|Chapter 24

Today was going to be the very first interview for the band as a five piece group. Harry, Zayn and Liam thought it would be a good idea to give their new members a run-down of what to do, say and expect in an interview. There were rules set for the band.

So the boys all gathered up in Louis and Harry's hotel room, spread around the living room. Liam and Niall sat beside each other, resting their backs against the recliner as they sat on the floor, Zayn sat on the second recliner, and Louis and Harry sat on opposite, but close, ends of the couch, covered in a large blanket.

Louis was happier today, because Harry was going to be with him all day. He obviously didn't like when Harry wasn't around for long periods of time. He wasn't clingy, but he was attached to the boy. Harry was his happiness.

As Liam rambled on aloud about all the rules and what they should watch out for, Louis and Harry were off in their own little world together. They had silly grins on both of their faces as their sock covered feet played with the other's under the blanket. Harry tickled at the bottom of the boy's feet making small, quiet giggles erupt from the boy. When Niall heard the slight noise, he looked over in suspicion and a raised brow, but none of them saw it as they continued to play together.

When Harry had stopped after a moment, Louis thought he was finished. Harry thought over the idea that was continuing to run through his head, wanting to test his boundaries per say.

He looked away from the blue-eyed boy, nervous to how he would react. He then started to slowly move his toe up Louis' leg, under his baggy sweats, brushing his foot along his skin. After a moment, he looked back to the older boy and was surprised when he saw his lower face dug into one of the small couch pillows, cheeks glowing red. He was obviously hiding a massive smile because his infamous crinkles by his eyes whenever he smiles were on show. It made Harry smile, yet also wonder why Louis was reacting so giddily.

+

"Soon after the break we have One Direction joining us on the show!"

Louis listened to the hostess from backstage after he got set up with a microphone attached to his shirt. He watched what was going on from a small screen on the wall. The interviewer, her name was Tanya, was having more make up applied to her face while she read through her notes; most likely questions that she was about to throw the band's way.

"Lou." Louis turned around at the sound of his name, finding Harry behind him. "Hey. You okay."

The shorter nodded. Truthfully, he was not as scared as he usually would be when it comes to these kinds of things. "Yeah. I'm feeling a bit better doing this now."

Harry smiled small. So Louis really didn't need his necklace after all.

"Because of you, of course." Louis said, smiling up at the taller boy.

That made Harry's smile grow. "Anything for you, Lou." He wrapped his arms around Louis' shoulders, pulling him close. Louis returned the gesture, snaking his arms around Harry's waist and holding him tight.

Zayn stepped around the corner, in search of the two boys. When he saw what the two were doing, it made him smile. He could see the clear joy in Louis' face and how his fingertips would dig a little into the younger boy's back. He couldn't see Harry though because he had his back turned to him. He hated to do it, but he had to break it up.

"Lou, Har, we're going on in a bit." He gestured to follow him and the two boys did as told, following behind.

As all five boys waited beside the stage wings, Louis' fingers were holding onto the hair tie that was still around his wrist. Since he didn't have Harry's necklace anymore, maybe his hair tie can be a replacement; if Harry doesn't need it that is.

"Everybody give a warm welcome to One Direction!" Tanya called out, clapping her hands as the five band mates walked out onto the polished set, waving out to the audience. They sat themselves down on the large, red sofa in order of Zayn, Niall, Louis, Liam and Harry; Harry being the closest to Tanya.

"Welcome boys." They all greeted her back. "Lovely to see three of you again, and lovely to meet two of you for the first time." She smiled. "Just in case some people didn't see your first performance in London, do you want to introduce yourselves once more?"

Niall held a hand up, a cheeky grin on his lips. "I'm Niall."

"And I'm Louis." He said a little quieter, giving a small wave.

The interview started off with general questions about the album, any upcoming tours planned, but then it came up to the question of the hour.

"So, boys, let's talk about relationships; one in particular." Tanya looked down to Harry with a smirk.

Harry put on a tight smile. "We-"

"Actually, before we talk about that relationship. I saw these photos floating around twitter recently with you Harry and another certain someone." She turned around in her swivel chair and looked back as the screens behind her, the boys doing the same. Three images faded onto the screen. "Here we have you Harry, and who is that in your arms?" She asked.

Harry pursed his lips, trying to hide a smile, but his dimples were giving it away. "Uh, that would be Louis." Harry turned to look at the older boy, the same look mirroring his, maybe even a hint of a blush.

"Was Louis too lazy to walk or?" She joked.

"No, no. He was still asleep when we landed in LA, and I didn't want to wake him, so I carried him." Harry explained.

"Pretty close, I see." She commented. "You look like you're almost protecting him with how close you're holding him."

"Well, I didn't want to drop him!" The audience laughed. "And there were a lot of paps there, and we had to squeeze through them." He paused for a moment, turning to Louis again. "I know he's not too fond of the hassle, so I let him sleep through it all."

Louis blushed a little more.

"So, just friends carrying sleepy friends?"

"Just friends carrying sleepy friends, yeah..." Harry nodded, looking down at the hands in his lap.

Tanya grinned massively. "Okay, now that we got that out of the way, we can move onto the important stuff. Harry Styles and Kendall Montez." The photos on the screen switched to photos of Harry and Kendall at the movie premiere last night.

All the other boys, who were actually listening to what Liam was saying earlier that morning, did as instructed and put on smiles or happy faces to make it seem like they were happy for the news, but Louis did the complete opposite. Louis' smile dropped to a fairly noticeable frown, looking away from everyone and fiddling with the hair tie on his wrist

"How long have you two been a thing?"

"For a little while."

"And why such the late reveal?

"We kinda just wanted to start out easily, so we could get to know each other more and such." He replied smoothly. "She's a very nice girl." Which wasn't completely true, actually, he had nothing to judge her on, because she hasn't really spoken a word to him yet. She just went along with what she was told to do last night.

"She is. Really beautiful too." Harry just nodded. "Last night, did you two maybe, perhaps... canoodled, per say?" The audience started to laugh, while Harry felt a bit uncomfortable at the question. He didn't reply, but instead looked to the other boys for a distraction.

He realised Louis seemed spaced out, not paying attention to anything that was going on. All that Harry could think of was, 'Is Louis okay?' The thought wouldn't leave his mind. So, trying to be casual about it, Harry slung his arm to rest along the back of the couch, his hand past Liam and landing close to Louis. Being subtle, he moved his finger to Louis' shoulder blade, getting Louis' attention, but the boy didn't look up; he just smiled. Harry noticed how Louis was fiddling with something on his wrist, which he guessed was a nervousness thing he's started to do. He brushed his knuckle a little against his back, trying to somewhat settle and calm the boy. It seemed to be working since Harry could feel his muscles become less tense.

"Louis?" Tanya asked. "You okay there?"

At the sudden sound of his name, Louis quickly snapped his head up at the woman. "Wha- uh, y-yeah. I'm okay." Louis tried to quickly respond, sitting up a little straighter.

She laughed softly. "Well, I don't suppose you have someone in mind that you're looking out for. A little crush or anything?" She gave a cheesy smirk.

"Yea-" He was quick to clear his throat. "I-I mean... y-yeah no. No, I do not."

"Hmm, doesn't sound too convincing to me."

Oh shit! What do I do?! He understands why Liam gave them the talk about what to do in situations like this. Now he regrets not listening to him.

Every eye in the audience was glued to him, waiting for an answer. Harry, Niall, Liam and Zayn were too looking to Louis with worry and concern.

Louis could only think of one way to solve this problem, with a joke.

"Y-You'll just have to wait and see." That was okay to say, right? Louis forcefully laughed, looking around at the other boys. Liam had slightly wide eyes, Niall looked conflicted, Zayn had a knowing yet worried expression, and Harry seems confused and intrigued. What was with all the looks? Was that okay to say?

Tanya gave a suspicious look. "Ooh, if you say so. We'll keep an eye out then." She smirked, turning to the camera facing her. "Still to come after the break..."

I don't know if that was okay to say...

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NOBODY CAN DRAG ME DOWN!  x) Harry and those high notes at the end, no! stop! I love it!

comment/vote/fan??

-chloe x