Louis is just trying to eat his fucking Doritos when Perrie Edwards slides herself into the seat across from him with the subtle flick of her hair over her shoulder.

"Hey," She greets as though this isn't the first time they've talked since, like, secondary school. "Heard about you taking Harry to prom."

Louis glances over at Liam, who's sat next to Perrie and just simply raises his eyebrow back at him. Louis swallows his Doritos. "Uh, yeah. I am."

"I just wanted to run a few things by you, if that's alright," She doesn't even let Louis answer before she starts talking again. "He's going to be wearing a dress, and he looks fucking amazing in it, by the way. Just wanted you to be aware. It's more of a flowy dress. Nick's such a dick head, he'd just fucking objectify Harry all the time, and now he doesn't want to wear tight dresses anymore, I just–ugh. Anyways."

Louis' angry just hearing that. "Dickhead," He mutters, shaking his head and looking back down at his absolutely heavenly Doritos. But how can he eat such a messy food in front of a pretty girl? It doesn't feel very chivalric.

"Right?" Perrie says exasperatedly before continuing. "His parents are very nice. His sister will most likely tease you. Take lots of cute pictures with him, he's a sap for cute couple photos. Kiss him if the moment's right, he'll like that. He's been going on and on about how cute you are lately, don't be shy about making any romantic gestures."

Louis just blinks at her before giving her a weary smile. "Thank you," He says sincerely. Perrie just nods and gets up, walking back to the table Harry sits at. Liam and Louis look at each other.

"She's hot."

"Oh, fuck off, Liam."

♛

"Lou, hey."

Louis looks around his locker door to see Harry standing there, a Vera Bradley lunchbox in his hands that matches his rucksack. He's smiling, always smiling, and Louis can't help but grin at him.

"Oh, hi," Louis greets, shutting his locker after retrieving his skateboard out of it.

"Wanted to apologise for Perrie's lecture she gave you earlier," Harry rolls his eyes, but with a smile, of course. "She's a bit protective."

"You've got yourself a good friend," Louis shrugs, but he can't help but notice how Harry's eyes are looking over his shoulder. He turns his head to see Nick Grimshaw talking to a girl who's leaned against the lockers, him fiddling with the collar of her shirt with a sly smirk. Louis feels sick. He's just so gross, and sleazy.

Louis, in that moment, needs to be petty.

He wraps his arm around Harry's waist and walks him towards Nick, even though the exit to the student parking lot is the other way. Harry giggles bashfully, just in time for them to walk passed Nick and make it seem like Louis has just said something incredibly charming and funny. He can feel Nick's eyes on them, and he can't help the smug smile that crosses his lips.