I love him (L.S.)

Chapter 17

Harry

After I dropped Lou off, I couldn't help but smile liked an idiot as I drove home. I had to remind myself to focus on the road because my mind kept drifting back to louis.

Louis. My boyfriend.

The moment kept replaying in my mind over and over again. The way he looked when I asked to be his boyfriend.

His eyes, those incredible blue eyes, widened in surprise and then softened with warmth. There was a moment of pure, unfiltered emotion that passed between us. It felt like the world had stopped just for us.

When he said yes, his voice was soft but sure. 'Yes, Harry" he whispered and it was the sweetest sound I had ever heard. His cheeks flushed a delicate pink and his smile so radiant.

That smile- It was everything.

As I drove, I kept thinking about how much I wanted to see that smile again and again. I felt a deep, overwhelming need to make him happy, to do anything to keep that smile on his face.

I'd move mountains, face any challenge, just to see Lou smile like that. It made me realise how much he meant to me, how much I wanted to be the reason for his happiness.

By the time I pulled into my mum's driveway, the giddiness hadn't worn off. I was still floating on cloud nine, the memory of Louis' eyes, hug and his voice echoing in my mind.

I stepped inside, greeted by the familiar warmth of home. Mum, Gemma and Robin were already in the kitchen, chatting and preparing dinner.

As soon as I walked in, Gemma's eyes locked onto mine and she noticed the grin that I couldn't wipe off my face.

"What's with the smile, H?" She asked teasingly.

Before I could answer, she grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, out of earshot of Mum and Robin. "Spill. How was your date with my student?"

I laughed. The feeling of excitement bubble up again. "It was amazing, Gem. Louis and I..... We're boyfriends now."

Gemma's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Really!? That's fantastic H! I'm so happy for you!" She hugged me tightly, sharing my joy.

As we pulled apart, my smile faltered slightly. "Thanks Gem. I'm just... I'm worried about Zayn."

Her expression softened with understanding. "Why? What are you worried about?"

"I'm scared he'll get mad." I admitted. "Louis is his little brother and I'm his friend. I don't want him to feel like we went behind his back or that I took advantage of the situation. And then there's the age gap... Louis is 16, and I'm bloody old Gem. I'm 22! What if he thinks thats a problem?"

Gemma shook her head firmly. "Harry, Zayn knows you. He knows the kind of person you are. He won't think that. And if he does get upset initially, it won't be because he doesn't think you're good enough. It'll just be because he wasn't aware of the things happening."

"I guess." I said, still feeling the weight of my worry. "I just don't want to mess things up. Louis means so much to me, and I want everything to go right."

"Things will go right." Gemma reassured me. "Just be honest with Zayn. He deserves to know and its better if he hears it from you. But trust me, he's going to see how happy you make Louis, and that will make all the difference."

I nodded, feeling a bit more confident. Gemma always had a way of making me feel like things would work out. "Yeah, you're right. It just... It feels so perfect, and I don't want anything to ruin it."

"Nothing will." She said firmly. "You and Louis deserve t be happy. Zayn will get that."

We rejoined Mum and Robin for dinner, and the conversation flowed easily. Every now and then, Gemma would give me a knowing look and I'd smile back, feeling grateful to have her support.

As we sat there, eating and talking, I couldn't help but feel that things were going to be okay. I had my family. I had Louis.

For the first time in a long time, everything felt just right.

________________________________________________________________________

I stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed and relaxed. As I reached for my towel, my phone rang. I smiled, hoping it was Lou. I couldn't get enough of his voice.

I answered the call and Louis' face lit up on my screen. "Hey Hazza!" He said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

I felt a bit self-conscious, standing there shirtless with just a towel around my waist. I angled the phone in a way that it showed just the view up from my shoulders.

"Hey love" I replied, trying to sound casual despite my growing insecurity.

He has seen me shirtless before but that was my friend's brother. This was my boyfriend.

Louis started telling me about something Niall said but I couldn't shake off the feeling of exposure. My body wasn't perfect and I felt like Lou might see all my flaws. I didn't want that to happen.

"Hang on Lou. I need to uhm... change real quick." I said, my voice trailing off as I awkwardly placed the phone on the bed, facing the ceiling.

I quickly changes into an oversized t shirt and boxers, feeling more at ease.

When I picked up the phone again, Louis was still on the screen, looking worried. "H.... What's wrong? You seemed off."

He won't let this go. He definitely would have figured out whats the issue.

"Sorry about that, Lou. I just... I don't know, I feel a bit weird sometimes." I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

Louis' expression softened. "Hazza, you're beautiful baby. Don't hide from me. I care about you and I want you to feel comfortable around me. I'm here for you, not your body. But if it makes you feel better, I think you're perfect just the way you are."

I blushed. No one has ever made me feel so seen and accepted before. "Thanks Babe. That means a lot coming from you"

Louis just smiled before saying "Hey, look at your hair! It's so messy and adorable right now."

I chuckled, feeling more at ease. I ran my fingers through my hair as I spoke, "Yeah, I guess I need to get a haircut soon."

"Noooooo, don't do it. I love your long hair. It's so pretty. It's part of your charm."

As time passed, our conversation slowly died down and we found ourselves simply enjoying each other's company.

We watched each other's faces on the screen, feeling comfortable and at ease.

Eventually, my eyelids began to droop. We both were settled in, cosy in our respective spaces.

"Goodnight, Lou." I whispered, voice barely audible.

"Goodnight Hazza" He replied, voice soft.

As I drifted off to sleep, the FaceTime call remained active. I just knew Louis would have stayed awake just a couple more minutes to look at me sleep. Not in a creepy way. More of an admiring way.