Larry Stylinson ~ Poor Little Rich Boy AU

6.

“You like him, don’t you?”

“No!” His reply was instantaneous, automatic – he didn’t even have to think about it. He, Harry Styles, likesomeone? The very idea was preposterous. He was notorious on the resort for not liking anybody, even as a friend. Harry avoided company of any kind; he didn’t like people. It was something people took for granted now. Nobody tried coming on to him, or even speaking to him, and all the newcomers were warned off him. He was the weirdo, the outcast…he didn’t really mind. He preferred being shunned to being chased by people attempting to befriend him.

“You are allowed to like people, you know,” said Liam slyly, nudging him very lightly with his elbow. “Even I can see he’s pretty hot, even if he does walk like Kate Moss.”

Harry swallowed. “All right, then. Maybe I do like him…a little bit. But he makes me feel really weird – I just don’t get it. It’s like I’m more confident when I hang out with him. I feel different…like I’m not so scared any more. Like I can be me, and you know I’m no good at that. But I don’t understand how that works; he terrifies me! I don’t have a clue how I’m supposed to act around him, but I just…do. And it’s not me.”

“Sounds like he’s good for you, then. I know you like your privacy, but I worry about you sometimes. You’re not really a very social guy. It’s how you are, and that’s okay, but I think a bit of interaction would do you good. A confidence boost would be good for you.”

“He keeps asking me out,” Harry blurted out. Embarrassed, he ducked his head and examined the floor. “Like…down to the bar, for drinks and stuff. And I don’t know how to take it.”

“Say yes!” cried Liam, as if it was obvious. It probably would have been, to anyone other than Harry, who was almightily confused by the whole concept of agreeing to have a drink for a stranger he’d only met three or four days ago.

“But…I don’t know him.” He hated the way his voice was so close to a childish whine, but he couldn’t help it. That tone always creeped into his voice when he knew he was losing an argument – and oh, he was losing spectacularly.

“So get to know him!” Waving his arms enthusiastically in the air, Liam continued, “go for that drink, kid! Talk to him! Get to know what he’s like, make friends with him, ask stupid questions and completely embarrass yourself! Otherwise, how will you ever know him? A hot guy with a fantastic arse is coming onto you, mate; what are you doing with your life? You fancy him, he fancies you; go out with him, and if you don’t like him, turn him down again next time! Come on, Harry, he could be your soul mate!” He gestured dramatically, and Harry stared incredulously at him, trying to work out whether or not Liam was sending him up. Apparently, he wasn’t. “Next time he asks you, look coy and then say yes, and then tell me how it turns out.”

“And if I don’t?” God, he was teasing Liam now – his whole world had turned upside down! There was definitely something wrong with him.

After a pause as he acknowledged the banter in surprise, Liam said almost playfully, “If you don’t, then I’ll ask him myself.”

Harry blinked. “I didn’t know you were gay!”

There was a long pause while Liam struggled to decide whether to laugh or be confused by that statement; he chose laughter, and his incredulity came out in the form of a chuckle and a grin that spread across his whole face as he shook his head fondly at Harry, the picture of innocence, who was still staring at him open-mouthed at the revelation he was convinced Liam had just made. It took several long seconds for Liam to get a handle on his amusement and stop giggling at the shock on Harry’s face.