"Louis!"

The boy groaned. "What?!" He shouted back.

"Get the door, I'm in the shower!" He heard Megan's muffled voice coming from down the hall.

He huffed, standing from his bedroom floor chucking his pencil on top of his notebook. Making his was to the flat door, Louis brushed off the imaginary dust from his pyjama shorts.

It was Friday, college had officially finished for the weekend and Louis was just finishing his last piece of homework so that he would be able to do absolutely nothing for the next two days.

Louis stopped a few steps before the monitor a took a few deep breaths, he wasn't expecting anyone and Megan had only said about Luke coming around but Luke had a key to the outdoor building plus the flat. So he was a little weary of who it could be.

After a second or two, Louis pressed the button and picked up the phone. "Hello?" There was a pause and Louis scrunched his eyebrows. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Uh yeah, Lou, it's me." Louis' heart starting beating. "It's Ashton." Relief.

"Ashton." Louis confirmed. "Hey, um, come on in." Louis placed the phone back on the hanger and pressed the buzzer, allowing Ashton to enter the building.

About a minute later, there was a knock at the door and Louis took the few steps towards it, switching the lock and allowed the door to reveal Ashton who was standing with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey." The taller boy said. Louis sent him a warm smile and Ashton instantly felt welcome. He hadn't spoken to the boy since everything had happened and he was afraid that Louis might hate him for it. But the smile seemed genuine and he was now relaxed.

"It is okay if I..?" Ashton gestured to the inside of the flat and Louis quickly moved the side, allowing Ashton to step inside.

"Yeah sure, sorry, come on in." Louis closed the front door and followed his friend into the living space, sitting on the chair, beside the sofa, just about a metre away from where Ashton was sat. "So, everything okay?" Louis asked, questionably.

"Yeah, yeah. Everything's good." Ashton clapped his hands together. Looking at the boy. "How about you? How're you doing? Y'know after everything? I'm sorry I didn't call or anything, I just thought maybe you wouldn't want to speak to me seeing as I'm Harr-"

"I'm fine." Louis cut Ashton off, quick enough for Ashton not to even finish his name.

Ashton's eyes widened a little, before nodding. "Good. I'm glad."

Louis suddenly felt rude.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to- cut you off. I just- I don't even know. I-"

"It's okay." Ashton assured him. "I understand, I get it, it must be hard." He scooted closer toward the edge of the couch, closer to Louis.

"It's- it's not that it's hard to hear his name." Louis looked down and began playing wikis own fingers. "It's not just because it hurts. It's because-" his voice went quieter. "Because I still love him."

Ashton couldn't say that he wasn't expecting that, because honestly he was. He knew just how hard it was to fall out of love with someone.

Louis carried on, "after everything he did, how broken I was, when I as little as hear his name, I feel my stomach erupting with butterflies. When I see him walking around college, I don't break down because it hurts, I break down because I told myself to just let him go even though I still love him so much. It hurts because I love him. And I just can't stop." Louis sniffled, reached up and wiped his eyes dry.

"Lou-" Ashton reached forward, placing a hand on Louis' knee.

"No, it's okay," Louis looked up and brushed off Ashton's hand. "I'm okay, I'm managing I just haven't given myself enough time to heal I guess. Atleast thats what I keep telling myself. That I will get over him, that I can do it without him. It'll be harder than I expected. That's all. But I'm fine. Completely all good." He forced a smile and Ashton could tell.

But he didn't say anything. Just gave a small smile back and let it go.

It was some time later, about an hour after the talk when Megan walked into the room, all dressed up. "Hey Ash." She smiled, nodding to Louis. "I'm heading out with Luke and I'm staying around his so don't wait up for me okay?"

"Okie dokie." Louis grinned. "Have fun."

Megan sent a wink which made both Ashton and Louis cringe and wish they never saw. "Goodbye boys." She laughed, picking up her shoes and walking out of the flat, closing the door swiftly behind her.

"Why does she always struggle to put her shoes on whilst walking down those stairs?" Ashton asked, still looking at the front door.

Louis looked from the door to his friend, explaining, "she claims it's quicker, it's not, I've timed it but y'know. She's Megan she'll do what she wants." Ashton looked at Louis without moving the direction of his head, letting out a laugh.

He then stood from the sofa, letting out a weirdly loud noise as he stretched out his body. He pulled his phone out of his pocket before little out a little "shit".

"I should get going."

"Oh." Louis finally felt sad. He was going to be alone.

"I'm really sorry, I said I'd meet Harry half an-" he saw Louis close his eyes and flinch. "I'm sorry."

"No,no, don't be, he's your best friend, you're allowed to say his name, I'm just being stupid. That's all."

Ashton felt really bad for the boy. "You're not being stupid, don't ever say that. You have every right to feel and act the way you do. But he is my friend, and I know you don't really want to hear it, but this whole thing has broken him just as much as you. And I'm not saying that to make you feel anything and I'm not saying he deserves to get sympathy but I can't just let him go through it on his own. I haven't forgotten, Louis. And I won't, not what he did, but I'm willing to just let it go for now. He needs me."

"I get it." Louis gave a sad smile. Hearing that Harry was broken, still broke his heart into pieces. "You better go, you're late already."

"Yeah." Ashton breathed out, picking up his coat from the arm of the sofa. "I really enjoyed seeing you again. It's always nice to be around you. Maybe you'd like to meet up again soon? Go out for a coffee or something?" Louis raised an eyebrow. "As just friends. I promise."

Louis smiled, letting out a giggle as well. "I'd love to. As just friends."

"Cool." Ashton grinned. "I'll text you later or something." The two walked to the door.

"Okay." Louis agreed, opening the door for the taller boy.

"I'll see you, Lou."

"Just go ash." Louis laughed, Ashton held up his hand in a wave before making his way down the steps.

Louis shut the front door, pressing his back against it and letting out a shaky breath. He's alone.

----

"Where are you?"

"I'm really sorry man, I lost track of time talking to lo- a friend. I'll be there in like 10 minutes, okay?"

"Yeah okay okay- wait." He paused, letting what Ashton said process in his brain. "You were with Louis?"

"I've got to go, I'm about to start driving."

"Ashton." Harry said warningly.

"I'll be 10 minutes." And before Harry could say anymore, the phone line went dead.

Harry pulled the phone from his ear, using his spare hand to rub his face. He led back in his bed, chucking his phone on his pillow and resting both of his hands on his stomach. He closed his eyes. Letting out a deep breath he groaned.

-

Ashton finally arrived and Harry had never been so grateful to see someone in his whole life. He pulled the front door open, moving to the side to let his friend in. "Thank you for coming round," Harry smiled, shutting the door.

"It's alright," Ashton shrugged, slipping off his shoes and coat. "Sorry I'm late, really, I just lost track of time. It felt like I was there for no longer than ten minutes when in reality I was there hours." Harry tensed.

"And I take it when you say 'there' you mean Louis', right?"

Ashton had his back to Harry but he could hear the hurt in his voice alone. He closed his eyes and took a breath before turning around to face him. "Let me explain. I know this may look-"

"How is he?"

Ashton was shocked. He was expecting Harry to be angry. Of course he was. Harry knew all about the crush he had on Louis before. He was expecting him to be even a little bit pissed, but seeing Harrys face and looking in his eyes, Ashton saw nothing but hurt.

"Is he- is he okay?" Harry stuttered, his body still. His arms lay lifeless at his side and he felt useless. He knew Louis wasn't okay, he knew the answer wasn't going to be great, that's what made him scared.

"I mean, I guess he's doing good now. I know the first couple of days weren't his best, but, y'know." Harry looked down at his feet. "Look, let's sit down and just talk about it, yeah? I'll tell you what happened as long as you listen."

Harry looked up and gave a thankful smile. "Please."

And so they did, the boys went up to Harrys room and sat across his bed. Ashton shared everything that he and Louis had spoken about and told Harry as much about how the boy was doing as he could. "So yeah, I guess he's doing good now."

Harry bit at his bottom lip before asking, "and what about me? Did he say anything about me to you?"

Ashton gave him a sympathetic smile. "Sorry Haz, he found it hard to just hear your name." Harry winced.

"I-I get that."

"You hurt him. Harry, you really hurt him."

Harry groaned. "I know, okay!" He huffed. "I know I fucked up. How many times do I have to say it for everyone to know, I know it was the wrong thing to do. I can't even remember most of that night. I never meant anything of it, I really didn't. I never wanted to hurt Louis, Ash, you of all people know that."

"I know, and I do. But I'm not the one that needs to know. Harry you're my best friend, always have been and I know when you're telling the truth, seriously, I know." Ashton let out a breathy chuckle. "And I know you love him."

"So much," Harry finished. "I love him so much. It hurts like mad." He could feel the tears knew were coming.

Ashton stood from the bed, getting ready to leave. "Look." He turned towards Harry. "I'm meeting up with him again soon." Harry waited for him to carry on. "We're going for a coffee and maybe I could talk to him? Y'know about you."

"Ash-"

"Wait." Ashton stopped him. "I can't promise he'll understand. Heck, I can't even promise he'll listen, but I'll try. Because if anyone is meant to be together it's you two. And I'll try my hardest to help, because even after everything, when I mentioned your name earlier, I still saw the slight glimmer in his eye."

A/n; (Words; 2040) And I finally got it up!!

I'm going to try so hard to get my updating back on track but with college and my social life, I don't know how well that's going to go.

Just know that I will defiantly not leave you all for months with out an update from now on aha.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!!

Please comment what you think of this so far, I really want to know know what you guys make of it!