Young & Beautiful

A short laugh.
“Good lad,” Charles says.
Louis grits his teeth.
He hears the door shut, the scuff of polished shoes against their impeccable wooden floors. Hears
the squeak of furniture as the boys stand.
“And you all are…?”
It’s so weird. It’s so fucking weird.
“Zayn Malik, sir. Son of Khan Malik,” comes the even flow of Zayn’s voice, and he just sounds
impressive. Without even trying.
“Khan Malik, you say? The chancellor of the school?” Charles asks, surprised and delighted.
There’s a silence, and Louis can picture the scene behind him—Zayn nodding silently, standing
tall and open and beautiful like the fucking Greek statue that he is.
“And I’m Liam Payne,” Liam announces, voice lilted to its posh timbre of sparkling perfection.
Business Liam is in full gear. “My father is William Payne. I’m sure you’ve heard of him?”
“Ah, yes, yes. Bill. Good man. Did a case for his company a couple years back. He’s doing
well?”
“He is,” Liam smiles. “Really well. I’ll send him your regards. I could set up a luncheon?”
“Yes, of course,” Charles says, clearly impressed.
And Louis just feels so tense. Has the man even noticed he’s in the room yet? He can’t turn
around to see. Not when he’s still not sure how he’s even going to react. No, Charles can come to
him.
“And who might you be?” Charles suddenly asks, and Louis freezes, completely freezes, but then
—
“Harold Styles,” Harry suddenly announces in his most charming of voices, and Louis can
envision the infectious grin he’s got plastered onto his face. He’s also got his feathers on display,
any trace of concern and trepidation gone and leaving only a winning smile and firm—but not too
firm—handshake.
“Styles, eh?” Charles assesses. He doesn’t sound as impressed.
“Styles,” Harry confirms. “And you are, of course…?”
“Charles Tomlinson,” the man says. And something about hearing that name, hearing that name
spoken by that man… A man that’s been all but a phantom in Louis’ a life, just makes everything
that much more real.
Fuck. This is actually happening.
Louis still can’t turn around.
“What a remarkable name,” Harry smiles. “I’d steal it for my own, but I don’t think I could do it
justice.”