Lou's Gold (Larry Stylinson) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 22: I Take It Back

Oh no, oh no, why?
The imminent drought threatens
The Gardener has come
Marching as he chants,
"I will wilt your precious rose"

╚Harry†╝

" 'Heroes and Cons™, details will be enclosed in the email you receive after signing up', yadda yadda, 'Our hosts look forward to meeting all our contestants', skipping ahead to-" Niall paused, reading the website page on his computer screen. I sat uncomfortably in the single sofa between the two larger ones, each containing a Louis and a Zayn. Since Louis and I stepped inside, they hadn't said a word to each other. I made a mental note to ask Louis what his problem was with Zayn. I sucked in my gut to keep my stomach from rumbling. I was partially hungry, but given how Louis looked in that green jacket with a white tee under, I was thirsty. "Okay, lads. Our names and ages as well as the number of band members is perfect. What's our band name?"

Louis glanced up from his phone, looking at each of us before looking back at his screen, "The Fistful of Assholes."

I snorted a laugh, causing a smile to form on Louis' lips. Zayn didn't find it as amusing as I did. He shook his head and walked to the computer desk with Niall. "How's about Niall and the Potatoes?"

"Or 'The Wave'."

"'The Paperbacks'."

I kept my eyes on Louis while Niall and Zayn bickered, trying to see what it was he was typing onto his phone. I knew he was in a conversation with someone since we came back inside. Every few minutes he'd put his phone down and stare at the ceiling before receiving a message back and replying.

Niall had been looking up the requirements on the computer, looking up what numbers to call, hotel reservations for the week we'll be in Los Angeles before the competition started and finally when our audition date would be. He turned in the chair to face me. "What do you suggest?"

I shrugged, "I'm not good with band names. I'm not good with names, period. I panicked trying to name my cat when I was young so I let my sister name her."

I heard Louis mutter something beside me, inaudible to Niall and Zayn. When their backs were to me and Louis once again, I nudged Louis' knee with mine, making him look up to me. I mouthed a "what" and he shook his head, forcing a smile before looking back at his phone. I want your attention, motherfucker.

I leaned forward to be closer to him. He noticed this gesture and immediately looked to the computer desk, seeing we were in the clear before turning back to me. "What did you say?" I whispered.

He brought the hood of his jacket over his head, surrounding his face in darkness. " 'Rogue', like villain, bad guy. I don't know, it sounds rather cool." His wide eyes expanded as he talked, bringing my lips to a smile.

"Boys," I said a bit louder to get their attention.

"Harry, no wait-"

"How about, 'The Rogue' ?"

Louis leaned back into the couch and brought out his phone once again, as if he'd been that way all along. Niall turned in the chair as well as Zayn beside him. " 'The Rogue' ?"

I nodded, "Like villain, bad guy, scoundrel." I faced Louis, who's eyebrows were furrowed and gaze was to the device in his hands, "It sounds rather cool."

Niall and Zayn shared a look, "It does, and it matches the name of the competition." Niall typed the band name at the top of the profile page he was making for us on the website. "It has a nice ring to it along with our names. 'Niall the Rogue'." He laughed to himself quietly and moved aside for us to see. "How's it look?"

I shifted to look at Louis who was now beaming proudly. "It's beautiful."

"It's all set then. I'm sending it in now and we'll get a phone call letting us know when the audition day is." He stretched his arms and yawned, "I'm gonna get your camera so we can take a profile picture," Niall stood from the chair and walked to the room I was sharing with him.