Don't be Happier

Chapter two

As soon as Louis gets off the train he feels the familiar smell of his hometown. It's not like he misses it, no, it's just familiar. Reminds him of his old best-friend sharing homemade cookies with him. Reminds him of late night sleeps, cuddling. Reminds him of falling in love. It makes him shiver all the way down to his spine.

He doesn't hate Doncaster, per see, but he hates the fact that this is the place where he decided he didn't believe in love anymore and all because of him.

"Are you okay, bro?" A voice shakes him out of his thoughts. It's Zayn.

Louis bites the inside of his cheek so hard he can easily feel the metallic taste of blood. "I'm okay," he assures his best mate. Even though he knows him deep enough to know it's a lie. He also knows him enough not to question anymore.

"Luke texted me already," Liam tells them leaning down to get his bag from the floor. "They're there already." He starts walking.

"Where are we going exactly?" Ashe asks from beside Niall.

"It's a small hotel." The brownish haired boyfriend tells her. "It's cozy, they say."

Liam shivers. "Love, you should probably put your sweater on," he tells Zayn, who does as suggested. "Shall we go?"

-x-

They stay in separate rooms. Louis by himself, as always. The hotel is cozy indeed, he notices as soon as the lady opens the door for him. "Here, sir," she says smiling warmly. "If you need anything you can call the reception by dialling nine."

The man thanks her and as soon as she leaves he puts the bags on the floor and sits on the bed. All the windows are closed, the heater is on, but he still smells the cookies. Louis hates it already.

He reaches for the inside pocket of his black jacket and gets his pack of cigarettes. Louis stands up and goes to the window, opening it and lighting up his drug. He became addicted one month after he got into college. "I can stop whenever I want," he says to anyone who tells him he shouldn't be addicted to something so bad. He knows it's bullshit though.

"Fuck," he mutters to myself when he stares at the city. It's night, all the lights on. Home as he remembers. He takes a long hit of his cigarette and sighs.

An hour later, after showering and dressing up in a black shirt, black skinny jeans and white vans, his phone rings. Liam.

"Hey, man," he says, "we're going to a club close from here, we're waiting for you."

Nice. Louis really needs a drink. Maybe even someone to get the asshole out of his mind. "Yes, sir," he says and puts his beige coat on, leaving.

-x-

Most of the people he remembers from his class are there. Luke Hemmings, Timothée Chalamet, Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford and some others. They're already doing shots and the first person to hug him tightly is Timmy.

"Louis, man!" He yells drunkly. "God, I missed you!"

The older man smiles enough to show the wrinkles by his eyes, hugging him just as tight. "Hey, Timmy!"

When younger one pulls away and leans in to leave one kiss on each of Louis' cheeks. "France manners, huh?" Louis asks, smiling.

"Yessir!" He laughs with that beautiful smile of his.

Louis thinks he might try to take him home today. He kind of reminds him of him.

"Come sit with us, ya arse!" Katherine calls him. "Six shots of tequila, please," she orders to the young waiter, who nods and leaves to get their order.