The Bet

6

In the week that followed Harry and Louis spent even more time together. Harry and Zayn sat with them every lunch break and they actually talked now.

Harry drove Louis home after school and they did homework together and watched movies, snuggled up in Louis's bed. Harry had even stayed for dinner a few times when Louis's mum insisted.

They kissed a lot. Louis was slowly getting addicted to Harry's kisses and his curly hair and his smell. Everything about him really. He had butterflies in his stomach all the time. What the hell was happening to him? He had forgotten all about the bet at least until the guys reminded him. 

They were sitting in a study room on their last class for the day, writing a small essay in English. At least that was what they were supposed to do. As soon as they had sat down Liam turned to Louis to interrogate him. 
"So, how's the bet going?"

"The bet? Oh..." Louis hesitated. His stomach dropped.

"Yeah, the bet. I have to be honest with you. It doesn't look good for me and Niall right now. I can't believe you got him to date you for almost two weeks now. He seems really smitten." Liam grunted.

"That's good Li. No way Harry is gonna break up with him if he's falling for him.  You're so gonna lose Louis!" Niall grinned.

Those weird butterflies were back.
"Isn't this kind of mean?" Louis questioned.

"It's just for fun Lou. It's not like Harry will find out and I don't think he'll care anyhow. He's not the boyfriend type. I thought we would win this after the first date." Liam answered.

"Can you make up your mind? You just said he looks smitten and if that's the case it means!" Louis huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"It's Harry Styles we're talking about. He won't break it off until he got you in bed." Niall smirked.

Louis gasped.
"That's fucking offensive Nialler! Don't talk about him like that!"

Niall and Liam looked like question marks and Louis grabbed his books and stormed off. He stuffed his books in his locker and headed outside in a hurry. He ran into Harry in the hallway and would have fallen flat on his ass if Harry hadn't grabbed him to keep him on his feet.
"Woah! What's wrong Lou? You look upset."

Louis took a deep breath.
"I'm fine." He mumbled.

"No, you're not. Come on, let's do something." Harry said and took Louis's hand. He pulled him towards the exit.

Louis followed him and when they reached Harry's bike he put on the extra helmet and climbed onto the motorcycle. Harry drove off. Fifteen minutes later he stopped at a flower market. He parked the bike and took his helmet off and Louis did the same.
"Flowers?" He questioned with an eyebrow raised.

Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"It was the first thing that came to mind. Flowers always make me happy. We can go somewhere else if you don't like it."

"It's perfect Harry." Louis smiled. He felt much better already but that had more to do with the gorgeous boy beside him than the flowers. Harry took his hand and they strolled between the many different kinds of flowers on display.

Harry stopped when he saw sunflowers and picked one out and paid for it. He handed it to Louis who blushed and stuttered a "thank you."

They looked at all the flowers and small talked for half an hour and then Louis's tummy growled and Harry burst out laughing.
"Come on, let's eat something."

They went back to the motorcycle and Harry drove them to a hamburger joint. They ordered and sat down opposite each other.
"So tell me about your home town, Holmes Chapel was it?" Louis said.

"Nothing much to tell." Harry chuckled.

"What did you do? Who did you hang out with?" Louis asked and drank from his milkshake.

"Ehm, I mostly hung out with Rick, my best friend. We played games or just chilled. Nothing much to do in a small town like Holmes Chapel." Harry answered.

"Yeah? You must miss him." Louis said.

"Every day." Harry mumbled and looked away.

"Maybe he can come and visit you?" Louis suggested.

"Uhm, he can't. He died last year." Harry answered, clearly affected by the topic.

Louis's mouth fell open.
"What? I'm so sorry Harry! That's awful."

"Yeah..." Harry still refused to look up.

"It was never my intention to make you sad. I'm so sorry you lost your friend. Do you wanna talk about it?" Louis said softly and put his hand on Harrys and squeezed it.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. He looked so sad. Louis didn't think he would say anything but then Harry started to talk.
"We knew each other since kindergarten. Rick was a great guy but he struggled with depression. I never understood how bad it was because he refused to talk about it and he was funny and we laughed all the time. He committed suicide and I missed the signs. I totally missed it. I was a lousy friend and now he's dead."

Louis stared at him and then his features soften.
"No Harry. God. It's not on you. You were a great friend. How could you possibly know? You said that he didn't talk about it. It's not your fault. You're young. If adults didn't catch the signs, how can anyone expect you to? Don't put that on yourself. Please." Louis pleaded softly.

Harry sighed and wiped his eyes. Louis pretended like he didn't notice.
"Maybe...thanks, Lou."

They ate their food and the atmosphere changed. Soon they were both laughing at something silly Louis said. When they were done they walked out to the motorcycle and Harry drove Louis home. Louis jumped off as soon as they reached his house and handed Harry the extra helmet.
"Thanks, Harry for taking me out."

"You're welcome. Any time." Harry smiled.

"And thanks for telling me about your friend." Louis continued.

Harry just nodded his head and took a step closer. He leaned down and connected their lips. Louis immediately kissed back. Soon they were clinging to each other, trying to get closer. Harry broke it off.
"Shit, ehm, maybe we shouldn't give your neighbors a free show." He chuckled amused.

Louis giggled.
"Yeah, bye Harry. See you tomorrow."

He watched as Harry drove off, feeling the butterflies in his stomach trying to make a break for it.