Fame and Blame ~ Larry Stylinson

Chapter 1

Short A/N- This will mostly be in Louis' P.O.V. I will write the P.O.V's at the top of each section but it's just for future reference since I know a few people are super pedantic about what type of stories they read. By the way, this story will contain strong language. Disclaimer: I do not own One Direction or have any involvement with them- nothing I write is true, it's simple a concoction of my own mind.

Louis can feel the stretch burning along his sides- his toes are cramping and curling as he balances on his tiptoes. The ache in his arms is becoming unbearable- his eyebrows feel like they're permanently engraved into his face in a frown; peeking through his eyelashes he can see that he's almost there. Just a little further... a little higher... a little-

CD's scattered to the floor and his face collided with the metal shelf. A giant clatter of noise echo's around the store- an unnecessary amount of noise considering it's just CD's, not a goddamn guitar. Pain erupts in his forehead,nose,back- it feels like he just broke everything. No joke. His thoughts immediately go something like: I'm never going to be able to get up. This is the end. Farewell life, I had a good run I suppose.

"Having a bit of trouble there Tomlinson?"

Still covering his head with the palm of his free hand (his other one still has a deathgrip on the CD that almost cost him his life), he slowly leans up and squints at whoever's snickering at his pain. Zayn. Figures. The little shit's just casually leaning against the opposite shelf, arm's crossed and a stupid smirk plastered across his face.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Louis tried to say nonchalantly, although it came out a bit more hostile than he'd intended; it just fueled Zayn up even more. He tipped his head back and let out a throaty chuckle, shaking his head. Louis heaved his broken body off of the floor. In the heat of his bitchy moment, he attempted to throw the CD across the store- watching it pathetically fall a few feet away from him. He groaned- kicking the shelf... immediately regretting it as his injured toes smashed into the metal. He clutched his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths- listening to Zayn howling with laughter.

"You do know there's a step ladder to your right? Would have helped you reach the higher shelves ya'know... or did you just really want to balance on your tiptoes and embrace your inner ballerina? If that's the case, you're not very elegant mate." He chuckled, heaving himself away from the shelf to start picking up and re-stacking the CD's Louis had just knocked over.

"Ha ha" Louis mocked with a playful glare "I don't need a step-ladder. I'm not that short. FYI Malik, I'd make the best ballerina, you're just jealous of my moves." To prove to him Louis had amazing moves, he tried to spin on the spot- forgetting about his broken body. He all but collapsed on the floor. Zayn threw a sympathetic glance at him once he'd finished putting the CD's back- even the one Louis had tried to throw in a tantrum.

"You should get that checked out" He gestured towards Louis' back. He shook my head and muttered a few things under his breath. Louis half-smiled at him to prove that he's not in that much pain- Zayn just nodded back at him. "Well, whatever... my shift's over. You've still got like 20 minutes. Maybe if you play up on your back then the boss'll let you head home now?"

Louis shook his head and wrinkled his nose slightly in disagreement "It's only 20 minutes. You can have the pleasure of grabbing me some tea and dinner. I'll meet you back at the flat alright?" Zayn just sighed, rolled his eyes and started to leave- before stopping and half turning around.

"...fine. What do you want?" He asked, smiling over his shoulder. Louis smiled right back at him and yelled "Surprise me". Zayn nodded and left the store, the squeaky door announcing to everyone that he's gone. Louis sighed and set to unstacking another box from the storage room. Just twenty more minutes.