Just Silly Kids (Larry Stylinson)

23. Sense

It was Thursday afternoon and Niall, Harry and Haley were sitting in Harry's bottom bunk, talking about the upcoming maths exam, when the door swung open and Liam entered. But instead of a greeting them, Liam only barked, "Niall, I've been intending to talk to you. Harry, Haley, out."

"Why?" Niall asked, but his two friends already got up and walked to the door.

"I'll tell you as soon as we're alone." Liam said, sitting down next to Niall on the bunk bed and waving for Harry and Haley to leave.

"Wow, you're abnormally rude today." Niall commented, watching his friends leave the room.

"Well, I can tell you why." Liam turned to face him. "Because I am the one who had to comfort our heartbroken friend the last 35 hours or something. What the fuck are you doing, Ni?"

"What are you talking about?" Niall asked, although he already had an idea where this was going.

"Look." Liam said. "I'm really not good with all this social stuff, but it's even obvious to me that Louis and Harry love each other. We've even talked about this. And now I have to hear from a crying Lou that 'His Hazza'", he tried imitating Louis' voice, "is dating you. You, who were always supporting them. How the fuge did this happen?"

Niall took a deep breath. "Look, it's not what it looks like. It's just, Louis almost found something out that I don't want anyone to know. Not even Harry knows the whole truth even though he's the one helping me. This was just the easiest way out."

"So..." Liam frowned. "You're dating Harry to keep a secret from Louis? So you're using Harry?"

"No." Niall shrieked indignantly. "I- we're not really dating. I just told Louis that so he would stop asking."

"Okay, so when can you stop, because Louis is pretty damn depressed." Liam said. "Also, what did you tell Harry so he would agree with this? We all know that he would never even consider dating anyone but Lou."

Niall let out a heavy breath. "Many things. That I don't want anyone to find out what we're doing. But you're right, that wasn't enough reason for him since I don't want him to know the whole truth, but I also told him we could make Louis jealous so that he finally admits his feelings. It's a pretty awesome side effect."

Liam laughed, though there was no real joy behind it. "A side effect that is not needed anymore."

"What?" Niall asked. "It is absolutely needed. Louis finally needs to get his head out of his arse any admit that he is in love with Harry. Our plan will help brilliantly."

"It's a pretty stupid plan." Liam commented.

Niall grimaced. "Yeah, Haley said the same, but it's a classic movie move to make someone realize-"

"That's not why I said it's stupid." Liam interrupted. "It's just, Louis already knows he's in love with Harry. He was about to tell him that evening, but then you told him that you are already dating Harry. He was properly messed up."

"What?" Niall asked in disbelieve. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"Well, because you're the one supposedly dating Harry."

"No, I mean, why didn't he tell me he realized?" Niall specified.

"Well, he came to me to talk about it. Is that so hard to believe?" Liam crossed his arms.

"No, no." Niall hurried to say, but Liam could see it in his eyes. Niall was disappointed that Liam had known before him. He could not blame him though. People normally always chose Niall over him, because he was cute, funny and knew how to socially integrate himself.
There was a small silence that Niall interrupted. "Anyway, so just to get this straight. The only thing separating Louis and Harry now... is me?"