Getting in shape... with Liam Payne

The Dating Game

Liam’s P.OV.

“Long time no see, man!” Louis beamed as he pulled me into one of his signature bear-hugs.

 I was glad to see him finally back from London where he’d been to check out the campus of the university he was going to attend next year. Louis was two years older than me nevertheless, he was he brother I never had – I’d known him since childhood and our parents had also been friends ever since their university years. We also looked a bit alike – our hair was almost the same, dark shame of brown and we were of similar height. Between the two of us, Louis was the joker and I watched out for him. Like when Louis got slam-drunk at some house-party  he could barely stand and I had to not only carry his half-conscious form to the car and drive him home, but also explain the delicate situation to his outraged parents who had stayed up to see their responsible son return home. But our roles could be easily reversed if need be – like that time when I was seconds from taking this girl I had just met in a club home and Louis saved me from this mistake by pretending to be gay and by boyfriend. I will never forget the way Lou walked up to me that time: drink in hand, hips swaying nonchalantly, sassiness virtually radiating off of him. I almost didn’t recognize him when he spoke in that exaggerated, high voice:

“Boo-boo what are you doing? And with a female?!” he gasped and then raised his voice to an even higher pitch, “I thought what we had was real, baby!” he literally sounded to the edge of tears, but perhaps he was just holding back the viscous urge to laugh. Oh Louis – you saved my life that night.

So when I found out he got accepted into the University of London, as glad as I was for him, I was also a bit sad that we wouldn’t get to see each other as often. On the bright side I could always drive up to London to visit him and he’d tell me all about campus life so I’ll know what to expect when my turn comes.

“Yeah, it’s been a whole week!” I teased sitting down in one of the plushy sofas in the secluded part of our favorite coffee shop just beside West Park. Lou grinned as he put down our tray, jammed with coffee and snacks, and sat down on the sofa facing me.

“So what have you been up to, huh? Met someone interesting while I was away?” Oh god yes! I was waiting for that question ever since Friday which was now three whole days away. Louis would always patronize met about not dating anyone even though he didn’t have a girlfriend either. This time however, I had an answer that was sure to surprise him.

“Actually, yes I have.” Upon hearing this Louis choked on his coffee a little before managing to compose himself into his usual, carefree state.

“Really?! Who? Is she hot? It is a she right? But if she’s not a she then that’s cool too – just saying.” I couldn’t help but laugh at my best friends’ confused babble.

“Her name’s Alice. We met at the gym and she’s absolutely marvelous. And to answer your question – yes she is hot but if you so much as look at her in that corrupt way of yours-”

“Whoa lad! No worries there, I’m not going to steel her form you. Because, it just so happens, that on my trip to London I too met someone.”  My jaw dropped a mile down at Louis’s cocky tone.

“Dude, why didn’t you tell me? That’s brilliant – is she hot?”

“What’s it to you?” he smirked before continuing, “But on a serious note; yeah, she’s beautiful. Her name’s Eleanor and she’s also a future student of my University. Back to you though, did you take her on a date already? I bet my date with El was far better than yours.”

“Oh you bet do you? I’m always up for a bet,” I grinned at Louis. For a mere second he was surprised at my eagerness but then a smirk played on his lips and knew he liked the idea of a bet.