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

Chapter Eleven: I Fell for You

Harry's POV

"No, no, no," I grunt as I fling shirts and hoodies all over my apartment floor. It was a couple of hours before I had to leave for work and then my first real date.

"Harry you're overthinking this," Niall said from my bed. He was supposed to be helping me but was the least bit helpful and he had resorted to just being moral support.

"I just don't want to screw this up," I say frustratedly throwing yet another t-shirt out of my dresser and Niall dodged to the left as to not get hit.

"Louis likes you. He really likes you and at that point, you could show up in your scooby doo costume and he would still take you out."

"You really think so?"

"I know so," Niall said confidently. "I've seen the way he looks at you, and just by accepting his offer to go out made him shine brighter than Rockefeller center on Christmas."

I bit my lip, I really wanted to believe him. "Ok, how about this?"

I turn around and show him loose blue jeans and an oversized, long-sleeved t-shirt with a blue and orange parka. I really had no clue what I was doing.

"You look great man," Niall said nodded. Then all of the sudden he flew off the bed and tackled me in a hug, "Harry I'm such a proud mom right now. I feel like I've been waiting for six years for this."

"That's because you have been waiting six years for this moment. And I'm not getting married; I'm going on a date," I grumble but allow myself to be pulled into the hug.

"I'm proud of you Harry," Niall says. "I know this is...hard for you."

I take a deep breath, "Louis makes it easy."

...

"Hey," Louis says as I open the back door into the kitchen. "You ready for tonight?"

I nod shyly, "I-I'm excited." Then fall silent not trusting my mouth.

"This is going to be the longest five hours of my life," Louis complains as he walks back to the front counter.

And boy, was he right. I swear everyone that came in that evening took ten minutes longer ordering and lingered way too long by the fire.

My neck hurt from the many times I looked up to check the clock, counting down the minutes until Louis and I could leave.

"One more hour," Louis whispered into my ear as he brushed by me on his way to the coffee machine and I shuddered.

"Hi welcome to Espresso Coffee House and Bakery how may I help you?" I said to the lady at the counter.

"I need two large peppermint macchiatos with cream and caramel drizzle."

"Of course," I said punching in the order and hurrying off to the kitchen. I made the drinks and threw in an extra candy cane because I was in a good mood.

"Here you go," I said handing the women her drinks.

She thanked me and headed out just as a family of three came in.

Why was it that one day we wanted to leave it was so busy? I think frustratedly as I take the family's orders. The past nights, only a few people have come in if any.

"Here are the three apple muffins and one hot chocolate." Louis says at the other end of the counter and then walks up to me, "Thirty more minutes."

God, if only he knew the butterflies he was setting off when he did that.

The family sat down on the couches near the fire and began to eat their muffins and I tried not to glare daggers in their direction in hopes it would hurry them up.