Skinny Love {Harry Styles}

Chapter 4

Harry stood at the crowded bar, scanning through the mass of sweating bodies in an attempt to find Louis. Finally, he looked towards the restrooms and spotted his friend shoving his way through a dance circle a group of extremely drunk girls had started. 

"Jesus, this place is packed," Louis practically screamed over the loud techno music pumping through the speakers. Harry nodded slowly and handed the older boy a clear drink in a small glass.

Louis raised an eyebrow quizzically at Harry as he gingerly accepted the shot glass. "Vodka," Harry said, leaning closer rather than yelling. Louis nodded, a cheeky smile spreading across his face. He quickly raised the shot glass to his lips and tipped his head back, downing the shot. His face contorted and Harry chuckled as he followed Louis' lead, sipping his own glass dry. The pair slammed their glasses down on the bar, calling the bartender over for refills. 

"You feeling alright?" Louis asked as a busty blonde bartender rushed over with the most expensive bottle of vodka. 

Harry shrugged and smiled dryly at the woman as she handed him his shot. "I'm not sure. I mean, I'm not gonna pass out anymore, but I have no idea what I'm going to do about Zayn." 

Louis smiled understandingly and guided Harry's glass towards his mouth. "Drink more, you'll feel better." Harry gave in and downed another shot, the liquid leaving a trace of warm as it slid down his throat and settled in his stomach. 

After a few more shots, the pair began to feel rather intoxicated. Their slurred laughter and talking echoed through the emptying bar. Harry glanced at his watch, the numbers blurred slightly. It took a few moments, but he finally made out the time: 1:28 AM. "We should get leaving soon," Harry said sloppily. Louis nodded slowly and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. The older boy stumbled as he stood, catching his balance on the bar. Harry chuckled and shakily rose himself, wrapping an arm around Louis' neck for stability. The pair slowly made their way outside where Louis managed to flag down a taxi. 

"Hyver Hill, please" Louis said to the taxi driver who nodded in response and began driving. 

Harry scrunched his eyebrows, looking quizzically at Louis. "Why are we going to North London? I thought we were going home."

Louis smiled cheekily, swaying slightly when the car drove over bumps. "We'll go home soon. I think you should do something first."

Harry thought for a moment, his mind running slower with the alcohol pumping through his system. Suddenly, he remembered who lived in Hyver Hill. "No, no, no," he protested, shaking his head vehemently. "It is nearly 2:00 in the morning and I'm pissed drunk, there is no way we are going to see Zayn right now." 

Louis stuck out his lower lip and leaned closer to Harry. "Oh come on, Haz. You've got to talk to him sometime."

"Yeah, but not at 2:00 AM." 

Lou sighed and fell back in his seat. "Fine. If you don't wanna tell him you love him, I'll do it for you."

Harry's eyes widened and he punched his friend in the thigh, causing him to wince in pain. "Fuck you, Lou. That's like...um, fuck what's the word...bribery. Yeah." 

Louis chuckled. "I think you mean blackmail."

Harry scowled."Okay fine, it's like blackmail. Still, you can't do that."

"Then I guess you'd better tell Zayn yourself." Harry stared at Louis for a few moments before sighing and placing his head in his hands. He nodded sheepishly and Louis clapped his hands together in excitement. "Fantastic. Just try not to act too drunk, alright?" Harry raised his hand and flicked up his middle finger, causing a short laugh from Louis.