The Boy Across The Bay

Chapter 2

Louis Tomlinson, the party animal of Lincolnshire—the entire United Kingdom, more like. He was known for his extravagant and memorable parties every Friday night. He was Gatsby before Gatsby. There wasn't a Friday night when his estate wasn't lit up with lights, lively music, and people.

These parties were a family tradition, you see. Every King Tomlinson before him hosted these events. His father had told him that it was a way of celebrating the heritage of their ancestors and a way to show their gratitude for the land and beautiful kingdom they possess.

They hadn't always invited the common folk of the kingdom, that is until Louis was crowned king.

Louis was a different breed of Tomlinson. He actually cared about his people and what was best for them, not just for him and what would keep him rich, unlike his father, and his father before that, and so on.

This was the first thing Louis did when he was crowned king. Since his coronation was on a Friday, he threw an "after party" to celebrate. His father was all for it, until Louis "accidentally" forgot to mention he had invited literally the entire kingdom. His father had a few words to say about that, but he couldn't do anything about it anymore. Louis was king now. Not him.

And now they were going to live by Louis' new rules.

Louis' father, Jack, died shortly after his son's coronation. His mother had died not long after she gave birth to Louis, so it was only him and his father for nearly 20 years.

Louis doesn't know how he would have survived that long if Zayn hadn't entered his life. Zayn Malik was his best friend; they met when they were around 12 at a hunting tournament both their fathers brought them to. That was the best day of his life.

Zayn was Louis' other half. He was a party animal, exactly like Louis. He hated Louis' father, exactly like Louis. Wherever Louis went, Zayn went too. They were joined at the hip, so much so that after Louis' father died, Zayn moved into the castle with Louis. Together, they continued to throw parties, get drunk, and have fun. They were unstoppable.

⋯

It was another beautiful Friday morning at the Tomlinson estate. Another Friday, another party.

Zayn has been busy planning this week's party for months now. This was an important one. This would be the first party Zayn would host alone. Louis wasn't going to be at his own party.

Zayn and Louis had a plan.

"I'm honestly so nervous, Lou," Zayn confessed. They were in the drawing room, shooting a round of pool while drinking their morning tea. "I've never had to do this without you. It's always fun and relaxing when you're there because you usually deal with the announcements and any issues that arise. What if I don't know what to say or what to do? I—"

"Z!" Louis interrupted Zayn's rambling. "You'll be absolutely fine. You needn't worry. You have been carefully planning this for months, yeah?" Zayn nodded. "Well then you're prepared! Relax!" Louis reassured him.

Zayn sighed, "I just don't understand why you have to go, why can't you just send Luther?" Luther was Louis' manservant. His right hand man within the help of the castle.

Louis groaned, frustrated. "Z...We've been over this. This is way too important for us to put in the hands of someone other than the two of us."

"It's just an invitation, Louis! It's not like you're asking him to have your babies!" Zayn huffed.

Louis rolled his eyes, "really Zayn?"

"Look all I'm saying is I don't see why you need to be the one to physically invite him?" Zayn explained.

"Because it needs to come from me! Otherwise, this whole thing is pointless. This is only the first step—it's like a first impression—it needs to go well, otherwise the whole thing is meaningless," he explained.

"Alright...fine. I'll host this party all by myself..." Zayn stated.

"Good, because you have no choice!" Louis chuckled.

Zayn rolled his eyes with a smirk on his face as he sank the 8 ball into the top left pocket. "I win!" He exclaimed.

"That is because I let you win. Think of it as a thank-you for doing this for me tonight," said Louis as he winked at Zayn.

Zayn gave him an offended look and said, "if that helps your ego, then yes. You're welcome." They both smiled.

⋯

The guests are arriving at Louis'—Zayn's—party. Zayn is losing his mind. So Louis is with him in the library, which is the only place—aside from their bedrooms—that is closed off to guests, busy talking him off the ledge.

"You'll do great! S'all fine! You're Zayn Malik. Correct?" Louis looked at him, hands on Zayn's shoulders.

Zayn looked at him like he was the one losing his mind. "Yeah...And. Your. Name. Is. Louis. Tomlinson. Are you alright?"

Louis rolled his eyes. "Yes I'm perfectly fine. Stop talking to me like I'm incompetent." He shook his head. "The entire time I've known you, you have never backed down from a challenge."

Zayn nodded, smiling as he recalled the adventurous times he and Louis had had.

"So think of this as a challenge," Louis said as he slowly let go of Zayn's shoulders, and started to back away, hoping what he said will stick.

Zayn thought for a moment and then nodded his head. "Yeah, you're right! I can do this! I accept the challenge!"

"Very well! Now if you don't mind," Louis said as he headed towards the door. "I have a party of my own to attend."

"Good luck!" Zayn yelled as Louis left. He had other reservations for which he could not be late.

⋯

By the time Louis arrived, guests were starting to flood into the grand ballroom. He walked in with a crowd of debutantes squealing with excitement about what tonight would bring.

He walked around for a bit, making the effort not to be noticed by anyone. Suddenly King Thomas and Queen Alexandria walked out onto the grand balcony, making their grand entrance and thanking everyone for being here tonight. Louis wasn't really paying attention, this wasn't what he was here for.

"...Prince Harry Styles of Southern Lincolnshire!" The king announced.

Louis looked up to see Harry walking out onto the balcony alongside his parents with a smile on his face.

That is what he was here for.

As Harry made his speech, Louis couldn't help but get lost in a trance as he listened to his voice. He could listen to him speak nonsense for the rest of his life, and it would take all of his stress away forever.

Louis snapped out of it when Harry waved to the crowd and made his way back through the curtain.

He needs to find him.

He saw Harry walk down the grand staircase and started to approach him from the side. Then he heard him being summoned by the queen, so he retreated back to the wall he had been hugging for the better part of the night, hoping to go unnoticed until the timing was right.

He watched Harry walk around the gala with a young lady on his arm. She was pretty; Harry didn't seem to think so, or maybe she had bad breath. Either way, Louis thought Harry looked uncomfortable being around her.

As Louis kept watching—and no, this doesn't make him a stalker, because he's on a mission, a very important one—Harry started to walk towards some big doors. Louis was worried that he was leaving, so he started to go after him. That's when Harry looked over his shoulder, so Louis had to hide behind a waiter, and then Harry circled back towards the grand staircase. Louis followed suit.

Once Louis got around the corner, Harry was already leaning on the staircase railing with an empty champagne glass in hand. Louis watched him from afar in an empty corner of the room—everyone else was near the orchestra, dancing—Harry seemed to be looking for someone or avoiding someone. Louis watched him intensively.

That's when they locked eyes.

Perfect.