Seniors

December 25, 2019; Harry

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If we're going all out on deja-vu feels, let's talk about the text I get from Louis Tomlinson early this morning.

Lou: merry christmas<3

Except, instead of the smiley face he had last time, it's a heart. Which makes me smile a bit more than the one three years ago did.

Harry: talk about deja vu

Lou: that was the point

Harry: go out with me

Harry: like as friends, meet me at the park later, please??

Lou: even more deja vu. sure sure what time?

Harry: three thirty?

Lou: I'm there

Even though I still have three and a half hours to get my life together after my family is done with Christmas celebrations, I start it right at noon.

At around two thirty, with just one hour left, my sister, Gemma, knocks on my door and opens it.

"So, you're meeting up with someone soon? Who's the lucky person?" She asks, sitting down on my bed and watching me fuss over my hair a little too much.

"His name's Louis, my best friend in freshman year, remember?" I tell her.

"Louis? The one you loved back then?" Gemma asks, prompting my nod. "Still love him now?"

I nod again. "I think it's deeper now, though, Gem. He's just so everything and I want him so bad!"

"Why'd you two ever stop talking in the first place?" Gemma questions.

I stop messing with my hair and go sit down next to her on my bed. "He overheard me talking to Mum about him, but thought I meant I didn't want to be friends at all with him when I really was saying I wanted to be dating him. He still doesn't know what actually happened, though, so I don't really know why he forgave me last year."

"Ever considered that he might like you like you like him?" She questions.

"I mean, yeah, but that's just one of the things in the back of your head that you hope is true but secretly know isn't. And that's pretty shit," I tell her honestly.

"I don't know, Harry, it sounds kinda like he's in love with you. But don't trust me on this, I'm not a love expert. Just–maybe invite him to New Year's?" Gemma suggests. I nod.

"Yeah, okay. Good idea. Is this outfit okay?"

"Yes, you're gorgeous."

Once I get to the park a few minutes early I sit on top of the monkey bars to wait for Louis. When he arrives I jump off.

"Did you walk here?" He asks me.

I nod. "If you drove me it would take away from the suspense. I have a really important question to ask you, okay, Louis?"

Louis steps closer to me, and by instinct I bend down slightly to make us the same height.

"Okay, mhm, anything." Louis sounds a bit nervous, but I'm definitely more nervous.

"Okay, so, like... I was talking to Gemma earlier and she said I should invite you to our annual New Year's party... It's just a bunch of family and it's kinda lame but I'd like to not be there alone," I say quickly.

Louis smiles at me genuinely. "I'd love to go to your super boring family gathering on New Year's, Hazza."