coffee stains ; larry stylinson

chapter nine

"hi! sorry to bother, but can you show me where the library is? i'm new here."

louis turned around to see the source of the familiar voice and was mildly surprised to see one of the new workers from the small bakery down the street of louis' apartment standing in front of him. he was taller than louis and was smiling nervously at him. he had raven black hair styled into a quiff; chiseled face and hazel brown eyes. 

"oh, i know you!" louis said brightly. "you're...uh...zack?"

"it's zayn. you're the guy who's always buying cupcakes to feed an entire town, aren't you?"

louis shrugged apologetically. "love cupcakes. c'mon, i'll show you the library."

they made small talk as louis showed him around. he was a really cool guy and laughed at louis' jokes. he was particularly impressed with the school's book collection. 

"i really did not expect this. this place is a dream," he said as he looked around the library. louis could relate. it might be a small high school, but the library was promising. 

"thanks for this, louis," zayn said as he picked out a couple of books.

"no problem," louis replied and was about to make himself scarce when zayn called for him. he turned with a raised eyebrow.

"a friend and i are going to the club tonight. it'd be cool if you joined us."

"sure. see you there." 

. . .

"what the fuck do i wear to the club?" 

louis had spent half an hour staring at his closet. he'd never been to a party ( unless you count a fourth grade birthday party) let alone the club.

"louis. it's a club. you could show up in underwear and nobody would bat an eyelash." eleanor's voice floated from louis' screen. he'd called her about fifteen minutes ago to seek her aid. parties and drinking and hooking up were her thing. not louis'. he'd rather stay in and sleep. 

"remind me why you can't come?" louis sighed while raiding a drawer.

"duty calls," she said casually.

"more like booty calls," louis muttered and eleanor flipped him the bird.

"well thank you for being completely useless," said louis cheerfully as his finger hovered over the end call button. "next time i want my time wasted, i'll know who to call."

"glad to be of service. don't get pregnant." eleanor blew him a kiss and louis rolled his eyes before hanging up. ultimately, he chose to wear a denim button down, skinny jeans and his newest pair of vans which were about a year old. 

"here goes nothing," he mumbled as he grabbed his keys and stepped out of his apartment, shutting the door firmly behind him. 

. . .

the club was a concoction of colors and people. 

there were people literally everywhere. on the dance floor, by the bar, against the wall on the floor. louis grimaced. he did not want to even begin imagining what sort of shit was on that floor. 

eleanor was right. he overdid his outfit. standing in a button up and pristine shoes, he felt a little incongruous in a surrounding where half naked people swarmed around him. he searched for zayn but he hadn't arrived yet. or abandoned you. louis shrugged off the thought and awkwardly made his way to the bar. 

"can i help you with something?" a deep voice spoke and louis looked up to see a bartender not much older than himself looking at him expectantly. he was tall ( but then for louis everyone was) and lightly muscled. light stubble spread across his jaw and dark blonde hair was pulled into a man bun. his wrist adorned a tattoo though louis couldn't make out what the text said. he was cute. but not louis' type of cute. maybe eleanor would like him.