When the Clock Strikes 12:00 // L.S.

Chapter Three: Thank you, Niall

Harry's POV

That was the most agonizing couple of hours. I knew from the moment I looked at him, working with him was going to be difficult.

I was kneading the dough for a new loaf of bread when he walked in with Barbra. I had looked up and the sight of him knocked the breath right out of me. He was short, maybe only up to my shoulder but he had this amazing chestnut hair that swept efforts across his forehead in a neat but messy sort of fringe. His jawline looked like it could cut my finger if I touched it and his eyes were a mesmerizing color of blue. He stood there by the door for a bit looking at me and I quickly let my eyes fall to the ground before he caught me aggressively staring at him with my mouth open like an idiot.

The rest of the night I tried to talk to Louis as little as possible because I knew if I didn't and talked to him like I did with Gigi or Niall, I speak complete gibberish. Just looking at him made me nervous and I could barely explain how to make a latte without my voice shaking. He was so perfect, and I hardly knew him.

The entire night went by in almost complete silence except for my momentary outburst about the Great Gatsby which I was still cringing at myself for how nerdy I sounded. 

The problem was Louis looked like he actually wanted to talk with me which didn't make any sense. On the bus ride home my mind continued to spin trying to figure out how the heck I was going to make it through these night shifts and by the time I made it home I was a mess. And it was for that reason I called Niall that night.

"Hiya Harry," Niall said perkily as ever.

"You have a couple of moments?" I ask turning on my night lap and getting comfy under my blankets.

"Uh, I just ordered out from Nando's." He said guiltily. "So yes, I have time."

I rolled my eyes, "Ok well I met him today, my co-worker."

"Oh my gosh tell me all about it!" Niall said as if were teenage girls exchanging gossip on the latest celebrity scandals.

"His name is Louis...Louis Tomlinson I think and he's, he's..."

"Yes?" Niall said and I could imagine him clutching the phone to his ear in anticipation.

"Niall he's so fucking wonderful." I finally cried out. "He's gorgeous first of all and he's wore this really sick band t-shirt that I didn't know but it looked cool. Plus, he's the kind of person who saved the frogs in biology class."

"Yes!" Niall exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "Harry this is perfect!"

"No, it isn't, I could barely talk with him without my voice shaking. He probably thinks I'm mute or something."

"Harry you just need to relax. I know with your parents and all this is going to be hard, but you owe it to yourself to have a bit of fun."

I frown, "I am having fun."

"Sure Harry. I bet you're having a blast with your head always in a textbook. I sure you're having the time of your life with your three friends...one of them being 80-year-old women who owns a bakery might I add."

"Well, when you put it that way..." I scowled but he was right. My life was boring and a bit lonely.

"I'm not saying you have to date him; it just might be nice to have four friends instead of three."

"I don't think I would say no if he asked," I say quietly.

"There you go, Harry. Just be you, be honest. Go tell him 'you stress me the fuck out because I think you hot' just so he knows you where you're coming from."

I turn red but he's right. No, I wasn't going to say that, but I could try being more honest.

"Thank you, Niall, I'll leave you to your takeout now."

"Don't tell Ashley." Niall jokes. "She already thinks I'm cheating on her because of you."

"Good night Niall."

"Good luck tomorrow Harry."

I hung up the phone and turned off my light, pulling the covers up to my chin, and fell asleep with butterflies in my stomach. Tomorrow I would speak to the blue-eyed boy.

A/N

Hello beautiful human,

I know this was a short chapter but I wanted you to get the feel of Niall and Harry's friendship. There will be more Harry x Louis content in the next chapter, that's if poor Harry can work up the courage to speak to Louis :)

I also realized after writing and naming this chapter this iconic moment of Louis saying "thank you, Niall." The name of the chapter doesn't have anything to do with the clip but for my fellow directioners  I hope it brings a smile to your face  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRs45jjWM70&ab_channel=Zarxie

All the luv ♡