Two Truths & A Lie

Chapter 27

"You're unusually pleasant today," Louis said to me, peering up from his books sprawled out around the library table.  "And you're wearing yellow? God help us all - someone has stollen Emailia Hastings."

I slid into the seat across from him and pulled a folded piece of paper from my backpack.  I cracked a smile and waved the paper around. "I have been-"

"Yellow?" Harry's voice called from behind as he approached our table.  He snagged an empty, wooden chair from the table beside us a dragged it over so that he could join Louis and myself.  "It's a little different from your usual darker wardrobe, Em, but it looks great." 

Louis scowled.  "I noticed it first."

Harry merely rolled his eyes and heaved his black backpack onto the table, scattering some of Louis' papers and books. 

"For fuck's sake," Louis groaned.  "When the hell will you realize that the reason I picked a table with TWO chairs is so that you WON'T come and sit with us?" 

"Pipe down, Tommo, this is the library.  Inside voice, please," Harry said, grinning at me and pulling a book from his backpack. "Plus, you're interrupting my conversation with Em." 

Exam week was upon us and it was difficult for me to get any studying done with Harry and Lou fighting for my undivided attention.  Honestly, it had been like this for the last four months.  After Harry kicked Brynn out of his house - and out of the country - I fully forgave him.  However, there was something inside of me that just wouldn't allow me to start dating him again.  He would forever be the most handsome guy I had ever dated, but I just couldn't allow myself to jump head-first into another relationship with him.  Not yet, anyway.  Our relationship was just so different now.  Despite all of this, neither Harry nor Lou took any kind of break from continuously competing for my attention and it was draining for all of us.  

Louis began to open his mouth again, but I waved the paper in my hand more violently.  "BOTH of you are interrupting me at this point," I said.

Harry turned to face me but spoke over his shoulder to Louis.  "Yeah, so shut the fuck up, mate." 

Louis' eyes widened and he puffed his cheeks out before crossing his arms across his chest and shaking his head at me.  He always did that to me as if I was going to take his side, but most of the time I remained neutral. 

"I have been accepted to... drumroll, please," I smiled.

Before Harry could do it first, Louis began to drum his fingers rapidly on one of his books.  He was so loud about it that the librarian scurried over and shushed him angrily.  I giggled when he shot me a look of irritation.  The poor boy just couldn't win. 

"UNC," I finally said. "The University of North Carolina." 

Louis' demeanor immediately shifted.  "UNC Wilmington?  You're sticking around here??" His face began to turn red with excitement.  "You and I can get an apartment together!" 

I began to pout, instantly feeling sorry that I didn't clarify what city I would be in for the next four years of my life.  "UNC Chapel Hill," I said slowly, my heart breaking as Louis sank back into his chair and began to study his books again. 

"That's good, Em.  That's really great," he congratulated me half-heartedly.

"That is great," Harry grinned.  "You and I can room together at Chapel Hill." 

Once Louis realized that Harry was going to be in the same school I was, his face turned red again and he snapped his books shut.  He shoved them into his backpack and tugged the straps onto his tense shoulders.  "Well enjoy your lives together then.  See you on your fucking wedding day."