Together On The Field - l.s

six

Louis is taking him out.

He doesn't really know how this happened, if he has to be honest. He just remembers that as soon as the match ended he was enraptured in a group hug, and while everyone was giving him mighty pats on the back, he was kidnapped by Louis, who enveloped him in his arms and told him they needed to celebrate. And that's why he's frantically walking on the pavement with Zayn; Liam and Sophia following suit, headed for Louis' house.

"Can you hurry up? We're so fucking late," he groans, speeding up his pace. Louis said they could stop by his house for some drinks and then go to some club all together. Zayn and Liam were about to faint when he told them, because Louis also said he was going to bring some mates from the team, so now they're excited like kids at a funfair. It's all very embarrassing and they haven't even met them yet.

"Well, I can't exactly run on these heels now, can I?" snaps Sophia from behind. "If a certain someone didn't spend one hour trying to decide what to wear we would probably be on time," she mocks, making Liam giggle proudly.

It's not true. And anyway it was an hour worth it. He's wearing skinny jeans, a gray sweater and a black coat, and he looks good. Not that he's trying to impress anyone or anything. He just wants to look nice, okay? This night is meant to celebrate his comeback, after all.

"I think you didn't need to try this much, he clearly already likes you," says Zayn with a grin, trying to keep pace with him.

"Oh God, what the hell?" blushes Harry, throwing his hands in the pockets of his coat, flustered. "Don't say anything like that when we're there, please. And he's straight by the way," he sighs, shaking his head.

"You don't really know that," objects Sophia, catching up with them and placing her hand in the crook of Harry's arm.

"Wasn't he with some model last month or something?" pipes in Liam matter-of-factly. "I remember Harry throwing a fit when he saw the pap shots," he laughs.

"Uh dunno, there were some pictures obviously, but they were just, like, out for dinner? And did you hear anything after that? There was literally nothing, they could be just friends," says Sophia softly, scolding Liam with a stern glare all the same.

"Yeah, who cares," snaps Harry, annoyed by the conversation, as he rings the intercom of Louis' house. He's out of Harry's league anyway, no need to be deluded. Sophia grips tighter his arm, giving him a comforting smile. The gate clicks open and when they reach the entrance door Niall opens it and immediately takes Harry in his arms.

"Harry, my boy!" he yells, releasing him after a friendly hug and proceeding to politely greet his friends, who nervously shake his hand. Liam of course kind of knows him because he trains with the first team, but actually they've never gotten to hang out with so many famous people so they're still a bit intimidated.

They head inside, hanging their coats next to some expensive ones on a rack in the hall. In the living room there are already Brković and Andersen and Harry can't see who else, because Barbara runs to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

"About time! You look gorgeous!" she chirps, detaching herself.

"You, too," returns awkwardly Harry, glancing at Niall who meanwhile has kidnapped Zayn and Liam and is chatting amicably with them. They've got this hilarious flustered look on their faces as they listen to him that Harry would so love to take a picture of. Then he realises that's exactly the face he pulls when Louis talks to him, so. Nevermind.

Barbara is introducing herself to Sophia and in the span of two seconds flat they're already immersed in some important conversation, so Harry figures he'll leave them at that and goes to join Niall and his friends.