Chapter Text
Growing up, Louis was always an outcast. It wasn’t that he was rebellious or looked overly nerdy, nothing drastic like that. He wasn’t your average loner because he really liked it that way. Louis just didn’t bother talking to people much. Sure he had friends, or more accurately, two best friends: Eleanor Calder and Stan Lucas. They were actually pretty out-going and friends with a lot of the people that were popular. If it weren’t for the fact that he’d grown up knowing them, Louis would probably have gone through most of high-school with not very many close friends at all.
Eleanor was drop-dead gorgeous, as tall as Louis at 5 feet 11 inches, she had dark sable brown hair with deep hazel eyes. A lot of the guys went after her, but she wasn’t looking for a relationship…at least not with any guy at least. Why? Well because she was a lesbian that’s why. He suppose that’s why they didn’t really do much to stop the rumours that stated they were a couple.
They spent so much time together that people automatically assumed they were going out, as people tend to do in high-school. This was years ago in grade nine, and at that time they had denied it, but soon in grade ten, it seemed like it was pointless to deny it, so they stuck to it. It’s not like they were heterosexual anyway. Louis suppose it was kind of like a cover for them. By this year, grade eleven, people thought they’d been going out for a little over two years.
Stan always laughed at them, calling them his gay friends.
“You guys are priceless,” He’d say, “I mean here you are, idiot number one and idiot number two, both of you are gay, and everyone thinks you’re going out.”
Eleanor would just glare at him, and he’d laugh, for which he’d get a similar glare.
Louis had only known one gay guy in his life, actually, he didn’t really know him, he just went to the same school that Louis did. And he is sorry to say this but, Justin Gomes was the the epitome of stereotypical gay in existence, which is fine if he didn’t act like a prissy little bitch all the times too. He talked with a lisp, wore lip-gloss, the tightest jeans in existence, and walked around like he owned the place.
He was never beat up or anything, their school was okay with gay people, he guess. He actually had a lot of friends, most of who thought he was a hoot. He’d heard about really crazy violence against gay people, especially in the states but where Louis lived, things were cool. The average person didn’t say shit to your face.
He didn’t have a problem with coming out since it seemed people at his school were okay with it, but Louis had no reason to. It’s not like Louis was the most social person. He wasn’t going to go all out and announce, “Hello, I’m Louis Tomlinson and I’m gay.” He mean, that would be weird.
If Louis ever had a reason to come out to anyone besides Eleanor and Stan, he would.
~*~*~
School was pretty much uneventful most of the time. he took the bus to school in the morning and after school so he had to wake up very early. he didn’t have a problem with it since he is a morning person.
Stan took the bus with him, and as he walked to the bus-stop that morning he was already there, waiting for him. He grinned his heart-stopping grin, his eyes flashing deep amber.
“Hey, man,” he called, “what’s up?”
Louis smiled, “Nothing much,” he looked around, “what’s the deal? You here early or what?” he asked, feigning shock.
“Shut up, Louis. I just went to bed early last night, so I couldn’t help but be on time this morning.” He scowled jokingly.
“Alright, mate, just don’t do it too often or I’ll start freaking out.” He grinned and he added, “You talk to Eleanor lately?” he asked, grinning even wider.
Stan grinned too, and started laughing, “Yeah, I caught up with her yesterday. Gosh, she sounded like she hadn’t gotten sleep in days. Priceless. At one point, I was talking to her about football, and she was smiling and nodding along like she knew what the hell he was saying,” Stan stopped and thought for a second, “what do you think? Why is she acting like that?”
Louis laughed and looked at him, “remember the last time she got that way? Remember the reason?”
Stan thought for a second and then responded with a mischievous grin. “Yep,” he said, “how could I forget?
“So who do you think she’s stalking this time?”
He made a show of looking around and then leaning in to whisper, “do you think it could be….a girl?”
“No duh, genius. She is a lesbian after all. I think it might be that new girl at school. What’s her name…ah….Marissa. You think she might uh…roll that way?”
“I think so bud, I mean, I flirted with her yesterday and she didn’t even let up a bit. She just gave me a look and walked away. She has to be a lesbian to give all this up.” He said, holding his hands out as if demonstrating his hotness. Louis snorted.
They talked for a bit and then the bus came. This was quite a day, he means normally, Stan would be coming round the corner just about now, running fast to catch the bus. They both got in the bus and sat beside each other.
On the way to their seats at the back of the bus, he caught sight of a face he hadn’t seen in a couple of weeks. Zayn Malik. he think he just about drooled at the sight of him. His normally all year round tan was even more prominent after spending two weeks in Malibu in summer. His quiff was a bit longer and looked so soft despite all the wax he must have put in to make it stand like that.
Louis walked by him quickly and didn’t look over at him again. Zayn’s warm hazel eyes didn’t even glance at him. Louis didn’t think Zayn even knew his name. Although Zayn was friends with Stan, he’d never spoken to Louis. He didn’t dare meet his eyes when Zayn was around for fear that he would know Louis found him sexy.
At school that day, he looked forward to his math class, as Stan was in that class. Well, Stan and Zayn, and to be honest, he wanted to see Zayn more than Stan. No offence or anything, Stan was hot but he was like his brother and Zayn…well Zayn was just Zayn. Perfect, so fucking perfect. He was athletic, good looking, intelligent, and good in school. Could he get any more perfect? And to top that off, he was a nice guy, although not exactly screaming out for social attention the way Hollywood movies depicted the typical popular kid.
He never spoke to Louis, and those odd times when he actually did look over at him, there was no expression in his eyes. Louis guesses he was just too damn dull for Zayn. Ah, well. Zayn’d still remain the centre of his fantasies.
As Louis sat there daydreaming and waiting for class to begin, a guy walked in who he hadn’t seen before. Keep in mind that he was about two months into the school year, so a new person stuck out a lot, especially in a class this size.
He was good looking, average height at about six feet, and he had brown hair styled perfectly and a lean body. He was nicely built, wide shoulders that tapered into a narrow waist and hot, hot legs. he was a sucker for hot legs. Like Zayn’s…
He walked over and spoke, “Hey, I’m Liam Payne, mind shoving over your stuff so I can sit, mate?” His voice was deep and friendly, and when he smiled the corners of his eyes tilted upwards in a nice way and wasn’t that the most adorable sight ever? Louis liked him instantly.
“Yeah, why not. I was saving the seat for a friend of mine, but he can just sit on the other side,” Louis leaned over and shoved his bag off the chair. When he sat down, most of the people began crowding in and taking a seat. Some of them noticed the new guy and mentioned something before taking their seats and opening their books. When they were settled, he asked him, “So, obviously you’re new. How are you liking it so far, huh?”
This was actually pretty outgoing of Louis, as he didn’t really initiate a conversation on the first meeting. In fact, he only spoke boisterously with Eleanor and Stan.
Liam said, “Yeah, I’m new. I guess I stick out?” He didn’t wait for an answer but just went on, “The school’s good so far and the people are OK. I guess people are just down because it’s a Monday and all. I like it alright so far.”
Louis was going to say something but just then Zayn and Stan walked in together. He stopped and looked at them. In a way he was envious of Stan. he wish he could just walk up to Zayn and engage him in some interesting conversation. Stan was exuberant and funny where he was just plain old Lou.
Stan saw him and walked over with Zayn. They both took a seat beside him. Stan beside Louis and Zayn beside him.
“Hey, Louis.” This was Stan obviously. Zayn just took out his stuff and acted like he wasn’t there. Nah, he didn’t act, Louis thinks he just didn’t even notice him. Whatever, like he cares…
“Hey, man, have you met Liam? He’s new.” Louis gestured to the good looking guy beside him. When Stan shook his head, he continued the introduction, “Stan, this is Liam…” He trailed off, having forgot his last name.
“Payne,” he supplied.
“Yeah, Liam Payne,” he said, “and Liam, this is Stan Lucas.” Louis purposely ignored Zayn. If he didn’t care, why should Louis care? He thought he saw Zayn look over at him for this gesture for a fracture of a second.
“Hey,” Liam said to Stan, smiling at him friendly.
“Hi,” Stan replied, and then as if remembering something, he asked Liam, “Hey you doing anything Friday?”
Liam thought for a second before replying with a curt, “Nah, just unpacking and shit. Fuck, I can’t wait for the day I’m done.”
Stan laughed and said, “Cool, Krista McCarthy is having a party. Since you probably haven’t done anything worth shit lately, why don’t you come on down and have some fun with the rest of us.”
“Man, that sounds so good. My parents have been all over me, with helping out and stuff. I haven’t had time to relax for a while now. I’ll see if I can come, alright.”
He guessed Stan noticed that Liam seemed like a nice guy too, since he invited him to that party right off the bat. Louis wasn’t planning on going or anything but suddenly the idea sounded pretty appealing to him. He think he was going to go as well.
Stan turned to him, as if he’d sense the wheels churning in Louis’ mind with the force of his decision making. “You going to come this time, Louis?”
“Actually,” he stated, “I think I will.”
Stan smirked at him, and looked pointedly at Liam. “I can only guess why,” he said softly. Louis didn’t think anyone heard, but he saw Zayn look his way that second. His face was still without emotion when looking at Louis. He didn’t think he was looking at Louis at all, but rather through him. His gaze made Louis uncomfortable so he looked straight ahead.
They didn’t get a chance to continue their conversation since the teacher chose that moment to stop her stalling and looking around for her notes, she began another unorganized math class.
Afterwards, at lunch Louis sat with Eleanor in the corner. Sometimes they liked to sit alone, and no one thought it was weird since they were apparently a couple.
He told her about the new guy Liam, and she said he was in one of her classes.
“He’s a pretty cool guy, don’t you think?” Louis asked her, trying to appear nonchalant.
Eleanor grinned, “I don’t know. I didn’t talk to him or anything but he seemed friendly.” She gave Louis a conspiratorial grin, which was unusual as of late, since she was obsessing over a girl. He thinks Stan and he were right about the girl being Marissa because just then she walked by and waved at Eleanor. Eleanor waved back, turning light pink.
“Hmm, is there something you want to tell me Eleanor?” he asked, tongue in cheek, when Marissa was out of sight.
“Huh, what?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I know you like the back of my own hand. Stan and I know what’s been going on. Why wouldn’t you tell us?”
Eleanor sighed, “What would I say? Hi guys, I like another straight girl, I don’t think so.”
“Well, you just said it so I’m sure it wouldn’t have been that hard.”
Eleanor smiled then, “I’m sorry, but I just didn’t want to tell anyone. I hoped that if I kept it to myself then it wouldn’t go so far. I mean, it’s not like I have a chance or anything.”
“Stan told me that Marissa didn’t respond when he flirted with her,” he managed to get in.
“And, what does that do?”
“Well, she didn’t even bat an eyelash, Stan said. That has to mean something right?”
“Like what, she’s not a lesbian just because she didn’t respond to that wanker with a pea brain,” Eleanor said, “There are girls out there who aren’t shallow, okay?”
“Well, I guess you’re not one of them, since you like Marissa only for her good looks,” he replied.
Eleanor laughed, “Hey, I never said I wasn’t. I only wish I was.” She went on more passionately, “it’s just that the sight of her…her…beautiful, big–”
“Don’t go any further,” he said, covering his ears playfully, “I don’t want to know.”
Louis was met by the sound of her laughter, which died down when he caught sight of Liam. He was talking to a group of people, and a further look made him realize that he was speaking with a group of the elite popular girls. He stopped talking to them and began walking again. As he passed by their table,he did something he wouldn’t normally do to someone he just met. “Hey, Liam,” Louis called out to him.
He stopped and looked around, and when he saw it was him, he walked over to the table they were sitting at. “Hey, Louis,” He said, smiling. Louis just about melted into a deep puddle of goo. “Eleanor, right?” He stated, turning to her.
“Yeah, Eleanor it is.”
Louis checked to see how he responded to her. Most guys began flirting right away, trying to get involved with her, but Liam was a gentleman and secretly he was glad he wasn’t being flirty with Eleanor.
“Louis, you going to that party on Friday, right?” Liam asked.
“Yeah,” he said, eliciting raised eyebrows from Eleanor. He ignored her. “I’m going with Eleanor.”
“I don’t know where her house is, and my parents have taken away my car anyway. Mind if I get a ride with you guys that day?”
“Louis, you never even asked me if I was going.” Eleanor said, indignant.
“Whatever, you’re going to go because I’m making you.” He told her. Then he turned my attention back to Liam. “Yeah, you’re coming with us. Just give me your address and we’ll pick you up on the way. Cool?”
“Yeah, man, thanks a lot. I want to get totally wasted.”
Louis didn’t say anything to this, as he didn’t drink very often, and he’d only gotten drunk twice with Stan. It had been pretty fun, the sense of doing whatever crap he wanted without having any inhibitions. Maybe he’d have fun that night. He don’t even know why he cared about this guy, and he had no idea why he was even going to this party anyway.
Liam and he talked and it seemed like they had similar tastes in music. They both liked light rock, and hated screamo and hardcore heavy metal. Liam, like most of the general population, hated country. He knows there were people out there like Eleanor for instance that enjoyed country music, but he personally didn’t like it.
They told each other some weird things. Like, Liam said he said he’d never eaten with a spoon in about 12 years. He said he might have a slight phobia of putting spoons in his mouth. Only then, Louis realized Liam was not having the soup. Slightly weirded out, Louis responded that he hadn’t eaten a pear ever, and that he didn’t really want to. He couldn’t explain nor comprehend it, but he just didn’t like the texture and look of pears.
He discovered that Liam was born in England but moved to California since young and lived there for most of his life. Then, when his parents got a divorce, his mom moved back down here to London.
He said he’d never seen snow in his entire life and was looking forward to the first snowfall. “You’ll like it at first, but by the time it’s spring and the snow is still not melting, you’ll get angry.”
Eleanor was watching him closely, and Louis felt kind of uncomfortable under her scrutiny but chose to ignore it.
“Nah, I don’t think so. I will never get sick of snow.”
Louis was in a good mood, “you sure you don’t want to take that back? You’ll end up eating your own words.” he told him.
“Nah,I don’t think so.” He seemed so confident that Louis couldn’t resist. “Alright,” he said, “How about this, if by the time it should be spring and the snow is still here, and you complain even one bit, I will make you eat five bowls of soup with a big spoon.”
“Alright, and if I win, you eat five pears.” he said, laughing.
He held out his hand, “Deal.” Liam grabbed it, and said likewise, “deal.” He happened to look over at Eleanor at that moment and saw her looking at him and grinning. She winked! The nerve of that girl!
After a while, a bunch of people kept calling Liam and kept asking him to eat with them. Man was he popular, and it was only his first day! He guesses the girls and some of the boys maybe, saw what a great catch he was and a friendly person. Otherwise, people weren’t normally so friendly. So he said, “Liam, we don’t have you in a head lock or anything. Go talk to the poor people.”
He laughed, “I don’t want to. You’re the only person…I mean people, “he corrected, looking at Eleanor, “that actually made a lasting impression. The rest of them are just fake. I’m not going to be rude or anything like that, but I prefer hanging out with you to them.”
Louis think he grinned like a fool at that comment. Eleanor told him later that she wished she had a camera with her so she could show him the look on his face. Louis told her to fuck off.