Caught in a Lie ~ h.s.

♕ V ♕

"Louis." Louis hops around the bar excitedly and crushes the man holding my hand in a tight embrace as if they hadn't seen each other in ages.

Harry wiggles his hand from my grasp and I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed with the lack of contact we have now. I hide my minor disappointment by smiling warmly at the image in front of me, taking a step back to give them some room, and taking a subtle sniff of the tulip in my hand to keep my distracted.

"How are ya', mate?"

"Alright, you?"

"Alright."

Their initial exchange is short and before I know it they're standing side-by-side, all eyes on me. I smile up at them and wait for one of them to speak. For a moment they don't say anything and I fear that there's either something on my face, they've recognized me, or my wig has slipped. With a quick lift of my hand to my "hair" I make sure the wig is in place before sighing contently.

"I see you've picked up a stray, Harry."

"This is Mary, I met her on the tube when I was on my way to visit my sister." My eyes slightly widen as I take in that bit of information.

For one I didn't know he had a sister and I definitely didn't know he was on the way to meet someone when he met me. I feel a tad guilty that he ditched his sister to show me around, but then again I did ditch Niall to hang out with him. I guess I'll have to ask him about her later, my curiosity can get the best of me.

"'Ello, I'm Louis, Harry's best mate." Louis extends his hand for me to shake and I immediately shake it politely. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Louis. Do you own this place?" I wonder, finding myself examining the pub with curiosity. It's actually quite nice and homey in here. It looks like a place where lads would hang out on a Saturday night, definitely not a club but not drab either. I can picture a bunch of young adult men, or women or any other way one identifies - I'm not discriminatory -, watching a match, having a pint, and munching on some chips, all whilst carrying a comfortable and friendly conversation with one another.

"Yeah, actually. Welcome to Tommy's!" I laugh at his enthusiasm of the place as he walks backwards with his hands raised above his head, showcasing his pride and joy. "Bought this place after I dropped out of university, best decision I ever made."

"Why Tommy's?"

"Named it after myself: Louis Tomlinson, at your service." He says with a joking salute and then a bow. I can't help but laugh at him, finding his character something else and ironic that a bow is actually common in my presence.

"How do you know Harry?" I ask, glancing beside me to look for Harry but finding the space void of a presence. My eyes do a quick scan of the pub, surprised that he'd slipped away, finding him behind the bar and navigating the place like he's the one that owns it.

"Met the lad in university, became best friends in an instant. He's a great person, and a great part-time employee." I hear Harry scoff at his friend as he digs two beers out from under the bar. I watch as he sets them down before finding a bottle opener and popping the caps off the bottles. Harry approaches us and hands me the beer in his hand, allowing me to politely take it and stare down at the contents. "So, you and Harry, huh?" Louis' tone is suggestive and his eyebrows wiggle, I find myself blushing at such a simple, teasing question.

"Oh, no we just met."

"Mate -"

"I'm just joking with ya'! Relax. This guy," Louis goes to pass Harry, patting his shoulder and looking over his shoulder at me, "can't take a bloody joke."