Jealousy Doesn't Look Good On You (lirry/larry)

Chapter 3

The next week went by pretty quickly, but Harry's anxiety only grew worse as the 23rd grew closer and he got his plane ticket emailed to him by his mum. He thought about what Niall had said, about bringing one of his friends to make Louis jealous. Well not make him jealous per se, but to show Louis that Harry is over him. That he doesnt think about him (which he does), that he doesnt dream about him (which he also does), and doesnt miss him (which is debatable).

By the time Friday came around it was the 22nd and Harry felt as though he was going to throw up with anxiety, Liam had been consoling him and telling him that it was going to be okay. Liam doesnt even know why Harry doesnt want to go so his attempts at consoling Harry are futile. When Harry takes his lunch break he begins mulling over Niall's idea of bringing someone. He could never bring one of his friends from UNI because theyre not close enough, he could bring Nick but Louis knows Nick and he knows that Harry and Nick would never be together. He has a few other friends that he could ask but he knows that even if they happened to not be spending christmas with their family Louis would remember them from when he and Harry were together, he would know that Harry would never be with any of his friends from that time in his life. The only person he can think of to ask is the one person that he is close enough friends with and that Louis has never even heard of. Liam.

Harry decides to bring it up as they're closing down the cafe for the night, while Liam is mopping and Harry is doing the dishes.

"So, Liam. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to date a guy?" Harry brings up, attempting to sound casual but not succeeding. Liam stops what he's doing and looks at Harry, head tilting to the side a bit, like a confused dog.

"Er... I - I guess. I mean, it's not like I havent thought about it but Im pretty sure im straight" Liam says it like a joke and goes back to mopping, Harry knows that Liam is straight. Hell, Liam is about as straight as they come, but maybe he can pretend to be gay, atleast for a little bit.

Harry decides to just go for it, "Well, maybe you could test it out. Er...with me..?" he says it like a question and turns the water up so it would be harder to hear Liam's laughter and rejection. Harry knows that even if Liam had said yes they wouldnt really be together, but something in his stomach twists at the thought of Liam laughing about going out with Harry. Liam looks at Harry and tries to read his face, tries to read whether this is all just some elaborate joke and his answer will be the punch line.

"I..uh, What is this about Harry?" Liam says, speaking slowly.

"Liam please! We dont even have to really be together! My ex is gonna be there with my family for the holidays and he's gonna have some new fling and I just cant bare the thought of going alone. Please, please come with me. I'll cover your shift if you ever want to take a day off work, please Liam. I just... I cant go alone. I cant." Harry hadnt meant to blurt all that out at Liam but it was like word vomit, he couldnt stop himself. Liam began mopping again and they worked in an awkward silence until Harry was done with his half of the work and mumbled to Liam that he was going home.

"I'll do it." Liam said quietly just as Harry was walking out the door.

"What?" Harry said, not believing his ears.

"I'll do it. I'll pretend to be your boyfriend, but you owe me big time." Liam said to Harry, a small smile creeping up on his face.

"Oh! Thank you Liam thank you, thank you, thank y-" Liam cut him off, "I'll do it, but no snogging and no fake embarrassing stories about me, okay?" Liam said as he smiled brightly at Harry.

"Oh c'mon Leeyum, we have to kiss in front of my family and Louis, otherwise they'll never believe it." Harry said.

"Fine, fine, but only on the cheek and maybe one quick peck on the lips, one. And is Louis the name of your ex?" Liam asked as he put the mop away and took off his apron, getting ready to leave.