but the wait will be worth it

chapter twenty five

We made our way slowly around the dance floor, lazily moving to the beat of the terribly sad and slow song.

"It's been a while since I last danced with you," Louis said, still not keeping eye contact with me.

I nodded while admiring his face. He looked very pretty.

Suddenly, I had noticed something else that I hadn't seen in a while.

"Lou! You're wearing eyeshadow," I yelled. Faces turned as Louis shyly looked to the ground.

Still dancing in a circular motion around the stage, Louis blushed.

"Yeah," he mumbled cheekily. "Decided to put some on for tonight, I mean it's kind of a special occasion."

"Yeah," I gave a huge grin. I simply could not help myself from smiling, biting my lip while trying desperately not to kiss him. "First the pink cast, then wanting to go dancing, now eyeshadow..." I mumbled happily. Louis' eyes reconnected with mine.

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno," I started, "it's just.... I missed seeing flamboyant Louis who doesn't care about what anyone thinks."

Louis smiled and slightly pulled my body closer to his, just enough to where I barely noticed it.

After a bit Louis spoke lowly under his breath. "I never cared what anyone thought of me. I was just told not to be myself."

My smile disappeared. I followed his eyes back to the ground, before tightening my grip around his waist. "And something changed?" I mumbled.

Louis shook his head. "Nope. Just thought, 'fuck it."

I smiled before twirling him around in a spin, still making our way throughout all of the dozens of people on the floor. I noticed Niall, Liam, and Zayn watching us as we danced. Liam bit his lip with a frown.

While moving about the plaza with Louis at my hip and his hands draped around my neck, I discovered the most wonderful feeling. Being here with him, made me realize that I was still, even more in love with him than I had thought.

Gaze shifting from his pretty face to the floor, I watched as happy couples laughed with each other closely.

Keeping my eyes on this one couple, I admired their happiness. The woman was wearing a long, flowery white skirt with feathers in her hair. She moved about the stage, smiling brightly at the man holding onto her hips. He wore jeans, combed back hair and looked so hopelessly in love with her.

Louis continued to stare at our feet, probably trying hard not to step on my toes, as I gazed at this couple.

The woman leaned up and kissed the man passionately and deeply, as I stood from a distance staring at them. I looked down and wiped away a tear budding from my eye before Louis could notice.

Unfortunately, he did. "Haz.... what's wrong?"

I laughed while trying to force the lump in my throat to just go away. "Don't call me that, Lou."

Louis looked concerned. "Why? I always call you Haz." I smiled and sniffled while still looking at the ground.

"Don't, Lou," I laughed. "Makes me want to kiss you."

Louis pursed his lips and turned my chin up to his. With kind eyes, he asked again, "Harry, what's the matter?"

As the tears were now silently streaming down my face, Louis desperately tried to wipe each one away. I laughed once more to distract myself from the pain running through my heart, and just continued to grasp onto his waist as we danced lazily.