Harry's POV

Harry ignored the annoying voice of his subconscious that kept sending him painful reminders that Louis wasn't talking to him.

No. This day could possibly be the turning point in his life with Lucas. He needed to stop thinking about Louis. He needed to keep his mind open and give Lucas a proper second chance.

Lucas was supposed to pick Harry up from the barista straight after work and he should be getting there any second... Harry kept glancing at his watch anxiously.

I wonder what Louis must be doing now.. maybe he's at the bar with Niall.

He shook his head, desperately trying to clear the disturbing images of Louis hooking up with some girl at the bar from his mind

"Harry, penny for your thoughts?" Lucas said, startling him.

"Oh Lucas, hi."

"Hi Harry.. So you ready to go?"

"I guess, yeah"

They got into Lucas' car, Harry shifting uncomfortably in the seat. They were going to spend some time at this garden and Harry honestly didn't know what to expect.

There was an awkward silence in the car while neither of them said a word. Eventually Lucas began to talk, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"So what have you been up to?"

"Nothing much actually, I mean it was a little hard initially but I have a great job and Louis is wonderful so-"

"Louis?" asked Lucas curiously.

Fuck.

"Umm yeah Louis is my roommate. He's alright I suppose. He's um really sweet and yeah..  we get along really well and stuff." Harry replied trying to act casual and composed.

He seriously doubted if Lucas bought his act though. Nevertheless, Lucas didn't say anything further and there was awkward silence again.

When they finally reached the garden, Harry and Lucas sat on a bench, trying to make conversation.

What the fuck was he thinking when he agreed to go on this date!? This was a nightmare. All he wanted to do right now was be snuggled next to Louis while they watched TV together like they did every night.

"Harry?"

"Hmm.. yeah?"

"You zoned out again."

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Yeah I was saying maybe we should walk around? Sitting in one place isn't really helping, is it?"

They walked around the park, Lucas pointing at random trees and birds trying to make Harry smile.

Harry barely smiled, and even if he did, it was only the slightest smile, more to be polite than genuine.

Midway, Lucas slowly slipped his hand into Harry's, his face nervous and cautious.

Harry was a little unsettled at first but he let it be.

Give him a chance with an open mind.

But it just didn't feel right. The spark, the connection that him and Lucas had, had completely dwindled down, it wasn't there anymore.

There was a time, after the break up when all he could think of was Lucas apologising to him and Harry forgiving him and everything being alright again, but now that that's exactly what had happened, Harry began to slowly realise that maybe that's not what he wanted after all.

Slowly, Harry withdrew his hand.

Besides,  there was the annoying fact that he couldn't stop thinking of Louis. Everywhere he looked, he saw things that reminded him of Louis.
Whenever he saw a guy with brown, feathery hair walking in the park, his heart began fluttering thinking it was Louis. Even the simplest of things like an Adidas shirt or a pair of dirty sneakers made him instantly think of him.

Lucas and Harry spent the rest of the evening having some small talk, mostly discussing what had happened to the other since Harry moved to London.

When the sun had set, they left the park and got back into Lucas' car.

"Umm you can come over to my hotel if you like? Just for a while?" Lucas said, hope lacing his voice.

Harry was silent for a while before slowly saying, "I'd rather go home to be honest, it's been a long day and I'm very tired out..."

"Sure, whatever you're comfortable with, it's completely your wish and I respect that.." Lucas gushed hurriedly.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

When they reached Harry's apartment, Lucas turned towards Harry and slowly brushed the pad of his thumb against Harry's cheek.

He leaned in, and for a second Harry was lost in the moment, he almost leaned in too, his eyes fluttering shut, but the image of a vibrant blue pair of eyes and a soft brown fringe of hair flashed behind his eyelids and Harry drew back with a jerk.

"I'm sorry Lucas, I can't. I'm really sorry if I lead you on but I can't do this anymore..."

"It's because of Louis isn't it?" Lucas said slowly. 

"What? No, of course n-"

"It's okay Harry, it's clear from the way that you talk about him that you deeply care about this guy, I figured it out the minute you said his name. Your whole voice changes, Harry, it becomes so soft and tender I almost felt like I was intruding on a private moment when you began talking about him." he sighed and continued, "I knew right then that I had lost you, but I still wanted to try, just in the hopes of there being a small chance.. but there isn't. I don't blame anyone except myself, I had you and I let you go."

"Lucas-"

"You don't have to say anything Harry,  I should get back home now, I ugh, I guess London isn't for for me after all. I hope you and Louis will be happy together, you have all my good wishes." he said sadly.

Harry pulled him into a final hug before pulling away bidding Lucas goodbye,  watching him drive away,dust flying into the air as his car sped past the apartment.

After Lucas had driven off, Harry whispered softly to himself, "I hope so too Lucas, I hope so too..."

Author's Note
I promised you the Lucas thing would end soon, didn't I? :)

I hope you enjoyed the chapter,  please don't forget to vote, it makes me very happy xx

Happy reading.