Young & Beautiful

to perform live. I think he’s just locked up in his house or something. Fuckin’ loon.”
Louis closed his eyes, feeling silent stabs within his heart. Because Harry. Des is locked up in
Harry’s house. Locked in the cold, dark, ornate confines of that mansion Louis had visited so long
ago…
“That stuff. That’s the stuff I want to know about. I worry so much, Niall, so much. More than I’d
like to, if I’m being honest. But there’s nothing I can do! And, like, there’s also the issue of: do I
say anything? Do I tell him I’m in love with him? Or will I scare him away? Because I think he
might… I think he might like me. A little bit, at least.”
“Of course he likes you.”
“No, I mean really like me.” Louis bit his lip, still staring up at the cream colored ceiling, the way
the shadows played upon the smooth surface. “The things he said to Charles this morning… I
think he might care.”
“All right. So tell him you love him. You only live once.”
“Yeah, but—“
“Tell him.”
“Niall, I’m not sure—“
“Tell him.”
“Nia—“
“Tell him.”
“N—“
“Tell him.”
“Fucking stop it, you prick!” Louis glared, whacking him over the head. “It’s not that simple! I’m
dealing with a timid squirrel here. I’ve got to approach him cautiously.”
“You’ve got to lure him in with your nuts?”
And when Louis looked over, Niall was laughing hysterically, silently, into his pillow, face pink
and bright.
“You’re a complete idiot, do you realize that, Ireland?” But he felt his lips quirk.
“Not as much as you are,” Niall chuckled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, cheeks soft
in a blushing pink. “You’ve finally realized you’re in love with Harry and you’re not even going
to tell him because you’re afraid. Fuckin’ child.”
“I’m not afraid!”
“So then tell him.”
“He’s a squirrel, Niall!”
“Can I go now?”