blue eyes like blue skies<3 ~l.s

chapter 5

All month long, Harry and Louis kept each other company in the library, talking less often in favor of getting their coursework in order and studying for finals in other classes. Harry enjoyed the silence, pleased to be in Louis' company all the same. They made up for it with texting, sending each other messages about everything imaginable when they weren't together. Harry found himself enjoying his conversations with Louis more and more, virtual or not.

One sunny May afternoon found the two of them in the library once more, both near finishing the assignments. The silence was broke every now and then by Harry asking Louis if certain phrases flowed smoothly enough and Louis giving him helpful advice. He was near the end of his project, just editing trivial details in his poems and asking for second opinions. He never let Louis read any of his poems start to finish for fear that he would pick up on whom Harry was describing in his series of thoughts on the serendipity of a new friendship turning into new love.

As he was finishing up his homework, a thought occurred to him about one of the few topics he hadn't managed to comb over with Louis in their hours of talking.

"I don't think we've ever talked about our plans for the summer," Harry said, glancing up at Louis, who was putting the final touches on his latest masterpiece he planned on turning in for his final project: he had done several drawings of his younger twin sisters, though the assignment called for the subject to be an individual. He was currently adding finishing touches to the shading of the girls' mirroring side profiles when he looked up at Harry's comment.

"I think I'm staying put, myself. I'll go pay my mum and sisters a visit, may travel south with some friends to the coast," Louis mused. "I'm finding a job in the meantime, though. How about you?"

"I'm staying here as well. Go see my mum once my sister's free so we can visit together, that's about it..." Harry trailed off, mulling over what he wanted to say next. "Should we-I mean, someday after the semester ends, would you like to hang out sometime?" he asked, praying the request sounded casual.

"I'd love to! I'll be missing our study dates once school's over," Louis replied with a grin.

Harry's heart sped up slightly with Louis' referral to the word 'date.' He knew Louis wasn't dating anyone, but Harry wasn't sure how to ask him if he was interested in boys. Louis knew Harry was, though, Harry having mentioned Derek on several occasions but always changing the subject soon afterward.

"Actually, my friend Liam's throwing a party after finals week. More of a get-together, really, but if you're not busy..?" Louis asked him.

Harry bit back a bitter laugh; his only friends upon attending uni had been Derek's friends, and their idea of fun was constantly doing lines and hitting up clubs all weekend long. Not only had Harry's relationship left him with physical consequences like bruises and scars, the incessant partying caused his grades to sink lower and lower. He was never much of a noisy, sweaty bar person anyway. After setting himself free of Derek, it was safe to say his social calendar was never booked.

"Uh, yeah, I'll be free," he answered lamely before adding, "I'd love to meet your friends."

Louis beamed at him and set back to work with his drawing. Harry felt nervous excitement at the promise of going to a party even though it was two weeks away. He hadn't really been out in months, much less invited out by a beautiful boy who seemed fond of him.