ILTHY | l.p.

9 | l (louis not love) opens the door

CHAPTER NINE
❛ 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴
'𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱. ❜
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[ y/n ]

Here I am, standing in front of a closed door.

There is no harm in doors. In fact, they're really helpful. I mean, they give you privacy and shit. And you can slam them when you're mad. I always find a certain amount of pleasure in slamming a door in front of someone's face when I hate them.

And so, in fact, I love doors.

So what's so different about this door?

Is it the fact that I know that if I try to knock and open it, he is the one on the other side?

God. Why am I so scared of wood with a doorknob? I've officially lost it. And the fact that I just said I love doors? Who even says that?

I shake off my useless thoughts and raise a closed fist, ready to knock. But I froze midway and ended up looking like a complete idiot standing by a door.

It's just a fucking door.

Just a door.

Taking a deep breath, I step closer and attempt to knock a second time. I knocked three times, practicing over and over in my head how to say 'hello' in a totally not awkward way that could possibly ruin everything for the show, and—

Holy shit. The door opened. It opened, and Louis is fucking towering over me, an arm resting by the side of the door, almost too near to touch my head.

"Can I help you?" Louis asked, his deep voice with that, oh, so accent I should be used too—but still makes me really nervous. He narrowed his eyes down at me and stared at me, waiting.

And I stared back at him. Dumbfounded.

"Do you need me?" He questioned me after a few moments of awkward silence and staring. And that's when I realized that I do, in fact, need him. I need Louis Partridge. I need to get over myself and get this done.

"I'm here for the song," I say a little too quickly.

The corners of Louis' lips curled up just a little, then he nodded slowly. "Right. Do you want to start right away?"

I shrugged and clicked on my tongue, eyes darting over the ceiling, back to the stupid door. Everywhere, just not his eyes. "I mean, whatever."

"Whatever?" Louis repeated my words, and it's the only proof I need to label myself as the biggest idiot who comes up with the lamest things to say. I ended up shrugging again, ignoring the urge to throw myself off the nearest window.

The front door from down the stairs opened and closed, and my blood ran colder when I realized Issie had left and I really was alone at home with Louis.

I hear Louis hum, then speak afterwards. "You do know your way around the kitchen, yeah?"

I nod.

"Mille left the cookies she promised me in the refrigerator. Could you get that while I find the things we need?"

"Whatever."

Oh, I am so lame.

And this time, Louis smiled. It wasn't huge or that obvious, but it was there. "I'll be down in 5."

"Take your time or whatever." I clear my throat, shrugging once again.

"I will." The smile on Louis' face never faded as he closed his door again, leaving me staring at the wood. I think he finds me funny. Or not. But that smile is something. Maybe he just finds me really stupid for trying to act cool and unbothered.

I should feel embarrassed, and frankly, I do. But at the time, I kind of felt proud; I made Louis Partridge smile at how lame I am. I mean, come on, this is the same guy who watched me grow up with his sister. The one who knew me like the back of his hand. He already knows I'm not one of those cool girls, so why should I even try to be one?

Louis entered his room once more, but kept the door open for about 3 inches. I could wonder why he didn't close it on my face, but I guess this is his way of showing me how his door would always be open for me.

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