Best Friend's Brother

Chapter Two

Louis checked his room once more, biting his lip. It was probably the best it was going to get, but yet he still wanted to tidy it up further. The problem was, though, he had no idea how to clean. He’d try, fail, and then give up all together. On the rare occasion that he didn’t give up, his room only seemed to get even messier. He needed someone’s help, maybe from a certain brother who just so happened to be a neat freak.

He walked out of his cluttered room, making his way to Liam’s instead. His younger brother had been stressing all day, not knowing what to say, do, wear. Just about everything was freaking him out. Apparently he wanted his and Danielle’s study date to be ‘perfect’, quote Liam. 

“Open up, bro! I need your help with something!” Louis called out through the door. He heard a door close, a loud sigh, and then Liam’s bedroom door opened. He crossed his arms across his chest, looking at Louis critically. 

“What is it?” He asked, suspicion evident in his voice. Louis inspected his brother. He was wearing a long sleeved plaid shirt, tan khakis, and red converses. It was his usual look, just like Louis’ were braces, stripes, and colourful chinos. 

Louis squinted his eyes at Liam, before ruffling his hair and styling it in a different form. Liam’s hands flew to his hair, automatically trying to fix it.

“Relax, it looks better that way. I helped you, mate. I need you to come to my room and-“

“No, no way, I am not going into your room. Or should I say, pigsty?”

Louis glared. “I helped you! My room’s not a pigsty, either. I tidied it up a bit, but I just can’t make it look as good as I know you can.”

Liam sent him a questioning glance. “Can you see the floor?” He’d made the mistake of walking into Louis’ room once before, and it was not pretty. 

“Yes, and you can see my bed too.” Liam gasped. “Oh, don’t look so surprised! I’m having a, uh, special someone come over today. I need everything to look orderly and stuff.” Louis mumbled, hoping Liam wouldn’t ask any questions. He should have know better, because it was Liam after all, who was basically the king of questions. 

“Who? She must be pretty important to you. Eleanor tried to get you to clean your room the whole time you were dating, never once listened to her.”

That wasn’t true, Louis had attempted once or twice. His cheeks flushed as he realised Liam had a point. He was trying so hard to impress Harry, who was a dude, and probably had an equally messy room. Yet for Eleanor he hadn’t really given a shit. He knew something was possibly wrong with that, but oh well.

“It’s no one you know,” Louis lied. “Just a girl from my homeroom.” 

“Oh,” Liam paused. “I guess I’ll help you with your room.”

Louis whooped, wrapping his arms around his brother. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now hurry up, you’re supposed to be to Danielle’s in thirty minutes.”

“How do you know that?” Liam inquired. 

With a scoff, Louis answered him, “You’ve been talking about it nonstop. You would think you’re getting married or something.” 

Liam chuckled. “I can’t help it, I’m just so excited. If she really likes me back…” He shook his head, trailing off. The mere thought of it sent goosebumps up and down his arms.

“Okay, stop fantasising and get to cleaning.” Louis said, shoving Liam into his room. Liam looked around, and Louis couldn’t help but feel proud of himself. The younger boy was wearing a look of surprise and impression.