Louis would go out of his way to avoid Nick, although it wasn’t always that way. When they were kids, Louis used to beg to go over to Nicks house. They would stay outside for hours, running around, playing, staying at each others houses, despite the age difference. There were three years between them, Nick being older, but it never bothered them.
Louis remembered sneaking out of the house so many times to just go ride his bike in the dark with Nick, a small act of rebellion. Louis snuck into Nicks house so many times, Nick used to leave his window unlocked and slid open barely an inch, enough for Louis to slip the tips of his fingers in and shimmy it up. His room was on the first floor so it was easy. Louis’ was on the second floor, but Nick still used to sneak in to play games or watch TV. He would just slide in the bathroom window downstairs and quietly climb the steps. They never got busted, although both of their moms knew and would just laugh about it over lunch the next day.
They were closer than brothers, until Louis turned 15 and Nick was 18. Louis started developing feeling for Nick. He liked boys, he was open about it he didn’t care who knew. No one messed with him, and coming out didn’t mess with him and Nicks friendship. Until the summer after he turned 15. Nick took him to his first party, and he drank, and he kissed Nick without thinking. Nick pulled away immediately and the fight that erupted was something Louis would never forget and he swore he would never forgive Nick for it. Nick had yelled, called him a stupid kid and told him to go home. He claimed Louis didn’t belong there. There were a few surrounding people who had just laughed and then turned away, to drunk to keep their attention on the scene unfolding in front of them. Louis had never been more embarrassed. He ran home. Nick didn’t try to contact him again, and Louis stayed hurt. Until a week later.
Nick had a party because his parents weren’t home. Louis snuck in, just looking around and found Nick with his tongue down some other guy’s throat. Louis recognized the guy from around school. He was a year older than Louis, barely. The thought hit him that it wasn’t his age, Nick just didn’t like him, and was an prick about it. Louis left, bitter, angry, and with his mind set that Nick Grimshaw was an allover asshole. From that night he glared whenever he got within ten feet of Nick. He dodged his mom’s questions about him. Nicks mom still came over all the time, was still so friendly. Louis would just nod and go upstairs or grab his keys and leave. So now, at the age of 19, it was safe to say Louis had gotten over it, for the most part. He was alright and had so many friends. Only a few that he could actually call if he was in a serious jam and they would show up, but that was fine. He knew he wouldn’t get along with Nick even if none of that happened. He had a horrible taste in music, and friends. Louis didn’t need to be close to him to know that. He liked to hear the sound of his voice a little bit too much, even though it was a nice voice (not that Louis got up early every now and again just to listen to his radio show and pine over his voice). Louis spent most of his time either at work, at home with his sisters, or out partying, which leads the story to Thursday afternoon.
“If you're not busy you guys should all come, it’s supposed to be amazing” Landon spoke, resting his head on the cushion in front of him as Rob worked on the tattoo stretched across his back. It was a tiger. Landon was a regular. Louis wouldn’t consider them friends, but he was cool in Louis’ book. He would come in for another tattoo or piercing a few times a month, or just come in and hang out occasionally. He was pretty funny, in Louis’ opinion. But they never hung out anywhere other than the shop. He was trying to get them to come and check out this new club the following night. Louis agreed immediately, he was always down to party, and he hadn’t gone out in a while. Robert, one of the other guys, agreed too, but Andy, the other friend in the shop, was cautious in answering. Louis smiled and twisted himself in the chair so he could see Andy.
“Don’t be a party pooper, come out with us” He begged. Andy just lifted his shoulders in a shrug and shook his head, murmuring about his girlfriend. She held a tighter leash on him. Louis smiled. “Bring her, more the merrier.” He spoke. Landon nodded from his place.
“Definitely. I'm bringing mine” He spoke. Robert glanced up at him, asking if he had a girlfriend. He just shook his head. “No, I don’t play that way.” Was all he said, and they all knew what he meant. Andy laughed and patted Louis shoulder.
“Look at that, Lou. Now you don’t have to be the only dick-muncher in the group.” Andy laughed while saying it and Louis couldn’t help but laugh along with and roll his eyes.
“Dick-muncher? Is that the new term for it?” Landon asked, and Louis just laughed again shaking his head.
“You guys are idiots..” He spoke, then turned his head to look at Landon while running the ball of his tongue ring along the back of his teeth. He decided quickly that Landon wasn’t his type, even if the guy didn’t have a boyfriend Louis wouldn’t have gone for him. “They are just jealous that even though I like the guys, the ladies still like me more than them” He retorted and playful banter erupted. By the end of the day, Louis was ready to be home. He helped close up shop and walked out. By the time he got home it was 8. He warmed up some food and walked out into the backyard. It was darker, quiet. The water in the pool looked nearly black. And Louis smiled as he ate, sitting himself into one of the chairs alongside it. He looked out into the yard, being assaulted by the memories of the past.
~~
“I could beat you up, ya know. I'm bigger than you” Nick teased, lifting his arms up and flexing them. His nine year old body was bigger, but in Louis’ defense, he was only 6. Louis rolled his eyes and Nick tackled him, they play fought for a few minutes before Louis caved and yelled that he gave up. Nick sat up victorious and smug looking and Louis smiled at him through the dim light of the tent. It was a weekly thing, they would camp out in one of their back yards. (Sometimes with a tent, and other times with just sleeping bags).
“Wanna go swimming?” Louis asked as he peered out of the tent and into the dark back yard and the darkly lit rooms of his own home. Nick just nodded quickly and they both stripped down and got in the pool. They played water tag, marco polo (which was harder because there was no way for Louis to cheat, it was dark) and Nick resorted to teasing Louis about his lack of confidence in the water. He could float, but that was it. He didn’t like the deep end because he didn’t want to drown. He could swim to an extent, and that was good enough. He wasn’t trying to win the Olympics or anything. They had gotten out and ended up sleeping up in Louis’ room on the floor because they were wet and the wind outside was cold. They stayed up till 3 watching movies and sneaking food..
~~
Louis set down the bowl and stood, pulling off his shirt. He unbuttoned his pants as he toe’d off his shoes and socks and slid himself into the pool. The water was cooler, but not cold. Louis slid his whole body under the water, staying down until his lungs were burning. He resurfaced and took a deep breath, before relaxing and sliding into his back, floating on the surface of the water. He stared up at the dark sky for a few moments before closing his eyes. He's not sure how long he floated but he heard a door open and moments later a familiar voice reverberated through him.
“Don’t you know you're not supposed to swim alone? It’s dangerous” Nick spoke. And Louis immediately tensed his body and shifted until he was straight in the water, he almost panicked when he realized he had drifted over into the deep end, but he reached out and gripped the wall, glaring up at Nick, who just smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. “Still can’t swim, eh sweetheart?” He teased; Louis just narrowed his eyes further and pulled himself out of the pool.
“Shut up, Grimshaw. Why are you in my yard anyways?” He slid past Nick and slid his jeans on, grateful that he didn’t strip fully to get in the pool. Nick just smiled from behind him and lifted his shoulders in a shrug.
“Just got home and saw you, thought I’d remind you of the buddy system, next time you want to swim, call me. I won’t let you drown” He winked at the end of his words and Louis’ heart would have fluttered at Nick’s words if he wasn’t annoyed with Nick and at a refusal to feel anything other than hate towards him. Louis just shook his head and slid on his shirt grabbing the bowl.
“No thanks, I would rather drown” He spat, turning and walking inside, shutting the door and sliding up to the bathroom to shower. He laid in bed that night for a few hours before he actually fell asleep. He was stressed. He decided he needed to go out tomorrow night for sure...
