Behind Her Smile [Louis]

"Where were you?" A rather stocky man looked sternly at Niall. "I thought we said pretty obviously not to run away, and you took off with that girl. It took you long enough to convince us to bring that girl, who is obviously not a family member, along. Why would you risk this then?" his voice raised by every word that came out of his mouth. Niall only rolled his eyes and made it pretty clear that he isn't affected by the man, on the contrary of me. My cheeks flushed the moment we arrived and only now I see how odd all of this actually is. A 19 years old girl joining probably the most successful boy band in the entire world, and to be honest how well do I know them?
I shouldn’t be here.
“Let’s go, the others are already in the tour bus” A woman with short black hair tried to lighten this thick air hanging around in the room.
“Don’t you dare to do this again, Niall” the stocky man with the moustache warned Niall, but he already turned around and pushed his hand friendly on my back to guide me to this ‘tour bus’.
“Sorry about that” He laughed, I didn’t answer I was just glad I was able to breathe again.
We entered a gigantic red bus. It was nothing I had expected, it was incredible.
“Stop gazing and get in” he chuckled teasingly.
“Sorry” I murmured shyly.
“You’re a selfish bastard, Niall” I heard his voice and my smile immediately returned.
“Sorry, I just wanted to have some fun! This is so stressful the entire time and I just wanted to…” Niall’s voice was covered in frustration and the wrinkle in his forehead made me want to wish I’d just stayed home.
I touched Niall’s arm, in the hope he’ll calm down. To my surprise he did, he turned his head and gave me a little smile before walking away from me and leaving me there standing there all alone, with at least 3 pairs of eyes resting on me.
“Stop staring at her” his voice irritating but covered in a heavenly smile. His eyes softened when they met mine.
“Only one day and you’re already running away, huh?” even though I knew he did this to taunt me, I still looked down a little embarrassed.
-
“I still can’t get over the fact how big this place is.” It overwhelmed me, honestly , I didn’t even know that this sorts of vehicles existed.
“Pretty amazing huh” Harry answered. I felt nervous when his eyes didn’t seem to leave my face.
“Uh… yea” I managed to smile. I looked at him, and yup I was right. Chills travelled along my entire body when my eyes met his, they were so warm and innocent. That playful laugh always seem to find his way back to his pink plump lips. There was a silence between us, and it was unbearable because his eyes were locked on my face and weren’t planning on leaving.
“So what are you guys talking about?” I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding when Louis’ frivolous voice filled the place. He took a seat between me and Harry and turned his head to Harry, I don’t know what exactly he did but Harry stood up and left without giving me any attention except for one little smile.
I took a deep breath and made myself a little more comfortable on the bench.
“I don’t know how to act around him” I admitted. It felt better to be around someone I knew better.
“Good, he’s not ahmm..” I raised my brow waiting for him to continue “well, he’s going to make a move on you for sure, how charming he is, don’t fall for him. He’s going to hurt you, I hate to talk about him like this but you deserve someone so much better than him.” His eyes didn’t left mine, but this was different than the way Harry looked into my eyes, I just couldn’t place my finger on it what made this so much different than the way Harry looked at me.
“I can’t quite believe anyone will make a move on me, though” I chuckled. Louis’ eyes showed an emotion I couldn’t quite place for a second, but it broke my heart.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, dude” he tried to lighten the situation, but he failed miserably.
“I don’t belong here” I sigh, before I even realized what I did.
“Do you want to go home?” Louis’ eyes widened.
“Not, exactly. But I don’t really know an-“
“then please stay, please Jess, this can be so stressful and you..” he stopped, as his eyes warned me that he’s panicked.
“I what?” I chuckled, carefully examining the way he reacts.
“Nothing” he stood up and left me there alone, puzzled.
Is this the way thinks go in life? It’s the second time I’ve been left alone and I don’t like it at all.
I waited a few minutes to see if Louis had any intention of coming back, but he didn’t. So I decided to call Rick to let him know how everything is going.
“How’s your boyfriend?” he didn’t even answer with a ‘hello’. I rolled my eyes as I spoke.
“Stop it! Can you give me Laura, since you’re not really going to tilt this conversation in something mature”
After a laugh, the line went silence for a few seconds.
“Hey, Jess” she sounded happily, and excited. It made my heart melt.
“How are you?” I missed her.
The conversation continued for a few minutes and after Rick teased me for another 5 minutes I hang up.
When I entered the ‘living room’ in the bus again everyone was gone except for Zayn, he was concentrating on the notebook in front of him and didn’t seem to notice I was here. I took a seat on the opposite side of the table and even then he didn’t look up. It was nice to look at his facial expression. I was fascinated by people, really maybe it’s because I haven’t been able to look at people the way I can now, but it calms me down. A pencil was resting between his lips for no reason at all because he was holding a pencil in his hand anyway. A small smile curved on his lips before looking up.
“It’s rude to stare, you know?” his smile turned into a grin when my cheeks flashed red.
“S-sorry” I stammered.
“I’m teasing you, I don’t know why but you calm me down when staring at me” in some way I wanted to believe those caramel eyes. He continued concentrating on his drawing, so I decided to look out of the window.
“Continue” he commanded in a sort of begging way.
So I obeyed. It was odd how this silence is so comforting, though. After a while his jaw clenched and I decided to speak.
“What are you drawing?” I immediately regretted asking something as his eyes wandered from his notebook to my face.
He waited a moment before answering.
“You” he smiled, and continued. I wanted to ask how he could draw me if he didn’t look at me, but I decided against it.
Moments passed and I didn’t even notice.
“Done” he closed his notebook and stood up.
“Can’t I see?” I stood up as well following like a lost puppy.
“Not today” he stated and disappeared, and for the third time I was left alone.
I didn’t really know what to do, maybe I was not wanted. So I decided to go to the booth I was supposed to sleep, and take the familiar book out of my bag.
“You’re not going to read that again, are you?” I couldn’t help myself to smile when hearing his voice.
“I actually am, since Niall stole my gift from you.” I took my lower lip between my teeth, waiting for his response. For some reason his eyes grew wider and he looked away from my face.
It took him a few seconds before he answered.
“He did?” he cursed underneath his breath, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.
“Maybe you can lean some books from one of us?” He smiled again.
I didn’t answer, I don’t know why.
“I think Harry or Lou have some books you would love to read?” he suggested.
“Lou? And Harry reading?” I burst out in a laughter, he didn’t seem like someone who would read a lot of, actually nothing at all.
“Lou Teasdale, she’s our stylist.” He gave me a warm smile. “And don’t underestimate Harry, he’s more complicate than you would think. I suppose you two would get along very well, when he’s over his flirt phase.” I took a moment to take his words in. I determined not to go into this all.
“I’d love to” I shrugged as I smiled awkwardly.
I followed Louis to a huge sort of couch with a huge television and at least 10 people.
“Hazz, can Jess read one of your books?” his eyes grew wider along with his panic.
Before I knew what was going on Louis’ body was ripped away from my side and Harry was frustrating talking to Louis underneath his breath.
“It’s okay, never mind” I spoke loud enough for them to hear me. Louis looked furious to Harry and Harry softened his face.
“No, actually. You can, follow me.” The astonishment of Louis was even bigger as mine. I quickly moved my feet when Harry was already out of my sight.
He opened a bag and at least 50 books were in the huge bag, but he searched for some books and only took five in his hand.
“This ones are one of the better ones, you can choose.” He smiled friendly, as his eyes softened. The suffocating way he looked at me had completely vanished and this harry was a complete other Harry than a few hours ago. I was lost and confused, and I think I made it pretty clear.
“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me.” He spoke and the smile across his plump lips, that never seemed to leave were nowhere to be found. It frightened me in some way, but he looked so serious on the other hand.
“I am not” I assured him.
“You were.” He stated, not even asking.
“I.. “ I sighed “You gave me several different impressions and it confused me” I lowered my shoulders as I breathed out the truth.
“You too” I looked up from my hands.
“huh, what?”
“You’re so different from other girls, and I don’t know how to react around you” his eyes wandered worriedly across my face and just when I was about to open my mouth, he looked up to something behind me and left without saying anything.
Great.
I think I need to get used to this. I sighed when I turned around to see Louis in the doorway, his forehead frowned and his eyes not letting go of me.

Notes