Rivals - L.S.

Six - Getting to Know You

Harry and Louis had settled into a cozy booth beneath a wide window, giving them a perfect view of the soft rain which had started falling as soon as they made it inside. It was awkward to say the least, both boys quietly sipping their drinks and overlooking the menu in silence.

Harry finally worked up the courage to start a conversation. He opened up his mouth to speak but was cut off by a shrill, "Oh my gosh!" He looked up to see a pretty blonde waitress with wide brown eyes, clutching a notepad to her chest as she stared at Harry and Louis in awe. "Can I get a picture with you two?" the girl practically begged, running over to the booth.

Everyone in the diner was staring now and Harry feared that someone would post something and the paparazzi would find them. But, he would never turn down a fan, even if they were interrupting his precious time with Louis. "Of course, let's take a picture," Harry smiled, feeling a little relieved that people still actually liked him.

The girl whipped her phone out of her apron pocket and instructed the two boys to lean in so she could snap a selfie with them. A huge smile was spread across her face, making Harry feel really good. "Thank you so much! I'm totally going to print this and frame it and keep it forever," she squealed, "Oh, shit, I haven't even gotten your orders down yet. I'm horrible, I'm so sorry." She sounded panicked as she dug in her pockets for a pen.

"No, darling, it's okay! We totally understand, there's no rush," Louis said kindly to the girl, smiling politely. Harry smiled a little too much at this, happy to see the nice side of Louis today.

The girl's whole body relaxed and she nodded. Louis and Harry ordered their meals, the waitress scribbling it down and running off to the kitchen.

"Gotta love fame, right?" Louis said jokingly in reference to the star struck employee and admiring fellow customers.

"Amen," Harry laughed, shaking his head.

Louis took a drink and leaned back into the chair, smiling playfully. "You know, I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know who I am. She probably just wanted me in the picture because I'm with you," he said, dramatically pouting as he crossed his arms.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Aw, is the captain feeling a little unrecognized? How sad," Harry mocked, sticking his tongue out.

"Oh whatever," Louis laughed. He reached up to tug the thin headband out of his hair, running his tattooed fingers through the brown fringe in an attempt to restyle it quickly.

Harry was so distracted, watching his fingers comb through his hair in a way that looked way hotter than it should have, that he didn't even notice Louis' pink lips still moving. Harry quickly coughed and sat up straighter, averting his eyes for a moment. "Sorry, what did you say?" he asked, trying to play it off.

"You okay there, Popstar?" Louis smirked, eyes trained on Harry's.

"Yeah, what, why wouldn't I be? Weirdo," Harry scoffed, more embarrassed than ever.

Louis just shook his head and stifled a laugh. "Alrighty then," he mused, "I said, enough about me and my lack of acknowledgment around here, Curly Q. Let's talk about you."

"Me? Why?"

Louis stretched for a moment, muscles tensing under his black tank top, before he leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. "Because. We're on the rocky path to friendship, right? And friends are supposed to know stuff about each other and friends are supposed to talk. Well, at least that's what I've gathered from my minimal experience with friends. So that means you kind of are expected to tell me stuff," Louis smiled.