“Line up!” Zayn shouted as he paced along the white lines of the football pitch and scanned what had turned up.
“As you know we have to be a little… selective.” Zayn looked along the line, suppressing a scoff as he saw Niall Horan in the crowd, trying out again.
“Louis, Liam and I will decide who makes the cut and who doesn’t.”
“And you shouldn’t take it personally if you don’t get in. We love you all –“
“Yes, thank you, Liam.” Louis snapped, shaking his head. “Let’s just start this and get it over with as quickly as possible.”
Liam jogged over to the edge of the field and grabbed some balls, rolling them over to the feet of the players. Louis walked to the end of the line where Harry stood. He had basically dragged Harry onto the field even though the younger lad seemed reluctant about the try out - Niall gave the pair harsh glances the whole time.
Teenagers dashed around the field, keeping balls between their feet as they dodged others nimbly. A ball came right towards Niall, but as he moved he tripped over someone else’s feet and fell flat on his back.
“What the fuck, Liam?” He gasped.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to…” Liam smiled, extending a hand to Niall.
“Thanks.” Niall said, ignoring the outstretched hand and standing up. “Why were you stalking me?”
“I wasn’t stalking you, merely following. I was marking you - trying to make sure you wouldn’t get hurt…”
Niall groaned. “Just leave me alone - let me get on with it, yeah? I really want to get on the team this year.”
“I could help with that. I get a say on who get’s in.” Liam winked and ran over to Zayn, who looked less than impressed with the whole exchange.
“Nutter.” Niall said under his breath, moving to find a ball again.
Harry on the other hand, did nothing. He watched the way the others’ played, specifically the very skillful Louis. He wondered why he couldn’t just man up and tell Louis he’d never really played before.
“Harry!” The older guy called, kicking the ball right at Harry.
Harry took a deep breath and began to run forward. He had to impress Louis and get on the team. All he had to do was kick a ball.
He put all his force into his right foot, lifting it up and slamming it back down, making contact with the ball. He began smiling – until he saw where the ball was headed.
The ball flew up, travelling through the air in a beautiful arc and hit someone right in the face.
Because Harry was very, very lucky, that someone happened to be Louis.
“For fuck’s sake!”
“Mum.” Harry whispered, frozen to the spot as he watched Louis grab his nose. Liam and Zayn were at his side in an instant and Niall looked like he might pass out from laughter. He shot Harry a dirty grin and raised his eyebrows.
Louis swatted everyone away from him, rubbing his red nose and shouted for practice to carry on. Harry began his walk of shame, going over to Louis.
“I’m so sorry.“
“What were you aiming at?!” Louis shouted.
“The ball….” Harry muttered.
“I could kill you.” Louis sighed. “But I’d only regret it later…”
