Imperfectly Perfect [Nouis]

Chapter Five

NIALL'S POV

"Nope! You're a cutie!" Louis cooed in an annoying voice, pinching my cheeks. I caught his hand and kept it on my cheek. Why did I do that?

It felt weird.

Louis' hand felt weird on my cheek, and I couldn't actually pinpoint the feeling. I looked at his face closely, at the water droplets that were caught on his eyelashes and were dripping down his cheeks.

Louis was smiling at me sweetly. I sensed that I was unconsciously leaning in a tad. I blinked a bit to clear away my thoughts and let go of Louis' hand. And just a second later, I snatched his soaking wet beanie off his head.

"Aha!" I held it triumphantly above my head, out of Louis' reach. I looked back at him and his face was pale, his eyes wide in shock. Ha, he didn't see that coming!

"Now that wasn't too bad, was it?" I asked him, still holding the beanie out of his reach.

Louis glanced at me, then quickly ran his hands over his wet hair, and squeezed his eyes shut with a relieved sigh.

That was weird.

Louis looked back at me and reached out for his beanie, but I quickly pulled it away. "Why do you always wear this Lou?" I asked him. Why does he hide his hair? He isn't bald. Is he insecure 'bout his hair? I know I shouldn't pry much but I'm just curious!

Louis looked like he was trying to say something, but couldn't. His eyes were a bit troubled, and he was looking everywhere but my face. I was just about to tell him that it was okay, he needn't tell me.

But then my eyes landed on the top of Louis' head, and I blinked twice in surprise. Were those... pointy ears?

I peered closer and those things twitched! They actually twitched! Those pointy things weren't his hair, that's for sure! Oh my- "O-oh my God, what are those on your head?!" I blurted out, without meaning to.

I assessed Louis' face for an answer, and he seemed like he was hyperventilating. I reached out to calm him down, but he shrunk away from me.

"D-don't," he stuttered, his eyes glassy. Was he crying?

"Lou," I started.

"I know what you're going to say so don't s-say it!" he cried out, harshly wiping at his eyes.

"No, Louis listen I-"

"I know I'm a freak okay! Why are you talking to me then?! You don't want to be friends with a freak, I know," he choked, sounding broken.

What does he mean he's a freak? Just because he has ears? That doesn't make him a freak! I've heard of animal hybrids, we studied them in our genetics class in college. He's not a freak, he's just born this way.

Louis must be an animal hybrid, the ears are the most defining characteristic.

Before I could even ask Louis something or even soothe him, he had swam to the dock and was hurriedly putting his clothes on.

"Wait, Louis!" I called out, swimming toward him.

"Please don't, I don't want to go back," he sobbed, squeezing his eyes shut. I was frozen at my spot, in the water.

What does he mean he doesn't want to go back? It hurt me to see him so broken. I want to comfort him, but he's running away from me!

I snapped out of my thoughts and took after him, tugging my clothes on the way.

Louis sat himself down at the very corner of the boat, refusing to look at me.

"Louis," I sighed, but he didn't meet my eyes and looked like he way about to cry. I need to make him realize he's wrong here. I won't judge him.