NA: I'm sorry I couldn't make the early update. I got my phone stolen, problems in uni and just a terrible day yesterday so I was just crying. I didn't even go home. I couldn't update. I didn't even remember I had. I apologise. In exchange, I'll update on Sunday the next chapter instead of Monday. Believe me, you'll like that better.

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Chapter 19 - Summers

I'm relieved that Louis is not really injured and he'll be able to play in the next game. Even though, I don't let him even step on his left foot and I can be really severe when I want to. He has to take it easy for the following days unless he wants to stay on the bench. Those were the coach's instructions and I'll make sure Louis follows them.
I can't believe he will play as forward in the next game! I'm sure he'll be amazing, he's worked so hard for this, I've seen him, so I'm pretty sure he'll be fantastic.

We walk to his room and I know I'm petite and definitely not strong enough, but I practically force him to lean on me to walk. When we get there Harry is not around so he can’t help me. Louis finally lies on his bed and I make sure he's comfortable.

"Everything okay? Do you need something?" I ask and he smiles so sweetly at me that I feel all my skin tingling in a pleasant way.

"I'm all right, don't worry that much. Still," --he chuckles-- "thanks for helping me."

"It's my pleasure," I reply and it really is. It feels right to be the one helping him, the one making sure he is all right and taking care of him. "Do you want me to stay for--"

"Yes," he replies immediately, cutting me off and I chuckle but I feel a blush coming up to my cheeks; one pretty similar to the one Louis is wearing now. "I mean, only if you have time."

"I'll make time," I reply in a whisper, remembering what Jamie told me about making sure Louis knows how I feel about him.

I think I did right because his eyes are fixed on me, examining me carefully, almost as if he's trying to figure me out. I feel the urge to tell him, to finally get this out of my chest but I can't make myself blurt the words. I can't make myself say 'hey, I fancy you.' But I want to, I want him to know and at the same time I want to know what he feels for me.

"Thanks," he whispers. No 'Robin, there's something I need to tell you,' like I've imagined so many times in my dreams. Okay, not so many but quite a few.

So we stay there, Louis in his bed and me sitting next to him. Talking. That's mostly all what we do and believe me, I enjoy every second of it. We can talk about everything, with such ease. Every topic leads us to another and then to another. I love hearing his opinions and the way he talks. His voice, the way he gets excited and when he laughs it’s more like a laughing fit; one that's just absolutely adorable and a bit dorky. I swear the first time I saw him laughing like that I stayed staring like a royal idiot.

I remember that when we started talking, back then when he saved me for the idiot of my ex, we would only talk about football but now it's like there's no wall between us. We talk about Uni, our friends, family, dreams and even how our lives were when we were kids. And I discover many new things about Louis but I realise it's not enough; I want to know more about him. I want to know everything about him. Maybe it's the journalist in me... Or maybe that I'm completely and utterly crazy about him. It could be both.

I only leave when Harry arrives after I make him promise me that he won't let Louis do unnecessary things and he would take care of him.

"I'll see you soon. Take care, okay?" I say trying to look stern about it but I can't help the little smile playing on my lips when I see the way he's looking at me.

"Fine," he replies rolling his eyes briefly.

"If you don't take it easy Harry will call me and I'll come to make sure your injury is serious,” I threaten him but everyone knows I could never hurt him. Maybe scold him but never hurt him.

"Okay," he laughs. "Thanks for today, Robin."

"It's all right," I reply softening at his words. "Goodnight," I add, leaning in just to kiss his cheek and I take the liberty of make the contact last a bit longer than what's normally accepted as a friendly goodbye kiss. He needs to notice how I feel about him.

When I pull back his eyes shine in a way I haven't seen before, a way that makes my heart race.

I manage to make my way out of that room after saying goodbye to Harry and by the time I'm walking outside the building my heart is still racing. He better notice what’s going on between us soon or I'll just have to take control of this situation.

+ + + + +

The big day has come and saying I'm excited is an understatement. I'm literally bouncing on my heels, waiting for the game to finally start. Of course I made Jamie come with me and she brought her boyfriend, Gerald, with us. He's a nice guy, I like him. He's tall, with dark hair and blue eyes and he looks at her like she's the most beautiful creature he's behold. I like him for my Jamie. Harry is also with us and he looks really excited, too.

"I'll go to wish Louis good luck and see he's okay!" I blurt out because I can't stay still any longer. Plus, I haven't seen him in the whole day and I want to make sure he's feeling well. Or that's my excuse, at least, and something tells me Harry and Jamie don't buy it.

Still, I hurry down the bleachers and make my way to the lockers. Good thing everyone is so busy that I can sneak inside even if this is another university's property. I have to ask to know where the Manchester University's team is right now but I make it right when Coach Meyer is leaving, which means the players come behind him.

"Louis!" I call him when I see him among the other players.

He turns around and when his eyes meet mine, a wide smile comes to his lips. I smile back, happy to see him. Louis steps aside from his teammates and I approach him.

"Hey, I thought you'd be in the bleachers with Jamie and Harry," Louis inquires and I shrug.

"I was but I came to wish you good luck," I confess and his smile widens. "Do you feel all right? Your ankle?"

"I'm perfect," replies Louis, his eyes locked with mine and I feel my heart racing. "Even better now."

"You'll be great. I'll be cheering for you," I promise and step closer to give him a hug and yes, I hold him tighter than a friend would, as I stay longer in his arms. "Good luck," I add pulling back but not too much, just enough to give me room to kiss his cheek.

He looks at me so intently before he opens his mouth. "Robin..." he whispers and my heart stops. What? What is he going to tell me?

But I don't get to know because someone calls his name, urging him to join the rest of the team.

He groans and I'm sure my expression is pretty similar to his, which is a sheer reflection of frustration. Still, we break the embrace and he leaves. I stay there for a few seconds before I run back to the bleachers, disappointment still weighting in on my chest but I try to hide it when I join Jamie, Gerald and Harry. It's easier when I see the players on the field and the adrenaline kicks in. A new game is about to start and I'm ready.

When our Uni's team makes its entrance I jump on my spot and start cheering but when I see Louis I go crazy. I feel I'm going to lose my voice but I honestly don't care. I'm so excited I can't control myself; plus, almost everyone around me is the same. We are not as many as our rivals but we are certainly as loud.

The captains greet in the middle of the field and throw a coin to see which one starts and who chooses the side. After that, the whistle blows and the game starts. My eyes look for Louis and I can see his determination. It's almost as if he changes into a different person when he's on the field, like a Super Saiyan.

They are running, dribbling and stealing the ball. For some reason I notice the team playing with a new energy, more coordinated. This is probably the strongest I've seen them as a team. And Louis... Louis is everywhere, faster than in any other game. I'm so impressed but not surprised. His hard work is paying off.

Close to the end of the first half the other team steals the ball from Brown --one of our players-- and runs avoiding all the other players. He kicks and I swear he's gonna score, I'm about to have a heart attack but the ball hits the pole of the goal and the exclamation of relief is loud around me. But then, out of nowhere the other forward comes in the picture and shoots. Our keeper is barely jumping on his feet but he can't make it, the ball was thrown at the very other extreme of the goal, burying in the net.

The other side of the field erupts in cheers and we all curse, but it's just the first half. We can make it.

The first half ends and the players take a break. I’m literally eating my nails but I don't lose hope. Our team is great, they'll overcome this.

When the second half starts I notice Louis is not running as fast and Tom, the other forward, is doing all the job and I wonder if he's okay, maybe it's because of his ankle.

I tell myself he's okay and I focus on the game. They are still doing their best but I'm worried. Time is running out and they haven't scored yet.

Twenty minutes before the game ends you can feel how confidence is starting to settle in the other players, sure that they'll beat us. And that’s when Coach Meyer makes some changes and when Louis comes back to life, completely reloaded because just five minutes back in the game and he's already running towards the net, Tom next to him and between the two of them fool the opponent. He makes a pass to Tom and I think he'll shoot to the goal but he fools us all because instead of aiming to the net, he throws the ball back at Louis who was waiting and kicks it in the air, sending it right into the net. Needless to say I scream and shout louder than everyone and when he looks in my direction I feel the world stopping.

That was so amazing!

We are tied now. Come on, we can score again!

"Come on, Louis!" I shout at the top of my lungs and I know he didn't hear me but I did it anyways.

I practically have my heart in my hand the rest of the game, but I can't take my eyes off of the field. Louis and Tom are doing a great work together, better than what Connor and he usually do. Louis and Tom actually work together, like their minds are connected and one knows what the other will do next.

The other team is weary of this duo, especially Louis so I notice how he passes the ball to Tom more often, trying to get him to score this time. We are so close to the end and I don't know if I can keep it like this. I'm dying!

The ninety minutes are over and the referee gives three extra minutes. I know all the players are exhausted and they are at the limit, but we can win this. Tied is a good outcome for both teams but not optimal for us.

Jones gets hold on the ball and runs, passing it to Sayers who passes to Tom. He running as fast as he can, running past and avoiding the other players. We all stand up, waiting for the final goal, the one that will give us the victory. He kicks and I know everyone is holding their breaths but the keeper of the opposite team knocks the ball away with his fists and we all curse. We were so focused on Tom that no one saw Louis coming from behind and jumping in the air just to hit the ball with his forehead just when this is about to touch the ground. The keeper was on the ground and he wasn't fast enough, the ball makes its way inside, ending in the net. Twenty seconds later the whistle blows and we all scream, jumping and cheering while all the players of our team jump on Louis who's still on the ground.

"WE WON!" I shout hugging Jamie and then Harry and everyone who's around me. "We won, we won. Oh my God, did you see Louis? That was amazing!"

I don't even realise the moment I'm running down, apologising to the people I pass by. I have only one goal in mind: Louis. I don't even mind the person telling me I can't go inside the field. I just run. I have to get to him.

His mates finally let him go and he turns around just to see me running towards him. I don't care about anything else, I don't mind anyone around us; Louis is all I can see. And I jump to his arms once we are close enough and he catches me without problem. I wrap myself around him, arms and legs hold me tightly against him but I don't just hug him. That's not enough. That's not even near enough. Once I know I won't fall I grab Louis' face in my hands, with all the adrenaline of the game still making me bubbly and the feeling of him holding me close making my head spin, I kiss him.

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Just so you know... After Havi read this chapter, she chased after me, pushed me against a wall and hit me hard. So i've been punished enough.

Dedication to @BritishLiterati I'm glad you like my Louis fan fictions so much.

Bel, xx

NU: Sunday/Monday