After (Larry Version)

~*Chapter 63*~

"The salesman is a creep and smells like stale cigarettes, but I can't be picky any longer. After an hour of negotiating, I write him a check for the down payment and he gives me the keys to a decent 2010 Corolla. The white paint is chipped in a few places, but I managed to talk him down low enough that I can let it slide. I call my mother before I drive out of the lot to tell her, and of course she says I should have gotten a bigger car and lists the reasons why. I end up pretending to lose service and shut my phone off.

It feels amazing to drive my own car. I no longer have to depend on public transportation and now I can drive myself to my internship. I hope my cutting ties with Harry doesn't affect it. I don't think it can, but what if he is bored with just simply making me cry and does something to ruin it? Maybe I should talk to Des and try to explain that Harry and I are no longer... dating? He thinks we are dating, so I will have to come up with something besides "Your son is the cruelest person in the world and he is toxic to me so I can no longer be around him."
I turn the radio on and turn it up louder than I usually would, but it does what I need it to. It drowns out my thoughts and I focus on every lyric to every song. I ignore the fact that every song seems to remind me of Harry ."

Before heading back to campus, I decide to go buy some more clothes. It's getting colder, so I need some more jeans, and I end up buying a few new outfits to wear to Vance, some plain shirts and cardigans, and a couple of pairs of jeans. They are tighter than usual but they look good on me.
Nick isn't in the room when I return, which is good. I really think I may need to look into changing rooms. I do like Nick , but we can't continue to live together if Harry is around. Depending on how much I'll be making at my internship, I could get my own apartment and live off campus. My mother would lose it but it isn't up to her.

I fold my new clothes and put them away before grabbing my toiletry bag and heading to the showers. When I return, Nick and Zayn are sitting on his bed, looking at his computer.
Great.
He looks up sleepily. "Hey, Louis , did Harry ever find you last night?" When I nod, he asks, "So did you work it out?"
"No. Well, yeah, I guess. I am done with him," I tell him. His eyes go wide, he must have assumed he would sink his claws back into me."

"Well, I for one am glad." Zayn smiles and Nick swats his arm. His phone beeps and he looks down.
Vanessa is here, we gotta go. Wanna come?" He asks.
"No, thanks. I'm gonna stay here—but I did get a car today!" I tell him and he squeals.
"Really! That's awesome!" He says and I nod. "You'll have to show me it when I get back," he says and they head for the door. Nick walks out but Zayn lingers in the doorway.

"Louis?" His voice is as smooth as velvet. I look up and he smiles at me. "Did you think about our date?" he asks, staring into my eyes.
"I..." I am about to reject him, but why? He's very attractive and seems sweet. He didn't take advantage of me when he easily could have. I know he would be better company than Harry, anyone would be, honestly. "Sure." I smile."

"Sure as in you will let me take you out?" His smile grows.
"Yeah, why not?" I reply.
"Tonight, then?"
"Yeah, tonight is good." I don't think tonight is a good idea, seeing as I have studying to make up for, but I'm still ahead of the course despite having missed a few classes this week."

"Awesome, I'll be here at seven, yeah?"
"Okay."
He brings his lower lip between his perfect teeth. "See you tonight, beautiful," he says and I flush, waving goodbye as he leaves the room.
It's four now, so I have three hours. I blow-dry my hair and fix it into a quiff and to my surprise it looks really good. I apply light makeup and put on one of my new outfits, a pair of dark jeans, a white tank top, and a long brown cardigan. My nerves are getting the best of me as I stare into the mirror. Maybe I should change? I switch to a blue tank top and a button-up shirt. I can't believe I am going on a date with Zayn . I've had one boyfriend in my entire life, and now I am going on a date with Zayn after all this mess with Harry . Maybe guys with tattoos and piercings are my new type?"