Foreign Exchange (A Nouis Story)

Chapter 5: Practice and Pizza Hut

Wednesday after school 

Louis POV

"I've got lacrosse in a bit. You can watch TV or something until I get back. It'll only be for an hour or so," I said, lacing up my cleats. Niall was sitting at the kitchen table next to me, working on some homework. It was only his third day in Doncaster, but he was really adjusting well. He's been sitting with football guys during lunch and cracking jokes during class. Niall was the man, and everybody loved him. I just hoped not too much.

"Ahh, great.. I don't know how you English keep up with everything. Ireland is so much more laid back." He laughed, and collapsed on the couch.

"Yeah, well the weekends here are pretty great. Or so I've heard." I chuckled dryly, and threw my lacrosse bag over my shoulder. "See you in a bit."

***

"Murphy! I need you up at midfield!"

I lifted my jersey, wiping the sweat from my face. It was late March, but felt like summer out here. The afternoon sun reflected off my helmet, creating a mirage at the other end of the field.

Perspiration dripped down my back at the same speed I took off down the field towards the ground ball. This was my chance.

I ran down the field, my heart beating and my cleats sticking in the grass with every step. I trapped the ball and flipped it into the pocket of my crosse with ease. I looked back, breathing heavy. The middies were behind at least 5 meters, giving me the opportunity to score with my lead.

I cradled the ball and ran the last few meters to the goal, and swished the ball into the bottom left of the net, right past the goalie's stick.

Score.

"Incredible shot Tomlinson! That's how to do it! Yellow, 4-2. Huddle up!"

I smiled behind my mouth guard. Turns out that the excruciatingly hot practice was worth it. I was thankful that we were let out early, but I also would've stayed another couple of hours if we had to. I was admittedly what you would call a "laxhead". After my mum forced me to join in 8th grade, I've been hooked. Granted, I wasn't born to be much of an athlete, but lacrosse was for me. I don't know if it was about the strategy, or that my size made me a bit faster than the rest of my teammates. Either way, being out on this field 3 days a week was something I lived for. 

I took off my helmet and shook my hair loose as all the guys ambled across the field and to the locker room. It was always an awkward time for me in the locker room, being gay and all. But after four years of being on a team with the same guys, I've become comfortable around my teammates. Changing around them and watching them change wasn't a big deal to me. I shrugged off my soaked jersey and shorts and hopped in a shower stall quickly. I needed to get home to Niall, he was probably bored out of his little Irish mind.

Within minutes I felt a bit more refreshed. I dressed quickly before most of the other guys finished showering, something I tried to make a habit of. I pulled on a blue T-shirt, shorts, and black calf socks and my Nike slides. I laughed as I loaded up my gym bag; I always felt like such a jock when I wore midcalves, but I had to admit it was extremely comfortable.

"Nice goal today, Tomlinson. See ya tomorrow," my teammate, Olly said, giving me a manly slap before I headed out the door and to my car.

"Weyhey, Louis." I almost had a heart attack when I heard someone behind me. I turned around to see Niall standing there, grinning just like he had Monday in the cafeteria.

"You scared me!" I exclaimed. Niall laughed and tossed a cup of soda in the trash can by the bleachers. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "I was bored at home and decided to walk up here and watch your practice, since you only live 5 minutes from the school. By the way, nice goal you made back there, that was class." He slipped a hand to my shoulder and transferred my smelly practice bag to his.

"You watched me practice?" I asked, surprised. That meant he saw my goal and everything.

"Yeah, I did. I was the only person up in those bleachers, but it was a good time. Now I know how English lacrosse is played. And that you're an amazing offensive player."

Warmth spread through my stomach at his compliment. "Thanks," I managed.

"Also, your mum sent us to pick up some pizzas for supper tonight. I assume you know where to get those?" He asked, all-business.

"Mhmm," I replied, a bit disappointed that he changed the topic. I unlocked my car and Niall tossed my bag in the backseat. It suddenly dawned on me that I probably didn't smell too nice. I only rinsed off in the showers, I usually waited to wash my hair when I got home. I decided to keep the windows rolled down for the drive home.

***

"Would you rather get a free year of Starbucks or iTunes music?"

I bit my lip, thinking for a minute. "That's a hard one!" I exclaimed, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel.

"I know, that's why I picked it," Niall snorted.

We were playing Would You Rather on the way to pick up the pizzas for dinner. Niall figured it was the best way for us to get to know each other better.

"I'd rather get free Starbucks," I finally decided. "I go there to write my essays."

"Okay, would you rather... wear sweatpants for the rest of your life or jeans?" I asked him.

"Sweatpants." I thought back to the day I first met him in the airport, only about 4 days ago. I nodded appreciatively, remembering how he looked in sweatpants.

"Would you rather ride in a tour bus for 48 hours or an airplane?" He asked me, his eyes squinted out the window, thinking.

"Tour bus. I get sick on airplanes," I admitted sheepishly. "Besides, I think your internal organs would combust if you were in the air for that long." I turned into the parking lot of Pizza Hut.

"Yeh I guess you're right. Your turn." We were inside now, the lights were slightly dimmed. The smell of baking dough and cheese engulfed my nostrils and I licked my lips, suddenly ravenous.

"Hmm... would you rather... kiss Liam or Harry? If you had to." I said, trying to get the game going. I fiddled around with the money in my pocket, very curious for his answer.

Our game was interrupted when the worker approached the counter holding out our pizza. "Tomlinson? Pepperoni with mushrooms and extra cheese?"

"Yep, that's us." We paid for the pizza and got back in the car.

I glanced sideways when we got halfway down the road. I couldn't decide what was more appealing; the pizza or the cute blonde who held it in his lap.

"Hey, you never answered my question," I teased him, almost in the driveway. It came out in a joking way, but I was totally serious. We weren't getting out of the car until I got an answer.

"Hmm.." Niall turned to me in the passenger seat, locking eyes with me. His hands were shaky on the pizza box but his gaze dropped to my lips for a second then right back up.

"I pick neither."