Your Name is Tattooed on my Heart || L.S

Chapter Four

Louis blindly reached for his phone, knocking a few items off of the bedside table before finding it and turning off his alarm. It was one-thirty in the afternoon and he had to be at work by three. Thanks to the pizza he’d eaten before bed, he wasn’t too hungover. He showered, dressed, collected yesterday’s clothes from where he’d left them on the floor by the front door, and slapped together a sandwich. He didn’t feel guilty when he saw Niall sleeping on the sofa. He might’ve done it because Louis went to bed nude, but it was just as likely that he’d wanted to fall asleep watching telly.

When he texted Liam to ask how busy the tea shop was (usually Sundays were quiet, because the shop was close to campus and the majority of their customers were uni students), he noticed a few missed texts from Harry. The first was sent shortly after Louis had finally answered the texts asking where he’d gone.

ok glad ur home safe

About fifteen minutes later:

do u need anythg? u asleep?

Hours later, clearly sent by a highly intoxicated Harry:

had fun wit u wish u didnt leave sry if u dindt like my friends lou syrsly I wish can u just someday happen idk sry sry nile I wills leave u alone ok idk I wish a lot of things?? im durnk sry

Then about thirty minutes before Louis’ alarm had gone off:

Hi, pls ignore that last text. I don’t even know what I was trying to say! haha . Zayn told me ur working today. hope u feel ok.

He read the texts several times, feeling more and more awful for acting like such a shit. As soon as he finished eating, he threw on a hoodie, grabbed his messenger bag, and went next door to apologise to Harry. When he knocked, he heard Zayn yell, “Who is it?”

“Me!” he said, trying the doorknob. Finding it unlocked, he let himself in.

“Hey,” said Zayn from his perch on the sofa. He was wearing plastic gloves and a bottle of lotion sat on the coffee table.

“What are you doing?” Louis asked, and read the bottle’s label: Glamourous Vixen Bronze Glow Self-Tanning Lotion. “What the fuck is that?”

“I got it off the internet,” Zayn said.

“Why are you wearing gloves?” Louis said.

“So it won’t stain my hands,” Zayn said, and when Louis cracked up, he added indignantly, “In case you don’t know, Liam prefers guys with good tans!”

“Then why not get some sun like a normal bloke?” Louis said, still laughing.

“Causes wrinkles,” Zayn sniffed. “Get out if you’re gonna be a twat.”

“I wanted to talk to Harry, actually, is he here?” Louis glanced at the slightly ajar bedroom door.

“I talked to him earlier; he kipped at a friend’s place,” Zayn said.

“Oh… Caroline?” Louis guessed dourly.

“Nick,” Zayn said, applying another layer of lotion. “This DJ he’s good mates with.”

“Yeah, I met him last night. He’s a DJ?” Louis said, trying not to sound envious. “That’s a wicked job.”

“Yeah, it is. He’s good; he’s really funny,” Zayn said. “Did you guys meet him at a club or something?”

“No, he came by later on, after you left,” Louis said.

“Wow, can’t picture him in a place like that,” Zayn laughed. “Totally not his speed. Was all them, like, hipsters with him? Would’ve liked to see them in there.”