"Nervous?" Liam asked as he joined Louis on the couch.
"Maybe a little," Louis answered, "I mean, it could be any of us really."
They were now with 12, three guys had to leave the last rose ceremony.
"Except Zayn and Steven," Liam replied, "Steven still hopes he's gonna be on the group date card, though. Zayn told me he thinks he'll be stuck in the mansion this week."
Louis nodded, "Zayn told me the same thing. Oh, and I hope Steven's name won't be on that card."
Liam chuckled, "Don't like him, do you?"
He shrugged, "Don't really know him. His attitude says enough, though."
"Yeah," Liam let out a breath, "Louis?"
"Hm?"
"I know we're supposed to be 'competing', I hate that term, but...I wanted to let you know that I think you're a cool guy."
A smile appeared on Louis' face. "Why thank you, Liam. You're pretty decent as well."
A matching smile appeared on Liam and before the moment could get a bit awkward, the doorbell rang.
"Well, time for us to find out." Liam said, one of the guys going to get the card while the others joined them in the living room.
It was Tom who brought in the card and opened it, a grin appearing on his face as he read it. "Well, someone's gonna be very happy."
"Well, who is it?" Harry called out, "Don't leave us hanging, man."
"Louis," as soon as the name came out of Tom's mouth, there were cheers and Liam pulled Louis against him to give him a celabatory hug. "Let's have a blast to our past. X, Niall."
"Are you serious?" Louis didn't quite believe it yet.
"Yeah, man. Here." Tom gave him the card so he could see for himself.
Seems like hiding his dissapointment last week didn't really work, because every guy congratulated him, telling him they were happy for him.
All of them, except for Steven... Louis didn't really mind, though. The more the guy stayed out of his way, the better.
----------..........----------
On the outside, Louis was his usual calm, sassy, funny self; while on the inside he was really getting nervous.
He was waiting for Niall to come and pick him up for their first date together. Hopefully it wouldn't be their last...
There were a few wolf whistles when Niall entered the living room, making him blush, while Louis stood up to give him a hug.
"Hey," Niall smiled at him, "Are you ready for our date?"
"Of course I am. Been ready since last week."
Niall snorted, "Well, ok then, mister impatient. Off we go then."
Louis was glad Niall didn't take his words too personal, like a lot of people would, bid goodbye to the guys and followed Niall outside.
Louis sat down in the passenger seat of the car, Niall taking up the driver's side. He had almost held the door open for Louis, but, that might have been a bit too cliche.
He put on the radio as he started up the car, letting Louis know they didn't have to do small talk if he didn't want to. He had a feeling the silence between them would be a comfortable one instead of an awkward one.
What he didn't expect was for Louis to start singing along when a song from The Fray came on; Or how good he actually sounded.
Louis suddenly seemed to notice Niall's glances -more like stares- at him because he abruptly stopped singing and turned his head, staring out of the window.
"Why did you stop?" Niall questioned softly.
"I don't even know why I started singing in the first place. Maybe because they're my favorite group..."
"It sounded good."
"Of course they do, they---"
"No, no." Niall cut him off. "You did."
"Oh," Louis ducked his head, "I mean, I...thanks."
Niall smiled, "Who knew a drama teacher could sing?!" he teased.
Louis snorted and rolled his eyes. "Don't judge a book by it's cover, Neil."
"Neil?"
"It's more British than Niall."
It was Niall's turn to snort, "Thank God I'm Irish, then."
Louis hummed and looked around a little. "Where are we going anyway?"
Niall grinned. "You'll see."
"You could tell me first."
"No, I cant." Niall replied, stressing out the words a bit. "Because then I'd ruin the surprise."
Louis pouted a little, "I hate surprises."
Niall laughed, "I'm pretty sure you won't hate this one."
Louis raised his eyebrow, "Already acting like you know me so well, huh?"
Niall swallowed, ducking his head, "It's not....I din't mean to--" he trailed off when he felt a small pressure on his knee, he looked down and saw Louis' hand resting on it.
"Don't stress," Louis told him softly, "I was just joking."
Niall let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding, "Ok."
Louis squeezed his knee, letting his hand rest there instead of pulling it back.
If Niall had a stupid grin on his face the rest of the ride, he couldn't help it, ok?
