Barricade Bunny

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DREAD

Waking with a screech, Louis jumps off the sofa, slipping on the floor and landing on his ass in the middle of the living room. He has no idea what just happened.

"Morning, little mouse."

Oh, Louis is pissed. Aint no fucken way that dickhead is getting a reaction out of him. Standing slowly inspecting his body for any breaks or blood Louis ignores Harry; stomping down the hallway towards the bathroom, he slams and locks the door. He's going to have a nice long shower and pray Harry is out of his fucken house when he gets out, or he better watch out.

After a nice long shower, a quick wank, and a face mask, Louis unlocks the door slowly and quietly. He peeks around the corner, looking towards the living room, and doesn't see Harry. He checks the bedroom taking note that Harry had made the bed, but his shirt is still on the floor at the end of the bed. Louis tiptoes towards the kitchen, finding that empty as well. The living room is water-free, with the added bonus of hot coffee on the countertop but no Harry. Opening the front door, he sticks his head out to find Harry's range rover no longer in the driveway. Thank fuck he doesn't have to deal with that situation today. He's exhausted mentally and physically from his long week. He has two days before he flies to Glasgow, and he needs to earn as much as he can working over the next 48 hours and pack his bag before his flight. Once he leaves the house, he will be back infrequently for over a year.

Between work and Harry, he is so distracted from the objective. Louis needs to remember Michael and why he is going on this adventure. Going to his contacts, he clicks on Harry's and sends him a message.

"Please do not contact me again; I'm no longer interested in whatever game this is. It's been fun, but it's over. Bye, Harry x."

Turning his phone off, Louis heads to his room to start packing. His heart feels heavy, but he doesn't have time to dwell on some stupid pop star. Louis thinks of Michael and what he's seen on social media. He is kind, caring, his accent is so cute, and he loves music. Michael is just the type of person Louis would love to get to know in and out of the bedroom. After Harry's chaos, he needs a sense of normality with a guy that isn't Harry's stupid style. Someone who can walk down the street without being mobbed and take time off and not disappoint thousands of crazy fans. Someone like Michael.

Folding the last of his clothes and putting them in his suitcase, Louis looks around his room, thinking about how much he is going to miss the daily routines he has created, working in the club every night, filming content in every room, enjoying a beer on the sofa, attempting but failing to cook in his kitchen. Most of all, Louis will miss the quiet. He decides to walk around the neighbourhood he has been living in for the past three years. Inserting his headphones and sliding into his favourite van, Louis steps outside only to find it pouring rain and freezing. He figures he could go for a walk anyway but doesn't have time to recover from a cold if he gets sick. Instead, he heads back inside, throwing himself onto his bed. Louis can smell the traces of vanilla on his pillowcase, and the slight scent of alcohol still lingers on his bed sheets. Drifting off into a restless nap, Louis wishes he had never met Harry Styles.

Then maybe he would feel something other than dread.