Sidelines

Part title

"I don't want to hear any complaining, you will treat your partner like they are your best friend and if I hear anything differently you won't play in the next two games. Am I clear?"

There's a murmur of assent among the team, and with that coach congratulates them on their game and leaves them to finish up.

"Alright lads, practice it tomorrow at 7 so if you're going to go out and party just remember I'll have you doing laps till you puke if you're late." Liam tells everyone as he stands to address them.

"Also coach filled me in on the partner thing and that does start today, so when you leave they better be going with you."

He shoots Louis a pointed look, and sometimes Louis hates Liam a lot.

He sighs loudly and detaches himself from Zayn to grab his bag and phone, making his way over to Niall and Harry.

"Hey," He greets both of them, shouldering his bag and trying not to fiddle the strings on his hoodie.

"Hey mate, so I was gonna see if you and Malik wanted to come over and have a few pints with us, maybe watch some game films to see who we're up against next." Niall greets in a rush.

"Uh, sure? I've just got to run home and grab my laptop, got an essay due this week," Louis answers.

"Why don't you and Harry go and Niall and I can pick up some food and beer." Zayn says as he comes up to stand next to Louis.

"I'd actually really rather not," Louis says lightly.

"Great so we'll see you in like half an hour." Zayn nods as he claps Louis on the back.

"Fuck you," Louis sputters, already panicking at the thought of being alone with Harry. That's something that's never happened, except for that time in Louis' bed. Harry hasn't said anything to him or at all since the game, even now he's avoiding even looking at Louis. Zayn's already tugging Niall along, and Louis' still glaring when they walk through the door.

"Right, so we gonna go or are you just gonna stare at the floor like a knob?" Louis asks once they're gone, shifting his weight. He sees Harry narrow his eyes and expects the boy to pick a fight but to his surprise Harry just shakes his head and grabs his bag, ushering Louis out the door. Louis keeps his chin up as they walk past the bleachers, flipping off Harvey and Lucas when they catcall them on the way out. Louis heads straight for the bus stop at the end of the comer, only to be stopped by Harry's hand on his arm.

"We can take my car." Harry states, still not looking at him. If Louis' totally honest, Harry's fingers wrapped around his forearm make something settle in his belly, but he ignores it.

"Fine," Louis snips, pulling his arm out of Harry's grasp and making his way over to the BMW that he knows is Harry's.

Posh bastard.

Harry rolls his eyes and unlocks it, tossing his bag in the backseat before rounding to the driver's side. He can feel Harry's eyes on him as he lifts himself into the car, having to use the handle to pull himself up which Harry snickers at. Louis huffs in annoyance. He can't believe what his so-called friends are putting him through, honestly. Harry sticks the key into the ignition aggressively, Louis trying his best not to stare.

"This partner thing is bullshit, huh?" Louis says as they begin to move, a stilted attempt at casual conversation.

"Yah, a bit." Harry snorts, rolling his eyes. Louis hums and knocks his head against the window, fingers tapping his leg. Zayn and his apartment isn't too far from campus so they arrive before Louis can even consider changing all of Harry's preset stations. Louis jumps out of the car as soon as it stops, fumbling for his key and slamming the door just to be a twat. He heads straight to his room to get his laptop and a change of clothes since Zayn and him will probably end up staying the night. He grabs his baggie of spliff as an afterthought. He figures there's no shortage of that in a frat house, but, just in case. He shoves everything in a drawstring bag and heads back out to Harry's car where he's waiting.