Not Another Wedding Love Story

Chapter 2: LOUIS

In absolutely simple words, I loved Boston. The streets, the sky, the buildings, the university campus, everything. I was in love with everything. As I walked down the roads to head to my apartment, I wondered why I hadn't thought of moving here before. But then again, I hadn't received my acceptance letter yet and Zayn was extremely nice to let me stay at his old house. I loved the fact that I made it all the way here, and I loved the fact that I was, in fact, loving every bit of it here.

I open the door to my apartment and walk inside, "Liam, I'm home!" I always did that when I came back home. It was almost as if we were a couple. Some of our neighbors thought so too. But Liam didn't mind. Liam was the sweetest guy you'll ever meet. He looked like he could hold you up in the air and throw you down, judo style, but in reality, he was like a mama bear.

We met online when I searched for a house. And he accepted my request almost instantly as I let it out. We had spoken many times through calls and texts but meeting him in person was one of the best days. We quickly connected, and we were both nearly the same age. So, it didn't give away a lot. It was also good to have a gay roommate. We didn't feel attracted to each other, but he was always there for me if I had any problems.

"How was your day?" He asked as he trotted into the living room, a bowl of popcorn in hand.

"Good. I learned about the atmosphere today." I replied, dropping my keys on the cabinet beside the door, "Is somebody coming over?"

"Uh, yeah." He looked down at his feet, blushing all throughout, "It's a guy I met at work a few days ago. We kind of decided on a date indoors."

I smirked at him wickedly, "Someone's having fun."

"Oh, shut up." He waved me off, "Just go and do your homework or something."

I laughed, "Right. Don't make too much noise. I have a test tomorrow."

Liam blushed more, "Oh, just fuck off."

I walked into my room closing the door behind me, laughing as Liam grumbled. I loved pulling his leg. He got annoyed too often, but he never said anything bad to me. He knew I was joking.

I freshened up and put on a pair of pajamas and a t-shirt before climbing into bed. I pulled out my laptop from my bag and started working on my homework. It wasn't much, but I didn't feel like putting it off until tomorrow morning.

I pulled my headphones from my bag and put them over my head, as tiny notes of The Fray's 'How to save a life' began playing. I moved my head to the beat while I continued with my homework when the song was cut off by my ringtone.

I grabbed the phone only to see Zayn's goofy face showing on the screen and I smiled.

Zayn was in New York. Nothing of that city appealed to me anymore. I'd left instantly after my grandmother had died and stayed in Boston since then. But Zayn was a constant. They'd met back in school and it didn't take them very long to become best friends.

"Hello, Mr. Vogue Model," I answered stifling a laugh as I heard a groan from the other side.

"Told you not to call me that." No matter how much he denied it, Zayn looked so much like a model. His ancestry was from the middle east and as he was growing up, he developed some pretty impressive facial structures. The best part was his eyelashes and his smile. People usually almost died out of swooning over him. "And hello yourself, stranger."

Even with so many miles in between us, I could hear a smile in his voice, "How's the University?"

"Boring, sleepy, and just perfect." I chirped out, "I love it."

"That's great." Zayn said, "After things are settled down, I'll go there and meet you."

"I'll hold onto that," I replied.

"Yeah, some of my friends think you're a mythical creature." I flinched at that. I had a bad history with New York. Well, not exactly the city but there were a few people who I definitely didn't want to meet. And every time I had made plans to drive up to the city to meet Zayn's friends, I had backed out. It was only normal they thought of me as non-existent.

"Sorry. But I'll go meet you someday. I have yet to see your new office." Zayn had recently inherited their family business and he was like those big tycoons they talk about in the romance novels. The handsome, prince-like guy, with an attitude, who had a thing for blondes—that kind of guy.

"Okay, but before that. I uhm... I kind of have like a huge favor to ask you." Zayn hesitated.

"Sure."

"Okay so uhm... you remember Harry, right?"

"Yes, the chef. Harry Styles."

"Yeah, him. His sister is getting married this month and he kind of needs a date for the wedding." I could feel myself wincing as Zayn spoke. I hated weddings. Zayn knew that, and maybe that's why he was so hesitant. I hated everything about weddings. The light, the dancing, the ceremony especially. There had been a lot of times when I was made to feel things I shouldn't have. And after everything that happens to couples after a few months, the idea of falling in love, being with only one person for the rest of my life had completely washed out.

That was also a reason I moved to Boston. Zayn was always trying to match me up with his friend Harry and I had sworn off dating. Even for Zayn's sake, I couldn't get myself to meet Harry. And the way Zayn spoke about him, Harry didn't seem like most men. He would be different. I didn't know how, but somehow.

"Louis?" Zayn's voice reached my ears, breaking me off my trance.

"Right. I'm listening." I cleared my throat and slumped back on the bed.

"Louis, you don't have to do this if you don't want to." Zayn said, "But since you're supposed to come back to New York for a day next week, I was wondering if you could at least have a word with him."

I had been planning how to avoid going back, honestly. But now, I can't break the promise I made to him. I had to go back to the city to meet Zayn before I permanently shift to Boston. And even the end of the semester was nearby, so even if I agreed to be Harry's wedding date, I wouldn't miss classes.

"I'll think about it," I said. "I promise."

"You can tell me no, Louis." Zayn insisted.

"I hate weddings."

"I know and that's why I'm giving you options. Even if you say no, it wouldn't matter." Zayn said, "Harry just needed a date because he told his family he was bringing a boyfriend, but his old boyfriend broke up with him. So, it's either you or no one."

I sighed. Great. Now everything depends on me. "Fine, Z. I'll sleep on it today."

"Thanks, Lou."