Some things change. | l.s.

17

The last two weeks were a challenge for Louis.

For one because work was stressful and he spent more hours of the day at the office than at home just as the majority of his employees as every time when a deadline was near and the last perfections and details needed to be adjusted. Apart from work he was struggling with every kind of emotions and racking his brain with questions he was in desperate search for an answer to, but he felt like he was running on one spot with no way out. His therapist told him in each session- which were now twice a week because of his recent breakup with Mallory and he couldn't cope with all the changes of his life- that he should take moments for himself where he tried not to think of anything and force his brain to shut off, possibly distract himself and surround him with things that caused him joy, but no matter what he did it didn't help and he couldn't afford taking some spare minutes for himself.

Now he was at the grocery store, stressed out of his mind because he should've been at the office for twenty minutes already, but out of all days everyone seemed to have to go grocery shopping today at eight in the morning. He wanted to do it after work, but he knew he had a lot to do today so he didn't know if he'd be able to make it before the store closed in the evening and Mallory was on a business trip until tonight so she couldn't do the shopping either.

He finally made it to the checkout line and after waiting for a long fifteen minutes he eventually packed all the groceries in two paper bags after paying.

Securing the bags under his arms he just made a step towards the exit when he heard it. The bottom of the right bag made a ripping noise and Louis knew he was just seconds away from having to gather all his groceries from the floor and the first thing he thought of was being embarrassed in front of countless of people and fear spread through him causing him to freeze as he just waited for the bag to rip entirely helplessly.

He heard another ripping sound and exhaled a shaky breath, shutting his eyes to somehow escape the situation when he knew it wouldn't do shit, but then he felt a presence next to him and before he even registered what was happening the half ripped bag got snatched out of his arm, only faintly hearing a 'woah there'.

Then he realised who that voice belonged to and he opened his eyes with a puzzled look on his face, turning to the man who saved his groceries and kept the bag in a firm grip with both hands to keep it together managing not dropping a single item in the act.

"That was close. You alright?" Liam asked with a smile when their eyes met.

"Uh...y-yeah." Louis mumbled confused. "Thanks."

"No worries. Let's get them to your car before an accident happens." Liam chuckled and nodded to the bag in his hands.

"Y-yeah, uhm...right." Louis said with a frown, not quite understanding what was happening and if that was real or just a twisted dream. The next thing he thought was if he had to expect a turning point and Liam suddenly running away with his groceries or luring him into a trap, but almost immediately he forced this picture out of his mind when he realised how ridiculous that was. He couldn't help the uneasy feeling in his guts though.

Hesitantly he turned towards the entrance, Liam following shortly until they were on the parking lot and Louis fumbled out his car keys to open it.

"Wow, Jaguar F-type. 5.0 litre V8, I suppose?" Liam whistled impressed eyeing the high shine Bordeaux red car.

Louis was surprised by his comment and turned to him with slightly raised eyebrows after opening the trunk and storing the bag away, Liam carefully dropping the other one next to it.

"Yes, right." He said perplexed. "It's the R75 Facelift, newest model. I think it's a bit over the top, I mean, who needs 575HP in a city like London, but I guess it's alright." He shrugged with a light chuckle, but regained himself quickly when Liam looked at him surprised- probably because none of them thought Louis would pick up on the conversation so easily.