28. You have nothing to worry about

                                    

                                          

.,.,.,.,
                          
A week later, nothing was solved. Harry was still avoiding everyone, especially Lina. She was like a ghost from the past, sent to Harry's life to destroy everything he had built up. It was hard, enduring Louis looking at him sadly whenever they saw each other, but he tried talking to Harry less and less. Like he was giving up on them. It hurt, but Harry did not know how to solve it.
                          
Harry had talked to Gemma on the phone about it, but she only said useless things like, "You're being over dramatic." and "He's not going to leave you." and "It's not a big deal." and "You were just a kid." and "Just fucking tell him!"
                          
Not helpful at all.
                          
Harry thought the world was over when he came down to the common room one week later. Everywhere were students, talking and laughing in groups. The small, old fashioned TV was on. Harry recognized the music from somewhere. It was...
                          
Harry's eyes widened. He looked closer. In front of the TV stood Lina. And on the TV...
                          
"No!" Harry ran over. Much to his horror, Louis sat on the sofa in front of the TV. "Turn it off, turn it off, turn it off."
                          
"Hazza." Louis stood up and embraced his boyfriend in a reassuring hug. "Harry, Haz. My love. Calm down. Everything's okay."
                          
Harry was shaking his head repeatedly, burying his head in Louis' neck. "Don't look at that. It's awful, I know. Please don't look at that. Don't leave me. I'm sorry..."
                          
"Haz, sshhh." Louis whispered. "It's going to be fine. I'm not going to leave you. I don't care that you were in a ballet group. I wouldn't even care if you were still dancing ballet."
                          
Harry shook his head, still not daring to look at Louis. "It's not that." He looked at the TV fearfully, where a small stage could be seen. A group of children, about eight years old, was dancing and jumping around the stage. Harry recognized himself at once. "Have you seen me trying to dance?"
                          
"Haz." Louis laughed. "Why would I leave you because you once were not a good ballet dancer?"
                          
"Don't listen to Lina." Harry said. "Everything she says is wrong."
                          
"Well, this is quite an accusation." Lina cut in.
                          
"Shut up, Lina." Louis said. "It's okay, Haz. She didn't tell me anything bad. Nothing someone tells me about you could ever be that bad that I would break up with you." He took Harry's cheeks and forced him to look into his eyes. "Do you understand?"
                          
Harry was quiet for a few seconds, his eyes getting glazed over and tears threatening to fall. "Okay." He finally whispered at Louis' insistent look. It seemed like this was enough for Louis though, because he went back to just holding him.
                          
"Was that why you avoided me?" Louis asked. "Because you were scared I would find out what a bad ballet dancer you were? Which, I mean, you weren't that bad."
                          
"Are you kidding me?" Harry pulled away and pointed at the TV. "I danced on the stage even though it was too early and in the end, I just stood there, confused, and ran away again. And then, compare them to the others. I was awful."
                          
Lina laughed from behind them. "He really was. And he thought he was so amazing because he was the only boy and every girl liked him."
                          
"Shut up, Lina." Louis said, reaching out for Harry, who was red and almost in tears from humiliation. "It's okay, Haz. A bit more self-confidence would do you good. There's nothing wrong with thinking you're amazing. Because you are."
                          
"But not at ballet." Harry's voice wobbled. He was scared Louis would think he was an arrogant prick now. But Louis just hugged him again.
                          
"Do I look like I care?" Louis asked. "Because I don't. You make your experiences in life. You get big headed when someone praises you. You fall on your nose if your head gets too big. You learn. You make mistakes. That's just life. And it doesn't matter who you've been before. I love you. Just like you are now. And I'll love you even if you decide to change. Because you'll still be you. The Harry with the softest heart and most caring soul alive."