Contracted [l.t]

Chapter 10

Every time I look at Louis, I can't help but blush. It's begun to sink in that maybe this date is actually that, a date. A real date, not a carefully orchestrated appearance or a perfectly planned appointment, but a casual, almost awkward date between two people who actually might have feelings for each other. At least, I know that I have feelings for Louis, and maybe I'm just hoping that he has feelings for me.

We spend the rest of our time just talking and picking at the food. It feels weird to spend time with a guy and actually learn more about him, usually there's just a lot of whispered instructions and directions that help to make sure that everything turns out looking perfect from the outside. I can't remember the last time I even went on a real date, probably sometime in high school, so after that kiss I basically have no idea of what to do.

That kiss. We haven't said anything about it. I don't know if I should even bring up the topic, because maybe I'm making it out to be more than it was, maybe it was just a heat of the moment thing and I'm reading too much into it. But how could I be? If this is a real date, it's more than likely that that was a real kiss, but I suppose there will always be a part of me that will never be able to accept the idea that maybe Louis Tomlinson might have wanted to kiss me.

In a moment of silence, I pick up my camera again and start to scroll through the library and look through all of the photos I've taken. I can't help but smile at some of them, specifically the ones I took of Louis, and the one he took of me. It's nice to see him so ... normal. So relaxed and joyful, almost shy looking. I glance up at him, my top teeth nibbling on my bottom lip, and see that he's already staring at me with a smile on his face, and I blush heavily.

"How come you don't do this instead of medical school?" Louis asks, leaning back on his palms and nodding at my camera. "You know, going into photography?"

"I don't think I ever really thought of doing it professionally." I say, shrugging lightly. Ever since Matty, nothing but going into medicine seemed like an option. "I was always so set on becoming a doctor that I don't think I properly considered it."

"You should." Louis says, starting to pack away some of the rubbish that we've left behind. "Your photos are great, and it seems like you enjoy doing that more than what you do now."

I sigh as he reminds me of my predicament with school. I'd never considered doing photography, I'd never even thought of it as a proper career. I put my camera down as I think about another possible option, that maybe I could do this instead of trying to re-sit my exams. I shake my head not wanting to think about this right now, not wanting to ruin my day after how good it's been with Louis.

I help him pack up everything, which takes us a while considering we get distracted a lot and spend minutes joking around with each other and messing things up even more, when we're meant to be cleaning up. He stands up and holds out a hand to me when we finally finish packing everything into the cute little picnic basket, and I can't help but blush when I put my hand in his. Louis smiles as he notices my red cheeks, and that only makes me blush harder. I go to walk away, embarrassed and shy all of a sudden; apparently, it's no problem for me to pretend to be in a relationship with someone for the benefit of hundreds of people, but the prospect of it actually being real is too much for me. I forget about my hand in his until I step too far out, and he tugs me back, almost twirling me into his arms. My hands rest on his chest as I look up at him in surprise, a look that only becomes more intense when he leans down and gives me a soft peck on the lips.

"You're cute." He says once he pulls away, looking down at me. I'm positive that my face is actually burning, but even though I'm embarrassed, all I can think of is kissing him again, and when my eyes flicker down to his lips briefly, I can't stop myself. Our lips meet again for a brief moment, barely a second, but I can feel my heartbeat stutter at the feeling.