Ghost Be Gone!

3

"Can I offer you a cup of tea?" Louis asked.

"Sure. We need to discuss our strategy." Niall said and took a seat by the table.

Louis walked into the kitchen and was surprised when Harry followed him behind.
"I thought I could help you carry." Harry said.

"Thanks." Louis smiled.

He filled the kettle with water and pointed at the cabinet where he stored tea cups. Harry opened it.
"So have you moved to London recently?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I'm from Doncaster originally." Louis informed him.

"Really? I'm from Holmes Chapel. It's a village a couple of hours from Donny." Harry said.

"I've heard of it. So you went to University here in London?" Louis asked while he found his collection of tea.

"Yeah, that's where I met Liam, Zayn, and Niall." Harry replied.

They continued to small talk while they prepared the tea. As they carried it to the dining room the other guys looked up at them.
"What?" Harry questioned.

"We have an idea how to lure the ghost out and it involves the two of you." Niall smirked.

"Is this one of your so-called great ideas? I'm sorry in advance, Louis." Harry muttered.

"Just hear me out. So, the ghost is a homophobic asshole, right? He definitely wouldn't stay away if there was some man-on-man action going on." Niall grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Niall! Bloody hell. You can't be serious!" Harry protested and blushed.

"What? You like kissing guys and Louis like kissing guys. I mean, I guess I could take one for the team if you don't wanna kiss each other. A kiss is just a kiss, right? Maybe just some light ass squeezing. I don't know if I wanna kiss a guy, no offense Louis. You're good-looking and all. It's just not my thing." Niall rambled.

"Oh God, you have no filters. Shut up, Niall!" Harry grunted. He was red as a tomato.

Louis started giggling.
"Anyone wants milk in their tea?"

Liam and Zayn raised their hands. Louis walked back to the kitchen to grab the milk. He could hear Harry argue with his friends. He tried to keep his voice low but it was pretty obvious what they were discussing. Louis liked Niall. No filters for sure, but he was direct and seemed unaware that what he said might sound weird or offensive. Louis wasn't offended though. He thought it was pretty funny. He wouldn't mind kissing Harry either.

He entered the dining room and handed over the milk.
"The first time I heard the voice was when I made out with someone after me move-in party." He informed them.

"See? This is an excellent idea!" Niall commented.

Louis turned to Harry.
"I don't want you to feel uncomfortable and I swear this isn't some lame excuse to swap saliva with you. I think if we pretend like we're gonna kiss he'll come running from wherever he's hiding. We don't actually have to make out."

Harry gave him an evaluating look. Louis felt embarrassed. Just because they both were gay didn't mean that Harry found him attractive. Maybe the idea repulsed him.
"Sorry, lousy idea."

"No, no. It's worth a try. I mean, unless you're uncomfortable being that close... Crap, this is awkward!" Harry stressed.

"I'm okay with it. You?" Louis asked.

"Yeah." Harry replied.

They turned their heads to look at the three other guys just to find them following their conversation with interest. Niall had a huge grin on display. Louis shook his head in amusement.
"Let's just drink our tea first." He said and took a seat.

They all talked lightly while they drank, getting to know each other a little. When they had finished their tea it was time to put the plan in motion.
"I think Harry and I should go to me bedroom. That's where he usually talks to me."

"We'll wait outside, ready to burst in. Headphones guys." Liam said.

They got up. Louis gulped nervously. He was no stranger to making out with people he just met but not like this. He glanced at Harry. He seemed nervous too, discretely checking his breath by blowing into his palm. Louis suppressed a giggle.

They had reached his bedroom. Zayn, Liam, and Niall got out of the way and pressed their backs against the wall. They had their equipment ready and looked like dorks in Louis' eyes. Cute dorks. He smiled fondly.
"Ready?" Harry asked.

"Yeah." Louis breathed out. They glanced at each other.

He put his hand on the door handle and pressed it down. Harry grabbed him from behind and pushed him and they stumbled inside the bedroom. Louis almost lost his balance and Harry giggled.

Louis managed to stay on his feet and spun Harry around.
"Come here you sexy beast. I've wanted to kiss you since you rang me doorbell." He said too loud and over dramatic.

Harry was thrown back by that but collected himself. He wrapped his arms around Louis' shoulders.
"Same."

They hesitated and stared at each other. Louis placed his arms around Harry's back. He was taller than him. He got up on his toes and started to lean in. They both held their breath. Louis looked around, searching for a ghost he couldn't see.

When their lips were brushing against each other he heard the voice.
"Not in my apartment!"

Liam, Zayn, and Niall came running into the room.
"Simon, let's talk." Zayn said.

The rest of them just stood there looking around. Louis had let go of Harry and took a step back. Zayn rushed over to his walk-in closet and opened the doors.
"Simon, wait! I just want to talk."

They poked their heads inside to watch. Zayn was just standing there. He sighed and turned around.
"He vanished. I don't know where he went."

"Great, now what?" Louis asked.

"We'll wait him out." Niall said.