Louis walked Eleanor to the car, opening the door for her. She smiled at him, and he gave her a smile back. They both knew this was all for show. The paparazzi a block away would be loving this scene. Louis was sure the press would blow up with headlines like International Pop-star Louis Tomlinson Proves that Chivalry Isn't Dead, or some nonsense like that. At least it was better than the kind of things they would say if they found out the truth.
"So how are you today Louis?" Eleanor asked, holding onto his hand as he drove towards the restaurant where they would eat before heading off to do who knows what. Louis was never allowed to plan the dates, he was just supposed to follow whatever directions management had programmed into his GPS.
"I'm doing fine El. How are you?" It was their typical greeting, just in case The paparazzi had bugged the car. All they would hear was pleasant conversation between the two lovers.
"Wonderful. So what do you have planned for our wonderful evening tonight?" Eleanor questioned.
Louis flashed her his best fake smile. "Its a surprise. I know how much you love surprises!" He faked enthusiasm as they continued their conversation, and Eleanor did the same. These conversations seemed so scripted to them, but to most people it would just seem like polite conversation.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Louis once again opened the door for Eleanor. They shared a knowing smile that the fans would read as I'm so happy to be here with you, but really said we're getting really good at this whole acting thing.
"Reservation for Tomlinson." Louis confidently proclaimed inside the restaurant despite not having made any reservation. Management would have taken care of that for him. And indeed, the person at the front seemed to be expecting him, and Louis and Eleanor were seated within minutes. Now that they were inside, they could relax, and speak more freely. Louis let out a breath and Eleanor smiled at how much more relaxed he was now that there wasn't anybody watching. They quickly ordered, not really speaking until their food came out. It was remarkably fast service for being such a fancy place.
"So how are things with Harry?" Eleanor asked. She knew full well that she was supposed to pretend to be Louis' girlfriend because a year ago he had told management that he had a crush on Harry. They had hired Eleanor as a beard, and the situation had been quietly cleared up. Not even Louis' bandmates knew their relationship was a fake.
"He was upset earlier, and I think it was my fault." Louis admitted, biting his lip. Him and Eleanor weren't actually dating, but he did tell her almost everything about his life. When and if they ever stopped fake dating Louis hoped they could stay as friends.
Eleanor frowned. "What did you do Louis?"
"I don't know. But he looked really upset." Louis stared down at his plate, trying to think what he could have possibly done to hurt Harry.
Eleanor shook her head. "Why didn't you ask him about it?" She chastised Louis as though he had missed the obvious solution here.
Louis just shook his head. "I tried. But I don't think he told me the truth." The fact that Harry had lied to him hurt Louis more than he was willing to admit. Usually they were so close, sharing everything, but lately Harry had been closing himself off. He was obviously upset about something, and Louis just wished he would tell him what.
Eleanor patted his hand encouragingly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. You're just overthinking things." She assured him. Louis nodded, but spent the rest of the meal preoccupied with thoughts of Harry.
He had absolutely adored the curly haired boy ever since he had laid eyes on him all those years ago during the xfactor. Over time, as they became closer friends, his feelings deepened and although he would never even contemplate telling anyone, Louis knew he was in love with Harry. Eleanor was there to keep him from doing anything stupid, like admitting his feelings, and to keep Louis from spending every waking moment with the younger boy. He had been hoping that she would help him get over his feelings for Harry, but she had only encouraged them. She was sympathetic, listening to him ramble about Harry, and never tried to make any unwanted advances. And as Louis poured out his feelings about Harry, They only got stronger. So much for using Eleanor to get over Harry.
When the date was over, Louis dropped Eleanor off at her home, ignoring Managements not so subtle suggestion that he bring her home. There was no way he was going to take his fake relationship any further than stiff, closed mouth kisses. And he just didn't think he'd be able to sleep in the same bed as her. He had grown so used to wrapping his arms around Harry's waist that he doubted that he would be able to sleep any other way, and as far as he knew, Harry shared the sentiment. He left her with a friendly kiss on the cheek that the paparazzi would interpret as so much more.
Driving home, Louis thought about how the next day would progress. He always needed to know what the plans for the next day were so he could mentally prepare himself for pretending to not like Harry during those events. He pretended to be as oblivious about the schedule as everyone else, but he always knew what the day had planned.
The only problem was that not everything was predictable. When they were on break, staying in the group home in London, they rarely planned The next days activities. They were free to do as they pleased and often took advantage of that. So Louis had nothing to go on.
Louis sighed as he unlocked the door. All the lights were out, But Zayn was sitting on the couch, playing on his phone. He looked tired and Louis wondered why he hadn't gone to bed.
Zayn looked up from his phone as Louis entered. "Hey, mate, We need to talk."
Louis nodded and tossed his keys on the kitchen cabinet. Liam would find them and put them away later. He took a seat next to Zayn on the couch, wondering what he could possibly want to talk about.
"Louis, I-" Zayn stopped midspeech, looking torn up about whatever he was going to say.
"What's up Zayn?" Louis was worried that something bad had happened. It wouldn't be the first time they left Zayn to tell him. Harry and Niall would be too upset, and Liam would be too busy comforting them. Louis was already expecting the worst.
Zayn sighed, deciding to stay true to his word and not mention Harry's secret to Louis. "Never mind mate. Not my secret to tell."
Louis' ears perked up at the mention of secrets. Who was confusing in Ayn now? And had Zayn spilled Louis' secret?
"You haven't told anyone what you heard, have you?" Louis questioned. When Louis had first started dating Eleanor Zayn had picked up one of Louis' phone calls and had heard about Louis' crush. He had, of course, been sworn to secrecy, and had told no one about the conversation he had overgeard.
"No Louis, your secret is safe with me." Zayn assured him.
"Okay, Then I'm gonna head t o bed." Zayn nodded and Louis hurried upstairs, finding himself minorly disappointed that Harry was not awake, waiting for him like usual. He undressed and climbed into bed beside the younger boy, leaving Zayn downstairs to comptemplate the irony if the situation. Both Harry and Louis were hopelessly in love with one another. Both boys had confided in him. And there was nothing he could do to fix the situation without betraying one or both of his best mates. Sometimes being the one everybody trusted to keep a secret had its disadvantages.
