After (Larry Version)

~*Chapter 23*~

"Before heading to my first class, I stop to grab my usual at the coffeehouse, where Liam is waiting for me with a smile. After our hellos, we're interrupted by a girl asking for intricate directions, and so we don't get the chance to catch up until we're walking to our last class of the day. The class that all day I have been dreading, but anticipating.
"How was your weekend?" Liam asks and I groan.
"Terrible, actually. I went to another party with Nick ," I tell him and he makes a sour face and laughs. "I'm sure yours was much better. With Niall how is he?

His smile fades, "I wouldn't bet on your weekend being better,"he says rolling his eyes. "Oh gosh what happened?" I ask "Well everything was perfect between Niall and I. He absolutely loved puppy I got him, but evidently my so called best friend tried to make a move on him. Then when he found out I was there he tried to blame Niall," Liam says balling his fist up. "I'm so sorry Liam," I tell him. "Don't worry about it like I told Niall he already being replaced anyways." He says smiling at me and bumping our shoulders. "Really?" I ask him in disbelief. "Yes really," he laughs.
Liam tells me about Niall applying to a music school in New York and how happy he is for him. All the while, I wonder if Elijah's eyes light up like that when he talks about me.

"As we walk into class, he's telling me how his father and stepmother were thrilled to see him, but I find myself searching the room and not listening very closely to him; Hardin's seat is empty.
"It won't it be as hard if Niall is in New York?" I manage to say as we take our seats.
"I really just want the best for him, and if New York is it, that's where I want him to be."

"The professor walks in, silencing us. Where's Harry ? He wouldn't skip class just to avoid me, would he?
We dive into Pride and Prejudice—a magical book that I wish everyone would read—and before I realize it the class is over.
"You've cut your hair, Lewis." I turn around to see Harry smiling behind me. He and Liam exchange awkward stares and I try to think of what to say. He wouldn't mention the kiss in front of Liam , would he? Those dimples, deep as ever, tell me that yes, yes he would.
"Hey, Harry ," I say.
"How was your weekend?" His expression is so smug.
I pull Liam by the arm. "Good. Well, see you around!" I yell nervously and Harry laughs.
When we're outside, Liam asks, "What was that about?" obviously catching on to my strange behavior.
"Nothing, I just don't like Harry ."
"At least you don't have to see him often."
But there is something behind his voice, and why would he say that? Does he know about the kiss?
"Um... yeah. Thank God," is all I can muster.
He pauses. "I wasn't going to say anything, because I don't want you to associate me—"Harry's dad is sort of dating my mum."
What? "What?"
"Harry's dad—"
"Yes, yes, I got that, but Harry's dad lives here? Why is Harry here—I thought he was British? If his dad lives here, why doesn't he live with him?" I flood Liam with questions before I can stop myself. He looks confused, but less nervous than a moment ago."

"He's from London; his dad and my mum live close to the campus, but Harry and his dad don't have a good relationship. So please don't mention any of this to him. We already don't like each other."
I nod. "Sure, okay." A thousand more questions come to my mind, but I stay quiet as my friend goes back to talking about Niall , his eyes brightening with each word about him."
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"WHEN I GET BACK TO my room, Nick isn't back yet since his classes run two hours past mine. I start to lay out my books and notes to get ready to study, but decide to call Elijah instead. He doesn't pick up, and it really makes me wish he was here with me at college. It would make things so much easier and comfortable. We could be studying or watching a movie together right now.
Still, I know that I'm thinking about this because of my guilt about kissing Harry is consuming me—Elijah is so sweet and he doesn't deserve to be cheated on. I am so lucky to have him in my life. He's always there for me, and he knows me better than anyone. We have known each other basically our whole lives. When his parents "moved in down the street, I was ecstatic to have someone my age to hang out with, and the feeling only grew as I got to know him and learned he was an old soul like me. We spent our time reading, watching movies, and bringing life into the greenhouse behind my mother's place. The greenhouse has always been my safe haven; when my dad drank I would hide in there and no one except Elijah knew where to find me. The night my dad left was a terrible night for me, and my mother refuses to speak of it, ever. Doing so would shatter the perfect façade she has created for herself, but I still want to talk about it sometimes. Even though I hated him for drinking so much, and for pushing my mother around, I still felt the deep need to have a father. That night, stowed away in the greenhouse while my dad screamed and went wild, I kept hearing glasses shattering in the kitchen, and then, when it stopped, footsteps. I was terrified my father was coming for me, but it was Elijah. And I had never been so relieved in all my life to see someone safe. From that day on we were inseparable. Over the years, our friendship turned into more, and neither of us has ever dated anyone else.