with venom on your tongue » l.s.

1 | LOUIS

Louis Tomlinson strived for perfection in everything he did.

From his pristinely pressed school uniform, to his meticulously organized class notes, and his strict, color-coded schedule to ensure he was at the top of his class, he never missed a single detail. He paid attention to things most people ignored and he brought class, integrity, and intellect wherever he went.

That was expected as a student at Saint Augustine Academy, an elite co-ed boarding school, nestled in a small New England town called Mayfair. Built in the early 1900s, it spanned several acres of land with tall, tan gothic buildings covered in ivy and surrounded by a deep, green forest. There were three dormitories on the edge of the campus, all within a short walk of the two buildings that contained the classrooms. Admissions and administration had their own designated space while students were free to roam in the dining hall, gymnasium, sports fields, courtyards, and library.

Only those with wealth or status were given a chance at Saint Augustine. They were judicious and frugal when it came to selecting the students who would be granted a seat at their prestigious school. But once selected, everyone was ensured a bright and successful future. Alumni ranged from top athletes, the most cutthroat and successful lawyers, the highest-ranking medical professionals, and notable politicians.

Which was why Louis couldn't understand why someone like Harry Styles studied here.

Studied was too generous of a word. Louis knew the boy never opened a single textbook with the intention of reading from it. The cocky football player was way too busy with his many dalliances and partying. It didn't help that the entire school was constantly at his beck and call, fawning all over him like he was the Second Coming. It was disgusting and embarrassing. More embarrassing than whatever Styles was currently spewing in their English class.

"At the heart of it, The Great Gatsby is a love story," he drawled, his strawberry pink lips stretched into a smooth, confident smile. "It's about the sacrifices Gatsby made for Daisy. The lengths he went to just to be able to see her again, taking the fall for her so she didn't have to suffer through the repercussions of her actions, and letting her go when she chose someone else over him. He died for his love because it was genuine, and I think that's the biggest theme of the book. Love."

Louis scoffed quietly to himself.

Harry turned to look at him, eyes gleaming brightly. "Did you have something to add, Louis?"

He must not have scoffed as quietly as he thought. Louis straightened in his seat as he looked Harry squarely in the eyes. "Actually, I do. Did you even read the book?"

"I'm sure he did, Mr. Tomlinson," their teacher, Mr. Collins, piped up from the front of the class.

"I'm not so sure, Mr. Collins," Louis supplied, his voice calm as he maintained his gaze on Harry. "Because if he did, he'd know that the biggest theme of the book is the American Dream and how it turned from achieving happiness and individualism to instead being all about success, gluttony, and having an abundance of wealth. On the surface, yes, it does sound like a love story, but most characters in the book were cheating on each other. They weren't loyal and —"

"— the main characters are Gatsby and Daisy, and they both loved each other from the start to the end," Harry cut in.

"Yes, but that's not what this novel is about," Louis replied, his voice getting louder at the interruption. "This novel is set right after World War I and the rise of the stock market. It led to an increase in wealth, so much so, that the people didn't know what to do with it, but they still wanted more. More money, more status, more of everything. That's the entire reason Nick leaves New York in the end. Because he realizes how damaging it all was. They were disillusioned. Gatsby thought if he had money and if he threw those lavish parties, he could have Daisy and they could live their happy life — the American Dream — but that didn't happen. It was that very love that led to his demise."