Chapter 13 - Tomlinson 

“Tomlinson!” Coach shouts my name when I’m getting ready to start my extra practice after we’ve been dismissed for the day.

I stop on my tracks and turn around to meet his eyes. He is walking towards me with a severe expression and for a moment I fear I did something wrong and he’s crossed with me. I don’t want to be on the bench the next entire game. It’s happened before and I really hate that feeling. I used to play as right forward before but since I got here Coach Meyer said I wasn’t fast enough next to the other forwards and I could do at the back just as well, but that’s not where I like to play. Then Connor came and my chances to get to my old position vanished.

What if now I can’t even play half-time? I made it to midfield on the latest game, which for me was better than before but not my goal. I know every position is important, but we have preferences on everything, don’t we? Mine when it comes to be on the field is as forward. I played on that position for so long that it was so hard to be as right-back when I got in Uni.

“Yes, Coach?” I say, still nervous. I’ve worked so hard to improve, he won’t put me on the bench for the next game, will he?

“No extra practice for you today, son,” he says and I feel defeated.

Has it been pointless all this time? All my hard word… for nothing? I can’t believe it.

“Oh,” is all I say, looking down, at the ball next to my right foot. So this is it.

“You’ll go and celebrate. I’ve decided to make you a regular for this season. And if you keep working on your speed, then you’ll make it as a forward. I know that’s what you’re aiming for. You’ve done a great job, son,” he says and I’m so surprised I don’t even know how to react. “You’re the most committed player and you deserve a reward. Well done. Now get some rest, you’ve trained really hard today.”

I’m beyond mesmerised and so happy that I can’t even breathe. A regular, that means I play on every game. For even the whole game if the coach thinks I can do it and I’m not dying on the field. This is great already! This is amazing! And he knows I want to play as forward. He knows it!

“I-I-I… thank you, Coach! I promise I’ll do my very best to keep improving,” I swear and I think I’m shaking due to the sheer excitement.

“I know you will, but for today, please, just go and get your mind off of the game for a few hours. It won’t make you any good to be so obsessed. Have a good day, Tomlinson,” he finishes and pats my back.

Then he turns around and leaves and I stay there, standing on my own in the middle of the field, smiling like a big idiot and still slightly shaking.

I’ve made it. Kind of. I’m halfway there, I’m a regular. Of course this needs celebration! I bet Harry will take me clubbing even when it’s only Wednesday.

I practically run to the lockers to shower so I can go and look for Harry. He’ll be so happy for me, he knows how important this is for me. I made it as a regular! I’m a regular now. Fuck yeah!

When I get to the lockers I find the coach telling the others about the new formation for the game, and that includes my inclusion as a regular. Some teammates congratulate me, some don’t mind and then there’s Connor, glaring daggers at me. For some reason his disdain for this achievement only makes it sweeter.

After that I just shower and dress pretty fast, I’m almost one of the first to leave the lockers and I’m practically running towards my building in campus when I hear my name being called.

“Louis!” And I stop because it’s a feminine voice, a voice that I can recognise anywhere.

“Robin?” I say, turning around just to see her leaning on the wall next to the door I just came from. “What are you doing here?” I ask, stepping towards her as she stands straight.

I had totally forgotten about Robin when the coach told me about the change in the formation.

“I was waiting for you. I noticed you didn’t stay for extra practice today,” she replies with a sweet smile, looking so lovely.

We haven’t been this close since the party and I’ve missed her. Her smile, the sweetness in her hazel eyes, that feeling in my guts and the way my heart races when she’s near. I have this urge to step even closer and reach her hand, but I stand still.

“I haven’t talked to you since the party and I dunno, I wanted to know how you are doing,” she says and I can’t help the smile on my lips.

“We’ve been all pretty busy, haven’t we?” I say and she nods, biting her lower lip for two seconds that I don’t miss. Of course I don’t. “And I’ve been great, to be honest. Excellent!” And my excitement for now being a regular kicks in again and I feel so happy that I’m about to grab Robin in my arms and hug her so tightly, even spin her around.

Yes, I’m that happy.

“Coach Meyer made me a regular!” I say, not being able to contain it anymore and Robin’s eyes widen in surprise and delight just before a big smile makes its way to her lips.

“That’s great, Louis! Congratulations!” she exclaims, smiling as wide as I am and right before I do something, she steps closer and wraps her arms around my neck.

I automatically hug her back and very tightly, burying my nose in the crock of her neck, the short hairs of her left side tickling my cheek. I’m so happy for what I just accomplished but right now, with Robin in my arms, congratulating me for this achievement… I don’t know, it just feels perfect. Like this is the best way this day could’ve ended.

“I’m so happy for you,” she says, stepping back but I don’t want to let her go just yet, so I keep my hands on her waist, still keeping her close. Her hands slide to my biceps. “You’ve been working so hard, you deserve it.” And the fact that she notices I’ve been working hard makes it even better.

Seriously, could this day get any better?

“Thank you,” I say still smiling like an idiot. I don’t even remember where I was supposed to go before Robin called my name.

Oh right, Harry. Well, he’ll have two reasons to be happy for me after I tell him I ran into Robin after practice.

“We should celebrate,” she speaks again and I blink. “Yes! I was gonna ask you to go grab something, you know, to catch up. Now we have to go somewhere. You need to celebrate!”

I was wrong. This day just got a lot better.

“That’d be great, Robin. Do you have a place in mind?” I ask her, my hands still on her waist and slightly pulling her a bit closer.

“Well, I was thinking of just going for a coffee here on campus,” she says, her cheeks a bit rosy. “But that’s too lame to celebrate so… hmm… what if we go to that bar you took me the first time? I could totally use some of the best chips ever,” she adds next with a big smile.

“Well, that sounds absolutely perfect. Chips is a great idea,” I agree and her smile widens. “Let’s go to my dorm so I can grab the keys of my bike and drop my bag and then we go, shall we?” I ask and she nods.

Only then she realises I’ve been holding her all this time and I notice how she blushes before she steps back, looking very uncomfortable so I hurry to say something to make the situation less awkward.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say and turn facing the opposite direction, towards my building in campus.

I know she’s by my side without even looking, I just know it so I start walking and we do that for a while, in complete silence.

“Maybe I should go for my coat instead of just this jacket,” she proposes, graving her denim jacket to make it clear what she’s talking about but I shake my head.

“We can go later on my bike. We still have a while before the bar opens. Of course, if you don’t mind,” I hurry to add because I don’t want to sound imposing.

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

So we go to my dorm and she doesn’t look exactly comfortable but she dissimulates the best she can. When I open my door I know I’ll find Harry watching some movie or studying. I just hope our dorm is not a complete mess, I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of Robin. It’s the first time she comes to my room and I don’t want her to think I’m a pig. I’m just messy, like any boy, but I don’t want her to think a tornado made its way through my room.

“Tommo, you’re here! I was getting so bored! Thank God you— oh, Robin?” Harry asks when I open the door, almost jumping on me until he sees I bring company. “What a lovely surprise!” he composes himself quickly and step back a bit, just to give us room to make it inside.

“Hi, Harry,” she greets with a lovely smile, as usual. “How you doing?”

“Quite well, thank you,” my best mate replies and I focus on dropping my bag and then grabbing some other trousers and a better jumper. I won’t go out with Robin in my sweatpants and a hoodie.

Robin and Harry keep a polite conversation as I grab my things and try to get ready as fast as I can, hiding some misplaced things on my way, just to make the room look more presentable and not so messy. Still, I’m sure she knows we’re just guys trying to survive on our own in Uni. She doesn’t look horrified, though.

So once we’re done, I go to where Harry is showing Robin one of the computer games Harry’s is into and I’m surprised that she looks really interested and knows about it. I didn’t know she liked computer games.

Well, there are many things I still don’t know about her, but I hope to find out.

“Oh, Louis, you’re done. Where are you going, by the way?” Harry asks stepping back.

“To celebrate,” I say looking at Robin for a few seconds and smiling like a fool. “I got made a regular today.”

“That’s amazing!” Harry shouts, making me turn to glare a him for being so loud. “Congrats, mate! You deserve it.”

“Maybe you could come with us,” Robin suggests and I lose my smile. Harry? Coming with us? “We’re going to get chips!”

Oh. Right. Because she doesn’t see this as a date so she doesn't mind if someone else comes along. I was an idiot for thinking this was actually a date.

“I uh— I’m— I can’t, I’m lactose intolerant,” Harry says, which is a lie. Robin looks confused, though. “Aren’t you going to Supreme?” He asks next, referring exactly the bar we’re going, so we nod. “Those chips have cheese and I don’t wanna die. Sorry! Maybe next time!”

I know he only said that so I could be alone with Robin, but I’m still a bit discouraged because she doesn’t see this as a date.

“Bummer. Next time, then. See ya, Harry,” she says happily and I nod, walking with her to the door.

“See ya, mate,” I tell him once Robin leaves the room and I’m holding the door and he’s holding two thumbs up for me. “Thanks,” I add for what he did, then I close the door to leave with Robin.

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Dedication to @5boyschangedmylife1d because I love the way you see Louis so well, how you pointed all his main characteristics.

Bel, xx