If I Could Fly

Chapter 4 - The Dinner

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Louis' POV

When the match ends we file into the locker room cheering and clapping each other on the back on the way in. I am blissfully delirious with excitement and adrenaline, this right here is the best part of being captain. The energy in the locker room is electric, everyone is filled with so much pride. The whole team is bouncing off the walls with excitement. My favorite part of footie is seeing everyone thrive on the pitch and support each other when someone makes a mistake. In the heat of the moment people get frustrated but the second we are on the sidelines or in the locker room I see the lads band together. Team unity is something that is essential if we ever want to win a match. Being disconnected from one another is worse than making a silly mistake. Being able to know what the other person is going to do without having to talk about it is invaluable. And luckily we have that, well now we do. When Theo was captain it was like we were his chess pieces, no one was allowed to make a move without his direction and if you dared to think for yourself he would show you just what happens to people who don't know how to listen. When I became captain the first thing I did was to run drills with a different person leading each time so we were able to see each person's style, strengths, and weaknesses. Most people knew each other fairly well so it wasn't hard to get the team to work together but it did have some challenges simply because I was the one telling them what to do. At this point I think even the guys 'loyal' to Theo would admit that the team has improved significantly.

Liam and I finish changing before Stan and he tells us to go ahead of him because he wants to say hi to Diana before we leave. We agree and head out towards the car park where Zayn, Niall, and Harry are waiting. During the game I could clearly hear them cheering for Liam, Stan, and myself and it honestly felt nice. I know they came to support Liam, but they still made the effort to cheer for me and Stan. My mum and sisters try to make it out for the bigger matches but it's too much of a hassle for all five of them to come to the smaller ones and I have never complained. And well... someone doesn't like them coming to my games. I know they love me, it just is too hard and complicated sometimes. But it did feel nice having someone in the stands cheering me on and watching me, and not just someone from school yelling for anyone they see but someone I know came to watch me and my mates.

Once we make it over to the car park I easily spot the boys standing by Harry's range rover. Of course he has a range rover, I roll my eyes internally. Harry is leaning against it, hands in his pockets with his chin tucked on Niall's shoulder. But he doesn't look like his normal relaxed and confident self that draws all of your attention to him, he looks like... he doesn't want attention? He sort of looks sunken in on himself, and he is literally hiding behind Niall. I'm not sure what it is but something is off.

Liam: "Hey mates! Thanks for coming to the match!" he says excitedly and throws his arms out to the side and clapping them together while jogging over to the group.

Zayn: "Of course it was fun! You guys did awesome!" Zayn beams back pulling Liam in for a quick hug.

While Liam and Zayn chat I notice how reserved Harry really is, just like how he was in the library. I never would have expected this from him based on how he seems around campus. Harry is always surrounded by people, like he is this social butterfly that everyone desperately needs to be around. Just yesterday I would have easily said that Harry Styles was the most confident person on campus. He always seemed like the most self-assured person you would ever meet. He exudes confidence with the way he carries himself and is able to strike up an easy conversation with anyone. But maybe that isn't the case? Earlier today he seemed almost bashful in a small group as opposed to the mobs he normally commands. This is a very...unexpected side of him I am seeing.

Stan jogs up behind me and I turn my head when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

Stan: "Hey guys sorry to do this but Diana's parents are here and they want to go out to dinner, I'm gonna have to bail on our plans" hands on Liam and my shoulders as we were at the edge of the group, looking across the other boys faces for any indication they are upset.