Once in a Lifetime (l.s)

Introduction pt. 1

This is just to give you an idea on time and story line. Mainly background information.

Louis POV

It's been almost five years since we all parted ways. The boys and I kept in touch for a while during the hiatus, but after a while it all slipped away. Deep down we all knew it wasn't going to be just 18 months, we just couldn't bring ourselves to admit it out loud, or to the fans.

At first it was hard to adjust to not seeing my best friends everyday, but I still had Harry. He was always there when I needed him. He helped me through losing my mum. I even went to Jamaica with him and his team for the production of his first album. It was a nice distraction. But, our lives were never easy and they weren't going to get any easier.

His schedule was too chaotic. Interviews one day, photoshoots the next. Album promotion and his career waiting for him. Sometimes it felt like I didn't see him for days, maybe weeks. I was so proud of him, but it was hard to not see the man you love everyday. Not to mention the constant publicity problems, having to be careful and not be seen together. If I wouldn't have signed that stupid contract...

Then, Harry's tour got announced. Looking at the dates on the tour list gave me the biggest pit in my stomach, I remember the feeling to this day.

One night we were cuddled on the couch, Cliff with his head on my lap and Bruce cuddled into Harry's side. He asked me to go on tour with him, to come along and travel with him. Before that moment, it was all I could think about, all I wanted. But then he continued rambling about how he knows it would be busy and he'd make time for me, and I realized that I was such a big burden on the flourishing career he was starting for himself.

Sometimes I wonder if I had made a different decision, things would have gone differently. If I had said yes and gone with him, we would still be-

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my cellphone ringing loudly on my nightstand. I pull the blanket from over my head and squint to adjust to the beams of sunlight coming through the curtains. I really need to get thicker curtains... I roll over and reach for my phone on the bedside table, sliding to pick up the call without checking who it is.

"What's up.." I say, my voice still groggy from being tired.

"Mate? Are you just getting out of bed?"

"Oh, Li. Uh, no I've been up, just a little tired still." Liam is the only one I've actually kept in touch with over the last five years, I'm really grateful for that.

"Sure Louis. Are you ready for the meeting this afternoon?"

"What meeting?"

"Have you not read your emails?"

"No, fuck. I don't do technology well, Li." I put the call on speaker and swipe to my emails.

My heart stops.

I see the name of the management that ruined my life.

EMAIL FROM: Modest! Sent October 3rd, 2020

Louis, we've planned a conference two weeks from now. Turns out your fans are still here and ready for all of you. We want to get you and the other boys together to talk about a potential reunion. It's planned for 3:30 pm on Saturday October 17th in our London offices. Please be there.

-Modest! Management. 3/10/2020

The rest of Liam's words on the phone weren't registered very well. I was too lost in the words of the email. The other boys. The other boys. Harry. I'm gonna see Harry today.

I starts to panic. Things didn't end well with Harry. After I said no to going on tour with him, he said he still wanted to talk on the phone and try to make long distance work, maybe even fly out to some of the shows. It didn't work out that way. I had worried that I was keeping Harry from enjoying tour. His first SOLO world tour. So, a while into the long distance thing I slowly started talking to Harry less and less. One day Harry called me out on it, I said I didn't think it was working and that I wanted Harry to go enjoy his shows with his friends. There was a big fight on the phone. Harry didn't call again.

I knew Harry was going to be mad, but I was only trying to do what I thought the right thing was at the time. I also wonder all the time if I made the wrong decision.

"Louis? You still there?" His dramatic, inner-monologue is interrupted by Liam's voice. "You okay?"

"What time is it?"

"What- oh. It's nearly noon- but Louis seriously are you o-"

"Yep, got to go get ready, I'll see you at the meeting." I change the subject before Liam can work his voodoo magic and get me to talk about my feelings.

"Louis wai-" Liam's voice is cut off when I hang up on him.

I stare down at the email for what feels like forever, but could only be a few minutes. Then, I finally brush all the concerning thoughts off my shoulder and get up, heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth, shower, and get ready. If I'm gonna see Harry, nothing wrong with looking my best when I do.

After fixing my fringe about a thousand times, I settle my hair just how I want it. I glance over myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a yellow jumper, black joggers, and some adidas sneakers. I know this is one of Harry's favorite jumpers,  and that may or may not have had an effect on why I chose to wear it, but I won't admit that out loud.

I look good. I've never been one to lack in self-confidence. And a man knows when to admit he looks good.

I turn on my feet and head out of my room, towards the entryway. I know Eleanor already came by for Cliff and Bruce for their daily walk, so nothing to worry about there. Sometimes I feel sorry for Eleanor. She's sucked into this whole thing as well, maybe not losing as much from it as me, but still.

I quickly look at my phone and see it's 3 pm, perfect amount of time for me to get to the meeting with extra time to mentally prep myself. I grab my keys off the table and head out the door. I guess it's now or never.

***********

First ever fan fic lol. If it's terrible then don't sugar coat it, could honestly care less I'm just having fun.

Bear with me on this one, I'm trying my best haha.