Rivals with Benefits

Chapter 32 - like the titanic

*this is a longgg ass chapter so be prepared for that, also a video about the larry tour bus incident above^ if you know what I mean ;))*

Louis' POV
"I love big red bus!" I shout at the top of my lungs on the roof of our tournament bus.

Both of our teams - mine and Holmes Chapel - are attending another tournament together even though we're not in the same bracket again, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that me and Harry are the captains and what we say goes.

Or at least it does after I practically begged my mates to let the Holmes Chapel team come with us. Saying something about it being cheaper and something about us being a "cost effective" team.

So here we are, together by the big red bus that Harry's school so generously paid for (we were actually able to get Paul as our bus driver again which was sick). They're quite posh lads over at the Holmes Chapel school, so they had it in the budget while our school most definitely did not. That's part of the reason I have to work so much to pay for football. I need scouts to see me so I can actually attend and afford university and my school now isn't much help with that.

I haven't gotten a new job yet but I've saved enough from the cinema to be stable for now, although my mum insists that she pay for everything. But, I really don't want to worry her or to be a bother so hopefully I can find a job soon - other than Harry trying to give me half his pay check or the whole tip jar every week, because apparently, "I'm there too much to not get paid" and "I'm an honorary employee." God he's so sweet. How can I not love this boy? And yeah, that's a thought I have basically everyday now, so it's getting less scary to think about.

"Louis!" Liam yells frantically like a concerned mother, "Get down here now!"

"Alright, alright," I respond in a mumble moving to the side to climb off.

On my way down I nearly miss the ledge for my foot and almost fall off. My head immediately shoots over to Harry to send him a warning look because I already know he's watching me and I already know as soon as I slipped he wanted to rush over here and throw his arms around me and pepper me in kisses while asking if I'm okay. But he can't.

Our teams have been at each other's throats more now than ever. We've had to break up numerous fights from just this week and I even saw Niall about to punch a HC kid in the face after he insulted me for being gay. And I mean, it's Niall, that's how you know things are bad. If the rivalry wasn't all that serious before it sure as hell is now. And that's why, in these past few weeks, me and Harry have been hiding a lot more.

I don't talk to Harry at all during practices, unless it's business type stuff but even then I  keep my distance because I know everyone is watching. I mean before we were a couple I could at least be friendly and civil towards him but now, everything's changed. And now, it's so fucking hard.

Especially the first few times when Harry tried to talk to me but I just ignored him because my whole team was watching me so intensely. Harry wrapped up his team's practice early that day trying to avoid me but as soon as I saw him leaving I ran after him telling my mates I had to wee. I caught up to Harry tugged him into our hiding spot and kissed him. I stopped immediately though when I felt a tear slip down his cheek. After that I explained everything to him and promised him I would never do anything like that again without telling him first.

So now, we both ignore each other. I guess it's a mutual thing but it's still so fucking hard. At least we've kind of developed a routine to make sure we're the last ones on the field or parking lot so that we can be all over each other as soon as everyone's gone.

I just shake my head at Harry and send him a small thumbs up. Harry's face contorts from a worried expression to a dejected one real fast, but, nonetheless he sends me a thumbs up back before turning away. I can feel the corners of my mouth pulling down so I turn back and climb down the rest of the bus instead.