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

Chapter Four: First Words

Louis's POV

"Dude, what time did you get home last night?" Liam asks me as we walk down the steps of the community college and to the park.

"12:45," I grumble. I was keeping the job because it worked with my schedule but was still adjusting to the hours.

"So, who's this mysterious co-worker of yours that you'll be spending all your evenings with instead of us?" Zayn asks jumping up onto a ledge and sitting down.

"His name is Harry," I say as the image of him with flour on his nose passed through my mind making me smile.

"Aww Zayn, look at little Lou's smile." Liam teased. "Somebody's got a crush."

"Would you quit it." I saw but I can feel the edges of my lips turning up into a smile. "I just met him yesterday."

"I think you're right Liam, look he's blushing." Zayn chimed in.

"You two are going to jail," I say pushing Zayn off the ledge, so he fell backward onto the grass, his legs flying up over his head.

"Umfh." Zayn said standing up and brushing himself off.

Liam was clutching his side laughing, "You almost did a flip." He said through laughs.

The three of us moved together as a pack. You almost never saw one without the other two. We all just clicked and living together after high school wasn't part of the plan, but it just happened.

"Let's go get something to eat." Liam said as we got up, "Because Louis's leaving us early."

"Say, can we walk you to your job?" Zayn asked excitedly, "I want to meet this Harry person."

I couldn't say no because I knew they wouldn't listen, so I agreed as long as they promised not to embarrass me.

"Don't count on it." Liam snickered and I gave him a shove.

It was getting dark but in the city of New York, especially during the holidays, the evening was brighter than the day due to all the lights.

We rounded the corner of the café and I opened the door for my two friends to step inside.

"Well, you're here early," Gigi said to me as she reloads the tray of muffins.

"Yeah my friends here wanted to see the pla-" I said motioning to Zayn and Liam.

"And order a cup of New York's finest coffee." Zayn interrupts giving Gigi a warm smile. I turn to Liam and groan; once Zayn sees something, he likes he goes after it and there's no stopping.

"I'm getting ready for some secondhand embarrassment," Liam mutters and Zayn shamelessly flirts with Gigi over the counter.

I'm about to agree when Harry walks in through the door from the kitchen, an apron hanging from his waist and his cheeks bright. "I just made the last batch of the day." He told Gigi wiping his hands on a towel and looked up to see me.

"Oh, hi Louis." He said in his full voice, but he still looked terrified.

"Hey, I'll be back there in a minute." I say gesturing to Liam, "This is my friend Liam and that's Zayn."

Harry raised his eyebrows at Gigi and Zayn but didn't say anything. "Nice to meet you." He said instead of Liam and offered out his hand.

Liam took it and gave me a smirk. "Good eye." He whispered and then to Harry, "I just stopped by to drop Lou here off. We'll be going now." Now trying to pry Zayn away from Gigi.

The two of them made their way to the door and I heard Zayn tell Liam gleefully, "I got her number."

I rolled my eyes, "Sorry about that."