Don't Let Me Go || l.s.

Chapter 4 - Broken Rules And Sunset Sparks

Liam finished loading the last of his boxes into the back of a moving truck, wiping small droplets of sweat from his forehead with the back of his aching hand. He saw his mum struggling with a last box, so he jogged over and got it from her, getting a smile in return. “Thanks, dear. Have you gotten all of your things into the truck?” Karen asked her son as she tucked sweaty stained strands of her hair behind her ear. Liam gave his mum a nod while placing the box in the truck.

“Everything is loaded on the truck. But, Louis still hasn’t showed . . .” Liam trailed off and Karen sighed, placing a reassuring kiss on her son’s forehead, “he’s your best friend, he’s going to show.”

As if on cue, Louis appeared on the sidewalk, making his way to his best friend while bluntly kicking rocks. Liam was bewildered when seeing a boy, around the same age as himself and Louis, trailing behind him. “Lou, hey,” Liam said softly, taking one look at the boy and knowing he was everything but alright. He was in a hoodie that Liam had lent him months back, but he didn’t put up a fuss when it never got returned. His hair was pointing every which way and it looked like he hadn’t slept well the night before.

“Hi,” Louis mumbled dryly, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. “Are you leaving now?”

“In just a few minutes. My dad is heading back over here now, he wanted to say goodbye to a few of his workers. Who’s this?” Liam asked, referring to the curly haired boy who had his hand securely on Louis’ back.

Louis’ lips quirked up into a smile that reached his eyes, turning around to Harry then back to Liam. “Oh, yes! This is Harry. He’s my . . . he’s my friend. The one I told you about, remember? Harry, this is Liam, my best friend.”

Liam smirked, putting his hand out to Harry who gladly shook it. “So, this is Louis’ knight and shini-”

“Liam.” Louis cleared his throat, his face instantly flushing with embarrassment.

A chuckle left Harry’s lips as he slid his hand away from Liam’s, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The three conversed amongst each other for a few minutes, which flew by rather quickly to Louis. After Geoff, Liam’s dad, was dropped off by one of his now ex-coworkers, it was time for the family to head off.

“Promise me you’ll keep in touch?” Louis blinked away the tears that were forming in his eyes, trying his damned hardest to keep them from spilling out. Liam cooed at the sight of his best friend who was on the verge of tears, pulling him into a warm and tight embrace. “Of course, Lou. I love you.” He pulled away and briefly wiped Louis’ cheeks, then turned to Harry with a stern look. “Take care of him, alright?”

Harry felt rather intimidated by the look he was receiving from Liam, but nodded nonetheless and wrapped a protective arm around Louis’ slim waist. “Already am, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll take good care of him. I seem to be doing a pretty good job so far, yeah?”

That was a statement that Liam couldn’t argue with. From the gossip about Harry that Louis had spilled to him, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind about Harry. But unwillingly, his fatherly instincts came out because he was leaving his vulnerable best friend.

With last glances, Liam squeezed Louis’ shoulder before clambering into the front of the moving truck between his parents. He took a look out of the side mirror on his mother’s side to see Harry embracing Louis into a tight hug. And as the truck turned a corner, the two were out of his sight.

~ * ~

“Louis, hurry it up!” Louis’ mum called from downstairs with a deep sigh, crouching down to her twins and smiling at the two. “Now, my little munchkins, I want you to stay well-behaved for Lottie and Fizzy. Louis, your father and I are going over to someone else’s house for dinner.”