Give a man a mask and he'll show you himself || l.s

Chapter 21. (Fair Play.)

[Josh Devine's Apartment. 6:23am.]

Josh : "good thing I'm an early springer"

Louis : "good thing I don't care"

Josh : "aww good morning to you too"

Louis : "just give me the damn kit I need to leave now"

Josh : "hold on its here somewhere"

Louis : "I swear if you lose my cleats I will stab you"

Josh : "someone's in a good mood today"

Niall : (emerges from the room rubbing his eyes) "Lou what are you doing here so early?"

Louis : "what are you doing here?"

Niall : "Overslept apparently"

Louis : "something going on here you're not telling me?"

Niall : "I wish. Haven't gotten laid since last week, Chelsea has her period"

Louis : "how are you even alive?"

Niall : "I've got hands. Two of them in fact"

Louis : "Palm-ela your first girlfriend how could I forget"

Niall : "as refreshing as your puns are why are you here?"

Josh : (shouts from other room) "he has a date with Harry!"

Louis : "it not a date you imbecile"

Niall : "how did that happen?"

Louis : "he dared me"

Niall : "dared you to what?"

Louis : "a football match"

Niall : "Harry can't play sports to save his life"

Louis : "exactly"

Josh : "found it!"

Louis : "great now give it here so I can leave"

Josh : "say please"

Louis : (punches Josh in the gut and grabs cleats from his hand) "thanks"

Josh : (holds onto stomach pained) "close enough"

Louis : "alright see you fellas later"

Niall : "wait Lou can I talk to you for a second?"

Louis : (turns to look at Niall) "uh sure"

Niall : "come lets go in the room"

Louis : (closes door behind him) "what's the matter?"

Niall : (sits on the edge of the bed) "so you and Harry.."

Louis : "niall please don't start this again"

Niall : "no I know I'm not I just- I wanted to apologize actually- for what I said the other day..it's just- I hate seeing you depressed and I hate feeling so helpless"

Louis : "why does everyone think I need help? I've told you so many times I'm fine!"

Niall : "I won't doubt you Lou, I just want you to be happy"

Louis : (sighs) "how can I not be happy if I have you?"

Niall : (smiles) "I won't meddle again I promise"

Louis : (goes over to hug Niall) "I like that you meddle, makes me feel loved"

Niall : "I do love you Louis more than anything in this world"

Louis : "you're a good friend Niall"

Niall : (chuckles releasing Louis) "the best"

Louis : "of course"

Niall : "one last thing though"

Louis : "what's that?"

Niall : "can I come?"

Louis : "sure why not, I can use a cheerleader"

Niall : (puts fists up to the sky) "Gooooo Lou-ee!"

[Starbucks. 8:04pm.]

Liam : "is that all?"

Zayn : "I guess so"

Liam : "and did you tell him all this as yet?"

Zayn : " I don't know how to"

Liam : (soft) "you really want him back?"

Zayn : "yes, no, I don't know maybe?"

Liam : "you have to know for sure Zayn"

Zayn : I mean it's Louis"

Liam : "is this what you want or what he wants?"

Zayn : "that's the thing I don't know. I just want him to be happy"

Liam : "then let him go"

Zayn : "I've don't that already but he's the one still holding my hand"

Liam : "he wants to let go too it's just that you keep giving him signs that makes him think you'll come back"

Zayn : "I just feel so guilty I'm the reason he doesn't smile anymore"

Liam : "he's not the first to get his heart broken nor will we be the last"

Zayn : "maybe you're right"

Liam : "of course I'm right. He will find love again some way along the line I mean he can't go around fucking people forever"

Zayn : (gasps) "what did you say?"

Liam : (chokes) "uh he'll find love again"

Zayn : "no no the other part"

Liam : "um"

Zayn : "he's sleeping around?"

Liam : "no no he's not"

Zayn : "but you just said-"

Liam : "he's not-like he's not going around sleeping with random strangers"

Zayn : "then what do you mean?"

Liam : (deep breath in) "I-well..he-"

Zayn : (covers mouth in horror) "oh god no"

Liam : "I wanted to- I.."

Zayn : (gets up from chair) "no no no no not you please no don't tell me it's you"

Liam : "Zayn wait please"

Zayn :(raises voice)  how could you? You are one of my best friends Liam and you go behind my back and fuck my ex fiancée?"

Liam : "it's not like that"

Zayn : (stern) "do you have feelings for him?"

Liam : (mumbles) "no"

Zayn : "so you two are just fuck buddies? Is that why he got a promotion?"

Liam : "you very well know that's not the truth. Louis is a hard worker he earned that position"

Zayn : "I tell you everything Liam, you know how I feel about him yet you still go and fuck him and not even have the audacity to tell me"

Liam : "why are so upset? I thought you wanted him to move on?"