True Lies (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 7

NIALL:

     I looked in the mirror as I combed my fingers through my hair one last time before I went to meet Zayn, Harry and Louis. I had changed into a clean shirt and jeans before putting a jacket on over it and tying my shoes. I shoved my wallet in my back pocket and picked up my keys. I strode past Harry’s room, which was now empty, except for the few pieces of clothing and furniture that remained. I closed the door and decided to just leave it alone. I didn’t know if he would be back or not after Louis got well enough to live on his own. I hoped they would stay together. Harry wasn’t the same after Louis. I thought they both needed each other

***

I pulled into the parking lot of Zayn’s apartment building, checking my hair once again before getting out and ringing the buzzer for his apartment. I felt a little sick at betraying Liam, but quickly pushed those thoughts away when I saw Zayn appear in the doorway smiling at me. I smiled back. His hair was styled and his eyes glistened in the dim light of the setting sun. He had a bit of stubble on his chin, though it didn’t bother me too much as it suited him. His lips curled into a smile as he looked at me and I saw his glittering white teeth. His eyes curled in the corners with his smile and I felt my knees turn into jelly.

     “Ready?” he asked, pushing me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah.” I grinned and he took his hand in mine, walking me to his car.

     “Have you heard from Liam?” he asked me. I shook my head in response. He frowned.

“He didn’t answer my call this morning. That’s not like him.” He said, completely unaware of Liam’s feelings for him. My mind flashed back through the last few months and I tried to decide of Lima just hid his crush well, or Zayn was just oblivious. I think it a little of both.

***

HARRY:

     I stepped out of the shower and dressed for our ‘date’ with Zayn and Niall while Louis sat in the living room trying to amuse himself waiting. I rubbed a towel over my curls and began to pull a shirt over my head when I saw Louis in the mirror smirking at me from the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Looking at you.” He said. “Am I not allowed to watch my boyfriend get dressed?” he asked teasingly. I felt my heart sink at the word ‘boyfriend’ and tried to recover quickly.

“No, you just… surprised me.” I muttered and continued to dress, painfully aware of Louis stare as I did so, my cheeks turning a dark shade of maroon by the time I was done.

***

     “What are you guys having?” I heard Zayn ask from across the tale where he sat next to Niall. I shrugged, I wasn’t hungry. My exchange with Louis at home before had me nervous and jittery. I couldn’t think of anything except for the way he looked at me. He looked at me as if I created the world. I felt sick. “Are you okay?” Louis whispered in my ear when Zayn was talking to the waitress. I forced a smile and nodded, nervously wrapping an arm around his waist. He leaned into my touch and grinned at me the way he used to. I smiled back and swallowed my feelings of guilt. I was completely convinced that this had to happen.

     We said goodbye to Niall and Zayn before stepping back inside our dark apartment, Louis holding tight to my hand with his iron grip, our fingers entwined together. I hadn’t eaten much at dinner, just enough to not look sick or abnormal, though I was sure Louis noticed. I immediately went to the bathroom to take a shower. I stood under the hit water, letting it loosen the tight muscles in my back from our date. I was tense and just wanted to go to bed and escape from the harsh reality that I was faced with every time I looked into Louis’ bright cerulean eyes.

     I climbed into bed after drying off and Louis was waiting for me. I pulled the blankets over our bodies and he curled into my side. He closed his eyes and I felt like I could finally breathe when his chest began to move up and down in a slow rhythm. I looked down at him. His face was pushed into my side and one of his arms was thrown across my stomach. His body was relaxed but his lips were curled into a small smile, so small it was almost unrecognizable. He looked, happy.

     I threw up early the next morning. I woke up from my uneasy sleep with a watery mouth and a churning stomach. I threw the blankets and Louis off of my body and ran for the bathroom where I emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet until I could do nothing but dry heave. My head throbbed and my limbs were sore. I felt as if I had the flu. I looked up and saw Louis standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and looking at me, concerned. “Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer. I nodded.

“Yeah, I guess dinner just wasn’t agreeing with me.” I forced a small smile. He didn’t buy it because he came forward, putting an arm around my waist and hoisting me up. He helped me back and gave me a glass of water.

     “Drink this.” He commanded. I obeyed and took small sips of the water, hoping to ease the waves rolling through my stomach and the urn that stg the back of my throat.

“Thanks Lou.” I said, a small smile playing on my lips before I fell back asleep.