“It's not that good!” Liam say rolling his eyes.

“Yes it is!” Niall exclaim very loudly. They've been discussing some new movie that came out a little while ago, I don't know which one they're talking about and I haven't seen a movie in the theater in forever. Niall is trying to push this movie to the skies, saying that it's the best movie ever made, but the others doesn't really agree.

I sit with my legs under myself, leaning with my side on the couch, supporting my head with my left hand. I sit on the same couch as Niall, but he's leaning against the other side of the couch so there's a lot of room between us. My eyes scan the room and land on Louis. He is as interested in this discussion as the others, his head tilted towards Liam as he speaks. I watch his strong jaw and the light hairs laying across it, the way his eyebrows raise as he speaks and how his lips pucker a little as he listens to the others. He is so very handsome. His hair is a real mess today, there's a swirl in the front, making some of the hair pushed back. I feel myself longing to run my hand through it.

His eyes dart to mine, probably feeling my stare and I feel my cheeks flush a little as I suck my upper lip into my mouth and bite on it. He keeps his eyes on me for a couple of seconds and I can see that he's doing everything possible not to show any specific emotion. I can tell that he is biting the inside of his cheek. He licks his lips and take a deep breath before looking back at Harry who is now taking over the conversation.

I turn my eyes down on my right hand in my lap and breath out slowly. This really is weird. We've been doing this all night, making eye contact with each other now and then, making sure not to keep it too long for the others to notice. I feel my heart beat a little faster when we do and I long for the next few seconds I can look into those vibrant eyes.

“Hey, earth to Juli!” I hear Niall shout as he pats my knee a little. I look up from my own thoughts and everyone is staring at me.

“What?” I ask, feeling my cheeks turning red. They all chuckle at me and I feel like an idiot.

“Have you fallen asleep? Are we that boring?” Niall ask, half serious and half joking.

“I haven't seen that movie, so I don't really have anything to contribute with.” I say and smile a little. I feel Louis eyes burning into me, I know that he takes this chance to do so when everyone else also is looking at me. I try not to look his way.

“Oh, we're passed that by now.” Liam say and laugh.

“Oh, well. I guess I am a little tired.” I say and smile sheepishly.

“How about I take you home?” Harry says and I feel my stomach drop. I really don't want to leave the possibility to look at Louis, though I really should go home. It's getting pretty late and I have to work tomorrow. I look over at Louis who opens his mouth and then closes it. I think he was about to volunteer to take me home, but then realized how stupid that would be. Only the kiss on the cheek was a difference from how we used to act before, taking me home would be a a little too revealing. He smiles small at me, but his eyes look sad.

“Sure.” I say and smile towards Harry and then I stand up. Harry does the same and walks towards the door. Niall stands up beside me and I give him a hug.

“I promise to talk movies that interests you next time.” He says and I laugh as I let go of him.

“It's fine, you guys are pretty funny when you disagree on things.” I smile at him and walk over to kiss Liam and Zayn on the cheek. I look over at Louis who hasn't stood up. Should I walk over? He gives me a little wave, still sitting on the couch, so I give him a lame wave back. I turn towards the door to catch Harry's eye roll before I walk over to him. I feel my heart beat a little too quick as we leave the apartment.

“Don't worry about Louis.” Harry say as we walk toward the elevator. I feel my eyes getting huge. What? Does he know? Oh shit.

“W-What?” I stutter, making sure to look down on the floor so he doesn't see my reddened cheeks.

“He's acting so weird, he has been all this past week. I don't know why. But I guess he's trying to be nicer, so I shouldn't complain.” Harry shrugs, pressing the elevator button. I sigh in relief. I feel a little flutter in my stomach at the mention of Louis being different this passed week, does that mean that it's because of us?

“Yeah, I guess.” I mumble as we ride down to the garage floor.

---

I yawn as I step into my bedroom after getting ready. I do feel a little tired from these past days activities, not that I'm complaining, because I'm not. I crawl under the cover as I hear my phone starts to vibrate on the bedside table. I lean over to get it and smile when I see Louis across the screen.

“Hi.” I answer as I lay down on my pillows.

“Hi.” He breaths. “What are you doing?” He sounds so nice and comfy. I want to snuggle into the crack of his neck, feeling his scent fill my lungs.

“Laying in bed.” I say low, feeling like it's too quiet in the room to speak too loud.

“Oh, I didn't wake you did I?” He ask worried, making me snicker.

“No. I just crawled in. How would I have fallen asleep already? Harry dropped me off about thirty minutes ago.” I say, laughing lightly.

“Yeah, I guess it's a little bit short time.” He chuckles. “Sorry about that by the way.” He say and I frown.

“Sorry about what?” I ask confused. I don't get what he's apologizes for, I don't think he has done anything wrong. Not what I can remember.

“Well, first of all that I didn't tell the guys that I couldn't see them and instead be with you.” He say and sigh. “And then for what happened when you left, I really wanted to take you home and that wave was really lame of me.” He sounds so sad. I feel my heart tug a little. His words make me smile though, because they mean that he really wanted to see me, preferably alone.

“First of all, I don't mind hanging with the guys and you were with me either way, even if we were with them. And secondly... I wanted you to take me home too.” I confess quiet. I hear him sigh on the other side of the phone.

“I can image you in that bed right now.” He say low and I cuddle closer into my pillow, biting my lip. He sounds so sexy.

“It feels empty.” I say and I can almost hear his smile through the phone.

“You want me to come over?” He asks seductively and I feel a shiver go through me. How much I want that, oh god!

“I really would love that, but I think it's a little late, I have to get up for work early.” I say and feel sad by my own words. It would be so nice to have his warm body here beside me.

“I get it. How about we talk tomorrow?” He say and I don't want to hang up even if I can't stop yawning.

“Okay...” I say and close my eyes for a couple of seconds. We're both quiet, I don't think he wants to hang up either. I listen to his breathing, deep and steady. “I will fall asleep soon.” I whisper after a minute or two.

“I'll let you sleep. Sweet dreams.” He say and I want to feel his arms around me as those words leave his mouth.

“You too. Bye.” I sigh and open my eyes again.

“Bye.” He says low and I hold the phone from my ear and after a couple of seconds press end. I feel a flutter in my stomach as I cuddle into my pillow, lying on my side. I long for tomorrow and the next time I will talk to him.

---

I can't stop thinking about him. It's insane. The though about him slink into my head every other minute and then I can't keep the smile from appearing. Lea walks around shaking her hear with a smile on her face too. I try to keep my smile in check, biting my lip to hide it, but my lip is starting to hurt and I've only worked half my shift. I clean a table that just got vacant, smiling huge as I think about Louis text message the night before.

“Can you give me some of whatever you are on?” Lea say, throwing her arm over my shoulder as I come over to the other side of the counter.

“Nope!” I put the used cup and plate on the counter and hug her waist. I need to get some of the joy out that I feel. I can't keep it inside, it's going to drive me insane. Lea loves hugs so she gladly takes it. “I'm gonna take my lunch now, I'll just sit here.” I say and Lea nods before going over to service the next customer.

I take a prepared salad from the disk and a water before walking over and sitting down in the corner of the shop. I put my feet up on the chair next to me and check my phone, I haven't heard anything from Louis today and is wondering what he's doing.

To Louis
Hi. What are you doing?

I put the phone down and start eating my salad. I jump when I hear the vibrate of the phone and my increased beating of heart. I look at the screen and instantly feel disappointed when it isn't him. After taking a deep breath, slowing my heart down, I take the call.

“Hi dad!” I greet my father and take a sip of my water.

“Hi Jules. How are you? Am I interrupting anything?” He ask and I feel guilty for not calling him more often.

“No dad, I'm having a break from work. I'm good, very good.” I say and once again can't keep the smile from my lips. “How are you?”

“Sounds good honey. I'm good too, been busy with that new account I have at work.” I frown, he has probably told me about that before. I should know about it, but I just don't. A sting of guilt hit me again.

“Oh right!” I lie. “Is it going well?” I take a bite of my salad and sit back, listening to my dad talking about this new account. I used to like listening to him talk about work, I still do, but right now I'm not able to concentrate. My mind is too distracted. Why does he have to take over my whole head?

“Oh and I forgot to tell you that I book the tickets.” I stop in the middle of a chew.

“What tickets?” I frown, feeling around my cloudy head for what he could be talking about.

“The flight. For christmas. Didn't you want me to come?” He asks confused and I feel stupid.

“Yes, of course. I'm sorry, I'm a little distracted today. When are you coming?” I try to make my voice a little happier, because I am happy that my dad is coming for christmas, it will be nice to see him and to try to make a new tradition with him.

“I will be there the twenty third.” He say and I take a mental note.

“Great. How about we go out to dinner on christmas day?” I ask, remembering that I found a restaurant that I thought would be perfect.

“That sounds good, then we don't have to cook too much.” My dad say and chuckle. It's true we aren't that good a cooking besides pancakes.

“Safest that way.” I snicker. “Do you mind if I bring a friend? He's not going home to his family for christmas and will probably be alone.” I wonder, thinking of Niall who said he would be alone. I haven't talked about it with him since, but thought I would check with my dad before asking Niall again.

“Of course, I don't mind. Is it this Harry guy?” My dad ask and I smile.

“No dad, it's one of his friends, one of my friends. His name is Niall.” I correct myself, I have to see these guys as my friends, because I do. They really are my friends.

“Well that's okay, I hope I have time to see Harry another time though, I have to meet this guy you always talk about.” My dad states.

“Yes, dad you will. He'll be home after christmas. You're staying a little while right?” I eat the last bite of salad and put my fork down.

“Yes, I will stay for ten days.” He say and I smile.

“Sounds good. I'm really looking forward to christmas now.”

---

I walk out from the bakery at six when my shift ends. I decide to walk towards town, I don't feel like going home yet. I just got a text from Louis saying that he was sorry for not calling and that he was going out with some friends tonight. I felt disappointed, but still understand, it's not like I have a claim on him.

I stop at a pub down the street, it's pretty empty when I step inside, it's still too early. I walk over to the bar to get a menu and walk further inside to get a table. The bar isn't big, it contains around ten small tables or something. It's dark wood everywhere and the place feels dark and cozy. I order a burger and a beer from the waitress who comes by, a sweet brunette. A couple comes through the door, holding hands as they walk towards the bar and orders. I smile a little before opening my bag and pulling a book out. I started on a new one a few days ago and haven't read since. It's actually really good.

My burger gets served and I eat slowly, buried into the story. I realize that my beer is empty when I pick it up to drink and there's nothing to drink. I order another one and as I look up I see that the bar has been filled with more people. I'm a little too concentrated on a book when I pick it up. A bomb could go off and I wouldn't notice. It's strange.

I read about the first time the boy in the story hold the girls hand and I feel a flutter in my stomach. Why is it that you always fall in love with a story? I feel my lips widen in a involuntary smile when a familiar laughter comes through the door, pulling me from the book. I look up to find Louis coming inside with a couple of his friends, none of them the guys I've met. My smile fades a little though when I realize that I can't stand up, walk over to him and throw my arms around his neck. His eyes search the bar and stop at me, trowing him off guard and he stops in the middle of a step. One of his friends bump into him and frown at him. I hear his friends ask him what he's looking at and then several eyes look over at me. I look down, forcing my cheeks to keep their normal color.

“Who's that?” One of the guys ask, he's broad built and a bit shorter than Louis.

“One of Harry's friends.” Louis say, shrugging. I take a sip of my beer, trying to keep my stomach down, it's a little uneasy. “I'll just go over and say hi. Order me a London Pride.” He says to his friends before walking over. I feel jumpy in my seat but sit still, watching his every move.

“Hi.” He says with a smile as he stands in front of the chair opposite me.

“Hi.” I swallow, having a little hard time to breath. He's wearing a pair of black pants, a blue t-shirt and a black jacket. His hair is tucked underneath a grey beanie.

“I didn't know you would be here.” He says looking down at the table, seeing my book. “This is weird.” He say and smile and I can't help from smiling back, biting my bottom lip.

“Yeah.” I say, dragging the word a little.

“Sorry that I didn't call, I never got left alone today, we were in the studio.” He say a little lower so the people by the table next to us doesn't hear.

“It's okay, I get it.” I say and feel a little in spotlight. I look around the room to find all of Louis's friends watching us. “You should probably get back, their all looking at us.” I say and look down on my now empty plate.

“Yeah, I promise to call you tomorrow okay?” He say and when I look up at him, his face in filled with honesty. “I'll break free somehow, I promise.” He say with a smile and I let a single laugh out.

“Sure, now go. Before they start to wonder.” I say and pick my beer up and take a sip. He nods and turn around to walk back to his friends. I turn my eyes down on my book, though not seeing a word. I try to act as normal as I possibly can, but it's hard. I keep staring at the same words but not understanding anything. I can't get the feeling of him so close to me out of my head. He's here, in this bar, only a couple of yards between us. It's unbearable.

Notes

Hi guys!!

Sorry that the update took so long! I had an amazing time in London, I'm so in love with that place! I've been before, but I can't get enough. Sad though that the guys weren't there! :P
Since I came home it's been crazy much. Taking a holiday makes everything else built up in a pile. hehe! :P

I hope you liked this chapter though, it's a little lovie-dovie, but I feel so in love when I write it and I hope you feel it too.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments, they really tugs at my heart!! Do you have any predictions on what's going to happen now? ;)

Keep them coming and keep rating!
xx.