Chapter Sixteen.
[ Louis' POV. ]

Just like every other day in my normal life, I walked into my bookstore, ready to face another day selling books to practically nobody.

Except, it was not like any other day. Because since I arrived in London yesterday I've been constantly cornered by reporters, and camera men, wanting to get information out of me.

Information about my non-existent relationship with Harry.

And as I was trying to work like any other day, waiting for customers, the reporters were actually outside the store, snapping pictures, shouting at me to come out and answer some questions, and  the worst of all, they were not letting any customers in.

I rolled my eyes and walked to the door, already fed up, opening it ready to face the those stupid reporters.

"Hello everyone, I'm here to politely ask you to leave the entrance of my store. Thank you."

"Louis, can you tell us anything about your relationship with Harry Styles?"

"Louis, is it true that Harry is gay?"

"Louis, here! Please can you tell us if you guys broke up."

"We were never together, it's all fake rumors. Harry isn't gay." - I said, almost robotically.

They continued asking more questions, one after the other, even louder each time.

I rolled my eyes and ignored all of them, getting inside my store again, walking towards my desk and hiding myself behind it.

I took my phone and called Niall.

"Can you come rescue me?"

"Why? What happened? Where are you?"

"At the bookstore. All these reporters are outside and it's stressing me."

"Sure, I'll be there." - I heard him sigh.

📖✨

Niall showed up like half an hour later, pushing people out of the way to get inside my store.
He found me still hidden behind my desk and almost having a panic attack.

"Hey mate." - He said, approaching me and sitting next to me on the floor.

"Hey."

"Are you doing alright?"

"No."

"What can I do?" - He asked, side hugging me.

"I don't know. I want them to leave. I want to return to my previous life when nobody knew me."

"Maybe if you respond to their questions they'll leave."

"I already did, they just don't seem to get enough of me." - I laughed bitterly.

"Have you tried talking to Harry? Maybe he can help you to get rid of those clowns out there."

"I don't think it's the best idea to call him. I can get him in more trouble. Not just him, both of us probably."

"But maybe he has contacts or something…"

"Please stop, Niall. I won't call him."

"Okay… want to go back to the flat?"

"Please."

And just like that Niall pushed me through the multitude of reporters outside after I closed the store, having sold no book all morning.

We returned to our place and he eventually had to leave me to get to class. And that's when I found myself collapsing in my bed with my headphones on and listening to Harry Styles' songs.

Just to think that I used to hate that kind of music and now it seems like it was years ago.
It was something unthinkable that I would actually end up liking that crappy melodies.
But Harry was different.

Hearing his voice in my ears was really weird at the beginning, knowing that for a couple of days that voice belonged to me, that voice came out of my mouth for days.
I owned it even just for a while, and now I was listening to it like any other of his fans.

But I wasn't a fan, I was the guy who slept in the same bed that he slept in, I was the guy who was now known for kissing Harry Styles in a hotel room, I was the guy who couldn't stop thinking about him in more than just a friendly way.

And then I remembered how Harry had been behaving around me the last few days, that funny, childish and playful version of Harry I got to know. The real Harry. The Harry who is clumsy and unneat, who makes stupid jokes and gives me stupid smiles, the one who teases me and kinda flirts with me too.

That version I got to adore.
That version of Harry that only existed around his intimate circle.
That version of Harry which also made me feel comfortable and confident with myself. That Harry is the one that actually found a spot in my mind and - not that I wanted to admit it - my heart.

But then I also remember that he isn't allowed to be gay, and that he doesn't want to leave his lifestyle or his contract to fight for his sexuality.

It was making my tongue taste bittersweet just by thinking about it.

Besides, it's not like we are meant to be together.

"Have you eaten?" - Niall asked from the frame door of my bedroom.

"You are back already?" - I asked, surprised.

"I left like four hours ago, mate. Want to order food?"

"Yes, please." - I answered, pausing the Harry's song that was currently playing.

I've been listening to him for four hours on repeat.

Well done, Louis.
You became a teenager all over again.

I walked to the Living room where Niall was sitting in front of the tv, already hanging up his phone.

"I ordered pizza."

"Fine." - I shrugged.

I sat next to him in silence, trying to focus my attention on the tv screen, but not accomplishing it.
A lot was happening in my mind, spinning around, trying to put into words and spit it out to free the weight off my shoulders.

I took a deep breath, knowing I should tell Niall about it.

"I miss him, you know?"

"Who?" - Niall asked, eyes fixed on the tv.

I rolled my eyes.

"Harry."

"Yeah, me too. He was so cool. We were on tour with the biggest singer of the moment. How cool is that? We even have pictures."

"Yes… but that's not what I was trying to… I kinda miss him in a stronger way."

"It's only been a day, how strong can it be?" - He laughed. - "You can just call him and say hi."

"No, Niall. Jesus." - I sighed, running a hand on my hair.

"What?"

"I… fuck, I don't even want to say it."

"Well, now you have my attention, so you'll say it." - He said, turning off the tv and shifting on his seat to face me.

"I think I like him." - I breathed out.

"Like him? Like… like him?" - He emphasized.

"Yeah." - I sighed, dropping my head on the backrest of the couch.

"Ouch."

"Yeah." - I closed my eyes out of embarrassment.

"Do you… do you think he likes you too?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

"Call him."

"I won't. I have gotten him in too much trouble already."

"But maybe he needs to hear about this."

"We can't be involved, because he can't be gay." - I let out a bitter laugh. - "It's absurd."

"Right."

I heard him move beside me and suddenly I felt a couple of arms around me, hugging my body.

"I'm sorry." - He said softly.

"For what? It's not like it's your fault." - I laughed.

Niall didn't respond, he just hugged me tighter.

"You sure you aren't gay?" - I asked him and he laughed.

"Pretty sure, yeah. We would have been a good couple otherwise." - He said, backing off.

"What a pity." - I said and we both laughed.