The Story of a Female Boy Named Louis (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 7

Louis had his first kiss at eleven years old.

That was also the instance he realized he was gay.

It was the summer before grade six, and his dad had enrolled him in football camp.

Louis remembers his insides were fluttering from nerves as he was dropped off by his dad and Kristen, who had wanted to see him off.

His dad had given hin an awkward pat on the shoulder as he handed him his worn out duffel bag and Kristen gave him a wet smooch on the cheek, saying she'll miss him and that Amelie says to have fun from Spain.

Some of the other boys snickered at the display of affection but Louis didn't care because he loved his broken, little family.

When he had gotten to his cabin, the boys he'd be sharing it with had already unpacked and were out with others, except for one who was sprawled out on the top bunk with an arm slung over his eyes, the other hanging off the bed.

When he was aware of Louis' presence, he sat up on his elbows and raised an eyebrow, "Why are you still in here? Don't you have friends out there?" He jabbed his thumb in the direction of the window.

He had dirty blonde hair that was all mussed up from lying down and dark brown eyes.

He wasn't wearing a shirt, and for a reason Louis obviously hadn't understood at the time, he felt his cheeks heat up at the sight.

His eyes widened and he quickly shook his head.  Louis remembers he had thrown his long, tan legs over the side of the mattress and hopped off. He also remembered thinking he must've been older, not only because of his height but because he smelled musky, like cologne.

He had stuck his hand out and curtly introduced himself as 'Zeke'. Louis thought that was the coolest name ever. Much better than his squeaky reply of 'Louis'.

After that, Zeke and Louis had become friends. Mostly since they didn't know anyone else.

Zeke told him he was actually thirteen, and he was more into dance than football, but his mum made him take it up because she claimed dance wasn't a sport and that football was much 'manlier'.

Louis didn't think much into why his mum was wanting to emasculate him, he just told him he took football because it was the only sport he 'got a kick out of'.

Zeke laughed at his half-assed joke and said he was cute, which made Louis blush profusely.

Fast foward towards the last day of football camp, after weeks of learning new skills and competitions and meeting new people, even though it was mainly just Louis and Zeke, and they were yet again isolated from the group.

They were overlooking the lake as they sat on a flat slab of stone. The other campers were at a super cliché bonfire they had set up for the last day of camp.

Zeke and Louis talked and laughed about everything that had happened over the past few weeks before they settled into a comfortable silence.

He remembers looking up at the sky as they leaned back on our calloused palms and saying, "Why is the summer sky not filled with stars that shine like lights and all that like in the books?"

Zeke had scooted a bit closer, looked up at the cloudy night, with the occasional blink of an airplane, and remarked, "Maybe because we're supposed to make our own stories, not leave the stars in charge."

Louis had hummed contently, and Zeke very casually moved his hand over so it layed on the other boy's. He looked over at him to make sure that was fine and Louis gave him a timid smile.

They turned away from each other once more, and he had felt Zeke playing with his fingers until he very slowly and very innocently laced his through Louis'.

He was very tentative with his actions, so when he whispered, "Is it super weird if I ask if I can kiss you right now?", Louis had relaxed and closed his eyes, giving him the answer he wanted.

Suddenly, he had felt soft lips collide with his own in a chaste kiss. It was short and sweet and innocent, and left Louis giggling afterwards, Zeke squeezing his hand lightly.

The next morning, when it was time to leave, Zeke had helped Louis load his stuff into Kristen's car. His dad was off on a business trip apparently and couldn't be there.

When it was time to say goodbye, Louis pulled Zeke into a hug and thanked him for the good time he had. Their parting wasn't as emotional as in the books either, they just exchanged 'I'll miss you's and 'Don't forget me's and 'Good luck's.

When Kristen honked and yelled out jokingly, "Come on, Louis, say goodbye to your boyfriend already before I die of old age!", Louis laughed and started to walk off, not before Zeke pulled hin back and whispered, "Be safe" with a peck on the cheek.

Louis smiled and climbed into Kristen's car, where she sat with a smirk, "I knew something was up with you two."

He just shrugged and waved goodbye as they drove off.

Louis never saw him again.

He just hopes Zeke's off living his dream in the prestigious dance school he'd tell him about that he wanted to go to once he graduated, instead of stuck rotting away at a college, studying to be a doctor or lawyer just to please his mom.

When Louis was eleven, he didn't think much about the last thing Zeke said to him: Be safe. He had thought he just meant the ride home or something.

But now Louis realizes he was trying the best he could so his little crush from football camp wasn't going to be tormented for his sexual orientation.

He thinks about that every time someone's fist meets his face or a new insult is spit his way.

'Be safe'.