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A year had passed since last year's uneventful Valentine's Day when Louis had to give Harry a ride back home. It had been a year since Louis had to face his bully and tormentor again and since he had made the horrible mistake of developing a crush on Harry Styles. Big, horrible, catastrophic, tatamult mistake. He had paid dearly for that mistake after he had returned to London and back to school and saw Harry with his blonde, perfect girlfriend strutting about both of them looking like two models who had just stepped out of Vogue magazine. He had moped about and whined to El and his room mates Selena and Zayn about Harry. El and Selena were on his side, cursing Harry along with him and repeating to him that what Harry had done ditching him like yesterday's trash when they had arrived at Manchester for Camel was wrong and Louis had every right to feel used and let down. Zayn on the other had had just given him weed and beer and told him to get over it. Zayn had been the rational voice telling Louis that he was the one responsible for his pain because he knew better than to develop a crush on Harry Styles. However, Louis did not get over his pain and disappointment over Harry quickly but once he graduated and started working for Amanda Haskell's campaign for Mayor of London, things had changed for him. He started working in her office, well not exactly working, more like volunteering but he was gathering experience and experience was by far more valuable than money in his case. He had also met the most amazing group of women he could ever imagine meeting and they soon became his friends.

He quickly settled in with Marion, who was Amanda's chief of PR (and he had so much to learn from her) Liz, Angela and Mirtha who were the force behind Amanda's whole campaign. He admired the team of women Amanda had on her side and he had no doubt that they were going to help her win Mayor of London. Being with this team, had somehow made him forget all about Harry. The ladies were fun and accepted him right away. He loved to stop at Starbucks in the morning and bring them all tea or lattes and every Friday after work they all went out for beer and wine down the pub. And the thing Louis loved most about them was that they were all older than him and mature women and he found it easy to vent to them about Harry and they were not shy in telling him exactly what they thought about Harry or give him their advice and dating tips! Thankfully, they helped him get over his crush by being supportive and including him in outings (mostly trips to the pub or Starbucks or lunch since they all had families to go back to) and involving him in the political work, making sure that Louis was immersed in work to keep his mind off Harry. Sometimes, (especially Mirtha and Liz) had set up Louis on blind dates with guys they thought Louis deserved. Not one of those blind dates saw a second date and Angela was the one who supported Louis when he said that he wasn't ready to date yet while the others cheered for him to get back up in the saddle and ride that pony! Angela secretly knew that Louis was still pining for Harry but she never said anything to him or called him out on it. She knew Harry was a sensitive subject for Louis.

Now, as he walked arm in arm with El down the street in the cold February air towards a single's Valentine's Day party, he wondered how in the hell he had let her convince him to come to a Valentine's party. Selena was partly to blame having worked with Eleanor to get him out of the flat and stop moping around! As if he had been moping! Well maybe he had a little bit but what was with these two wanting him to get out there and date again?

'So I just told him that it's over,' Eleanor said breaking through his thoughts. Louis cuddled closer to her because the wind was biting and it was freezing and he was cold.

'You broke up with him?' he asked a little bit shocked that El had broken things off with Max.

'Louis, the way you say breaking up implies that we had some kind of commitment to break which we did not have but yeah he was starting to get needy and possessive.' Louis snorted.

'Max was getting possessive? Max?'

'Yes Louiskins Max. The Max. He insisted on taking me out tonight for one thing. That's needy AND possessive.' Louis looked at her with awed surprise on his face because was she for real? He only wished he had someone as attentive and caring and thoughtful as Max!

'El, I don't think that Max wanting to take you out, his girlfriend of three years on Valentine's day qualifies as being possessive,' Louis reasoned with her. Eleanor huffed.

'He knew I had plans with you,' she argued.

'To go to a singles party! That doesn't make sense breaking up with your boyfriend because you had plans with your best friend to go to a singles party on Valentine's day!'

'Yeah exactly. Plans with you,' Eleanor said and Louis furrowed his brow trying to understand her reasoning but before he could object to her non sensical way of seeing things, Eleanor pulled him inside a building that was thrumming with loud music and people. Before they joined the party, Louis looked at her.

'Are you really okay El?' he asked her a little bit worried.

'Totally,' she quipped. 'I'm relieved to be honest. You know me. Relationships are not my thing.'

'Except you've always been in a relationship almost for the full time I've known you,' Louis countered. Eleanor shrugged and pulled him further inside and halted just inside the door to look at the vast room decorated in lots of pink and red hearts and balloons, gold streamers with love quotes written on them and rose petals on the floor. They gaped at the scene before them, lots of single people, dancing and drinking and trying to find their soul mate in the midst of this pink and red sea of romance. They both made disgusted faces, not actually believing they had come to a Valentine's Day singles party. Louis wanted nothing more than to be home! Suddenly Louis spotted Zayn and Selena by the drinks counter. He tugged on El's hand.

'Zayn!' he called over the loud music. 'Sel! Zayn!' Zayn and Selena looked at Louis.

'Hey mate you made it,' Zayn greeted him happily. 'Hey El. Looking ace!' Eleanor smiled at Zayn. She was comfortable with Louis' roomies since she was over their flat quite a bit.

'Louis!' Selena said as she hugged Louis. 'You came. I honestly thought you were taking ths piss when you told me you'd come. Oh my God I'm so happy you're here.' Louis hugged her and patted her on her lower back.

'You know me. I don't make promises that I can't keep.' Eleanor rolled her eyes.

'Aren't you going to tell her that I had to threaten you to get you out of your flat?' Louis pulled away from Selena and narrowed his eyes at his best friend.

'Traitor,' he hissed at her. 'I'm here aren't I? What more do you want from me?'

'Get you laid!' Eleanor and Selena said at the same time. They high fived each other.

'Great minds think alike,' Selena said smirking at Eleanor.

'Zayn,' Louis whined, 'they're ganging up on me here. A little help?' Zayn shrugged as he poured drinks into two red cups which he handed to Eleanor and Louis.

'Two solo cups for two solos,' he said smirking at them. 'Get it?' Zayn laughed and raised his own cup. 'Here's to getting laid tonight. Cheers queers.' They bumped cups together and chorused cheers back at Zayn. They all gulped down their drinks and screwed up their faces at how strong Zayn had made them.

'Oh my God Zayn,' Eleanor griped. 'You're going to get us all hammered before the night even begins!' Zayn winked at her.

'That's the plan my darling,' he said nudging Louis with his shoulder. 'And getting this little one here laid.' Louis scowled at him.

'Who are you calling little?' he said. Zayn put an arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer.

'You are little Lou.' Louis pushed him off of him and glared at him.

'I'll have you know....'

'Yeah yeah five foot nine,' they all chorused together and burst out laughing at Louis' expense. Zayn turned Louis to face him.

'Okay so most of the hot guys are congregated at the queer pong table. It's kinda like beer pong but...you get it right? Anyway may the odds be forever in your favor Louiskins!' Louis slapped Zayn's arms away. Zayn laughed and turned towards Eleanor and Selena. 'And for you two there are plenty of straight guys unless of course you are into women.' Zayn wiggled his eyebrows at them. Eleanor rolled her eyes.

'Ugh just your basic straight girl here,' she said.

'Well then good luck finding a man, hopefully not one I have my eye on. Off with you then. Be safe.' Zayn hugged his three friends.

'Great. Let's go then. Let the hunger games begin!' Louis giggled.

'Thank you Zayn,' he murmured because he might not be lucky in love but he was lucky in the friends he had. 'I'm really lucky to have all of you.' Selena patted Louis on the back.

'Go get you a man Lou,' she encouraged him. Louis rolled his eyes fondly.

'Yeah Sel, not THAT lucky!' Selena hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear.

'I'm sure your Mr. Right is out there waiting for you to meet him baby.' She pulled back and smiled at her friend. 'See you back at home unless either of us hooks up in which case I will see you in the morning. Bye guys,' she said as she walked off giving them all a wave. Louis sighed and allowed Eleanor to drag him into the melee of dancing bodies, Louis cradling his drink carefully to avoid someone spilling his drink on his new white woolly polo neck.

'Apparently there's a million single person in London and I still can't get a date,' Louis complained to Eleanor as he scanned everyone looking for a potential man he could maybe perhaps date.

'Oh you can get a date. You're just too scared to try,' Eleanor pointed out.

'I'm not scared,' Louis quipped. 'I'm just picky.' Eleanor gave him an annoyed look.

'Picky is just an excuse to not put yourself out there,' she pointed out.

'Not true,' Louis defended. 'I'm not scared.' Eleanor narrowed her eyes at him and grinned. She put her hand on her hips.

'Really? Not scared huh? Okay then you know what? I'm gonna pick out some guys and you're going to go talk to them.' Louis took a gulp of his drink which tasted like surgical spirit and burnt his throat.

'Fine,' he mumbled. Eleanor laughed.

'Oh challenge accepted Louiskins.' She looked around the room, her eyes darting from one man to the other. 'How about.....him?' she asked Louis pointing to a tall gangly guy with a hooked nose.

'Oh you mean hook nose over there?' Louis asked. El wiggled her eyebrows at him.

'You know what they say about big noses right?'

'Big boogers?' Louis offered. Eleanor slapped him forearm.

'Eww Lou you're gross. Okay fine. Let's see.' Once again she scanned the room. 'What about.....him?' She pointed to a good looking guy with a nice trimmed beard, freshly cut styled hair and a fancy shirt, sitting alone playing with a heart shaped balloon. Louis smiled.

'Oh you mean the lost Kardashain brother over there? I can guarantee you that ninety five percent of his camera roll are pictures of himself.' Eleanor rolled her eyes.

'Christ you are picky aren't you?' Louis nodded and she looked around again. 'How about.....daddy jeans over there?' She pointed to a guy wearing a pair of baggy daddy jeans, a black tee shirt, Vans and a beanie. 'He is totally your type Lou come on.' Just then Selena joined them and looked to where Eleanor was pointing.

'El's right Lou. He is totally your type. Go for him stag!' Eleanor nodded.

'Honestly, with a body like that, if he's not good enough for you he's definitely good enough for me,' she said sizing the guy up and down.

'Same,' Selena added. Louis huffed.

'Will both of you just stop drooling and wipe the spit off your chins? Jesus Christ are you both in heat?'

'Aren't you?' Eleanor asked raising her eyebrows at him. 'I can't understand how your blue balls haven't fallen off yet.' Before Louis could reply, the guy in the daddy jeans turned around slowly, laughing at something his friends had just said and he met Louis' eyes across the room. At first the green eyes didn't realize who they were seeing but then realization and recognition settled in and he smiled broadly at Louis popping two dimples in his cheeks.

'Shit!' Louis hissed as he turned away from Harry. 'El can we get out of here like now please please?' he begged.

'Why?' Selena and Eleanor asked simultaneously.

'Just please,' Louis pleaded. He threw a look over his shoulder and saw Harry approaching.

'Louis!' he called.

'Who's that Lou?' Eleanor asked urgently. 'Do you want me to beat him up?'

'I'll help you,' Selena offered.

'No! No just stop it both of you.' Before Louis could compose himself, Harry was beside him.

'If it isn't Lick Ass Louis!' Harry drawled. Louis took in a deep breath, plastered a smile on his face and turned to face Harry.

'Oh hey. Hi,' he said cheerfully trying to hide the shame that nickname always made him feel. He wished Harry would bite his tongue every time he was going to call him that!

'How are you mate?' Harry said happily. 'How you've been?' Eleanor and Selena looked at Harry with narrowed eyes. So this cute, gorgeous, stylish thing was Louis' nightmare! This was the infamous Harry Styles! They flanked Louis ready to pounce if Harry so much as hurt Louis.

'I'm good mate,' Louis said punching Harry's bicep playfully. 'I've been really good. Great even.' El and Selena looked at this exchange going on in front of them. Harry grinned.

'I'm chill. You know fresh as a watermelon.' Harry noticed Eleanor and Selena staring at him.

'Hi ladies. I'm Harry by the way. Excuse my state of being and rambling. I'm kinda wasted but it's a pleasure to meet you,' he drawled as he held out his hand towards them which neither of them shook. Harry put his hand down confused at their hostile reaction.

'Oh we know perfectly well who you are Mister,' Eleanor said. Harry smiled at them broadly.

'Yeah? You know me? Well um I don't know you. Who are you?' he asked. Louis literally saw steam blowing form Eleanor's nostrils like a bull ready to charge so he acted immediately. He wrapped both his arms around his friends.

'This is Eleanor my best friend and this is Selena my room mate slash sister,' he introduced. Harry looked from one to the other, smiling happily, his dimples on full display.

'Nice to meet you ladies. So lovely,' he slurred.

'Can't say likewise,' El muttered. Louis gave her a stern look.

'So um what are you doing at a single's only party?' Louis asked curiously but more to find out if Harry was still with Camille or not. 'I thought you had a girlfriend.'

'Huh?' Harry asked furrowing his eyebrows to cause two frown lines in the middle of his forehead trying to make sense through his alcohol induced brain what Louis was asking him. Louis swooned a little on the inside because those frown lines were so cute.

'Your girlfriend Camille?' Louis reminded him. 'That's her name right? The one you had the big fight with so you had to ride with me back home last Valentine's day and then you guys made up and you ditched me?' Eleanor and Selena braced themselves. Louis was going back there!

'I didn't ditch you,' Harry said grinning at him. 'My girlfriend just showed up. I mean what did you expect me to do?' Louis growled on the inside. Seriously?

'Whatever,' Louis said. 'I'm guessing you guys aren't still together seeing as you can't even remember her name.' Eleanor desperately wanted to tell Louis to stop it but she was fascinated by what was actually developing in front of her eyes. The dynamic between them....didn't they see it? Or feel it?

'Nah we broke up that same evening before we even had the chance to get back to London. If you'd ever text me back after our road trip, you might have known that. Did you even read my texts? I guess not since clearly you didn't know.' Louis felt his cheeks burn. Yeah Harry had text him and he had just deleted the texts before reading them. He was angry and pissed alright so sue him!

'Yeah um...ugh I'm sorry...I um just....I got back to school and got wrapped up in classes and I kinda ugh...you know me.' He shut up because he was flustered. Harry smiled fondly at him, eyes crinkling and dimples popping and Eleanor wanted to scream because they were flirting!

'Yeah I do know you. So right um after Kendall....'

'Camille,' Louis corrected him.

'Right yeah Camille of course. Kendall came after Camille but before Nick. Yeah um anyway let's just say I felt like playing into the whole stereotype of pan so I....'

'Which is?' Louis interrupted him. Harry looked at him with glazed eyes.

'Which is what?' he asked.

'Stereotype pan?' Louis asked. 'What's that?' Harry shrugged.

'You know.... that we get around.' Louis smiled cheesily at him.

'Hmm getting around huh? Is that a nice way of saying slutty?' Harry's smile faltered.

'Come on Lou you know me,' he said and Eleanor and Selena winced at the use of Louis' pet name falling from Harry's lips. They could see now Louis' attraction to this asshole. 'I'm a romantic. You know that! I'm here just looking for Miss.....um Mister.....ugh Person Right! But you know what they say; the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results so I um decided to pull the plug on the whole dating thing. Go full monk. No more dating. Totally celibate.' Louis tried to hold in his laughter that was threatening to bubble out of him because Harry was being ridiculous.

'You? Celibate?' he asked incredulously.

'Mhm,' Harry replied proudly and as innocent as a child.

'For how long?' Louis asked. Harry shifted from one foot to the other.

'Okay it's only um been a couple of days,' he admitted and Louis couldn't hold in his laughter anymore. He let it out and laughed loudly. 'Hey I'm serious about this,' Harry protested smiling at Louis. And that only made Louis laugh harder till the tears were in his eyes blurring his vision. Selena and Eleanor watched this enfold before them in utter fascination.

'What Lou?' Harry pleaded when Louis would not stop laughing. 'Come on tell me. What?' Louis tried to breathe through his laughter and wiped his eyes.

'Um...' he began but Eleanor interrupted him.

'You know what?' she said, getting everyone's attention.

'What is it El?' Louis asked her finally able to speak.

'Sel and I are going to get a refill or some embalming liquid because honestly, that would be less strong than these drinks that Zayn has been mixing. Come on Sel,' Eleanor said as she took Selena's hand and half dragged her away.

'But's that Harry El,' she protested, not letting herself be dragged away so easily because she needed to protect her roomie from Harry. Eleanor ground her teeth together.

'That';s the fucking point! Selena, we need a drink now! Come on.' And this time she let Eleanor take her away, offering an apologetic look over her shoulder towards Louis. Louis turned back to look at Harry feeling his confidence slip away now that his friends had left him alone with Harry. He cleared his throat.

'Okay so if you're so serious about not dating, why are you at this party?' Harry looked behind him and pointed to a group of people.

'My friends dragged me out,' he said waving at them.

'Oh,' Louis said.

'Plus, 'Harry continued, 'I have been stuck painting room at the flat I share with my mate Liam and I needed alcohol to clean my paint brushes so yeah.' They both laughed and looked at each other. Harry took a drink from his cup. 'So ugh what have you been up to since graduation?'

'I'm now working for Amanda Jean Haskell,' Louis said proudly. He saw the vacant look on Harry's face and could actually hear the cogs in his brain working to try and figure out who this Amanda was. Harry leaned forward closer to Louis, so close that Louis could smell and feel his alcohol induced breath on him. He shivered.

'Um should I know who that is?' Harry asked and Louis wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time. Louis leaned forward, dangerously close to Harry's face. Their lips inches apart.

'I don't know. Did you date her?' The both burst out laughing at that question. Louis punched Harry playfully on the arm and decided to put him out of his misery and educate him. 'She's running for Mayor of London. She's um really progressive and good at what she does. I work with a lovely team of ladies and my job is to promote Amanda so people like you who seem to be living under a rock, know who she is.' Harry took a moment to take in what Louis had just said.

'So you're like in charge of PR or something?' Harry asked.

'No. That's Marion's job. Marion Kett is her chief of PR. I um just started. I'm one of the community organizers. Basically just one step up form a volunteer but I'm learning a lot from my team especially from Liz, Angela and Mirtha. They are patient with me and show me all the ropes.' Harry smiled at him.

'Wow must be lovely working with a team of women huh?'

'Good thing I'm gay innit? Don't want to date them all.' Harry smirked at him.

'I should stop by your office sometime.'

'Why?' Louis asked him. 'Just so you can charm my colleagues or maybe date them? You're good at that right? Charming people then dating them then dumping them.' Harry giggled and Louis found it oh so adorable.

'I don't want to date every woman I meet Lou,' he said then he took a step closer to Louis. 'No. I just want to see you in action. In your element. I want to see you while you fix this messed up world.' Louis felt himself blush and a tremor pass throughout his whole body.

'I'm still a work in progress,' he admitted.

'Aren't we all?' Harry asked, his eyes never leaving Louis and his body way too close for Louis' comfort. Louis felt as if his body was going to combust because Harry was sexy and hot and unattainable yet he wanted him. He really wanted Harry to push him up against a wall and kiss him and manhandle him with those biceps. He cleared his throat and took a step back.

'Anyway. You um never told me about your real major? Are you in retail or fashion?' Louis asked because Harry really looked like a model even in ugly daddy jeans and a simple black tee shirt.

'Is that so hard to believe?' Harry questioned him. Louis giggled.

'Kinda.' Harry gave him a smile.

'No I didn't major in fashion or retail. I majored on something more important than that.'

'Which is?' Louis pressed. Harry took a sip of his drink.

'Marketing,' he said. Louis covered his mouth and giggled. Harry raised an eyebrow at him. 'Are you judging me Mr. Politician?'

'Not at all,' Louis said in between giggles.

'Yeah Lou yeah you are. I can tell,' Harry accused him playfully. 'What do you think politics is anyway? It's just marketing the same candidate but in a different way.'

'They are not the same!' Louis countered. 'Amanda Haskell wants health care for everybody, she wants more money for the schools in London. She's even looking at a plan right now to help the enviornment and pollution in London.'

'Okay okay settle down Mr. Politician. I believe you.' Awkward silence settled between them as they both looked at each other intensely, Harry biting his bottom lip as if silently deciding whether to devour Louis or not and Louis wanted him to, God he did but it was wrong. This was Harry. Harry Styles and nothing was ever going to happen between them because the thing about Harry was that he never changed! Louis licked his lips.

'So you're seriously not dating right now?' he asked, his throat dry. Harry shook his head no, his eyes never leaving Louis. Louis fidgeted on his feet. 'I um I should ugh probably go check on El and Selena. Make sure they're not terrorizing anyone.' Louis giggled and Harry seemed to snap out of his staring daze.

'Ugh yeah okay,' he stammered out.

'And I'm going to get some more of this paint brush cleaner,' he said showing Harry his empty cup.

'Yeah sure and could you perhaps bring me another one since you're going there?' Harry asked him. Louis took his empty cup.

'Yeah sure I guess.' Harry smiled and bit his bottom lip. He knew exactly what he was doing to Louis and Louis hated him. Sort of!

'Hurry back,' he told him and Louis wanted to set himself on fire. Louis nodded unable to say anything back to Harry's request. He hurried back to where El and Selena where having a heated discussion. Eleanor stopped when she saw Louis coming and beamed at him.

'Oh my God Louiskins, he's adorable. How come during all of those millions of times that you whined and complained and cursed Harry during that road trip you both had, you failed to mention how fucking sexy he is?' Selena scowled at Eleanor.

'He's not all THAT! Calm down.' Eleanor turned on Selena.

'Are you being serious right now?'

'Yes I am!' Selena shot back. 'What's wrong with you?'

'Ugh excuse me? What's wrong with ME? Like have you seen him?' Selena put her hands on her hips.

'I have seen him and he made me remember how hurt Louis was when he came back from that damned trip and how weeks after, he was distraught over that piece of shit that you seem to be fascinated with.'

'For your information no I have no forgotten what Louis has been through because of him. I'm his best friend after all and he confines in me.'

'Well you don't seem to have his best interests at heart since you're shoving him in the arms of the person who continously hurts him!' Eleanor opened her mouth to say her piece.

'Okay guys stop it! I'm here okay. I can hear all that you're saying.'

'Which is why you should know that El is wrong and its a bad idea Louis. It's Harry come on!' Selena snapped. Eleanor rolled her eyes.

'Honestly Louis, you should be all over him.' Selena was ready to reply to Eleanor.

'Sel,' Louis said softly. 'I know what I'm doing. Besides he's not even dating so....'

'Oh please,' Eleanor said, 'he's practically begging you to give him a reason to break his vow of chastity.' Louis turned to Eleanor.

'I appreciate you wanting to get me laid but if there's one thing I've learned from politics is that you can't make someone vote for your candidate if they're not going to the polls.' Eleanor huffed.

'Lou, you're not running for Mayor! Amanda is! You are just trying to get laid!'

'Bad idea!' Selena offered. 'Very very bad idea Louis.' Louis looked from one to the other.

'You know me guys. I don't do the casual one night thing very well.' Eleanor put her arm around his shoulder.

'Honey I know that but you're never going to get to second night if you don't do the first one.' Louis groaned. He knew that both Eleanor and Selena were right but he had to listen to his heart. He couldn't deny that he liked Harry even as fucked up as Harry was. He couldn't deny that his heart sped a little faster whenever they met and that Harry made him laugh and he liked how Harry looked at him and furthermore, he couldn't deny that his body reacted to Harry. Eleanor saw him hesitate, struggling to decide.

'Louiskins, get back out there and throw yourself at that hot piece of man ass before I call your mum and tell her you quit therapy!' Louis gasped at her in shock.

'You wouldn't!'

'You wanna try that theory?' she asked him, raising an eyebrow at him and smirking wickidly at him, challenging him to try her.

'You put Maleficent to shame,' Selena hissed at her. 'Evil fairy Godmother.' Eleanor rolled her eyes.

'Know your Disney Sel. There's no such thing as an Evil Fairy Godmother.'

'Okay guys stop!' Louis said. 'Just stop okay. I'm just going to take a drink back to Harry. He's waiting for me.'

'Atta boy,' Eleanor praised him.

'Don't come crying to me,' Selena said as she walked off.

'Be nice to her El,' Louis warned her. 'She's just looking out for me.'

'I know and I am being nice come on Louiskins. I've seen that there's chemistry between you two and you blushed fifty shades of pink when he flirted with you and you giggled! I mean come on. YOU. GIGGLED! That's very rare and Harry managed to pull it out of you a few times. Try but take care of your heart. I mean, just have a good time with him, don't expect anything and if it's meant to happen, the Universe will make it happen. If it's not meant to happen at least you'll get a good fuck out of him.' Eleanor wiggled her eyebrows at him. 'Go on let him wet your willy!'

'Okay alright God you are vulgar!' Eleanor laughed and clapped her hands happily. Louis picked up his two drinks and turned to go.

'Wait wait,' Eleanor said stopping him in his tracks.

'What now?' he huffed.

'The polo, it has to come off,' she said as she started tugging his polo neck off.

'No no what the hell,' Louis protested but Eleanor was not going to take no for an answer.

'It's coming off. It's got to come off. You need to show some skin,' she said as Louis put the cups down and let her pull off his white polo neck. When it was off, Eleanor surveyed him in his maroon tee shirt and dishevelled hair. She handed him back his and Harry's drinks and smiled at him.

'There much better. You look less politician and more your age who's ready to mingle and get that tingle....'

'Stop,' Louis groaned. 'Please stop and don't drink anymore.' She turned him around and gently nudged him forward in Harry's direction.

'Go grasshopper. Make mama proud!' Louis shook his head and rolled his eyes and began walking towards where he had left Harry. On the way there, he put the cups down on a table and smoothed down his hair. As Louis approached Harry, he saw him dancing there all by himself and Louis couldn't help the fond laughter that spilled from his lips.

'Nice moves,' Louis commented as he handed Harry his drink. Not really nice moves actually. Harry looked like a baby deer trying to walk on ice but Louis just had to. Harry beamed at him.

'Yeah? You like that?' he asked as he tried to control his long legs. There wasn't much co-ordination between his brain and legs that Louis could see! His long legs seemed to have a mind of their own.

'Oh yeah sure definitely.' Harry laughed, stopped dancing and moved closer to Louis all up in his space.

'Thank you Mr. Politician,' he said as he took a gulp of his drink. Just then a cute guy in flowing red hair that fell down his back smiled and winked at Harry and Harry smiled back, popping his dimples at the guy who blushed and blew Harry a kiss. Louis looked from one to the other.

'Did you.....' he began asking, the words getting lodged in his throat. 'Are you flirting with that guy?' Harry looked at him a little shocked.

'What? No! No I'm not,' he said letting out a nervous laugh.

'Yes you were,' Louis accused. 'You just smiled at him...that...that smile of yours.!' Harry opened his mouth to reply but Louis carried on. 'I mean I get it. He's super hot and beautiful with that flowing hair and sexy body. I mean you should totally ask him out.' Harry blinked. What the fuck was happening? They were just having a laugh! But Louis felt irritated at the exchange between Harry and red hair over there.

'Louis chill. I wasn't flirting with him,' Harry said.

'Look Harry, I don't care okay. At least just own up to it Mr. Celibate!' Harry's smile slid off his face.

'Louis stop it,' he said seriously. 'I wasn't flirting okay. I wasn't!' Louis shrugged.

'I'm not gonna fight you on this but you were totally flirting.'

'What the hell is your problem huh? You're acting like a freak. Is there something you want to say to me? If there is just spit it out already. You're killing my buzz,' Harry shot angrily at him. Louis had a lot to say to him in fact but he didn't want to look like a child and bring up the fact that he was still pissed off at Harry for dumping him for Camille after they had had a connection a year ago in that guest house room.

'I'm not a freak,' Louis spit at him. 'Don't call me that. You're a freak who can't keep his horse in the barn!' And if Harry wasn't pissed off at Louis' attitude, he would've burst out laughing in his face.

'Is that right grandpa?' Harry challenged. 'Well at least I'm not afraid of riding a horse!' That hit Louis where it hurt.

'Wow,' he said giving Harry his most disappointed look.

'Mhm,' Harry murmured. Louis straightened his spine and looked Harry in the eyes.

'Well that's better than being the rodeo clown!' he spit harshly. Harry's face turned into that of a kicked puppy and Louis wanted to hug him and say sorry but no, he wouldn't! He had enough of his shit!

'What's that supposed to mean?' Harry said softly and Louis hated him. He hated that Harry made him feel this way.

'I think you know very well what it means Harry.' Eleanor rushed over and grabbed Louis' hand.

'Hey Lou, I'm gonna get out of here. I just had sex with this guy in the bathroom and he's like waiting for round two ugh and I just don't have it in me,' she said and Louis wanted to strangle her and kiss her at the same time. Strangle her because she had managed to get some and kiss her because she was saving him from Harry.

'Oh great yeah I'll come with,' he said in his most fake cheerful voice. He turned and looked at Harry who was still looking like a kicked puppy. 'Nothing keeping me here. Good seeing you Harry.' El looked from him to Harry.

'But you and...and....'

'El now. Let's go!' Louis told her firmly and for once he was thankful that Eleanor did as he asked. He grabbed Eleanor's hand and together they left Harry standing there looking at them leave. He had a disappointed pained look on his face that made Louis' insides hurt. When they got outside it was raining softly.

'What the hell happened between you two? I thought you were going to ride that stallion.' Louis turned to look at her.

'I told you I wasn't ready to get back up in the saddle. Sel was right. Now can we please drop it? I just want to go home and watch Notting Hill and stuff my face with ice-cream and tell myself over and over how stupid and naïve I am.' Thankfully Eleanor didn't argue with him. They got a taxi and when Louis arrived home, he was even more thankful that Selena wasn't home yet because he didn't want to hear “I told you so.” He went to the freezer, pulled out a tub of ice-cream and a spoon from the drawer then made his way to his room. He pulled off his clothes, put on his pjs and got in bed. He booted his laptop and found Notting Hill on Netflix and stuffed his face with ice-cream while drowning in self pity. He did not see the text message from Harry that read : What did I do? Whatever it is, I'm sorry.

The next morning Louis woke up determined to once again put Harry behind him. He saw the notification informing him he had a message from Harry but he scoffed and just deleted the message without reading it like he had done after their road trip. No way was he going to let Harry disrupt his life again. He got dressed and left his room to go get breakfast. Again, he thanked the gods that nobody was home. Both Zayn and Selena had probably found someone to go home with and he felt even worse for that because how did they do it? Why couldn't he find someone? He decided that he didn't feel like breakfast anymore. He grabbed his phone, wallet and car keys and left the flat. He drove to Starbucks to get his lady friends their coffee. He will immerse himself in work and forget stupid Harry Styles and all his shit and mind games. However, Harry's pained expression could not leave his mind. He had been harsh with Harry but he deserved it. Didn't he?

He entered the office and immediately was greeted with squeals of delight.

'Louis!!!' Mirtha greeted him. 'You brought coffee. You're an angel!' Louis smiled and gave Mirtha her coffee then handed Liz and Angela their's. He looked around.

'Where's Marion?' he asked.

'She's in Amanda's office,' Liz offered as she took a sip of her coffee and moaned. Louis looked from one to the other.

'Is something wrong?' he asked.

'No,' Angela said. 'Well at least I hope not.' She shrugged. 'We'll know when their meeting ends won't we?'

'I guess,' Louis said as he sat down and took a sip of his tea. Mirtha narrowed her eyes at him.

'Alright what is it?' she asked as she sat opposite Louis. Angela and Liz sat down too.

'What?' he asked looking from one to the other.

'Don't fuck around Lou,' Liz said. 'We have special radars that detect bullshit. Now spill. What's wrong?'

'I...um...ugh....'

'Take a breath honey,' Angela advised. 'Don't want you having a panic attack. Take your time. Looks like its going to be a slow day here anyway.' Louis fumbled with his cup.

'I um went to a singles party yesterday.....'

'Oh my God you met someone!' Liz said happily.

'Who is he?' Mirtha asked.

'Details Lou come on,' Angela said. Louis looked from one to the other.

'I met Harry,' he said quietly. Their happy excited faces fell.

'Oh,' they all said disappointed.

'Well wow,' Louis huffed.

'What did the asshole want?' Mirtha asked.

'Did he do anything to upset you?' Liz pressed.

'I swear to god Louis if he....'

'He didn't!' Louis stopped them. 'I think I might have hurt him,' he admitted.

'Well good for you!' Mirtha congratulated him. 'About time you gave him some of his own medicine.' Louis looked down. They exchanged glances over his bowed head.

'What did you do Lou?' Angela asked him because she could see that Louis was upset. He shook his head.

'I might have called him a whore.' Mirtha, Liz and Angela gasped. 'Not indirectly come on!' Just then Marion came out of Angela's office.

'Is that Starbucks I smell?' she asked and Louis handed her her coffee. 'Bless you darling.' She looked at the others and saw their somber faces. 'What's going on?'

'Louis called Harry a whore,' Mirtha said. Marion gasped.

'You didn't!' she said as she pulled up a chair. 'What did he do to deserve it?' So Louis told them all that had happened the night before. When he was done, he sat back stewing in guilt and shame and looked at his friends waiting for them to deliver the verdict.

'He deserved it,' Mirtha said.

'He did not!' Angela quipped.

'He flirted in Louis' face the fuck?' Liz argued.

'Technically he's free to flirt. They are not together,' Marion reasoned.

'He was flirting with Louis and Louis was kind enough to even get him a drink then flirt with Mr. Red Wavy hair in front of Louis' face? Cheater!' Mirtha said.

'They're not together!' Angela protested. 'How can Harry cheat on Louis if they are not together?' Liz leaned forward and squeezed Louis' knee.

'He's a whore!'

'Liz!' Angela gasped. 'That's not nice to say.' Mirtha let out a laugh.

'Liz you're a savage!' she commented. Liz shrugged.

'Well, like Louis said, Harry can't keep the horse in the barn now can he? Whore!' Marion giggled.

'Really Louis? I can't believe you actually told him that!' Liz leaned forward again.

'Be honest, you want to ride that horse don't you?' Louis slapped her hand.

'Shut up!'

'You're blushing,' they teased him. The door to Amanda's office opened and she stepped out.

'Louis, can I see you in my office,' she said. Louis quickly got up and went into her office. Before she closed the door she looked at the others. 'Don't you have work to do? I have a campaign to win! Get to it!' She closed the door and motioned for Louis to sit down. He did. Amanda sat in her chair and looked at Louis.

'Marion tells me you've been doing great promotional work for my campaign.' Louis nodded.

'I have. Is um is everything alright? Did I do something wrong?' Amanda smiled at him and shook her head.

'No you haven't. I just wanted to tell you that I decided to make you Marion's assistant. We are stepping you up. I want you to learn from Marion about what promoting a political candidate consists of. You work hard and your work is good. If I win this campaign, I want you working for me Louis. I have big plans for London.' Louis covered his mouth with his hands, his eyes wide.

'Oh my God Mrs. Haskell thank you so so much for the opportunity. I promise I will work hard and I won't let you down.' She smiled at him.

'You better. Like I said, I want to win this campaign. So go on, get back to work.' Louis stood up.

'Thank you again for the opportunity.' Amanda waved him away. Louis turned to leave but before he opened the door, Amanda stopped him.

'Louis,' she said. He turned to look at her. 'Did you really tell Harry he couldn't keep his horse in the barn?' Louis felt heat flood him from his feet up to his cheeks. He wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

'You heard,' he said shamefully and embarrassed.

'I heard,' Amanda said trying to hold in her laughter. 'A word of advise Louis. Horses can be tamed if they have the right trainer who they trust. Maybe all Harry needs is a little trust and direction.' She gave him a wink. 'No go. There's work to be done. We gotta win me an election.'

Part 3 coming soon.......