Chapter 5 - Tomlinson

Well, things definitely didn’t go the way I planned tonight. When I accepted Harry’s suggestion to go out to distract myself I never imagined I would end up hitting Connor and running away with Robin. Neither did I imagine that she would recognise me and finally realise I’m part of the football team as well.

I’m not complaining, though.

But above all, I never fathomed that she would actually come with me. I know I’ve had a crush on her forever —okay, not forever but a long time— and I kind of imagined many scenarios for us, most of the time I did that unconsciously, when dreaming. But none of those dreams was like this, in none of those I imagined myself saving her from her ex, the biggest douche from the team, and then leaving with her to a different place.

Reality is better than fantasy, sometimes.

And I thank Jesus that I came on my motorbike so I can take her wherever I want.

Some girls like bikes, some hate them. Some prefer guys with cars, some don’t mind. I’m not sure what type of girl Robin is, to be honest I don’t know much about her besides that she really likes sports and she’s a great journalist, so I don’t know what to expect when we head to where I parked my bike. I must admit, I’m kind of nervous. What if she’s scared of motorcycles? What if she thinks they are reckless and a stupidity?

When we finally get to where the bike is waiting, I’m actually really anxious. I’m not normally like this, I swear, but there’s something about Robin. It’s like I have a huge pressure on me when it comes to her because of this crush I’ve had for so long. I guess I’m afraid that I’ve fancied someone for so long when maybe it’s been hopeless all the time and I’ve just wasted these months looking at her with puppy eyes. I’m afraid I’ve lost so many other opportunities because of this girl.

I stop next to my bike, it’s a Honda VFR800 in a wine red. This bike is my most loved possession, I worked my arse off to get it. She is my baby, and if Robin doesn’t like her… then my heart would be crushed. Maybe.

Still a bit nervous I look at her and I see her widening her eyes at the sight. I gulp, still nervous, waiting for a comment.

“Wow,” she says and I still don’t know what to make out of that. “It’s beautiful. Is it yours?” she asks next and I let go of the air I was holding.

“Yeah,” I reply with a small smile, happy that she likes it. “Oh shit,” I suddenly remember. “I have the helmet in Harry’s car. Wait a second,” I request and she chuckles.

I pat my pockets feeling my keys and when I take them, I sigh in relief. I brought the copy that also has a copy of Harry’s car. I normally do this in case I have to leave early because I don’t go around with my helmet.

The good thing is that Harry’s car is next to my bike so I open the boot and take the helmet I use and hand it to Robin. “Take this.”

“What about you?” She asks me and I shrug.

“It wouldn’t be the first time I go without helmet,” I tell her which is true. Sometimes Harry leaves before I do. I’ve got a few tickets because of that. “Let’s go.”

She stares at me for a few seconds, still unsure about it but she finally puts the helmet on and I hop onto the bike, waiting for her. I can’t help it, and I know it’s silly of me, but I tense when I feel her at my back, her arms wrapping around my waist as she gets comfortable on the passenger seat.

“Everything okay?” I ask and relax, enjoying the feeling. I like, I really like the way she feels behind me, holding on to me so tightly.

“Yeah,” she replies and I swear I can hear the smile in the tone of her voice.

I smile widely as I start the ignition and we leave. I don’t go too fast because we’re in the city and because I don’t want to choke. I’m taking her to a nice bar-restaurant where we can have something to eat while listening to good music and it’s not too crowded. And we can talk.

As I drive, I feel her holding on to me even tighter and I enjoy that, maybe too much, because when we arrive to the bar, I don’t want her to get off the bike, I want to keep driving around the city, just to stay like this for a little longer.

I’m so pathetic sometimes.

But despite what I would want, I turn off the ignition and she does get off the bike, handing me the helmet back and as I get off as well, I see her appreciating the place where I’ve brought her.

“Looks nice and cosy. I’ve never been here before,” she says and I smile.

“I hope you like it. It’s a nice place and it has the best chips you’ll ever have,” I promise and she looks at me with arched eyebrows, so I smile at her encouragingly.

Gathering all the courage I have, I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her inside where we pick a table and sit one across the other. And as we wait for the waiter to come, I have no idea what to say and I want to slam my head against the table for being so nervous around her.

What’s wrong with me?

I could just talk about anything. Come on! She’s the girl I’ve had a crush on for so long, and now that we’re finally here, sitting one in front of the other, I can’t think of what to talk about. Talk about pathetic.

The waiter finally comes, with a polite smile but a tired expression. I know this guy, as I come here frequently.

“Hi, Louis,” he says with a nod before he takes a look at Robin and then looks back at me with a grin.

“Hi, Nate,” I reply, begging him not to make any embarrassing comment. “We’re gonna have supreme chips and what do you want to drink, Robin?” I ask her, finally speaking to her.

“Just a custard apple juice,” she replies and I smile.

“Same for me,” I tell Nate and he writes down on his pad. “Something else?” I look at Robin again as she looks through the menu they always keep on every table. She shakes her head. “Then that’s all.”

“I’ll be right back,” Nate replies before smiling at me knowingly once again and turning on his heels.

“You come here often?” She asks looking into my eyes this time.

“Yeah, I really like this place. It’s nice, they have a great service and as I told you, the best chips you’ll ever have. I don’t know what’s their secret,” I tell her and her smile widens.

“Maybe love?” She suggests and I chuckle.

“Maybe, or some kind of witchcraft. You never know,” I reply and she giggles.

“I can totally see them with their wands casting a spell so the chips are delicious and at the same time the costumers become slaves of this place!” Her shocked expression is just a game, but still, she looks adorable.

“Now everything makes sense,” I joke along and she laughs honestly and I feel like a fool, smiling so big because she’s laughing and we don’t have that awkward silence anymore.

“So, for how long have you been in the team?” She asks me once her laughter fades away but before Nate comes back with our order.

“Since I entered Uni. I got a scholarship,” I tell her and her eyes show surprise. “A football scholarship, that’s why I got immediately in when the year started. The coach goes to the finals looking for good members for the team. I was one of those.”

“Then you must be really good,” she comments and I see her excitement. I look down because I’m not good enough to catch her attention. I don’t stand out in this team.

“Not that good,” I reply, not meeting her eyes. “Next to the others, I’m not that good.”

“But you’re still in the team so maybe you need to work a bit harder,” she suggests and I smile, but I don’t meet her gaze. That’s what I’m trying to do, to become better not only because I want her to notice me, but also because football is my passion and I want to prove I can be better than this.

“I’m on it,” I reply just when Nate arrives with our juices and the huge plate with chips. Robin looks impressed so I smile wider. “You’ll love it,” I tell her once everything is between us on the table and Nate leaves. “I’m not kidding when I say these are the best.”

“Well, let’s see then.” So she grabs her fork and tries the first chip with cheese sauce. I look at her carefully, just to catch the exact moment she realises these are the best chips ever. And I can’t help the smile on my lips when I see her eyes widening and a little smile appearing on her own lips as she nods in appreciation. “You weren’t lying. Oh my God, these are amazing!”

“Told ya.” With a laugh, I grab my own fork and start eating.

We keep a casual conversation, no more awkward silence as we keep eating and drinking. We even ask for more juice. It’s a nice conversation, we laugh and I see her getting really passionate about it, talking even faster with wide opens. But we don’t talk about personal stuff. I don’t get to know her more. We don’t talk about ourselves, we talk about sports. We talk about all those games we’ve watched, about the last world cup and how we’re dying for the Brazil World Cup this year.

I don’t really mind that this is our topic, to be honest, I love football, but I wish I could get to know her, but I can’t gather the courage to ask her about herself. Although it’s a bit easier to talk to her as time goes by, I’m still nervous and I hate myself for that reason. I want to get over all this and to be blunt, but I guess I am a pathetic player after all.

We finish our chips and the topic is getting a bit tired already, and although I don’t really want to, I offer to drive her to her room on the campus. So I get to ride with her on my bike one more time before it’s time to say goodbye.

“Well,” she starts when we’re in front of her building. “It was really nice and I did love the chips.”

“Witchcraft, I tell you.” She giggles with that remark again. “But I’m glad you liked it.”

“Yes, and thanks for what you did before, back there in the bar with Connor.” I shrug to say it wasn’t a big deal although I don’t really want to think about the consequences. “Still, thank you.”

“No problem, Robin.”

She smiles sweetly at me with the helmet still in her hands, kind of playing with it. “I guess I see you around, then.” I nod even when I don’t think she’ll notice me again. Despite what happened, I don’t think I did a great impression. “Goodnight, Louis.”

Before I can say goodnight to her too, she takes two steps closer and kisses my cheek, startling me. And then she hands me my helmet to turn on her heels and walk away next. I blink in surprise, feeling my own heart racing at such a small gesture.

I’m really pathetic, but I honestly don’t care right now. I can’t stop smiling now. Whatever the consequences for what I did are, they are worth it after this.

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Dedication to @xxPerfect_Hope. I'm really glad you like the time I take to develop my characters.

Bel, xx