Balance

Chapter 14

"No, Louis.  No way in hell," Zayn protested, arms crossing over his chest.  He was frowning at Louis as the shorter boy flittered around their flat in search of a jacket or any sort of suitable outer garment for his purpose.

"But Zayn, he wants me to meet him.  He's going to tell me or show me something important, I can just feel it.  I can't just not go," whined Louis in counter, slipping on a sweater over the dark navy tank top he had been wearing around after rehearsal.  The dancer shook out his hair that had been ruffled out of place by the fabric and gave his roommate a withering look before continuing his search for a garment that could withstand a midnight in London.

"And you really think going out and meet a boy who is so obviously keeping secrets from you is a good idea, Lou?  What if you get hurt?" Zayn retorted, stepping between Louis and one of his own dark leather jackets that had been left lying casually over the back of the couch.  Louis attempted to sidestep his friend but was blocked on all attempts.  He heaved a sigh and moved a bit back.

"What happened to being on his side, Z?  It was you who suggested he may not be a vandalistic criminal and that he might be innocent and all that."  Louis mirrored Zayn's posture, folding his arms over his torso with an accusing glare.

It wasn't that he was really upset; Louis simply wanted answers and he knew that going out to meet up with the cryptic skater boy would at least answer a few of them.  Harry had made it seem as though things would get explained, things Louis had wondered about since first meeting the skater boy.  Louis needed that closure, even if it meant going against Zayn's advising to get it.

"Look, Louis.  I get that you want to figure shit out; I really do.  But at least meet at a reasonable time in a place that is less..." Zayn made a vague gesture with his hands in place of an adjective.  "I'm just worried about my little Louis—tiny Twinkle Toes."  Stepping forward, Zayn's fingers latched onto his roommate's cheek and pinched it playfully.

Louis glared at him for a moment, pulling out of the loose grip and making as if to bite down on Zayn's finger.  He let out a noise akin to a small dog's bark and snarled to the best of his ability.  Zayn obviously caught onto the humour and grinned at the shorter boy.

"At least let me come with you," Zayn allowed, knowing that Louis was stubborn and that even if he agreed with what Zayn had said, he would try and sneak out all the same.

"But Zayn, he seemed pretty secretive as it was.  My instructions were specific; meet at exactly midnight at the skate park," Louis responded with a slightly pleading tone.

"Did he state specifically that you couldn't bring anyone?" countered Zayn.  Louis let out a frustrated sigh and tore his hands through his hair.

"No, but he practically kissed me trying to whisper so softly that only I could hear!" the dancer groaned, willing Zayn to understand.  What he didn't expect was Zayn's expression to go suddenly smug.

"He practically kissed you?" echoed Zayn with a smirk.  Louis gazed at him in confusion until synapses in his mind began to make the connection.  To clarify, Zayn was moving to loom over Louis with what the shorter boy could only describe as a 'know-it-all' look about him.  "This is a date."

Louis' instincts told him to say no, to tell the truth that this was honestly just a meet up to get the questions that Louis asked cleared up and resolved.  However, he knew that to do that wouldn't get Zayn off of his case and they'd be back to square one with Louis trying to get around his roommate in order to leave in time to meet at Harry's designated midnight curfew.  Louis needed to lie.

Casting his gaze down onto his feet, Louis adorned his most bashful appearance, capturing his lower lip between his teeth coyly.  "Zayn, shut up," he snapped halfheartedly, keeping his voice soft and embarrassed sounding.