The Drive-In | l.s.

chapter 13.

what's stopping you?

۵

"We really should have waited outside," Rue whispered after a long silence.

Luke had disappeared in search of Louis, leaving Rue and Harry alone to take in their surroundings. Harry was practically gawking. He couldn't decide what he wanted to look at first. His eyes jumped from an old beaten down football, to the acoustic guitar hidden in the corner of the living room, to an empty old bookshelf that was clearly on its last days.

While Harry's apartment was overflowing with books, Louis' was covered in what appeared to be music sheets and vinyls.

Harry also took notice of the lack of furniture, and, well, any decor. He wondered where the older boy sat down to rest.

"How can he afford all this?" Harry whispered, ending the silence once more. His ran his fingers over what he took in to be a guitar pick that had been laying against Louis' coffee table. It was a tiny triangular object with rounded corners; the words 'Sony' written across.

"He definitely has stolen this stuff," Rue chuckled.

Harry furrowed his brows as he picked up the pick, admiring it's matte exterior. He found himself not being able to take his eyes off it, it's familiarity holding him in a trance.

"Look who it is." Louis' voice echoed into the room, causing both Rue and Harry to spin around and face him.

Louis was in khaki slacks that he had rolled to sit against the top of his foot with an emerald green jumper that made him look so cozy and adorable. His gelled back hair, though, made him look everything but; the usual single strand of hair across his forehead in its designated spot.

Harry wanted to jump him right then and there so badly.

"How did you get all this stuff?" Harry shyly asked after swallowing back his saliva. He carefully placed the pick back in its spot on the coffee table as Louis walked past.

"Stole it." Louis shouted over his shoulder as he too disappeared then reappeared with water bottles in hand and Luke at his side.

Rue made a face not believing she was right.

Louis stopped in front of Harry first, handing him a drink.

"I'm kidding. Used to be my dad's."

"Thanks," Harry mumbled quickly grabbing the bottle from his grasp, careful not to touch his fingers as he was too nervous to.

Louis smiled at him before walking on and giving Rue hers.

"So what are you doing here?" He asked no one in particular.

"We're here for you." Rue spoke up.

"Yeah no shit, you're in my house." He said with that smart mouth of his as he took a seat on his coffee table - facing them. A little close for Harry's comfort but there was no way he was putting any more space between them despite his nerves.

"Why don't you have any chairs?"

Louis looked over at Harry, his mouth slightly opened, as he looked at him in amusement.