After (Larry Version)

~*Chapter 28*~

"My tears dry, and I am showered and somewhat mentally stable by the time Nick returns from the movies.
"So, how was your... hangout with Harry?" He asks and grabs his pajamas out of his dresser.
"It was okay, he was his normal... charming self," I tell him and manage a laugh. I want to tell him about what we did, but I'm too ashamed. I know he wouldn't judge me, and despite wanting to be able to tell someone, I also really don't want anyone to know.
Nick looks at me with concern evident in his eyes, and I have to look away. "Just be careful, okay,you're too nice for someone like Harry."
I want to hug him and cry into his shoulder but instead ask, "How was the movie?" to change the subject. He tells me how he kept feeding Vanessa popcorn and that he is really starting to like her. I want to gag, but I know I am just jealous because Vanessa actually likes him in a way Harry doesn't like me. But I remind myself that I do have someone who loves me and that I need to start treating him better and stay away from Hardin—for real this time.
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"THE NEXT MORNING I'm drained. I have no energy and feel like I could cry at any moment. My eyes are red and puffy from crying last night, so I walk over to Nick's dresser and I pull out his brown eyeliner and draw a thin line under my eyes and on my eyelid. It makes my eyes look much better. I put on my tight jeans and a tank top. Still feeling naked, I grab a white cardigan out of my closet. This is the most effort I have made in my appearance for a regular school day since picture day my senior year of high school.
Liam texts me that we'll have to meet in class, so when I stop by the coffeehouse I grab him a drink, too. I'm still pretty early to class, so I walk slower than usual.
"Hey, Louis , right?" I hear a guy's voice say. I look over and see a preppy boy coming my way.
"Yeah, Logan, right?" I ask him, and he nods."

"You coming over again this weekend?" he asks. He must be part of the frat of course he is, he's preppy and gorgeous.
"Oh, no, not this weekend." I laugh and he joins in.
"Bummer, you were fun. Well, if you change your mind, you know where it is. I gotta go, but I'll see you around." Giving me a fake little tip of the hat, he walks away.

In class, Liam is already seated and thanks me repeatedly for bringing him coffee. "You look different today," he says as I sit down.
"I put makeup on," I joke and he smiles. He doesn't ask about my night with Harry and I am grateful. I'm not sure what I would say to him.
Just as the day gets pleasant, and I begin to stop thinking about Harry, it's time for Literature.
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HARRY SITS IN HIS NORMAL seat in the front. He's wearing a white T-shirt for once and it's thin enough that his tattoos are visible underneath it. It amazes me how attractive I find his tattoos and piercings when I've never cared for either before. I look away quickly, sit down in my usual seat next to him, and pull out my notes. I'm not giving up my great seat because of one rude boy. Still, I hope Liam arrives soon so I won't feel so alone with Harry .
"Louis?" Harry whispers as the class begins to fill up.
No. Don't answer him. Ignore him, I repeat to myself.
"Louis?" he says again, this time louder.
"Do not speak to me, Harry ," I say through my teeth. I avoid looking at him. I will not fall back into his trap."

"Oh come on," he says, and I can tell he thinks this is all funny.
My tone is harsh but I don't care. "I mean it, Harry , leave me alone."
"Fine, have it your way," he says equally harshly, and I sigh.
Liam walks in and I am so grateful. Seeing the tension between Harry and me, he asks in his kind tone, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I lie, and class begins.
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"HARRY AND I continue ignoring each other all week, and each day that passes without talking to him makes it a little easier to not think about him so much. Nick and Vanessa have been hanging out all week, so I've had our room mostly to myself, which has been both good and bad. Good because I get a lot of studying done, but bad because I am left alone with my thoughts about Harry . All week I have been wearing a little bit more makeup, but still my baggy and conservative clothes. By Friday morning, I feel like I am really over this whole mess with Harry . That is, until everyone keeps talking about partying at the frat house. Seriously, there is a party there every Friday—and usually Saturday, too—so why they feel the need to get excited about it every weekend blows my mind.
After being asked by at least ten people if I will be at the party, I decide to do the only thing that I know will keep me from going. I call Elijah.
"Hey, Louis !" he chirps into the phone. It has been a few days since we've actually talked, and I've missed his voice.
"Hey, do you think you could come visit me?" I ask.
"Sure, yeah. Maybe I can come next weekend?"
I groan. "No, I mean like today. Like now, could you leave right now?" I know he likes to plan things just like I do, but I need him to come now."