Flat 51

~Harry

If only she knew. If only she fucking knew.

I helped her down the grand staircase of Louis’ house, trying to keep my hand off the small section of her waist that was exposed by her arm around my shoulder. I was still concerned she might have a concussion, but Louis said she’d be fine. She had a good-sized bump on the back of her head, but she seemed ok.

I’d freaked out when we found her lying on the bathroom floor. As I was going to find her, Lou got home and wanted to meet her, so we went up.I was angry at myself, embarrassed, because he saw my reaction. He saw me fall to my knees beside her and feel for a pulse, frantically listen to her breathing, pick her up and gently lay her on her own bed. Thankfully he didn’t see that damn tear that fell from my eye when she wouldn’t wake up.

“Do you think he’ll like me?” she asked as we reached the floor. I handed her her crutches and we made our way to the kitchen. “He probably thinks I’m some weak little girl now.” I laughed and rubbed her back. Why? I don’t know. I wanted to touch her. I liked touching her. I liked how it made me feel, and how it made her blush.

“They’ll love you, Emily.”

“Gosh, I feel like I’m meeting the parents,” she mumbled under her breath. If only…

“You’ll be fine, love.” We entered the room to see Louis standing in front of the open refrigerator, looking terribly bored.

“Oi, oi!” he called, waving. “Look who’s up! How’d you feel, love?”

“What’s with you Brits and the word ‘love’?” she joked, shaking his hand. He laughed, a laugh that brought back memories of growing up together.

“We’re all about love,” he replied sarcastically. “So, you ever been to Paris?”

“No. I’m from Tennessee, Louis. I’ve been there, and London. And now here. That’s pretty much it.”

“Tennessee? Cool. You don’t have a southern accent, though.”

“My mom was from New England. She never had an accent, so I guess I ended up talking like her. I love to listen to people with accents, though. I could listen to a Russian accent all day. It's fascinating, especially to look at the different words we use. For instance, Harry calls me his flatmate. I say roommate. I think that awesome.” She's nuts, I thought, opening the freezer.

“Em, want some ice cream?” I called, pulling out the chocolate. I knew she loved it. I also knew I loved to watch her eat it. I could just sit and watch her all day and be content. Actually, no. I wouldn’t be able to handle the tension. I’d want to touch her, to kiss her, to make her-

“Why the hell would you ask that?” she asked seriously. Louis’ jaw dropped when I laughed. I have got to stop thinking like that… She probably hates me.

“Point taken,” I replied, handing her a bowl. She took a bite and closed her eyes, moaning at the taste as I took a seat beside her. “You’re such a girl.” What I really wanted to say was ‘I bet I can make you moan louder’. She stuck her tongue out at me, and I almost laughed again, but then I saw the weird look Lou was giving us. “What?”

“Are you two, like… a thing?” both our mouths fell open. We weren’t a thing! Why would we be? We were definitely not a thing. Nope. Not even remotely.

“No!” we cried in sync. We glanced at each other, and I spotted the red color filling her cheeks. I seized the opportunity to deepen her blush and dropped a wink in her direction. I think she was trying to hide her shock, but it wasn’t working. Dammit, dammit dammit! Her lips, shit. I wanted to kiss her so bad. I wanted her to touch me, I wanted her hands on my chest like the night I pushed her against my truck.

She finished her ice cream and set the bowl in the sink.

“Ew, Louis, do you not believe in washing dishes, or are you just flat lazy?” she joked. He smiled awkwardly and got up to help. “No, I’ve got it. Don’t you have important, rich person stuff to do?” I almost facepalmed. Almost. She had no boundaries. You don’t just say that to someone like Louis unless you were me. His best friend.

“Well, since you two aren’t a thing, maybe you’d like to help me with those… Important rich person things I have to do.” What the fuck, Lou. He winked at her, and again her jaw hit the floor. I jumped up from my chair and cleared my throat.

“Lou,” I snapped, jerking my head at the door. I followed him out and shut it behind me. “Keep your fucking hands off her, you bastard.” He rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. “She doesn’t need to be hurt again.”

“And you’re gonna do so much better than me at that, aren’t you?” he hissed back.

“You’re damn right, I am. But she doesn’t need either of us doing that to her right now. She’s been through enough.”

“And how do you know what she’s been through? You’ve known her for two damn weeks, Haz.”

“I... we talked about it. Her mother was a prostitute and she was forced into it until she was, like, fourteen. So all she knows of men right now is the bad shit, and I’m going to change that. I don’t want her thinking that all I want is sex. She’s not one of those slutty bitches I used to bring home, Louis. She’s perfect. She’s funny, cute, and obviously pretty clumsy, but who the fuck cares. She’s perfect.” My blood was boiling. How dare he make moves on her. She was so innocent, even if her body wasn’t. She didn’t need that.

“You know, it sounds to me like you’re falling pretty damn hard.”

“What?” Falling? No… no I wasn’t.

“Haz, remember when I told you that someday you’d find the one that turns you into a big soft teddy bear?” I rolled my eyes and lolled my head back, sick of him telling me that. Every time I brought home a girl, he’d say that. “Well, she’s the one, mate. Don’t let her get away.” He slapped my back and walked back into the kitchen just as Emily was coming out.

“What was that all about?” she asked, staring at Louis’ back.

“Nothing.” I stomped away to my room. I couldn’t let my emotions get a hold of me.

Notes

Bid soft teddy bear Style :D

I'm trying steam curlers in my hair... lets see how this goes.

Em XO