Rules [Zainourry] (Louis-centric) *Editing & Updating*

Chapter 7

"It's about tonight. I'm really sorry but something came up, suddenly," Louis tried to explain in a hushed tone without giving too many details. He walked away from the four men who were obviously eavesdropping right in from of him. 

"What are you going on about? Are you busy tonight? We've been planning this since-" there was a brief pause until Damien concluded with his own whisper, "last Saturday's incidents. Yes, plural."

"Listen. I know I promised, but you remember what I told you that night?" Louis questioned with a heavy sigh. 

"I mean you said a lot of things that night. Like, 'Yeah right there. Harder, I'm about to- " before he could finish his spot-on imitation, Louis cut him off, "Ok! I get the picture!" He heaved a sigh, "I meant before all of that."

"Oh, you mean the heart to heart? Yeah, that was nice. So what about it?" 

"Well remember what I said to you about my bandmates?" Louis looked around him to make sure none of them are around to hear his conversation. 

Damien gave a small hum of affirmation through the line. 

"Good cause I'm with them at the moment." Louis waited for the onslaught of shouting and disappointment, but they never came his way the other end of the line was completely silent. The only reason Louis didn't assume he hung up was that he heard the slight shift in his breath.

Finally, he sighed, "May I ask why? Is One Direction planning a comeback anytime soon?"

Louis could practically hear the defeat in his voice. "I'm just trying to get some closure, Damien doesn't take it the wrong way, ok? You are still my best friend. and it's not like I'm going to try anything on them."

"Fine. I'll see you soon then." It sounded as if he was going to hang up, but Louis quickly interrupted, "How about tomorrow at my place. Same time?" 

He sensed his victory when he heard a small rumble of a familiar chuckle. "Alright, I'll be there. And Louis?" He paused and Louis gave a curious breath, "I really do hope you know what you're doing. I don't want to see you get hurt." With that, he ended the call leaving Louis in the wake of his words. 

Louis goes to hand the phone back over to Harry while specifying "That was my friend Damien. I think you all met him once."

They did meet him, once. It was more of an accident really. The couple did not expect to see an attractive American guy as a never before mentioned new best friend of their bandmate in the joint dressing room.
It was from that point onwards Louis wouldn't talk to any of them much. He would just text, call, or cancel planned outings with them in favor of spending time with this Damien until the band eventually fell apart.  The couple doesn't have an ideal image when Louis' best friend is mentioned.

"He's your best friend, right? I always thought you two had a thing? Do you?" Liam questions subconsciously praying that the answer is no.

Taken aback by Liam's abrupt interrogation Louis sputtered a quick "No. Not really- I mean, it's complicated, but no. Not technically.  While we're on the topic, why do you care? Wedding planning so boring you need to hear about my sad excuse of trying to get what you all have with each other?"

Liam gave a small snort of amusement before he reassured "You are easy to love, Louis. You'll definitely find love, maybe sooner rather than later."

"I sure hope you're right, Liam," Louis wished.