The Story of a Female Boy Named Louis (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 17

Louis inhaled sharply, straightening his back and feeling the bones pop softly.

"Almost... there..." he jammed the fly zipper up in one swift motion and sighed.

"How's it coming along, Louis?" Sophia asked from the other side of the sleek fitting room door, slipping into a pair of yellow pumps someone had left behind.

"Horrible, gosh, I've gotten so fucking fat," Louis stepped out and winced at his reflection, grabbing a handful of denim covered thigh. "Just look at all this. When was the last time we went shopping, like, over labor day weekend? I did not look like this four months ago."

"Babe, you look just fine," she shook her head with a frown. "Don't make me come in there."

"...but they barely fit," he groaned. "I really liked these and I ruined it with my fat ass. Ugh."

Sophia sifted through the ever growing pile of rejected clothing, "You're too hard on yourself... Let's go with this pair. They weren't too long and they're a nice color." She slipped the jeans under the door.

"...okay, these don't look too bad. Probably because I just had a salad for lunch," Louis walked out of the glittery dressing room, defeated.

Sophia clapped her hands, "Yay! Now, let's go check out before you change your mind."

"What about a top?"

"Lou, it's just a housewarming party," she crossed her arms and smirked, "I thought you said you just needed new jeans."

He scratched at his left arm and rolled his eyes, "I know, I know... It's just that- I kinda also need... boy advice."

Although Louis couldn't be closer to Kristen, she's also in her mid 30's and a lesbian. Sophia knows a lot more about boys his age than anyone else he trusts.

Sophia's chestnut brown eyes lit up at the offer and she leaned into him, "Come with me."

They ended up buying the jeans and Sophia got a large cup of cinnamon sugar pretzel bites. She squealed in delight as the bored looking teenager handed them over and bumped Louis in the arm, "Let's sit over by the pet shop."

He swears, if he was straight, Louis would have the biggest, sappiest crush on her. He doesn't know how Liam does it.

"So," she popped a pretzel bite into her mouth and smacked her sugary lips once, "What do you need help with?"

"Well, you know Harry," Louis blushed slightly.

"Duh," she wiped her fingers off with her napkins, "Everybody knows Harry now."

"Yeah, yeah... That's kind of part of the problem," he replied, slouching down into the metal chair.

"How?" Sophia prompted, even though he knew she knew why.

"He's friends with a lot of the people who've always ignored me or even talked shit about me. I mean, he said he doesn't really like being with them, they're just on a team together but... I don't know. It's weird."

"It is... I'd believe him, though. I've been to a game or two and he's good, enjoys it, even... But he's not like those other guys, trust me," Sophia smiled warmly.

"Alright... There's also something else," Louis sipped a bit on his Mountain Dew, "I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. I've never had anyone.. like me? Is that what this is? I've only ever kissed one boy and that was forever ago. It barely counted."

"Just let it happen," she shrugged, as if it were that simple. It wasn't to him.

"But I need help! I don't know how to act around him. I'm not dense, I know he thinks I'm cute or whatever," Louis leaned his cheek on his hand. "But what if that's it?"

"Then you find someone else," she wrapped a delicate hand around Louis' wrist. "Not every cute boy that's remotely interested in you is the love of your life, you know. There are, what, seven billion people in the world? Now, let's go pet kittens."

He giggled and let her drag him along to the next place, his nervous heart resting for a bit.