coffee's out
Louis' POV
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I push open the doors of the cafe, and rush to the back. I am a few minutes late, at least Eleanor was here to open up.
"Morning." I hear her say.
I shove my stuff in my staff locker. Pulling the black apron over my grey shirt and tying it at the back.
"Hey." I say in answer.
I finally come out from the back, pushing my sweater up over my elbows.
The shop sounds weirdly quiet. There are usually lots of people in here around this time. When I look up I see that everyone is looking at me. And when I say everyone I mean everyone.
"Um, why are you all staring at me?" I ask quietly.
I'm not used to having this many people staring at me. The last time I did was back in high school. Let me tell you it wasn't a very pleasant memory.
I look to Eleanor she is smirking at me. "You came in right after your tv special." She says in a teasing tone.
"What?" I ask confused.
"Your twitter conversation is all over the news." She points to the tv mounted on the wall in the corner.
My cheeks heat up, I'm no doubt beet red right now. She chuckles, and turns back to the rest of the shop. "Do you guys want anything else to drink or something?"
I can tell she is trying to move the attention away from me. It works people turn back to what they were doing perviously. I give her a small smile and mouth a thank you. She smiles back and nods.
"So what did you talk about?" She says elbowing me.
My cheeks flush again. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Niall Horan tweeted at you saying Harry Styles was running around the studio squealing and blushing and you're telling me you don't know what I'm talking about." She says sassily.
I sigh out a laugh. There is no way I'm getting out of this one.
"He thanked me that's all." I say, going over to the counter to make a tea for myself. Yes I make myself tea when I am on my shift.
Eleanor gives me a sceptical look.
"And then he may have called me cute." I mumble.
"What!" She shouts. Everyone on the cafe looks at us again. She gives them a look and they look away.
"And angel." I say even quieter.
"He called you what?" She says. Clearly not hearing what I said. I am bright red again, I get the sense that everyone in the cafe is eavesdropping on our conversation.
"Angel." I say, not looking her in the eyes.
"Aww that's so cute." I roll my eyes at her. "That doesn't explain why he was blushing though."
"I may or may not have told him that he was adorable and I liked his dimples." I say, smiling.
"Of course you did." She shakes her head at me. Then turns to the counter where a customer is waiting.
The customer, a girl with short hair that is dyed a very bright blue, gasps when she sees my face.
"You're Louis Tomlinson." She says excitedly.
Eleanor looks back at me. She probably finds it just as weird as I do that people know who I am.
"Um, yeah."
I don't really know how to respond. People have recognized me because of my book before, but it's strange now. I feel like more people know who I am because of Harry. Harry who I don't even know that well.
"Sorry," The girl says, noticing my discomfort. "I read your book a little while ago. You're a really good writer."
I smile. I guess I was wrong then. "Really?" I say hopeful.
"Yep," She nods her head. "your book really helped me come to terms with myself."
"I'm glad." I say smiling. "That's why I wanted to share my story. I wanted to help people."
"You seem to be doing that a lot lately." She says laughing slightly. I laugh with her.
"I guess so."
She looks hesitant before she asks. "This might be weird, but can I get a picture with you?"
"Uh," No one has asked for my picture before. "sure."
I step around the counter. Eleanor is laughing at how awkward I am. I glare at her.
"Is there anything I can get you while you take the picture?" She asks the girl.
"Oh um, a medium vanilla latte." She says.
Eleanor makes the latte while we take a selfie. The girl hugs me when we are done. She pays for her drink. Before thanking us and leaving.
"That was so weird." I say turning to Eleanor. "No one has asked me for a picture before."
She laughs. "I guess you're famous now."
I guess so. I don't know if I like that idea.
- - - - - - - - -
It's about mid afternoon. I let Eleanor go home early so she could get ready for a date. She and this girl have been talking for a while. She won't tell me her name but I can tell she really likes her. I made her promise me I would meet her if they got super serious.
There isn't really anyone else in the shop right now, just a few girls. I'm sure they're also Directioners because they keep looking over at me and whispering. They haven't said anything though. Thank god, I have no idea what I would say.
I have turned to wipe down the counter where we make drinks. I hear the door open and all conversation in the shop stops. I hear someone clear their throat behind me, most likely standing on front of the cash register.
"I'll be there in a second." I say, as I finish up wiping down the counter. "Alright what can I get for-"
My voice trails off and I see none other than Harry fucking Styles standing on the other side of the counter. "Hi." I say stupidly.
"Hello again." He says, his voice is soothing and his tone is somewhat amused.
"Good to see you again, love." I smile cheekily. He flushes. Did he just blush because I smiled at him? "What can I get for you?"
"Oh um," He scans the menu.
I look him over. He is wearing tight black skinny jeans again. Honestly, how does he fit into those? He looks amazing though. He has a white button up with thin vertical stripes on it tucked onto his jeans. And of course, in Harry Styles fashion, the shirt is only buttoned up about half way exposing his ink covered chest. He also has a silver cross necklace hanging against his bare skin. His hair is chin length and curly, partially hidden under a cream coloured fedora.
He looks like some sort of model standing there posing for a camera, instead of picking what to order at a cafe.
"Do I have something on my face?" Harry asks when he catches me staring.
"No," I say, a cheeky smile playing at my lips. "just enjoying the view, love."
He blushes giving me a dimpled grin. Cute, I think.
"Can I get a medium yorkshire tea please, angel?" He looks he straight in the eye as he says it.
My breath catches in my throat and I blush red. I did not think he would call me that in real life. I never actually though he would talk to me in real life to be honest.
"Yeah sure thing, love." I say. I sound calm but on the inside I am dying.
He called me angel.
"And for the record," He says leaning in closer towards me. "the view from here is pretty good too."
I feel heat rise to my cheeks again, and I hear him chuckle lightly. It's the most beautiful sound, besides his voice of course.
As I make the tea I can feel him looking at me. When I look over, he turns his face away. I think I can see a light blush covering his cheeks. Was he checking me out?
"Were you at the studio again today?" I ask.
"Yeah," He answers turning back to look at me. "We have been reordering for a little while now."
"Hows that coming along? Is it fun?" I'm genuinely curious.
"Loads of fun." He gives me another dimpled smile, I want to reach out and poke it but I control myself. "The lads and I have been goofing around a lot with this one."
I smile at that. It's cool to know that they actually enjoy working on the albums as much as they have fun performing them. "That's good."
"Yeah." He looks at me. It's a different kind of look that I'm not really sure how to describe. But it makes shivers run down my spine. "I didn't know you worked in a cafe? I thought you said you were a writer."
"I am." I answer quickly. "I just need another thing to do and I run this place with my best friend."
"That's cool. I'm surprised I haven't come here before." He says looking around. "I am usually working at the studio down the street."
I smile, finishing up the tea and handing it to him. Our fingers brush, my hand lingers a little longer than it should. I feel tingles run down my spine at the warmth. I realized my hand is still on the cup, I pull my hand away looking down blushing.
"Sorry." I mumble.
" s'Alright angel, you're good." He says smiling at my blush.
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Your number would be great."
I bite my lip trying to stop myself from grinning. "Sure." I giggle.
I write it out on a piece of paper from the notebook in the pocket of my apron. I fold it up and reach over the counter slipping it into the pocket of his shirt. I watch as a light blush coats his cheeks.
Adorable, I think, he will always be so adorable.
"There you are love." I'm still grinning as I pull away.
"I'll talk to you later, angel." He leaves the shop, but not before sending me a dazzlingly bright smile.
When he leaves I smile to myself biting on the nail of one of my thumbs. I hear the group of girls who were still in the shop giggling. I look over and see them smiling at me. I smile back, before trying to get back to work.
Although throughout the rest of the day, my thoughts are pretty preoccupied with the image of a certain curly headed, green eyed, boy with the body of a literal god.
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Hello incredible human who is reading my story 👋
I hope you are liking it so far. 🤞
I am considering posting another chapter today, we'll see. 😉
Also side note* How the fuck is this 14th in larryshiper? Only one person has read it.
tpwk❤️❤️