Hidden Gardens

Chapter 5

Louis sighed deeply and swallowed dry. It was already 9:30 at night and he was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. There were still a few people at the pub and he didn't want to send them home, they were drinking and spending money after all.

"Long day, huh," Niall said and stood next to him, leaning on the counter. "You look like you are about to fall asleep right here."

"Yeah, sleep is good. Sleep is nice."

Niall chuckled.

"You're out of this world, man. Why don't you go take a nap and I'll wake you up only to close the door after me?"

"Nah, I'm fine," he yawned. "I just need one more cup of coffee."

"You've had three, already."

"Are you keeping a tab on how many cups of coffee I drink?" Louis asked as he poured himself some. It was lukewarm but strong.

"You keep a tab on how many pints I drink."

"Because you told me to! You said you wanted to tone it down a bit. I'm just being a good friend."

Louis' cell phone chimed. He took it out of his pocket and a smile lit his face up when he looked at the screen.

"Is that a message from Harry?" Niall sing songed.

"What? Yeah, it is. But I'm not smiling about that."

"Of course not. You hate his guts, I know that." Niall scoffed, but patted him on the shoulder as he walked past him.

Louis looked at the screen once again.

can I send you a cool pic?

i'm still at work, so no nudes pls

ha ha. you wish.

Louis shook his head. Were they really flirting? Harry was so nice and kind, this could be not flirting at all. Just Harry being Harry. Louis' phone chimed again and he smiled wide when he saw the picture.

"Hey Niall, come see this," he beckoned and Niall looked over his shoulder.

"Is that Mr. Grimsted's picture that Harry took?"

"Yeah, isn't it nice?"

"Very, he should use that one for his project. Tell him that I said that. And that I do wish for some nudes, if he doesn't mind."

"I didn't tell you to read the rest of the conversation, you snoop." Louis slapped Niall's bum, who walked away giggling.

it looks great, harry.

can i show you more and you help me chose which one is teh best?

i'm still working, but i'll tell you when i'm off

ok, can i come over?

Louis looked at the screen and didn't know what to say. What did Harry mean by that? Three dots appeared as Harry started typing again.

wow it took you a long tiem to reply. forget i said that. we'll talk more in the mornig. night, lou :*

Louis thought about replying, it would be rude if he didn't, but he didn't know what to say. The people that were sitting at the table stood up and he was busy with them and closing the place. By the time he managed to go upstairs and look at his phone it was already almost eleven. He didn't want to risk waking Harry up. He replied the next morning.

morning harry! wanna come to the pub later to show me the pics?

He thought it was neutral enough, inviting him to come to the pub and all. It took Harry two full hours to reply and Louis was losing his mind pathetically checking his phone every two minutes.