The Assistant // Louis Tomlinson

19 - Explain

Short chapter. SRY! :)

and can i just say i started this story maybe a month ago and just in the past week it's gained over 350 reads?! LOVE YOU ALL FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something Great

Louis' POV

Shit.

I know we were going to be telling them, even soon, but for them to find out like this was not part of the plan. They will never let me live this one down, that much is for sure.

"What's going on?" I hear Niall groan from his bunk.

"Louis and Avery were getting it on! That's what's going on!" Harry shouts, still rather taken aback.

"We are still waiting for an explanation here, mate," Zayn urges.

"Wait hold up," Niall questions as he groggily sits up in his bunk. "Why is Lou on the ground?"

Harry and Zayn just roll there eyes while I stay frozen on the ground, watching the scene unfold in front of me.

"Seriously? That's the part you are concerned about, lad?" Zayn asks the now slightly-awake bottle blond.

"What? Should I not be curious why Lou just seems to be hanging out on the floor?" Niall counters, still not seeing the flaw in his reasoning.

"Look," Avery speaks up. She takes a deep breath before continuing, "Lou and I are together. We were planning on telling you guys soon, but wanted to just figure out what this--we--were before we had to tell you guys an answer we didn't know yet. We are sorry for keeping it from you, but we really were going tell you soon. We have decided what this is, and I hope you guys can just be happy with this." She ends with a frustrated huff.

I look up to her, finally able to control seemingly one muscle in body. She looks to me, as well, and meets my gaze. Her eyes are slightly red and puffy, making it obvious to me how this has stressed her out. I knew the idea of keeping it from everyone and dealing with telling them was concerning her, but I never realized how the thought is actually effecting her.

I feel like crap letting her handle it all on her own while I sit on my ass like a bubbling fool. I quickly rise to my feet to stand in front of her bunk, taking her hand in mine and giving her a look of reassurance to remind her she isn't alone. I'm by her side and there is nothing to worry about. I lean over and give her a quick peck on the lips before turning back to the lads. They are all staring at us with jaws dropped to the floor and wide eyes as if we are the pinkest monkey butts in Antarctica.

"Like Ave said; I hope you guys can be happy for us." I smile at them. This time, it's big and genuine. I have my girl by my side, holding her hand in front of my best mates for them all too see, and I couldn't be happier about it.

"When did this happen?" Zayn speaks first, breaking the apprehensive silence that had fallen over the three boys.

"A little over a week ago," I say, slightly unsure. I look to Avery, and she mirrors my expression, pursing her lips and nodding in satisfaction with the answer.

"Didn't take long. Like falling asleep." She smiles and winks, using my ridiculous TFIOS quoting against me. I know she loves that book, so why not use some of it's tragic sappiness to my advantage? I mean, it is a great book, that can not be denied, and it seems to work in reference to our situation rather often. Maybe it's just that good that it just fits anything and everything? It's perfect in any situation.

Oh, god. I've been paying too much attention to Avery's rants on this book. Who would ever think listening too much would become my problem?

Not me.

"What's like falling asleep?" Niall questions, waking me from my momentary dream state as I got lost in my thoughts.

"Falling in love," I answer simply for her, loving the way it sounds to say it out loud.

All their eyes bulge out of their sockets once again, and I am once again reminded of Antarctica. These boys need to see more monkey butts.

Hypothetically, of course. Although, I do hear there are some great zoos in America. The boys would fit in just fine with the chimps!
Oh the places my mind wanders...

I chuckle at myself before focussing my attention on the lads once again. "Well, if 20 questions is over, Avery and I were in the middle of something when a nosey ninny interrupted our fun." I smirk before turning to hop back up on Ave's bunk, who might I mention is as red as a tomato and giving me a look of shocked horror. I laugh at her as I tuck myself in beside her.

"Night boys," I say, laughing and closing the curtain in their face. "So, where were we?" I ask Avery, turning to her.

She swats my chest. "You're such an idiot."

"Yeah, but a lovable one."

"Not to mention, modest," she jokes.

"I'm sorry if I'm better at love than I am about not showing it," I laugh, earning me another horrified expression and gasp from an embarrassed Avery. I can't help myself. She's just too cute when she gets flustered.

"Love you, too, babe."

Liam's POV

"Love you, too, babe."

I hear Avery's words from behind the thin curtains of our close bunks.

I want more than anything to be able to be in Louis' position right now; my arms around her, holding her tight and having her feel so safe in my embrace that she feels like she can take on the world as long as I'm by her side.

But I can't. One of my best friends--brothers--in the world, is currently occupying the space I so desperately want to be.

So, I fall asleep with something on my mind that I know I can never feel the freedom of saying out loud.

Love you, too, babe.