Young & Beautiful

eing played on mute, plastered across the giant flatscreen, sort of took something away from it.
Occasionally they’d step outside and smoke cigarettes on the balcony, watching the curls of
smoke disappear into the stars as they laughed while Niall repeatedly begged to abandon studying
and scour the city for clubs and good drugs.
It was a good night. Just what Louis needed.
And now he has a whole weekend ahead of him that’s going to be filled with sleep, late night runs
for cakes and everything else Niall so desires when he’s having his cravings, weed, video games,
parties, good drink, and track pants. And still better, Zayn’s planned on taking them to “Candle
House” (as Zayn and Harry refer to Zayn’s spring home) and there’s not going to be anybody
there but them, some escargot, croquet, and all the time in the world.
So, needless to say, Louis is excited. And he’s just finished his courses for the day.
“I want it to be tomorrow,” Louis wails, draped over the couch. “I want to go to Zayn’s spring
home. Have you ever been?” he asks Niall, craning his neck to stare at the boy sat behind him as
they stuff éclairs in their mouths and plow through FIFA.
“Nah,” Niall muffles through his stuffed mouth. “But I’ve heard good things.”
“I’m excited. This weekend’s going to be sick, Ireland. Sick! We should have dinner tonight, just
the two of us, to celebrate the festivities.”
“Can’t, sorry. I need to take a nap and—“
“Why on earth do you need a nap? All you ever do is sleep.” Louis peers over at him as the boy
rubs his eyes, his golden hair mussed and greasy.
“I was up all night after we came home. Rory made me do half of that project for my ‘Audio and
Visual’ course,” Niall yawns, wrapping a blanket around himself as they wait for their next match
to load.
“Oh, you poor creature,” Louis tuts sarcastically, rolling his eyes exaggeratedly. “You actually
had to do your own homework? The shame.”
“Hush, you,” Niall scolds, but grins goldenly as he swaddles himself, leaving only his face to
poke out.
Louis grins, eyes crinkling. “You look like a little baby.”
“I am a little baby. Now let me sleep!”
“But we’re supposed to go to that party later! Sleep when you’re dead!”
“I’ll sleep now and go to the party later, how does that sound?”
Louis ponders, hands suspended in midair on their route to rip Niall’s blanket off of him, before
they drop. “All right, fine. But what am I going to do until then? Zayn and Liam are at their stupid
meeting for the stupid Student Union,” he pouts, sinking deeper into the couch.
“Don’t you have tutoring with Harry?”
Louis’ stomach recoils.
“No,” he lies.