The Player's Game [Louis T. AU]

Chapter 7

-Chelsea-

The walkway to the gym was covered in snow. The trees were drooping with icicles hanging at the end of the branches. I grasp the cold handle and enter the gym. The sound of basketballs dribbling sounded throughout the large facility. I walk by the set of treadmills and weight machines, setting my yoga mat in the empty corner, designated for people doing their own exercises. Luckily I was the only one in this area.

-Louis-

"Over here!" I raise my hands, signaling that I was free to catch the ball. I catch the air-born ball, tossing it straight into the net. "That's it for me. I'm gonna hit the weights" I say, lifting my shirt to wipe the excess sweat from my forehead. Walking up a flight of stairs, I enter the right room. I begin lifting weights, when I notice Chelsea in the corner of the room. I didn't know she came to the gym. My mind rewinds to a couple days ago when she helped Casey, a girl she didn't even know. I should go over there and thank her again...no, I've already thanked her a thousand times. Maybe I should just pretend that she isn't here. I'm always the one going up to her. I'll let her come to me this time. I quickly made the decision to play it cool, and pretend I didn't see her. I glanced over from time to time, seeing if she had noticed me yet. After a while, she stood u0p beside her yoga mat, unscrewing her water canister for a drink. She tossed the bottle in her large bag and began rolling up her yoga mat. Shoot, she's leaving. Don't move Louis, let her come to you. She began walking towards the door. Her hand gripped the handle-

"Chelsea!" I call. Great job standing your ground louis. 

She turned around quickly "Oh, hey Louis" she walked towards me, switching her bag to the other shoulder

"I didn't know you came to the gym" I set down the large weight

"I rarely do" she replies "But it's to cold to go outside and take a walk-or do anything for that matter. When the ground is white, I come here" She said with a half smile

-Chelsea-

Ever since  seeing him help that poor girl get back to her dorm after she had passed out, I've looked at Louis in a different way. It's almost as if he's changed. And I can't help but admire his British accent when he talks. Wait-what? no. I can't like him, he doesn't even go to church....He doesn't even go to church, wait- I can invite him to go to mine, Chelsea, you're a genius

"Hey, umm- would you maybe like to come to church with me sometime?" I say, crossing my fingers

"Nah, church isn't really my thing" He replies, shrugging his shoulders.

Shoot. Well, that was a complete fail

"Okay, I understand" I smile "Well I better go. See you later" I send him a wave, then head back to my dorm building.

---

"He said no?" Monica sat on the edge of my bed, playing with the loose string on my blanket.

"He said church wasn't really his thing" I leaned against the wall, my legs crossed Indian style

"What about that Christmas party on Friday?" Anne suggested "It's not church, but it's at least a church event"

"I don't think he would go. Besides, you and I are going together. I'm not going to ditch you for Louis." I remind her

"It's fine. Chelsea, seriously. I can go by myself. There are other people at the party. I won't be totally  by myself"

"Totally by yourself?" I gave her a look "No. I'm going to go with you, and we are going to have fun, without Louis"

"I'll take Anne" Monica suggests. "That way no one has to go alone. Go invite Louis. He's in his dorm room with Derek" 

"Monica, I already invited him to one thing. I'm not goin-"

"Go, go, go!" Anne laughs, taking my hands and pulling me to my feet. 

"Fine!" I laugh, walking to the door "What's his dorm room number?" i turn to Monica

"402"

I exit the elevator and walk slowly to Louis room. Nervously playing with my hands as I walk down the long hallway. What if he says no? I'm going to look like a complete idiot. I already invited him to one thing and he rejected it...maybe he just doesn't want to go anywhere with me.

-Louis-

"Mate, it was sick." I laugh, tossing a handful of M&M's into my mouth

"Sounds like it" Derek chuckled "So-"

He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"I'll get it" He ruffled his hair as he opened the door. "Uh, it's for you" he turned to me with a large smirk on his face. Derek opened the door further, revealing Chelsea on the other side. Now she is the last person I expected at my door

"You can come in" I prop myself on my elbow

She shyly walked into the room, pushing some of her hair behind her ear.

"I was wondering if you would like to come to a Christmas party with me this Friday"

Derek raised an eyebrow. He was obviously just as surprised as I was

"Where is it?" I ask

"It's at my young adults pastor's house"

I already told her I didn't want to go to church. Why is she asking me again?

"I-" 

"Before you say anything" she interrupted "It's not church. It's just a Christmas party. I promise" 

I stayed silent for a minute. Derek repeatedly nodded his head behind Chelsea, telling me I should go

"I don't see why not" I replied. "Should I bring anything?" I ask

Her eyes lit up at my answer. I smile slightly

"You can bring a dessert if you want. It's at 6:00 on Friday" she fixed her hair once again, turning around to leave my room

"Alright. I'll be at your room at 5:45 to get you" I smirk

She turns around and tilts her head slightly "To get me?"

"If I'm going, I'm going to drive you"

"Okay. Fine" she rolled her eyes with a smile "See you later" She left my room

Derek stood there for a minute, trying to figure out what had just happened "Dude, since when is she even talking to you, yet alone inviting you to stuff?" He sat on his bed, his arms crossed, propping the back of his head

"I'm just irresistible" I joke "She had to give in to me at some point. Every girl does"

Derek looked at me for a second "I'd be careful. I think that that attitude will turn Chelsea off. When you began being more thoughtful and considerate, it seems like that is when Chelsea began being 'okay with your existence'"

"Thoughtful and considerate? You sound like my mom" I rolled my eyes. I sat back and thought for a minute...Chelsea did start being a lot more open with me when I helped Casey home from the party...could she really be attracted to the softer side of a guy? Most girls fall for the other side of guys..manly tough, things like that. Maybe Chelsea really is totally different from the rest of the girls.

"Maybe you're right" I say to Derek

"Of course I am" He said, putting his focus to his phone "So what are you going to bring?"

"To what?" I ask

"..The party" he gave me a no-duh look

"Oh, yeah...I was thinking of a Japanese dessert. I saw on Chelsea's Facebook that-"

"You were stalking her Facebook? Gosh, you're such a creep" he laughed, throwing a pillow in my direction

"Shut up" I chuckled, discarding the pillow. "What do they have for dessert in Japan? Rice?"

"I doubt that's what they have for dessert. Google it" he shrugged