Young & Beautiful

“Well, thanks again, mate. I had an incredible time, really. Best lunch I’ve ever had!” Louis says
amiably, nodding his respect.
Zayn’s lips quirk upward in response while Liam grabs Louis’ phone from his hand and types in
his number.
“You’ll text us whenever you’ve a moment, of course?” Liam suggests, tapping his numbers onto
the screen. “And I’ve got your number as well now. So we can make plans.” He smiles wide,
eyes happy and creased, as he hands Louis back his phone.
“Oh, yeah, for sure. Just let me know when you’re hanging about next. I’d be happy to join.”
Zayn , who is standing next to Liam, arm wrapped delicately around his waist, is staring past
Louis' shoulder. Louis’ just about to turn and find the source of his lidded stare when suddenly
Zayn says:
“Harry, you were just about to walk Louis out, weren’t you?”
And what did he just say?
Harry, grinning devilishly, immediately replies, “Of course.”
Louis suppresses the urge to smack Zayn across the room as it fills with unspoken tension.
“I can find my way on my own,” Louis says with weight in each word, giving Zayn a pointed
look.
But he just shrugs and Liam looks to him. "Harry's got good navigation. Just in case." And Louis
doesn't miss the impishness in Zayn's tone.
Because, fuck, is he trying to force them together?
Hell no.
“And good conversation,” Harry adds, reapplying his scarf as he strides toward Louis. “I’m very
nice,” he says, but his inflection suggests anything but that, a posed smile in place.
He thinks he’s so fucking charming.
Louis stares, unimpressed. “Somehow I doubt that.”
“Shall we?” Harry seamlessly asks without a beat, offering his arm.
And maybe it’s because Liam and Zayn are staring expectantly, or maybe it’s because he doesn’t
have the energy to turn this into a thing, but Louis, with a heaving sigh and roll of the eyes, takes
Harry’s arm.
**
They’re finally outside and Harry has successfully managed to sound like an even bigger wanker.
He’s talked about himself, his impeccable grades, his yearning for companionship, how nobody
understands him (and his acting skills are shit, by the way, so he's not fooling anybody) and he’s
even gone as far as to compared Louis’ eyes to a summer sky.
It’s cold, empty flattery, and though Harry probably feels that he’s successfully charming another