The Fatal Flaw | LT

XV

October

"Please let me go."

"No."

"Baby, please."

"Hmm, baby? You've never called me that before."

"Louis, please! I have class in twenty minutes. Let me go."

"No."

I sighed, attempting to wiggle out of his grip. We were tangled up in my bed, his arms locked around me like a human restraint. My first class was creeping closer, and I hadn't even showered yet. Desperate, I resorted to my secret weapon—my fingers found his sides, pressing gently into his ribs. He squirmed instantly, letting out a muffled laugh.

That was my chance.

Taking advantage of his momentary weakness, I slipped free from his grasp and darted into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

"Cheater!" he called out from the other side.

I only laughed as I turned on the shower, sighing in relief when the warm water cascaded over me. My thoughts wandered back over the past week—seven full days since Louis had asked me to be his girlfriend. It still felt surreal.

Of course, with the new relationship came new... challenges. His fan club had already made their disapproval clear. The dirty looks in the hallways, the whispered insults, the thinly veiled threats—they were persistent. But I refused to tell Louis. Knowing him, he'd go out of his way to make some grand, over-the-top declaration about how they needed to back off.

And I wasn't exaggerating.

Two days ago, a poor freshman approached me, relaying a message that the headmaster wanted to see me. That was it. He had no ulterior motives, no flirtation—he was just delivering a message. But Louis? Oh, no. Louis was convinced the guy was trying to hit on me and scared him half to death. I almost felt bad. Almost.

Once I finished showering, I slipped into the clothes I had thankfully laid out the night before. As I ran a brush through my damp hair, I found myself smiling at the memories of the past week. It was chaotic, hilarious, and a little overwhelming—but I loved every second of it.

"What time is your first class?" I asked, plugging in my blow dryer.

"Nine," he mumbled into the pillow.

By the time I finished drying my hair, he looked completely asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his head before quietly heading for the door.

Big mistake.

Before I could take another step, his hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist and pulling me back toward the bed.

"Really? That's your goodbye kiss?" he grumbled, his eyes half-open.

"You looked comfortable," I defended. "I didn't want to wake you."

He just rolled his eyes before tugging me down, capturing my lips in a slow, lingering kiss. It made me smile—until I realized exactly what he was doing.

"Louis! Stop stalling me!" I scolded, pulling away.

"Who said I was stalling you?" He smirked, eyes crinkling at the corners.

As if to make matters worse, he lazily stretched, throwing the blankets off of himself. My brain short-circuited for a moment at the sight of his bare torso, and I had to blink several times to remind myself—yes, that is my boyfriend. I still wasn't used to it.