nothing worsens, nothing grows (l.s)

0.1

london --> san francisco 

 Louis

The spring semester before graduation was long and treacherous and Louis wants nothing more than to fall into his bed and never come out of it again.

Unfortunately though, that isn't an option. In a few short weeks he'd agreed to take part in a cross-country road trip with three of his friends - well, two friends and an acquaintance. And with Liam's obsessive planning, he's also stuck here at one of their weekly meet-ups to talk about all of the small, grueling details. Louis is tired, but he knows better than to upset the trip they'd planned months in advance specifically so that he could come with them. He isn't heartless. Or at least he doesn't feel like it today.

Chewing absentmindedly on his straw, he glances around at Niall sitting beside him and Liam across the booth. They'd only been friends for about three years now, thrown together under different circumstances in uni, but it felt like they'd known each other their whole lives. Thinking about that makes it easier to tolerate their incessant bickering.

"I just don't understand why she would do this to me." Niall tugs at his newly-brown roots in frustration while Liam smirks at him from across the table.

"Don't act like you didn't just do the exact same thing to Amanda." Liam's eyebrows raise, tilting his head toward Niall.

"But that was different," Niall runs his hands down his face, "I tried to let her down easy, mate, I tried. But she wouldn't leave me alone! Went to my work and my house and even tried to catch me outside of classes. I was honest with her!"

Liam rambles on about respect and chivalry but Louis struggles to keep up with their debate. He's distracted, as he often is when their conversations aren't very intellectually stimulating. Louis had other friends in his beginning years at King's college, but these were the only ones that managed to stick around after a few months. As much as he hated to be sentimental, he was very grateful for their loyalty and willingness to drag him out of his flat every week for a large helping of greasy, overpriced fast food and milkshakes.

He kicks his foot out impatiently underneath the table, ready for their last guest to arrive so they can make arrangements for their trip and then go their separate ways. It's his last day of uni, and Louis can hear his bed calling out to him all the way from his flat. He's beginning to get restless and they'd only been seated for - he checks his phone - fifteen minutes.

Straightening up, Louis sets his elbows on the table, resting his face in his hands and making a futile attempt to contribute to the discussion. They're still talking about girls, though, and Louis can't even pretend to know anything about that.

When there's a lull in his and Niall's bickering, Liam moves his gaze to Louis.

"You okay, Lou?" Liam squints at him over the rim of his drink.

"Yeah, yeah," he nods, "I'm just tired. Ready to go home and get in bed if m'honest."

He nods sympathetically and Niall pats him on the back, nodding like he understands. He probably doesn't, because Niall's always a ball of energy, but Louis appreciates the sentiment.

"Well, as soon as Har- Haz! Hey, over here!" Niall's loud, irish lilt rings out across the cafe and Louis sinks further down into his seat to avoid any harsh looks for interrupting the peace in the small cafe.

So there he is - Harry Styles. Hair tousled just the right amount, skin tight black jeans, and a cardigan over the top of a patterned tee that would look absolutely pretentious on anyone else. Louis swears he's seen as much in the protagonist of one of the movies his younger sisters are obsessed with.