Lou's Gold (Larry Stylinson) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 13: That's the Plan

"You're shitting me!" Niall exclaimed, nearly tipping over his drink from excitement.

"Not at all," I laughed. "It's not something I go around telling strangers so, keep my secret to yourself."

"Can I see it?"

I threw my head back and laughed, holding my half empty beer in front of him. "Perhaps after a few more of these."

His laugh filled my ears as well as those around us, annoyed stares surrounded us in the chairs where we sat. Niall and I got on very quickly and he told me a lot more about himself than I told him about me. He explained all about his family in Ireland and his business in Doncaster. He'd come to work in a "water-picture thing" with a friend of his father's who said they needed help with the family business.

" 'Payne' was the name?" I asked, scrunching my forehead as I knew I'd heard something familiar to that before.

"Yeah, it's where you develop photographs. I don't do the actual work, I manage paperwork and shipment of the photograph paper and pictures shipped internationally. Living with the family used to be a bit strange but after two years with them I'm just another member," He beamed. "Liam, Geoff's son, is like a brother to me."

 Payno. Louis' voice echoed in my head and my eyes sunk to the floor, not daring to look up at Niall again. Shit, they know each other.

I brought my drink to my lips, stopping the current conversation and hoping for him to bring something else up. Liam must have told Niall all about me. I placed the drink back down and turned to Niall. "People still develop photos in dark rooms?"

He shrugged. "Mainly large companies for business. I guess that makes my job easier." He smiled and looked at his hands, perhaps feeling I'd belittled his occupation. "How's your T.V. dilemma going?"

"It's taken a lot longer than I intended it to be," I laughed.

"Three days, you said, to take a T.V. back to your home?"

"Ridiculous, really."

"Why is that?"

"Well," I began, nodding my head towards the stage behind us, "I seem to be having bad luck these past few days."

He laughed as he shifted in his chair, turning his body to the stage. "I don't think you did that bad. You just needed to be a bit more organized. You're very talented."

"With today's performance, I don't think I'd make it past the first stage of the X Factor." I smiled and turned like Niall did, our backs to the bar.

"I'd have given you a 'yes'." He nudged my side and stood up. "Lets try that song of yours again. Show me and the rest of this crowd you're not just a delusional wannabe rockstar."

I put my hands out in front of me and stood up. "I can't, I have to start sobering up. I need to finally take care of that T.V. thing and go home."

He laughed and gently pushed me in front of him, "You don't have to be drunk to sing! I'll go up there with you!"

"I think I've made myself look like enough of an idiot, I doubt one more song would change anyone's mind."

His face went from a childish pout to a devilish grin. He took a hold of my arm and leaned in to whisper in my ear. "If you don't, I'll tell everyone you have six toes."

"We've got a duet for you all today," the announcer said, attempting to hide his laughter from seeing me on stage again. "We've got Nialler and Mic Throwing Harry!"