what about us | l.s.

three

September 5, 2008

Self-restraint is something that doesn't come easy to Louis. He often acts impulsively, not considering the consequences. He does, however, take caution with regards to love. He shuts down anything that comes close to a romantic relationship and never lets anything happen in any 'spurs of the moment'. He's escaped many kisses and destroyed many friendships that way.

Louis' lack of self-restraint was why he was drafting a text to Harry Styles at 5 in the evening. He couldn't ignore Harry's attempt at forming a friendship, and he decided he deserved a friend since Zayn had moved at the end of their freshmen year.

L: Hi

Deleted

L: Hello

Deleted

L: Hey, this is Louis.

Sent

A small part of Louis was concerned. Harry was cheeky and came off as a very persistent person. He wouldn't be easy to get rid of, but maybe that's why he was texting him. Harry was different. He wanted to be Louis' friend. No one else fought for the friendship like Harry had already done.

H: hey louis! how are you?

L: typing

L: typing

L: I'm alright. How are you?

Louis stared at his phone with wide eyes. He had never cared how someone was, especially someone new. He usually avoided other people's emotions as much as possible. He shrugged it off as first-day confusion and awaited a response.

H: i'm fabulous! the c u t e s t boy has texted me and i have nachos!

L: typing

L: I will be ignoring the first part of that, what kind of nachos?

H: the cheesiest :D

Read

H: hey wait, come back!

H: louis

H: louis

H: louis

H: louis

H: louis

Louis was about to throw his buzzing phone out the window. He couldn't do his homework in peace, something Zayn had always let him do. He glared at his phone as the texts continued to pour in, any hope of a peaceful night gone.

L: I'm trying to do my homework.

H: homework? school ended 2 hours ago

L: typing

L: I was perfecting my essay. I'm sure you haven't started yet.

H: typing

H: no i finished it an hour ago

L: Well then.

H: are you impressed :)

L: I am.

H: thank you lou :D

L: I have to go now.

H: bye! i'll see you tomorrow!

Read

Louis didn't have to go. He felt that their friendship had formed too quickly. Looking back, it hadn't, but Louis was used to moving very very slowly, only exchanging numbers days into the friendship. He felt that he had let down his walls too soon, and it scared him. That was how people got hurt, they let someone in too soon, and that person ended up leaving.

He deleted the conversation and threw his phone into his bag. Louis' first act of protection: don't have anything to look back on. Second chances were given after someone had looked back on the past. It's easier to forget when there's no physical evidence. This first act would soon return to build Louis' walls back up.