The College Experience [Larry Stylinson boyxboy]

Chapter Thirty

Trigger Warning/Maturity Warning: The next few chapters are going to be pretty heavy at times, but I can't say anything without spoilers- just remember this is a mature book and stop reading if you're ever uncomfortable!

"Louis!" Liam said, holding his arms out wide. "You made it!" 

"Oh my God, give me that," Louis said, snatching the beer out of Liam's hand and chugging the rest of it before handing it back. Louis hated beer- it tasted too watery and it made him feel bloated- but the whole party was pulsing with energy from people who had already started drinking a few hours ago and Louis was desperate to catch up. 

"You know what you should do," Liam said slurring his words slightly, "You should play beer pong with us- they're setting up in the backyard." 

"What a lovely offer, Liam," Louis said. "But I'm afraid I'm since I'm not a seventeen year old frat boy with rich parents and a football scholarship, I'll have to pass." Louis cursed at himself for the way he always dug out the wordy sentences every time he felt sarcastic. Must have been all the English classes. He definitely didn't want to be this coherent by the time the night ended. 

"What?" Liam laughed,  grabbing another beer. 

"I'm looking for something stronger," Louis simplified, pronouncing each word slowly so it had time to sink through Liam's foggy head. 

"Did someone say they needed something stronger?" a familiar voice said, popping up behind Louis' shoulder. 

"Holy shit, Michael, you're my guardian angel," Louis said as his friend slipped a flask into his hand. 

"Yeah, don't mention it," Michael said, pulling Louis into a quick side hug. "How have you been?" he asked, his voice raising a little as someone cranked the music up another notch. Louis could feel the thrum of the bass shimmer through his bones. 

"I've been good, man. You?" Louis asked, taking a swig from the flask. It felt like he were swallowing flames, but somehow it felt comforting. Familiar. 

"The usual, the usual..." Michael said, running his hands through his messy hair. "Don't see you around much anymore, eh?" 

"I know, I've been busy," Louis said. "Fourth year is a bitch." 

"I'll drink to that," Michael replied, taking a swig from the flask before putting it back in Louis' hands. "I did see you at my place once this year though right? You were all over some curly haired kid? That was you, right? Jesus that night was a blur." 

"Yeah," Louis smiled. "That was me." He remembered how excited Harry was to go to his first real party, and while Louis spent the whole night trying to steer him away from anything too hardcore and distract him from anything too unsettling, Harry had a great night drinking a few coolers and trying out jello shots, giggling and pink cheeked as they stumbled into a strangers' room to make out. 

"You end up taking him home with you?" Michael asked, leaning in a little closer to be heard over the pounding music. 

"He's actually my boyfriend," Louis replied, his cheeks reddening as he looked up at his friend, part of him searching for approval. 

"Good on you, mate," Michael said, patting Louis' shoulder. "Seems like quite the catch." 

"He is," Louis smiled, and started asking how Michael was handling his fourth year courses when he was cut off by a group of guys awkwardly hovering around his friend. 

"Sorry, man. Big party and looks like I'm the only dealer tonight. Supply and demand," he shrugged. "Catch up with me later though, alright? Wanna hear about this new boy of yours. And give you some of the goods," he winked miming smoking a joint, "You haven't bought from me since the summer and I don't want to lose one of my best customers. Next one's on the house, okay? I missed you, bro."