Louis was a simple boy with a simple life. He played sports, he went to school, he loved his friends and family, and oh, he was gay. It was no secret, as he was very open about it and unafraid to be himself. And as any other boy his age, he had a crush on someone in some of his classes. He's a little new to the school but Louis was determined to at least make a new friend.
*.*.*.*.*.
Louis's POV
It was Wednesday morning when I walked into my favorite class: art with Mx. Johnson. They're my favorite teacher because their class is always fun. They let us listen to music, work with each other, and we even go on field trips every other month. Also, since Mx. Johnson is non-binary; their classroom is a well-known safe space.
"Good morning, Mx. Johnson!" I said with a grin. They faced me briefly and plastered their own smile across their face.
"Good morning, Louis!" They smiled quickly then went back to what they were working on. I took my seat and used my phone until class started.
As I put my phone away, I heard someone sit in the chair next to me. The next thing I knew, an overwhelming smell basically assaulted my nostrils. The smell was really sweet and... fruity? I looked up and almost fell out of my chair. It was him. Harry Styles. The cutest boy in the entire school and my current and hardest crush. My eyes widened and my breath may have caught because he was not here last class.
"U-umm, hi!" I said without thinking. The boy with the long curly hair turned toward me and put on a polite smile.
"Hi." He said back. I hadn't sat next to him before, and he was quiet, so I hadn't really heard his voice before. Its depth honestly shocked me a little bit. I quickly gathered my composure and spoke again.
"I'm Louis. I don't think I've seen you in this class, before?" I said more like a question.
"I'm Harry, and no, you haven't. I just transferred into this class because my last one wasn't for me." He said back. We began talking about this class and how everyone considers it a safe space. I also told him about Mx. Johnson and how they like to run the class.
"Alright class, now that you've all had time to conversate with your friends, I believe it's about time I give you all your assignment for today." Mx. Johnson said. They gave us our work and allowed us to work with someone around us.
"Would you like to work together? I was quite enjoying our conversation a few minutes ago." Harry asked with a big smile showing off his big dimples. God he is so cute!
"Yeah! Let's do it!" I said matching his excitement and smiling back.
*.*.*.*.*.
Later that day, I decided to text my best friend, because I didn't see him at school today.
Me: ZAYN MALIK!
Me: WHERE WERE YOU TODAY?!
Zaddy M: Calm down, Lou. I had a doctor's appointment today
Me: Oh yeah. I forgot about that
Me: BUT
Zaddy M: What did you do???
Me: I did nothing, why do you think so little of me?
Zaddy M: Just tell me what happened 🙄
Me: Harry Styles, you know, the love of my life?
Me: He transferred into our art class and took the empty seat next to me at our table!!
Zaddy M: I'm happy for you, but don't cream your pants just because he sat next to you.
Me: I would never
Me: I'm too ✨classy✨
Zaddy M: Yeah, okay Loo
*.*.*.*.*.
Next class, I greeted Mx. Johnson when I walked into class and took my seat. A few minutes later, the seat next to me scooted out and that familiar fruity smell filled my nose. A small smile tugged at the edges of my mouth, which I quickly replaced with a more neutral look.
"Hi!" I said to the green-eyed boy next to me.
"Hi!" Harry said back. The two of us talked until Zayn showed up and took his usual seat in front of me.
"Hey! This is Harry. He's new to the class." I say and try to stealthily give Zayn the kind of look that only you and your best friend understand.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you..." Harry trailed off.
"Hey, I'm Zayn. Louis's wonderful best friend. Though, I must say that I am a bit insulted that I was seemingly replaced after missing one class." Zayn said jokingly yet eloquently.
"Hmm, I wouldn't think we're best friends just yet, so don't worry about being replaced." Harry said with a grin. I gasped dramatically and clutched my imaginary pearls.
"Yeah, yeah, you're offended that not everyone loves you immediately after meeting you. Shit happens." Zayn said in a fake mocking tone. The three of us laughed and joked throughout the entire class.
Zayn and I ate lunch with Harry and his two friends, Niall and Liam. We found out they were dating, and they were cute. I may or may not have been a bit jealous. Anyway, since we all got along so well, Zayn suggested that we all hung out that weekend. Unfortunately, Niall and Liam already had plans together, but Harry said he was free.
*.*.*.*.*.
The next morning, I woke up and let my parents know that I would be going out with my friends in a little while. I ate breakfast with my family, I showered using body wash that smelled of green apple, and I put on the cutest outfit I had. I wore a black t-shirt, fishnet tights under some black ripped jeans, and some rainbow checkered vans. I added my rainbow wristband and a chain on my jeans for accessories. When I went downstairs, my parents were sitting in the living room scrolling through one of our streaming services.
"Hey guys, I'm on my way out." I say before going over to hug both women.
"Who are you hanging out with again?" Mom asked.
"I'm going with Zayn and our new friend Harry." I say with a smile. Both of my mothers care about me deeply and I'm so very grateful for them.
"What time will you be back?" My other mother asked.
"Umm, I'm not a hundred percent sure, Momma. I'll let you know when I'm about to be on the way." I say then hug the redheaded woman.
"Alright. Be safe and let us know when you get there. And tell Zayn and this "Harry" we say hello!" The woman with short sandy brown hair calls as I walk towards the front door.
"Yes, ma'ams. I love you!" I said opening the door.
"We love you too, Lou!" They said in unison. I closed the door and locked it with my keys before hoping in my car and texting Zayn.
*.*.*.*.*.
Me: Hey Z
Me: Where are ya, beautiful
Zaddy M: I'm almost there
Zaddy M: Have you heard from Harry, yet?
Me: I don't think I gave him my number
Zaddy M: You're a genius, Louis
Me: Fuck you
Zaddy M: No thanks. Ask Harry
Me: Stop texting me so I can drive now
*.*.*.*.*.
I paired my phone to my car's Bluetooth and turned on a little music to drive to. I tossed my phone into the passenger seat and pulled off.
When I got to the mall, I walked into the food court and saw Harry and Zayn standing near the pretzel store. When Harry saw me, I could have sworn his eyes lit up a little but maybe I was imagining it.
"Hi, Louis." Harry said with a small smile.
"Hi!" I said back to the both of them.
"Hey, what are we doing here again?" Zayn asked before walking up to hug me.
"Well, we're hanging out. We can always leave and go somewhere else, but I want some coffee first." I checked my phone, then started to walk toward the coffee kiosk in the center of the food court. While standing in line, I noticed Harry looking at the menu with furrowed brows.
"Louis, what do you recommend?" He asked, not looking away from the large menu above the counter. Holy shit! I can't believe that he wants my coffee recommendation!
"Well, I usually get a caramel ribbon crunch with two extra shots of espresso. It has stuff like milk, caramel, and this crunchy caramel topping." I smiled at the thought of my favorite Frappuccino. Harry looked at me and it was his turn to smile.
"That sounds really good. You get that all the time?" He asked.
"Yep, but I feel like you don't need two extra shots of espresso. You give off hyper vibes." I said back.
"Yeah, I don't like super caffeinated drinks anyway. So, I don't think I'll be getting any extra espresso shots in mine." Harry replied with a slight giggle. It was so fucking cute, and his dimples were on full display. His eyes were shining a bright India green. Wow, they're so pretty.
"Hellooo? If you two are done flirting, we can order now." Zayn said with an all-knowing smirk. I blushed and mumbled out a little 'sorry'. The three of us ordered our drinks.
We walked around the food mall talking and joking for a little while before we decided to leave the mall.
"Hey, Harry, how did you get here?" I asked.
"I walked. I live like ten minutes away." He shrugged.
"Alright, kids. Let's go."
"Where are we going?" Zayn asked following me out of the mall with Harry right beside him.
"I have no clue! We'll go wherever the wind takes us!" I say and start jogging toward my car.
"Aye aye Captain." Harry said back sarcastically.
*.*.*.*.*.
I don't know how, but we ended up at a park near a carnival. We all sat in one of the towers on the playground that led to the tallest slide. The three of us laughed and joked while we talked and drunk our drinks. We sang songs, watched a movie, and even got cotton candy and other sweets at the carnival and came back.
"Hey, what time is it?" Zayn asked. I checked the time on my phone.
"It's 7:38." Harry and I surprisingly said in unison. Zayn smirked and Harry and I laughed a bit.
"Alright, take me home, Lou?" Zayn asked.
"What! Why?" I asked. I threw a small piece of candy at him. He laughed and threw the candy back.
"My parents want me back by 8:00. Sorry." Zayn said and started to stand up.
"Ugh, fine. Harry, are you going home too?" I ask.
"Nah, I can hang for about another hour or so." He said with a smile.
The three of us went down the large slide, and across the playground to my car. On the way to Zayn's house, we listened to music and sang our hearts out. When we got to Zayn's house, the sun was about to set, so we sat on the trunk of my car and watched the sunset together. After we said goodbye to Zayn, Harry and I got back into the car.
"What shall we do now, Harold?" I ask facing him.
"Hm, let's do something that you've always wanted to do."
"What does that even mean, curly?"
"What's one thing you've always wanted to do? Like having a sunset picnic and stargazing afterwards or have a dance party in the rain. You know?!" Harry said excitedly. He had a mischievous sparkle in his eyes and a smirk on his face.
"Sounds like you know exactly what you want to do." I teased.
"Somewhat. But the sun already set and it's not raining. So, I'll ask you again, Lewis: what is something that you've always wanted to do?" Harry said and looked at me intensely. He was so close, that I could smell the chocolate he had eaten earlier on his breath.
"I mean, we could go back to the park. I don't have to be home for a little while." I suggested. Breathless. Entranced. Infatuated. Flustered.
"Then let's do that." Harry replied. Unmoving. So close to my face. His slow, hot, breaths fanned over my face. I looked to his lips, then back into his eyes.
Gorgeous.
I snapped back to my senses and leaned back and faced forward in my seat. That was way too intense. I peeked back at Harry through the corner of my eye. He sat back in his seat looking uncomfortable. I fucking made it awkward.
*.*.*.*.*.
When we got back to the park, we retook our original spot at the top of the tower on the playground; only this time, we shared a blanket that I kept in my trunk. I couldn't stop replaying the moment that we shared in my head.
It played on a loop. Over and over. Over and over.
"Lou, are you alright?" Harry asked.
"Lou? Since when did you call me that?" I smirked.
"Since now I guess." He smirked back. Dimples prominent.
"You're lucky you're cute. Otherwise, I would have told you that you can't call me that." I laid my head on his shoulder. The familiar smell of fruit filled my nose.
"I'm cute?"
"Yeah, and you smell good too. You always smell good." Blush spread across my face. "Is it peaches or something else?"
"It's mango. Mango scented lotion. It's my favorite." I could almost hear the grin on his face.
"I like it. Mango Boy."
I felt him move and pull me into him with the arm I as leaning on. This feeling was... new. It felt more intimate. He was holding me. My blush deepened in severity. My heart rate quickened.
"Thank you." He said. It was silent, after. The only sounds were the ones coming from the carnival that had yet to close. I looked up at the green-eyed boy.
Beautiful.
"I like you. And I mean, I really have feelings for you." It came spilling out of my mouth.
"I know. You don't really hide it well." He looked at me. Gently, gingerly, softly, he held my face. My breath caught.
"Don't tease me."
His breath fanned over my face. The second time this evening. His eyes met mine. They fell on my lips, then back to my ocean blue eyes.
Closer. Closer.
"I'm not. I'm going to kiss you now."
His warm, soft, lips met mine a moment later. He pulled away, after. Our eyes met once again.
"One more time?" I asked. Breathless. He nodded his head. He pulled me closer. Again, our lips met. I melted at his touch.
This kiss was not the same. It was more passionate, as I lead it. My right hand found Harry's cheek. Softly, as if he would break, I held his face. He leaned into my touch.
Our lips disconnected. Both of us were breathless. Breathing deeply. My eyes stayed closed. I couldn't believe it.
Amazing.
I leaned my head back on his shoulder. He kissed the top of my head. And we sat there for almost an hour. Looking at the stars. Talking. Kissing. Smelling of Mango and green apple.