Habit // l.s

7. The Meeting

Louis awoke the next morning feeling unusually rested. For once in his life, he felt confident. Confident that Simon would love his songs. Maybe that's why he slept so well. Maybe he should've tried being more confident. After all, he felt good.

8:32 a.m.

"Right." Louis sighed with a sharp breath, smacking his hands on his knees.

He had an hour before the boys and him had to head off to the meeting, so that meant Louis had one hour to try and make himself look as perfect as possible. He wanted to look his best when he showed Simon his creations.

The older boy walked towards his unpacked suitcase and began throwing clothes on his bed. He had so many possible outfits. From sweatpants to suits, from red to yellow, he had it all. That's why his outfit choice so difficult.

"Casual or formal...?" Louis quietly asked himself as he rummaged his hands through the sprawled out clothes on his bed.

After about ten more minutes and a slight mental breakdown, Louis had finally decided on his look. A blue button up shirt to add something formal to his look and some black skinny jeans to complement his casual side.

After dressing himself, Louis walked into the painfully gray, boring bathroom filled with mysterious spots and bruises on the walls. He took a deep breath as he turned towards the large mirror, preparing himself for what he was about to see.

A smile broke Louis' lips. He was glowing with pride. The person he saw in his reflection looked like nothing he had seen before. Louis wasn't frowning at how fat he looked or cringing at his bed head hair style. He felt so comfortable, so confident.

"Alright!" Louis grinned, flexing his muscles. "I look hot!"

"LOUUUUU!" A voice screeched from outside the older boys room.

Louis sighed, dragging his eyes away from the mirror and strutting towards the door and cracking it open slightly.

"Yes, Niall?"

"Get your tiny ass out here. The boss man is waiting."

Louis rolled his eyes and let out a snort before quickly grabbing his notebook.

"What's that?" Niall asked, nosily peaking his head in the older boys room.

"You'll see soon."

"Come on!" Niall pouted.

"Shh." Louis playfully shoved Nialls head as they both walked out of the small, stuffy hotel room.

•••

The car ride to Simons office was filled with an anxious tension. Zayn was his usual, quite self. Yet for some reason, all the boys kept silent too. They were nervous, Simon just gave off that vibe. A vibe that sent chills down your spine, but not a good chill. A eerie, intimidating chill.

Louis tried not to let his anxiety best him, but it didn't help that Harry kept nudging his knee into the older boys leg. Every time the younger boys knee graced Louis' leg, his head clouded. He couldn't focus on anything except for Harry's damn knee. It was so gorgeous. He didn't understand how a knee could be so beautiful. Before Louis could place his hand on the curly boys knee, the car screeched to a halt.

"We've arrived." The security guard announced as he began to usher the boys out of the vehicle.

The building that stood before them was ginormous. There must have been hundreds of windows and doors and offices inside. The building intrigued Louis, but also scared him. He tried his best to muster up the rest of his confidence before they headed inside.