Budget Cuts, Huh?

Chapter 2

Louis started to head off the bus with the rest of the contestants, already projecting a confident aura around him in an attempt to cover his unexpected nerves regarding the camp. Louis has never been one to get overly nervous, especially about completion, he was almost always confident enough in his own skill that winning was basically a given. But now that he wasn't just relying on himself, now that he had this lot to worry about, things began to feel a lot more complicated.

"Ouch!" Someone screamed behind him from further inside the bus. "Get off me you cow"

Louis recognised that voice. Zayn.

Louis hesitantly looked back towards the rest of the group, wanting to avoid conflict if possible.

What Louis sees does not disappoint. An almost animalistic Niall, who shows no sign of stopping, shoves Zayn out of his path and back into a seat as he bolts towards the front of the bus, leaving nothing but destruction and chaos in his wake. And, worse yet, Niall was heading for him.

Louis quickly dives into the nearest seat, his only thought finding safety from the human tornado that was Niall Horan. Let's just say that Louis' landing on the seat wasn't exactly graceful, he probably made an absolute fool of himself, limbs flailing every which way. But hey, if that's what it takes to co-exist with Niall, he guesses he'll just have to get used to the embarrassment.

A deep Cheshire ChuckleTM resonates from the back of the bus, coming from that Harry guy he guesses.

Fuck, Louis hasn't even spoken to the guy yet. He must think Louis is an absolute idiot. Of course Louis would manage to make a fool out of himself in front of that gorgeous spoodle boy.

Louis turns his head to see Niall back bounding off the bus and decides the coast is clear for him to reattempt his exit.

Safely stepping out onto the grass, Louis' eyes drift over to the cluster of baggage on the ground and the proud looking camp counselor standing next to it. The guy had short brown hair, and a dazzling smile, and a name tag on his uniform informing Louis that his name was Shawn.

While Louis' eyes scan the pile for his bag he unfortunately does not discover the orange duffel bag. However, Louis does spot something far more interesting. A rosy cheeked and flustered Niall asking 'Shawn' if he could help him get his bag.

After walking around the stack of bags for a minute and pushing aside some of the bigger suitcases, Louis manages to spot the handles of his bag sticking out, just barely visible, at the bottom of the pile.

Great! Just Louis' luck.

Louis struggles to grab the handles of his duffel bag, eventually getting a good hold and beginning an attempt at pulling it out. It doesn't budge.

C'mon! Louis knows can totally get the bag out from the bottom. One, Two, Three, Pull! Louis bag barely moved an inch. It wasn't Louis fault it didn't move, he wasn't built for such manual labour. Spotting his bandmate Harry easily pulling the bags from the pile to find his, lifting suitcases with such ease its amazing this guy is a singer and not an athlete.

Louis decides to recruit him for the task.

"Harry, mate, you mind helping me get my bag? I swear to god they super glued it in there or something."

Harry smiles "Yeah sure no problem. This one yours?" Harry asks, pointing to the handles Louis is gripping onto as if his life depends on it.

"Yeah this is the one"

Harry then moves over and replaces Louis' hands with his own, yanking out the bag in one swift pull.

"I totally loosened it for you." Louis defends neck red.

"Oh of course." Harry replied.

Possibly flirtily? Louis pondered this and life's other great questions.

"Alright campers! Time to get set up in your rooms." Shawn calls over at them cheerfully with a Canadian accent to Louis surprise and Niall's swoon, nice.

"I'll show you guys, the boy band right? You're the last ones hanging about."

Shawn leads them down to a cabin called 'Lazy Bear' and hands them the keys

"And here we are, see you at lunch, bye Niall!" Niall's face flushes as he waves Shawn goodbye giddily.

'Lazy Bear' let's hope that isn't a hint to his bandmates work ethic, Louis thinks to himself as Liam opens the door to the cabin.

The room has mahogany wood walls and beige carpet giving it a homey feel, there are three bunk beds and a door leading into a run down bathroom with one sink. The bunk beds covered almost all of the wall space except for above the door, which was instead filled by a tasteful crucifix. Gotta love Christianity.

"Ace!" Liam says throwing his bag down on one of the bunks on the left hand side.

"Zayn, want to bunk with me?" Liam questions

"Yeah sure!" Zayn replies with a beaming smile, Louis wasn't sure Zayn even now how to smile. Now this was a fascinating discovery.

"Bags not sharing!" Louis yells seating himself on the singular bunk on the right hand side wall.

"I need the extra bed for... ahh... reasons..."

Good save Louis.

The other guys look at him a bit strangely but think better than pushing any more questions.

"Guess it's just you and me then my sandwich friend!" Niall exclaims to Harry slinging his arm over his shoulder.

Harry shudders.

Just as whatever that was is happening Shawn pokes his head through the door "Hey guys, time to come down to the cafeteria, dinners just been served."