Strings (Book 2 in the CCHR Series)

Chapter 11

He nodded, and I felt like a small child as I ran toward the sign. He ran right behind me, both of us giggling.

When I got to the balloons, I noticed a note at the bottom. I bent down and picked it up. It said:

"Pop for reasons why..."

I looked back to the sign that said I love you, and turned back to Louis. He was smirking.

"Go on..." He said, and he handed me a pair of scissors.

I cut the first balloon free, and held it under my arm. I jabbed the scissors into it, and screamed like a girl when it blew up in my arms.

Louis laughed at me. I noticed another paper had fallen to the floor, and I bent down to pick it up.

You're Charming...

I smiled and cut free another balloon, popping it again. I only shrieked a little this time. I grabbed the second paper.

You have the most beautiful smile...

I flashed it at Louis, who nodded for me to take another. I complied, and popped it. Without screaming this time.

You're precious curly locks...

I flipped my hand through my hair for Louis, who laughed. I grabbed another balloon.

You're green eyes, and the way I can just completely lose myself in them...

I smiled slightly. I didn't know he liked my green eyes.

Another balloon.

You are the most kind hearted person I know...

Another.

You love completely and fully, whole heartedly and deeply...

Another.

You make gray days sunny...

Black.

You dry my tears...

White.

Height difference...

I laughed at that one. The "Larry" fans loved our height difference.

Another balloon.

You make everyone feel special, and always put others before yourself...

Another.

You're SO incredibly strong willed...

I reluctantly reached for the final balloon.

You completely and utterly changed my life... You make me a better person... You make me feel safe and loved and whole...

I had tears brimming in my eyes, and I walked to Louis, a fistful of love notes. I threw my arms around him and squeezed. He squeezed back.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"No, thank you," He whispered back. My heart skipped a beat.

"This was an amazing surpr..." I started.

"It's not over yet..." Louis said, smirking. He took my hand, and led me to the bootcamp stage.

When we were up there, I took in the scene.

"This stage looks small now. It felt so huge when I was 16. The whole world felt huge when I was 16. Now, I've been everywhere," I said.

"The world is huge Harry. 7 billion people. What are the chances?" Louis said.

"The chances of what?"

"That I would be thrown into a band with you..." He said, and smiled gently. He reached and pushed a lock of my hair out of my face.

I blushed. It wasn't an outright compliment, but I knew what he meant. Besides, it always drove me crazy when he played with my hair.

"Cheezy-ass man you are, aren't you?" I giggled.

Louis shrugged and led me down the steps to the centre of the audience area.

He laid down on the floor.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I laughed.

"Join me!" He said.

I shook my head, but did as he said.

When I got down, I looked at him.

"Okay, I'm on the floor, what do you want from me?" I asked.

"Many things..." He smirked. "But that's for later. Look up!"

I smirked back and turned my head. Looking up, I could see that the balloons formed a heart. Inside the heart was H+L.

"How the hell..." I said.

"I'm pretty much magic," he said.

He stood, and turned around, reaching for my hand.

I accepted it, and allowed him to pull me up. He didn't let go, as he walked me to the hallway of dressing rooms.

We walked all the way down to the end, where there was a bathroom.

My heart started to pound in my chest, as I realized what bathroom it was.

He opened the door, and I hesitated before following him in.

There on the exact spot, was a single balloon tied to a weight. I turned to Louis, who handed me a pin.

I popped this one too, and watched as a larger sheet of paper fell out.

I smiled and picked it up.

When Harry met Louis.
When Hazza met Boo.
When Carrots met Cupcakes.
When Curls met Waves.
When Green met Blue.
When Tall met Short.
When Boots met Keds.
When Dimples met ass.
When kindness met sass.
When man met man.
When love met love.
When soulmate met soulmate.
When Louis' whole world stopped and started again, right under his nose...

I couldn't figure out if I wanted to laugh or cry. I was amazed. Louis was such a romantic and I didn't have a clue.

I turned toward him, and there he was. In his hand was a silver balloon, no string, with something heavy resting on his hand.

My breath hitched. I knew what was inside. I started to freak out internally.

It was happening. The thing I had dreamed of for a very long time. I didn't know how to react.

"Louis..." I stuttered.

"Pop it Haz," he whispered. "One final balloon."

My hand was shaking as I raised the pin.

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.

I popped the balloon with my eyes closed, and when I opened them, there stood the love of my life with a small box in his hand.

"Oh..." I breathed.

Louis smiled sheepishly and bent down, getting onto one knee.

"Harry, you are the love of my life. Truly. I cannot believe that I was daft enough to not only be oblivious to the fact I was entirely in love with you, but to everything you were going through. I will forever be sorry for that. I realize now that I cannot live without you. I need you, and I hope you need me too. And, if you let me, I would be honoured to spend the rest of my life loving you unconditionally. I want to share everything with you. I want to be with you permanently, put everything behind us and start fresh. I want you forever Hazza. Forever and ever, until the end of time." He paused shakily.

He fumbled for a second, but opened the box, revealing a sleek gold band. My heart pounded so hard in my chest I could hear it. My palms were sweaty, and I was positive I was about to cry.

"Harry Edward Styles, will you marry me?" He asked.

I sobbed for a second, then took a breath.

"Fuck yes!" I said.

Louis instantly stood and threw himself around me. I did the same.

"I love you so much," I cried.

"I love you too," he said. "Forever Haz, I swear."