school but they both know he hasn't always had the easiest time.
"Okay Lou, have a good day today, I'll see you at home tonight H and I have practice" Liam says patting Louis back. "H-how am i g-getting h-home Li?" Louis whispers. "Sorry bubs you are going to have the take the bus." Louis just gives a small nod in reply.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning okay kid?" Harry smiles ruffling Louis hair. Louis blushes and nods before turning to walk into his first period class.
I find my seat in the back corner of the class, it's where i can hide away from everyone and feel the most protected. Photojournalism use to be Louis favourite class of the day, but now that they have combined all grade levels into one big class for certain electives due to budget cuts. Louis doesn't feel at peace in this class anymore. Funny enough the reason just walked in, Josh Reid with his stupid snapback that is nestled on the top of his dirty blonde hair. Josh is a senior mid fielder on the football team and the guy who has been making Louis life a living hell since Louis was in Year 10 last year. Liam doesn't know about Josh and Louis would never tell him, he loves his brother too much to put him in that position. He knows that it would only make things difficult for Liam on the team, having to choose between his brother and a member of his team.
"Look who we have here the little fairy." Josh leers. "L-leave m-me a-alone" Louis stutters. "Awe little gay boy can't speak can he." Louis whimpers and shrinks further into his seat.
"Class please be seated" Mr. Geruouix calls before Josh is able to say anything else. Josh walks over to take his seat on the other side of the class with a few of his mates. Louis spends the rest of the class zoning out, picking at the bottom sweater or twisting his fingers.
....
Louis manages to avoid Josh for the rest of the day, he spent his lunch hiding in the library, he managed to avoid Josh in the hallway, and the rest of his classes are only with his year. He is currently sitting on the hot, stuffy bus that smells of cheap cigarettes and body odour. Louis puts his headphones his pressing play on his music before switching over to his tumblr account and browsing through the photography pages he follows. Most of the pages are pictures of different places in nature, Louis's favourite page is all about the ocean, different underwater photos, and aquatic life as well as people surfing or the curls of the waves.
Louis spends the rest of the 45 minute bus ride on his phone. Once he is getting close to his stop he stands up and pull the stop cord singling the driver that he is wanting to get off. Once the bus pulls up to Louis stop he grabs his backpack sliding his phone into his pocket and exits the bus.
The walk to Louis house is short only 5 minutes. He arrives home, heading straight into the kitchen knowing his parents are gone somewhere on another business trip who god knows how long. Opening the fridge Louis grabs left overs from last night's dinner throwing into into the microwave before pouring himself a glass of pop.
The microwave beeps, Louis pours the contents of the container onto a plate, then grabs his drink and heads into the living room. Louis plops himself down on the couch and turning on the TV to play another rerun of Friends while eating his Shepard's Pie. Once he is done eating Louis heads upstairs to change into a pair of loose fitting grey joggers and an oversized white graphic tea before heading back downstairs to watch more re-runs of Friends.
~
Louis doesn't realize how much time has past until he hears the front door open and Liam and Harry are walking through the door. "Hey bubs, did you eat?" Liam asks as he enters the living room. Louis nods his head and smiles. "Still some left overs if you want them" Louis tells him. "Cool thanks Louis, H you want some?" Liam calls on his way to the kitchen. "Yeah that would be great thanks mate!" Harry walks over to the couch and sits down next to Louis.
"How was your day Lou?" Harry smiles. "F-fine" "When are you going to get use to talking to me kid? I have known you for years." Harry teases causing Louis to blush. "S-sorry" Louis mutters.
"Don't be sorry babes, just know you can trust me okay?" Harry pats Louis thigh, Louis nods his head not trusting his voice. The two sit there together watching Friends, Harry's hand not leaving Louis thigh causing butterflies to erupt in Louis stomach. 15 minutes later Liam returns back into the living room to hand Harry his food. Harry removes his hand from Louis's thigh and thanking Liam as he takes the plate and can of pop.
"Two of you want to watch a movie?" Liam questions. "Sure sounds good to me" Harry agrees. "Bubs you want to watch a movie?" Liam turns to Louis waiting for an answer. "Sure" he whispers.
They end up watching a random action movie, that Louis doesn't pay too much attention to. He is too busy trying to keep himself from staring at the green eyed boy next to him. Letting out a quiet yawn Louis shifts to try and get comfortable. "You tired Lou?" Harry asks. "N-no" Louis lies. Harry chuckles and saying sure before turning his attention back to the movie.
~
Louis didn't realize he fell asleep until he felt an hand on his shoulder waking him up. "Lou, Lou come on little lad time to wake up." Harry whispers. "sleeepy Hazzie" Louis mumbles, now awake enough to hear the conversations in the room but too tired to open his eyes or move. Harry coos at the lad before turning to Liam for guidance on what to do? "Mate we can't let him sleep on the couch he is going to hate himself in the morning." Harry sighs. "Do you mind carrying him up to his room, I need to lock up. Plus I'm too fucking tired to even think about carrying him." Liam whines.
Shaking his head at his friend Harry bends down to try and wake Louis up once more. "Lou, come on mate I need you to wake up bud. It's late." Harry sighs. "Lou, love can I carry you up to your room?" Harry asks. Louis without thinking lifts his arms up to Harry keeping his eyes closed. Harry reaches down and wraps his arms around Louis hosting him up so that Louis is wrapped around his front. Louis clings to Harry his legs wrapped around Harry's waist and arms around his neck. Harry settles his hands on Louis thighs before carrying the boy upstairs to his room.
Harry lays Louis in down in his bed and tucking him under the covers and watching him curl into himself snuggling into his pillow. "G'night Lou" Harry whispers. "Night Hazzie" Louis mumbles before he falls asleep missing the smile that's growing on the older lads face.