5

                                    

                                          
We reach them. I'm scared senseless. I try to hide behind him. He squeezes my hand again. I cling to it like a lifebuoy. He's tall. Broad shoulders. Strong. I'm safe with him in front of me. Hiding.
"Guys. This is Louis." 
I peek over his shoulder. He's still holding my hand at an awkward angle behind his back. I should let go. I can't. 
"Hi, I'm Liam." He looks kind. Kind eyes. Kind smile. I relax a little. 
"I'm Zayn." He looks a little scary. Too beautiful. Not like Harry. Another kind of beautiful. I prefer Harry. 
'And I, my friend, am Niall. I'm Irish." The third man grins. 
Why did he call me friend? He's weird. He looks happy and friendly though even if I don't get what the Irish part has to do with anything. I take a step to the side.
"Hi." 
"Okay, let's play. What are the teams?" Liam says.
"I'm the goalie!" Niall shouts.
"I'm with Louis." Harry says. I'm relieved. 
"Guess that leaves me with Mr. hair products over here then." Liam smirks. Zayn just rolls his eyes. 
Harry lets go of my hand. My hand feels empty but I guess we can't hold hands and play football at the same time. I'm actually excited. I used to love to play football. I thought I was good at it. 
Niall runs to one of the goals. Harry gives me the thumbs up. We begin. At first I'm awkward. Messy. No one yells at me. I get into it. 
We play for two hours. It's the most fun I have had in ages. I'm good at it! Harry and I are smashing it. I do most of the goals. He smiles at me. The other guys smile at me. 
"Okay, I give up." Liam says and lays down on the football field. I'm sad that it's over but happy. So, so happy. 
"You're great Louis!" Niall says to me as he comes running over. I stare at him and blush.
"Yeah, we didn't stand a chance mate." Zayn says. He smiles. 
My eyes flicker to Harry. He looks proud. He smiles. 
"Thanks." I mumble. Blush. Beam. 
"I'm hungry!" Niall whines. I am too. I have some leftover pizza at home. That will do. 
"Yeah, me too. I could go for a burger." Liam says.
"Burgers!" Niall yells. He's loud. I like it. 
"I'll just go home then. Thanks for letting me play with you." I say quietly. Stare at the ground. Making circles in the dirt with my left foot. It was fun as long as it lasted. 
"What are you talking about? You're coming with us. You must be hungry too considering how much you've been running." Niall says. I look at him. He's smiling. 
I look around at the boys. They're all smiling. Zayn nods his head.
"I can come?" Why did I just say that? 
"Of course." Harry says softly. 
I really want to. I can feel my cheeks hurt from how much I'm smiling. 
"Meet up in an hour? I need a shower." Liam says. 
They all agree. I nod my head. I follow Harry to the car. As soon as we're inside he looks at me.
"How are you feeling?"
"Happy." I blush. That was stupid. 
His face softens. 
"I'm glad. So, I drop you off so you can shower, and then I'll pick you up in an hour. Sounds good?" 
"Yeah, okay." I smile. Beam. 
I hurry inside to get ready. Shower, choose my best clothes. I'm a little nervous but not like before. They were sweet. To me. To each other. I like them. 
Harry knocks at my door. I get butterflies. I open it and he's smiling. 
"You look great! Ready?" 
He's so beautiful. 
"Yes!" 
We get in the car and he drives to a burger place. We get inside. The guys are there. We make our orders and sit down. They talk. I mostly listen. They try to include me. I'm awkward but they don't comment on it. I'm included. 
After we have eaten we go to Harry's place. They don't ask if I want to come. They assume that I will. Like it's a given. My chest feels so warm. 
They run to the living room to play video games. Harry gives me the tour and asks me if I want something to drink. He's wonderful. We take a seat on the couch. He's close. Our legs are touching. He smells amazing. 
I'm handed a control. I play FIFA and I win. The guys cheer. I'm having an amazing time. I'm so happy I could cry. Happy tears. 
When the night ends they have all exchanged numbers with me. I suddenly have four new numbers on my phone which is embarrassingly empty. Work and closest family members. And Harry. That's the most important number on my phone. 
Harry drives me home. He hugs me. I cling to him. I haven't been touched in so long. I crave it. Not...that. That I don't know. Just a simple hug. It feels nice. He caresses my cheek briefly.
"I had a great day today. Good night." 
Best day of my life.
"Me too. Thank you, Harry. Good night."
He leaves and I head to bed, exhausted by all the impressions this day gave me. I'm happy. 
I'm still walking on clouds when I wake up the next day. I shower and make myself some breakfast, spending a lazy Sunday in front of the tv. Like all Sundays, but today it's okay. 
To my surprise, my phone rings at eleven. It's him. I fumbled with it but manage to answer it with a quiet "hello."
"Hi Lou, it's Harry. What are you doing today?" 
"Nothing." The honest truth. 
"Do you wanna hang out, just you and me this time?" 
My stomach erupts into butterflies.
"I'd love to." 
"Great! How about a picnic? I can bring a basket of food. I'll be at your place in half an hour?" 
"Okay." 
We hang up and I run around getting ready. Need different clothes. Need to fix my hair. Need to smell good. When Harry knocks on my door I have managed to do it all and I open it with a smile.
"Hi Lou, you look really nice. Ready?" 
He's beautiful. I nod my head.
"You too, I mean, you look good too." I blush. 
"Thank you."