A Thousand City Lights ➳ l.s

chapter ➳ 3

So I'm gonna try something. Since Harry and Louis have started their "little road trip", I'm gonna put a song I'd like you to listen to in each chapter while you read.

I'll try to put it inside the chapter if possible, but if not I'll put it up here in the author's note. Last chapter's song was If I Lose Myself by One Republic.

This chapter's song is The City by The 1975.

Enjoy xoxo

It takes exactly three hours and three minutes to get to London from Holmes Chapel. Three hours and three minutes of Harry's obnoxious (although sometimes funny) knock-knock jokes, and Louis' opinions on his favorite books and authors. Harry doesn't mind them, though. He's actually quiet interested. He even thinks that when they return home, he'll start on one of Louis' books. Maybe.

It's around noon when they arrive to London, consider the fact they left in the morning. Nonetheless, they both found the city to be beautifully amazing.

Tens, hundreds, even thousands of people walked along the sidewalks and busy streets. The sounds of honking cars, the chattering and laughter of the citizens sent a happy feeling through both boys.

The buildings were what really got their attention. Buildings as tall as the heavens were so captivating. Big Ben could be seen from their view in the car and it was lovely.

"Wow." Louis says, "This is amazing!" Harry silently agrees.

"Beautiful, innit?" says Harry. Louis nods, his words caught in his throat, awestruck. It's not everyday that you get to see a city such as London. It's all new and exciting for the both of them. Louis has however, been to the big city before around the age of three or four, but God, that was twenty years ago! Surely Louis wouldn't remember something that had happened that long ago.

For Harry though, he's never visited a city this big and wonderful in his life. His mother tried to take him here, at least once for a summer vacation, but work had a hold of her like a clingy ex-boyfriend. His father was never in the picture after Harry's seventh birthday. He wasn't a bad father, or person for that matter, but things didn't work out for the two parents so a decision was made and the divorce papers were signed. Harry got to see his dad, occasionally that is.

But all of that doesn't matter now because they're here. In the flesh. They can smell the aroma of baked goods and flowers and the city. It's all so surreal.

"What are we doing first?" Louis asks because hell, like he knows what they're doing. He'll just let Harry be the leader of this road trip.

"Well first, we're finding a hotel to stay at," Harry replies. He grabs his phone out of the empty cup holder and unlocks it. "and there should be one just down the road." he continues, and places the phone back in place.

Louis clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. "You really got this entire trip planned out, yeah?"

The corner of Harry's lips turn into a sly grin. He keeps his eyes on the road still however, hands on two and ten o'clock on the wheel. How he learned to drive. "I've got a lot planned, yes."

And Harry does. The trip isn't just any ordinary trip. It's a trip they'll both remember. It's a trip to explore. That's what life is to young Harold. Exploring. He wants to remember this for the rest of his life. Harry wants to see what the world is here to give. And although most people don't take the time to see just what the offer may be, Harry is willing to go out and look for it. But what fun is that when you're alone?

Harry and Louis do find the hotel Harry had booked for two before hand. "So you knew I would say yes to this trip?" Louis had asked when the man behind the counter gave them the key to their room. Harry just smiled wide and shrugged.