I Would Swim All The Oceans To See You Smile

Chapter Two

“My name is Rachel, but you can call me Rachel. I moved here a few days ago, but it seems as if you’ve already figured that one out. I’m down at the university studying. We’ll be neighbors for a year, so be prepared to deal with me. I make really delicious white chocolate chip cookies though if that compensates for anything.”

“Cookies? You can bother us all you’d like as long as we have a lifetime supply of cookies. What about carrot cake? Please tell me you’re good at that too!”

“Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is my second specialty,” I responded with a wink.

“Perfect! That’s Harry’s absolute favorite and I just like carrots. Well here we are!”

He opened the door to the laundry room and set my basket on the washer closest to the door. He flashed me a grin and started walking out the door when I remembered to ask him about the nearest market.

“Lou—I mean Boobear, before you leave, where is the nearest grocery store?”

“Right down the street. Actually wait, Har and I will escort you there tomorrow. For now, as soon as you finish doing all of that laundry, you can come up, pick up my laundry, wash it, then join us for dinner. Just kidding about the first part, but please do come for dinner. El is coming too. She’s my ladyfriend and I know she’ll love you. Anne is leaving soon, so Harry is cooking. Har doesn’t bite, or he doesn’t bite girls at least. I promise it won’t be that bad.”

I pretended to contemplate then said, “Well I guess I could pencil you in for tonight.”

“Brilliant, I will be expecting you at my door at six o’clock sharp!”

And with that, he skipped out the door.

Louis POV

While I skipped out the door and climbed up the stairs to the flat, I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not Rachel knew who I was, and if she did, whether she was trying to play it cool. I hoped she actually didn’t know about One Direction because it was so refreshing to meet a stranger who did not 1. ask you for your autograph, 2. ask for a picture, 3. ask about El, or 4. freak out and cry. It’s not that I wasn’t flattered by all of the attention, it’s just that I had forgotten what it felt like to be your average Joe, a nobody just living his own life.

I reached the front door just as Anne was leaving. She turned to me, gave me a hug, and said, “Harry just got home. Lou, I already told Harry, but you two be nice to the new girl! And don’t forget to separate the white and colored threads when you do laundry. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. Behave yourselves!”

I laughed and promised I would behave. As fit as Anne was, she was still Harry’s mum, and therefore she was my mum.

I entered the door and cried out, “Har-har! Put out an extra plate setting, we are expecting a guest for dinner!”

“Boobear, if you’re referring to Eleanor, don’t worry, as much as I hate having a third wheel, I’ve gotten used to setting three places at our dining room table.”

“No, no, no, we have another guest. I invited our neighbor! Her name is Rachel and she’s from the States. She’s petite and not going to lie, she’s quite the fit one! She’s studying down at the uni. She’s got the cutest little laugh, you’re going to love her. She said she would make us carrot cake too.”

Harry gave me a cheeky smile and responded in a voice that was supposed to mimic mine, “Oh hello I am Louis and I think every single person of the opposite sex is perfect!”

I rolled my eyes and retorted, “Hello I am Harry and I el-oh-vee-ee women who are twice my age!”

Harry smacked my head and yelled, “That was ONLY ONE TIME! Fine, I’ll take your word for how incredible our neighbor is.”

“Great, that’s my good darling. I haven’t told you the best part yet. She doesn’t know who we are.”

“Of course she doesn’t know, she JUST met you and she hasn’t even met me yet!”

“No my friend, she doesn’t know who Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles are. She doesn’t know what One Direction is, and that’s what makes her beautiful!”

I sang that last part, took a bow, and exited the kitchen as Harry laughed uncontrollably.