Boxer (Larry)

3

On Saturday, I pull up to the little cafe that's not far from mine or Harry's house. He isn't standing outside yet, where we agreed to meet. I am early, though, so I adjust my outfit before getting out of my car. It's a little bit cold out, so I'm relieved when he shows up after just a few minutes. I've already started to shiver a little.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." He says. I check the time on my phone, because I'm certain that he isn't late at all.

"You aren't." I say. He smiles.

"That's good."

He opens the door for me, which I thank him for, and we choose a small booth to sit at towards the back of the cafe.

"I've always liked booths better." He comments as we take seats across from each other.

"Me too." I agree.

A waitress comes over, grinning as she brushes a stray strand of black, curly hair behind her ear. She greets us in a sweet voice.

"What can I get you guys to drink?" She asks as she sets two menus down on our table, one in front of each of us.

"Um," I glance at the options, an immediate feeling of joy hitting me when I realize that they have Pepsi. It's my favorite, but nobody ever carries it. "Pepsi."

Harry orders a Sprite. She promises to return soon before she leaves to get the drinks.

"So, Louis, tell me about yourself." Harry prompts. I internally groan. I'm not ever sure what to say when people ask about me, unless it's direct questions. I'm not good at this.

"Um, I'm nineteen. I like skirts, obviously. I'm in college for floral design. Um, I don't really know what to say." I shrug. "Tell me about yourself."

After he tells me a few basics, like being a boxer, about his sister that he hardly sees, and a couple of his favorite things, the waitress returns. She puts our drinks in front of us.

"Are you guys ready to order?" She asks.

Harry raises an eyebrow at me, and I nod.

"You order first." He says. I hesitate for a moment, not really wanting to go first because, for some reason, I'll feel bad. Still, I say a random food from the menu before Harry orders.

I order some spaghetti, while Harry orders a cheeseburger and fries.

After we order our food, we take time getting to know each other. Asking questions, answering them, telling stories, cracking jokes, laughing, and just basically learning about each other.

He's got a wonderful sense of humor, and I like his laugh. He doesn't seem like the type of person to become a boxer, honestly. He's soft and sweet, and he's actually really caring. I wouldn't have expected it, personally.

Even after we finish eating, we sit in the booth for a couple of hours talking about things. The waitress keeps refilling our drinks periodically, but doesn't really bother to interrupt our conversation much.

Zayn's probably worried about me, but Harry and I never bother to check our phones, not even one time, during the date.

We spend a total of four and a half hours together before I have to leave. I really should get back to my best friend, plus I have homework and notes for college to go through and organize and study. I don't really want to leave, so I take as long as humanely possible.

"We should do this again sometime. Are you busy Tuesday?" He wonders. I shake my head, a small smile appearing on my lips at his suggestion for another date.

"Wonderful. How about I pick you up at two? We can go see a movie or something." He shrugs.

"Okay." I smile.

He nods and walks me to my car.

"I had a really good time. Thank you." I tell him.

"I did too. I can't wait for Tuesday." He says.

"Me either." I agree, not even able to hide my grin as I open the door and sit in the driver's seat.

When I arrive at my house, Zayn's car is in the driveway. He's standing in the middle of my living room, on the phone with furrowed eyebrows. When he sees me, he hangs up and practically throws his phone onto the couch.

"Where the hell were you?" He demands.

I flinch slightly at the tone in his voice. I knew he'd be worried, and maybe a little angry, which is completely understandable. But this? After he can see that I'm perfectly safe, no harm done and I'm not missing?

"We lost track of time, I'm sorry." I say as I set my keys down and kick my shoes off.

He softens his expression and even gives me a small smile.

"How was it?" He wonders as I sit down on the couch.

"It was actually really fun." I answer. "He's got an amazing sense of humor and an adorable laugh and he's seriously such a good person. I was surprised by how sweet he is, considering he professionally fights people for a living."

He smiles wider and sits next to me on the couch.

"That's good. Guess who Liam finally decided to ask on a date." He answers. His brown eyes are lit up and I can feel the buzz of excitement in his attitude.

"You?" I guess.

He grins and nods. "Yes!" He squeals.

"Aw, Zayn. I'm so happy for you." I tell him. "When are you guys going? And where?"

"Tonight at nine. And I'm pretty sure we're going to dinner and a movie." He replies. I nod, listening to his every word with joy. I'm so excited for him, but it in no way compares to how thrilled he is.

"I really am so happy for you. You've wanted this for so long." I say. He pulls me into a tight hug.

"Thanks, Louis." He's still smiling so wide, it looks like his cheeks might start hurting. Liam has always made him so happy; and now he's made him more ecstatic than I've seen him in a very long time.

Liam better not hurt him.