Shortly before the curtain call, Louis felt the excitement grow backstage. His students were running around like crazy or rehearsing their lines all over again. Others looked like they were about to pass out any second. Louis himself felt all their nerves washing over him but he tried everything to keep a clear mind. This was it now and he would never experience this again.

"It's gonna be okay, Newt. You're gonna blow them all away. I know it" Louis kneeled down in front of his freaking out student.

"My head is empty. Everything's gone" Newt was shaking.

"All you need is right there. Being anxious before a show is totally normal and absolutely okay. There is nothing wrong with you" Louis told him calmly. "I am fucking scared every time".

"Really?" Newt looked down at him.

"Really. But I keep going because I love performing with my band. No fear could ever stop me from doing what I love. And when I think my lyrics have vanished from my mind they always come back when I need them. If not, I have people around who always help me out. And so have you" Louis let him know soothingly.

Newt glanced around the room and was met with everyone smiling encouragingly at him. Louis resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his students for listening to their conversation. It was typical for them. Freaking nervous but still way too curious for their own good. He loved them to pieces.

"We all have your back. This play is nothing without you, Newt. We need all of us. Together" Cat walked over to them.

"Don't let the anxiety stop you from rocking your dream. We're all here" Mira joined her carefully.

"They're right, you know?" Nick leaned his head to the side with a crooked smile. "This time".

"See? You're not alone. Now head up. The stage is waiting for you" Louis flicked Newt's chin tenderly.

"Thank you, guys" Newt stood up, directly being pulled in a huge and tight group hug.

"We love you".

Looking at them, Louis wished every student in school would be like them but sadly, that wasn't the reality. These kids were special and had each other when life was hard on them because Louis knew the rest of their school time wasn't easy. Drama club kids never had it easy. He should know that best. But it didn't matter as long as all of them had their backs and accepted each other for who they were deep inside and his kids did. He was proud of them.

"Showtime, guys" Louis clapped into his hands loudly.

A few minutes later, the curtain opened and the play started. Louis watched every single second from behind the stage and helped backstage wherever he could when something wasn't working out quickly enough or someone needed a few encouraging words. The hectic atmosphere was something Louis weirdly loved. It belonged to plays and musicals. The energy level was so high. He was buzzing. This job was like a drug. He was addicted.

After the curtain fall his kids came running right over to him and almost crushed his lungs as tightly as they were hugging him. At this moment, Louis had to fight against his tears really hard. He knew his students weren't doing any better.

"This is for you, Mr. Tom" Thomas presented a gift basket to him.

"Oh god, you guys are adorable. This really wasn't necessary" Louis teared up at the sight of the huge basket.

"But we wanted to thank you for everything you did for us. You are a big part of our lives and will always be. No matter where you go" Bianca told him emotionally.

"Come here, guys" Louis put the basket down and waved them back into another embrace. "Being your teacher was the best thing that ever happened to me. It was an honour to meet every single one of you and get to know a part of your life, to see you blossom and bloom into who you are right now. I might be leaving this school but I'm sure we're gonna see each other again. Definitely at the next play. I wouldn't miss it for the world".

"It won't be the same without you" Cat sniffled sadly.

"Maybe but your new teacher is amazing. He is a great lad and a good friend of mine. He solely switched schools to take my place for me because I wanted to know you're in good hands" Louis let them know truthfully. Fittingly, he spotted his friend coming backstage at that moment. Like this, he noticed that Zayn and the guys have been watching the whole thing. "There he is, guys".

Reluctantly, they let him go and turned around. A tall blonde guy with shining blue eyes and a handsome face was walking over to them with a bright smile on his pretty face. Louis welcomed him with a short hug and a handshake. "Guys, this is Luke O'Brien".

"Hey, you were fantastic out there. I loved your rendition of Dark Desire" Luke praised them genuinely.

Before they could really talk the students' parents came backstage and the volume rose massively in the room. Louis beckoned his friends to follow him. He walked them into an office-like room where the noise wasn't so loud, where he placed the basket on his desk.

"Thank you for coming, Luke. I really needed you to meet them briefly before you start teaching them. They've been so anxious and scared and ...".

"It's okay, Louis" Luke cut off his rambling. "I wanted to be here. The play was really great and your kids are special".

"Not my kids anymore" Louis corrected him sadly.

"They will always be your kids, even if you start a new job somewhere else. They will be with you wherever you go" Louis assured him softly.

"God, stop it or I'm really gonna cry. Better tell me how Cody is doing" Louis changed the subject.

"He is doing great, always asking when you're coming to a game again. I'm almost a tad bit jealous. He really loves you and appreciates your support" Luke informed him freely.

"I'm gonna be there next time. I miss watching the games. Cody is doing an amazing job with that team. Oh, his boyfriend is coaching our home football team" Louis explained to the other guys when he realised they were looking hella confused. Well, except for Zayn.

"Ah, that's amazing. I haven't seen a football game in so long. Maybe we should all go" Niall suggested excitedly.

"That'd be wonderful. If you can manage let me know" Luke beamed at the idea when his phone started ringing. "That's Cody. I'm gonna head out. It was nice to meet you all. See you, Louis".

And with that, he was gone as quick as he had come in. Louis only shook his head with a fond smile. Luke was a great friend and a wonderful person. He was happy to know him and his boyfriend.

"Tommy, this play was out of this world. You've outdone yourself this time" Zayn praised him, hugging him lovingly.

"Thanks, Joey. We tried our best" Louis mumbled into his chest.

"You are the best" Zayn rubbed circles into his back.

"He is right. This was great. For a second, I even forgot it was a high school play. It looked so professional. Nothing like our shitty plays back when I was young. You created something magical" Liam agreed in pure amazement.

"Thanks, Lima. It means the world to me that you all showed up to support me today. I really didn't think ... thanks" Louis thanked them gratefully, biting his lip nervously.

"Of course, we're here to support you. We're your friends, Tommo" Niall hugged him next.

"Um ... guys, there is something I wanted to ask you. Both of you. Now. Come with me, please" Zayn brought out weirdly, addressing only Niall and Liam, dragging them out of the room with confused faces and not a single clue of what was going on.

"What was that?" Harry wondered perplexed.

"No idea. Sometimes I don't question Zayn's behaviour" Louis shrugged, really having no idea what his game was.

"I know they've all said it already but the show was amazing. You and the kids did an amazing job" Harry praised him as well.

"Thank you, Haz" Louis got lost in the kind words, realising he slipped up again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. An old habit coming back, I guess. Sorry".

"I really don't mind. It's actually quite nice to hear that nickname again. No one ever calls me that. Only you" Harry waved the matter off with red cheeks.

"Okay" Louis didn't know what else to say. So, he looked at the basket, tracing his fingers over it carefully.

"You're gonna miss them horribly, right?" Harry leaned against the desk right next to Louis.

"Like crazy" Louis sighed out shakily, his emotions catching up with him now. "I saw them grow for a few years now. Leaving them now feels ... It's hard but I know Luke will look after them".

"You can still see them, Lou. It's only a different school. Not a different city or country. They're not out of this world. And you can always come back one day" Harry wanted to reach out to touch him but withdrew his hand quickly.

"I could but I'm actually really looking forward to my new job. The leaving people I love part is just hard. I was never good at saying goodbye. Farewells suck" Louis admitted downcast.

Something flashed through Harry's eyes before they focused back on Louis with heavy intensity. "Saying goodbye is never easy but the best thing to do. You wanna do something new. For that, something old has to end. They will always be in your heart because you love them and they love you, Louis".

"You're right. I'm just too emotional sometimes" Louis took a deep breath to clear his head.

"It's okay to be emotional. Good even. Now tell me about the new job. Excited?" Harry asked interested.

"Very. It's not just a class or a club. It's a music school. Working with all those talented kids, who simply love music will be a totally different experience than working in a normal high school. Absolutely everything revolves around music there. Music, theatre, acting, art. It sounds like a dream. I still can't believe it" Louis let everything out that he was thinking right now.

"It's perfect for you, Lou. This is your job. Your destiny. I'm really happy for you and can't wait to see your new projects. We're all gonna be there with you along the way. I will be there" Harry smiled brightly at him with sparkling eyes.

For a long second, Louis only looked at him and the energy in the room felt electrifying. Like sparks were flying or whatever bullshit you could possibly come up with. Instead of acting on his first instinct or saying the wrong thing, Louis just hugged Harry, completely ignoring that they haven't even had any kind of actual physical contact since Harry came back. For a moment, Harry froze but then he relaxed into the embrace and hugged Louis back, letting out a long sigh. Now, this felt right.

Suddenly the door burst open, causing them to break away from each other. Louis only had one short moment to catch up with the situation before he felt a familiar pair of lips on his own. Realising it was Dylan, Louis kissed him back but wasn't really in the moment yet. His thoughts were somewhere else.

"I'm so proud of you, Love. This was ..." Dylan started praising him cutely but Louis barely heard a word. His senses weren't really working and he wasn't sure why. "Oh, am I ... err ... interrupting ... um ... something?".

Louis just knew Dylan was looking at Harry, who was still leaning against the desk. Overwhelmed, Louis glanced at him and found Harry looking out of it. Pale and absent-minded.

"No, you're not. We were only talking. I have to go anyway. Sabrina is waiting for me. We're going on another date. I think she could be the one for me, you know?" Harry rambled out and Louis really had no idea why. Well, he knew Harry and Sabrina were hitting it off but this was just too much information.

"Have fun on your date, Haz" Louis brought out or he at least, thought he did. He wasn't in power over his body anymore.

"Thanks. The same goes for you. Enjoy your night" Harry nodded at them and then left the room, bypassing the other three guys.

"We will" Louis wrapped an arm around Dylan's waist.

"Where is he off to?" Liam blinked bewildered.

"To see Sabrina. They're on for a date. He said so" Louis informed him quickly.

"Yeah, right. They really seem to like each other. She is really nice and gets him. After their first date he wouldn't shut up" Niall raved about the new couple on the horizon but was hit by Zayn. "Ow".

"That's sounds wonderful, right babe? Your friend is happy. It's always nice when our friends are happy" Dylan smiled at the thought of another person being happy because that's just who he was and Louis loved that about him.

"You're absolutely right, Darling. Harry deserves to really be happy and Sabrina sounds nice. I can't wait to meet her. If you excuse us now. I really have to go and see my students before they're all gone. And then we have some plans. Thank you all for coming today. It means a lot to me".

After a big group hug, Louis walked back to his students to say his final goodbye. Dylan and his friends were waiting outside to comfort him afterwards. A few tears were shed and hearts felt heavy but Louis knew this was the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Working with Pablo at this amazing music school was a big chance for him and it meant he would work even closer together with Aurelio and his new artists from now on.

When he had said goodbye to his friends, Louis and Dylan went over to Dylan's flat. Making out on the couch led to them stumbling into the bedroom together and exploring each other's bodies a bit further. It was only the second time they were doing this. For a very long time, Louis had kept this between them kinda platonic and non-sexual but after the concert they've attended together, something has changed between them and they've taken the next step.

Sex with Dylan was nice. Just like the first time, he went pliant under Louis' touch so freaking fast and presented himself to Louis in such an attractive way. Pushing inside, all Louis felt was pleasure and they were having a really good moment. Maybe it was about time Louis officially asked Dylan to be his boyfriend. At the moment, they were only 'seeing each other' or 'dating' but they weren't official and Louis knew it was because of him. Dylan would have loved for them to be a couple months ago but Louis simply couldn't. His past relationships have shaped him and made him careful, a bit too much. He was hesitant now but he didn't want to be burned again. He couldn't handle another bad relationship.

When Dylan was sleeping Louis rummaged through his gift basket. It was full of sweets and flowers and little reminders of every single student. There was a photo album at the bottom full of their moments together. Rehearsals, premieres, backstage pics and field trip snaps. Now the tears overtook him but he felt happy. In the end, there was a message for him. Thanks and good luck wishes and praise and love. He would really miss them.

With some tears still falling down his cheeks Louis lay down and closed his eyes, taking everything in. He felt sleep coming over him and a few minutes later he was out cold. Dreams of his past taking over his mind again and again. Like a montage in a sappy movie but one was sticking out crystal clear. The moment everything would change and go downhill.

"Your lyrics are out of this world, Louis. How do you even come with them?" Niall marvelled after rehearsing a new song.

"They just come to me. Life inspires me, I guess" Louis wasn't sure where his lyrics came from.

"To write a love song? Okay, I'm gonna act as if I believe you. For now. Because this is the best song you've ever written" Niall cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Lou?" Harry's voice sounded from the other side of the room.

"Coming" Louis immediately headed over to him.

No, his crush didn't go away yet. It was evolving. Growing into more, which was the worst thing that could have happened. Harry showed no signs of being anything other than straight and Louis was falling for him anyway against his better judgement.

"What is it, Haz?" Louis crouched down to him.

"I only wanted to tell you how good your song is but um ... who is it about? You said you have no crush on anyone" Harry frowned, sitting on the floor of the garage they were rehearsing in.

"I um ..." Louis had no idea how to get out of this. Harry knew when he was lying. "It's fictional. There is no one. I would've told you, Haz".

"Oh, okay. Good. You really can tell me everything. I know we always talk your ears off about some girl but you can talk to us about guys, too. Not just Zayn. We might not be attracted to them the way you are but that doesn't mean ...".

"I get it, Haz" Louis chuckled amused and a tiny bit hurt.

"Tommy, we should head out. Nikki might be a great boss and all but we shouldn't keep her waiting" Zayn called over to him.

"You heard him. Work is calling. Up you go, Haz" Louis helped Harry to his feet, a tingle running through his entire body.

Suddenly, someone cleared their throat and they all flinched, turning toward the person who had startled them all. A tall man with dark hair and serious eyes was standing by the open garage door. Something about him was familiar but Louis couldn't put his finger on it. Apparently, he didn't have to because Harry and Liam seemed to know who he was, judging by their faces.

"I'm sorry to bother you but I've been really interested in talking to you, One Direction. I love your band and was really sad when you didn't win Triple Dream. Ever since I was wrestling with myself if I should show up here or not" the man started to talk when they were all just staring at him.

"Why?" Louis brought out awkwardly but someone had to acknowledge the man talking to them.

"I assumed Aurelio would have been smart enough to sign you anyway. I didn't think I'd stand a chance but there still isn't an official single of yours on the market. So ...".

"We're still waiting" Niall interrupted him accidentally. "Sorry".

It was the truth. For months, they've been waiting on a call from Aurelio to tell them what would happen next. Once he had talked to them to assure them he was still interested and didn't forget about them but that was almost three months ago. Dolphin's Curve was raising the roof but they were still waiting, keeping the band alive in some garage of his boss. It really wasn't easy.

"It's okay" the man smiled understandingly at him. "I almost feel bad for asking but ... do you wanna keep waiting or take another chance? Maybe an even better one".

"What are you saying?" Harry asked breathily.

"I'm very interested in signing you. As fast as possible. Best today but there are things and contracts to arrange first. Do you wanna step out of this garage and play outside of the pubs? You wanna sign with Diamond Records, boys?" the man questioned and Louis barely trusted his ears. Was he being serious?

The boys shared a look and they understood without another word. They all nodded simultaneously. "Yes".

"Great. Wow, that makes me so happy. Well, um ... we have to arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Here, my card. I'm gonna set everything up and you call me tomorrow, okay? Think this through, talk to your families and come back to me, yeah?" he handed them all his cards.

"We will. Thank you so much" Liam thanked him baffled.

"No, thank you. You won't regret it. I'm gonna make stars out of you in no time. You have something really special and the world needs to see and hear it" the man looked absolutely pleased.

"Thanks" Harry blushed cutely.

"Tomorrow, yeah?" he checked again. They all nodded. "Great".

Louis watched him leave, frozen to the spot. He couldn't believe this really just happened. His life was about to change completely. His friends were squealing and squeaking next to him but Louis was only staring down at the card in his hand. Reading the name, Louis finally understood how much his life was about to change. This man was a huge name in the music industry. One of the best and most-known label bosses ever. Jackson Robinson.

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Harry is hitting it off with Sabrina and Louis wants to ask Dylan to be his boyfriend although Larry keeps having weird moments. Why is Harry acting the way he is? 

BTW, Jackson is my equivalent to Simon Cowell, in a way.