Misadventure

21

Harry's POV

"What's all this?" Liam's eyes widened as he entered our dorm, violin case in hand. He kicked off his shoes, eyeing my project with curiosity.

I was sat criss-cross on the floor at the coffee table, which was covered in scraps of decorative paper, scissors, glue, and a CVS bag full of things I'd picked up this morning. "I'm making a care package for Louis. Poor thing's had the flu all week."

I'd gotten an empty straw basket from the garden section to decorate for him, then filled the rest of the shopping cart with anything and everything I could think of that might help him feel better.

Paracetamol. Tums. Canned chicken broth. Saltine Crackers. Ginger ale. I even threw in some Halloween candy, well aware that he'd have to wait till he felt better to eat it, but I hoped it would at least raise his spirits, giving him something to look forward to when he was feeling less under the weather.

"I was going to get him a card, but they didn't have anything that looked good enough, so I thought I'd make him one myself," I explained.

Liam looked amused, stepping closer to examine the card in my hand. "Why is it scrotum shaped?"

"It's supposed to be a heart." I blushed furiously. "Does it really look that bad?"

"Naw, it's the thought that counts, right? I'm sure he'll love it cause it's from you."

"You don't know that," I muttered, cutting the edges of the card to try to make it look a little more heart shaped. At this point, I was just making it worse.

"Harry, this is the same boy who spent all night with you at a party, seven while you were asleep just to watch over you, cause he wanted to be make sure you'd be okay," Liam said. "He's nuts about you." He gestured to the card and smirked. "No pun intended."

"Why hasn't he asked me out yet?" I wondered out loud. "Should I just ask him? Is it too soon? Should I wait?"

Liam considered this for a moment. He sat down on the couch, and I hopped up beside him, sinking into the soft cushions with a groan. Romantic feelings were complicated and scary. I missed how simple things used to be between us when we were younger.

"Have you talked about your relationship ever?" he asked. "Maybe he's scared that you only like him as a friend, and he doesn't want to jeopardize your friendship by trying to turn into into something more."

"I don't think so." I thought back to our time together in Eastbourne. "We kissed once in high school. I'm pretty sure he knows how I feel about him. I'm just worried he might not feel the same anymore."

Just admitting this fear out loud was enough to make my heart sink. I didn't know what I'd do if it turned out my feelings for Louis weren't requited.

Liam placed a warm, firm hand on my shoulder. "I've seen the way he looks at you, Harry. Whether it's in the dining hall or the common lounge, or if he happens to spot you walking around campus. His eyes light up in a way that's unique, reserved only for you. He doesn't look at his other 'friends' like that."

I couldn't help but glow at this, grinning widely. "Really? You mean that?"

"Yes, I mean that." Liam laughed. "He gets the same look that you have on your face this very moment."

I was too giddy to bother feeling bashful. These words gave me a sudden bout of newfound hope. "I'm going to do it," I decided. "I'm going to ask him out on a date."

"As you should."

"I ought to shower first. And finish his gift basket... Oh my god, I haven't even thought about what I'm going to wear... What do you think? Should I dress up or go for casual?" My palms were sweating. I wiped them on my jeans.

"I don't think it matters what you wear, H," Liam told me. "He's not going to care, he's just going to be happy you're finally asking him out."

"You're no help at all!"

"On second thought, you should try to match your outfit to your gold glitter boots. Louis always stares at you extra fondly whenever you've got those bad boys on."

"I knew you were my friend for a reason."

****

"Harry? Hi, sweetheart. Um... what are you doing here?" Louis was a deer in headlights as he opened the door to greet me.

My stomach did a somersault. I was nervous enough as it was, but I thought he'd at least seem glad to see me. He didn't look glad. He looked panicked, and I couldn't understand why.

"I, erm, brought you something. If that's okay? I can leave if you want." I blushed furiously, keeping my head down.

"All that is for me?" He asked in disbelief, presumably looking at the basket I was holding in my sweaty, trembling hand.

"Yeah, um, it's nothing really. Just a couple things I thought you might need, you know, having the flu and all." My voice was barely above a whisper, but it was as loud as I could manage to speak at the moment. I'd known Louis forever, but sometimes I was still struck by such shyness in his presence.

I felt suddenly foolish, standing in his doorway unannounced in glittery boots, with my childlike, homemade gift. If he wanted to see me today, he would have texted me. But he hadn't. He was poorly and probably just wanted to rest. I was likely annoying him.

"You shouldn't have gotten me anything, love," he told me, and the air felt thick with the same tension that was there the last time we'd spoken.

I still couldn't look at his face. "I'm sorry."

"What? Why are you apologizing?" Louis asked, sounding puzzled. "You don't have to apologize."

Now I was confused as well. "Oh. Okay."

"Harry, look at me. Please?" His voice finally coaxed my eyes upwards, meeting his clear blue ones. There was something soft behind them, and the sight made my shoulders relax.

"I meant, you shouldn't have felt obligated to get me anything. I didn't mean that I don't appreciate it, cause I do," he explained gently. "It's lovely."

"You're lovely," I admittedly, but my boldness didn't last long. The eye contact was starting to feel a bit to intense, and I had to look away again, staring back down at my feet.

"I'm sorry for blowing you off all week," he said, now sounding a bit nervous himself. "I feel awful."

"It's okay."

He sighed. "It's really not. You deserve better. I really am sorry."

"It's not your fault, Lou." I realized this was the perfect window of opportunity to finally ask him. "Although, if you want to make it up to me, you could let me take you out on a date. You know... to clear your conscience." I looked him in the eye and tried to wink at him.

Louis laughed, which certainly wasn't the reaction I was going for. "Have you got something in your eye, darling."

"No," I grumbled quietly. "I was trying to wink, I'm just shit at it."

"I guess I'll just have to teach you during our date, just like I've taught you everything you know about piano. I'll have you know, I'm a bit of a winking prodigy as well. My mother is so proud," he joked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"That would be a strange thing to do on a date," I said very seriously. Then it hit me. I beamed. "Wait... is that a yes? You'll seriously let me take you out?"

"As long as you promise to wear your ridiculous glitter boots. You look adorable in them, babe."

"I would kiss you right now if you didn't have the flu," I told him, staring at his lips.

"Stupid fucking germs," he cursed. "I guess we'll just have to wait until our date."

"Pick you up Friday at six?"

Louis smiled, a glowing smile a hadn't seen on his face since we were kids.