After what felt like forever the booming crowd in the bakery was finally decreasing and Niall and Aria got a minute to breathe properly. The whole morning over new customers had come running in every two seconds. Niall couldn't remember the last time a Wednesday has been this stressful but he would never complain. He loved his work even on days like today full of stress and barely any time to think.

When he was about to clean the counter the bakery's phone started ringing. Niall dropped his cloth and picked it up because he was quicker than Aria, who came running out of the back hastily. "Luca's Paradise, Sanchéz, how may I help you?".

"Niall, Hi. It's Andrew" greeted Andrew him surprisingly.

"Hey, what's up? Didn't you want to stop by today?" crinkled Niall his forehead in confusion.

"About that ... I won't be able to make it. I have so much on my plate today that I can't stop by even for a second. I wish I could. I'm sorry, Nono. Something happened and ... Shit, be careful, H" rambled Andrew guiltily before he suddenly averted his attention on something or someone else, who had let something crash to the floor so loudly Niall winced at the shrill sound in his ear.

"No, it's okay, Andy. I understand. You have a company to run and this requires all of your time. We see each other another day and ... Wait, is Harry with you?" realised Niall suddenly who Andrew had been talking to when he thought to hear Harry's voice in the background.

"Um yes ... he ... err ... suddenly showed up a few days ago and wanted to talk" stuttered Andrew nervously because he has been caught.

"Do you know why he is with you out of a sudden? I thought you're not that close" questioned Niall sceptically.

"No" lied Andrew dubiously.

"Huh, okay. Is he staying any longer? I'm just wondering because we had something planned as a group and I need to know if he will be there" showed Niall Andrew how to lie believably. Something was off here.

"I really don't know. I'm not in his head. Sorry, I gotta go now. Have to run. I'm already late. Bye, Niall" ended Andrew the call fishy.

"So, Harry is with Andrew?" concluded Aria out loud when Niall kept staring at the silent phone.

"Yes, looks like it but he wouldn't tell me why and when he might come back. He was lying to me and did a terrible job, I'm telling ya" confirmed Niall troubled.

"Should we tell Louis about this?" wondered Aria unsure.

"That the guy he loves and only fucked him to leave in the morning pissed off to his cousin for no reason at all? The cousin he isn't really close to and is lying to us? What are we supposed to tell him? That Andrew covers for him and probably knows that Harry is hiding there from him?" talked Niall himself into a rage.

"You know this is not true, Nialler" lay Aria her hand on Niall's shoulder soothingly.

"I know" sighed Niall out to calm down. "I'm just exhausted and worried about Louis' well-being. So much that I explode way too quickly. At least, we know now that Harry is alive and still in the same city".

"I understand. We're all tense and every little detail can make us snap out of the sudden and we say things we don't mean. Just don't say any of that in Louis' presence. He is fragile right now and holds onto the thought of Harry having a good reason to leave and maybe he actually does. We can't know that until he's back. Until then we have to support Louis and not piss him off by attacking him, okay?" smiled Aria encouragingly at him.

"You're right. Thanks, Ari" smiled Niall back at her.

"No problem".

When their shift was finally over they left and met up with their friends in town by a little fountain. Everyone was here, even Louis ... except for Zayn. He had texted Niall he wouldn't make it but Niall knew Zayn couldn't face Louis today after what apparently happened between them yesterday. Zayn's depressing text was present in Niall's head and he wondered what line Zayn had crossed and how bad it could be if he assumed their friendship could be actually over. That was impossible to even think of until now but Zayn sounded so sure. Was it really over for Zouis?

"You want some?" offered Niall Louis some candy.

At first, Louis hesitated like always but then he actually took some and faced the water of the park's lake again where they had ended up at after getting some drinks and food. "Thanks, Nialler".

"You're welcome" replied Niall a bit tense, studying Louis' posture. Something was bothering him. "What's wrong, Tommo? You wanna tell me what's on your mind?".

"Today was the audition for the school's musical" replied Louis directly, taking Niall by surprise.

"Oh, how did that go?" asked Niall timidly, knowing this could go two ways from here.

"Quite alright?" glanced Louis shortly at him, letting out a deep sigh. "I'm not sure. The kids were amazing but it was hard to keep the memories at bay, at first. With every new line and every dance move they made I was reminded of my audition. Casting the lead roles was okay but when we got to the dance auditions I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it through them, if I'm being honest with you".

"Understandable. You can only do ...".

"But I made it" cut Louis him off accidentally, not really hearing what he was saying because he seemed to be talking more to himself or letting all of his thoughts out in the open for once in his life in Niall's presence. "I managed to get through it and enjoy it even. The kids have a lot of talent and I'm privileged enough to watch them blossom".

"That's wonderful, Louis" had Niall to hold back some tears.

"Thanks. I never thought this would be possible but every time I felt like giving up I repeated his words in my head and it worked out perfectly. He might be not here right now but he was with me anyway" stared Louis into the distance dreamily.

Niall didn't have to ask who he was talking about. He knew Louis meant Harry. There was no other way. But instead of diving into that topic, Niall decided to ask the question that was burning on his tongue the whole time. "If it all went good, what is amazing, don't get me wrong, but ... why were you so tense?".

"After the audition one of my students, Jayden, came over to me and thanked me for the amazing time and the chance I've given him. He is the lead dancer now, you know? He's very talented. But um ..." trailed Louis off shakily.

"What is it, Louis?" grew Niall concerned. Louis looked as if he has seen a ghost.

"He told me one day he'd like to be as good as I have been at his age" revealed Louis to him shockingly, making Niall tense up at the mere idea of what that could mean. "Then he left like nothing ever happened".

"I don't know what to say" was Niall speechless.

"Me neither. I stood there dumbfounded for a solid five minutes, not knowing what to do. Jayden knows about me and my past. I don't know why I never considered the possibility of that happening to me one day. Of course, young dancers could know about me. My career hasn't vanished from the internet just because I disappeared. It's just ... I didn't expect this one bit. He sounded so genuinely happy to have me as his teacher. Like I am his ... you know" let Louis everything out that was swimming through his mind.

"His idol, yeah" understood Niall what he was unable to say. "This occurs sometimes, Louis. New dancers might find your old competition videos or other stuff and admire you for your talent. It's funny that this happened today though. Any chance Jayden has an older brother?".

"No idea. Why?" frowned Louis in confusion.

"Because Zayn's last client yesterday was a young dancer named Jordan, who mentioned you? I thought you knew that" said Niall before he could stop himself, wanting to slap himself right after because of how stupid he was.

"No, we don't necessarily talk at the moment" mumbled Louis more to himself, not revealing how he felt about this.

"Yeah, I know. The fight. Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned him" hung Niall his head low in shame.

"No, it's ... I wouldn't call it a ... It's a bit tricky ... I just ..." stumbled Louis over his words helplessly. "I know Zayn meant good and he would never hurt me purposely. I also know he can be quite overprotective of me sometimes and go a bit overboard with it and until now it was never a problem because I didn't want anyone new close to me but ... With Harry it's different. Zayn has always been suspicious and ready to kick him out of my life as soon as he gets the chance. Which doesn't mean he doesn't like him. It's just complicated. Zayn is so used to protecting me that he gets lost in it and goes too far at times. Yesterday, for example. I just need some quiet and peace today but he could have come by, you know? I never wanted him to feel like he has to stay home today".

"He thinks your friendship is over" blurted Niall out thoughtlessly.

"What?!" exclaimed Louis in shock. "No, it's not. Why would he think that? We simply disagreed and it got a bit ... weird? I know he knows he went too far. It's okay. We need some time to cool off but I could never live without him".

"I'm glad to hear this. I could never live in a world without your annoying friendship" cracked Niall a joke to ease the tension.

"Or a world without Sean" changed Louis the topic way too obvious but Niall could understand why.

"He's a very decent lad. We're good friends. It would be weird without him" cleared Niall his throat awkwardly.

"Good friends don't wanna jump each other, Nialler" cackled Louis childishly.

"Louis!" gasped Niall indignant.

"Sorry, but it's written on your face. You want him but don't worry. He wants you just as much" winked Louis exaggeratedly at him.

"My dick, huh?" tried Niall to act cool but he wanted to know what Louis knew. Was it just sex?

"Yes, but also the weird rest of you. Don't know why but, hey" mocked Louis him teasingly.

"You nasty little shit" started Niall tickling him mercilessly.

"No, please. Stop. Mercy" pleaded Louis laughingly.

"Don't kill him, Noe. I won't visit you in jail" came Sean walking over to them.

Automatically, Niall stopped what he was doing, earning a smug grin from Louis, who stood up to greet Sean before leaving them alone. Now Niall suddenly grew nervous. Had Sean heard their conversation? Hopefully not or Niall would drop dead on the spot.

"Any reason to torture your friend like this?" sat Sean down next to Niall on the bench.

"He was being a little shit" shrugged Niall tensely.

"So nothing new" grinned Sean brightly at him.

"No" sighed Niall out dreamily but then shook himself out of this trance. "Had fun with the girls?".

"And Liam" added Sean cheekily. "But yes, we had. Kayla and Aria were taking pictures from all of us for some montage or whatever. Probably already for Àmber's birthday in September".

"But it's only the end of May" pointed Niall out matter-of-factly.

"And? The more the better. Like this, it isn't so obvious what they are doing" explained Sean to him curtly.

"Good point".

Why the hell was he so nervous in Sean's presence? Could Louis be right again? Did Niall actually have a crush on Sean and vice versa even? All Niall knew was that he liked talking to Sean and he liked his humour and how easy-going he was and how loyal and kind he was on top of being a picture-perfect friend and oh-so-handsome. Well, okay. Maybe he had a crush on him for real.

"You there?" waved Sean a hand back and forth in front of Niall's face.

"Sorry. I zoned out for a moment" blushed Niall totally embarrassed.

"I noticed. Don't worry. Happens to the best of us. Anything or anyone in particular that made you go all dreamy eyes?" hooked Sean strangely.

"Maybe. What about you? Is there anyone? You never told me" directed Niall the question right back at him.

"There might actually be someone" started Sean to smile.

"Really? Who? Tell me about them" urged Niall him way too harsh but he couldn't help the upcoming jealousy.

"He is very funny and talented and pretty. He is shorter than me and has really nice eyes. Blue and ...".

"Is it Louis?" cut Niall him off abruptly.

"What? No! He's meant for Harry anyway and only a good friend" clarified Sean almost outraged.

"Could have been. Louis is a catch" turned Niall bright red in the face.

"Maybe but he isn't the only catch in our group" stared Sean ahead of himself, avoiding eye contact.

"Our group? So, it's really one of us" stated Niall dumbly.

"Yes. And maybe Louis actually has nice eyes but my special someone has fascinating eyes. So special and two-coloured" revealed Sean to him fidgety.

Shocked, Niall froze in his spot. He was the only one who had two different coloured eyes in their group. He was funny and shorter than Sean as well. Did he just admit to liking Niall? For real?

"Me?" breathed Niall out barely audible.

"Niall, can you come over for one second? Please, it's important" called Maribel over to them, tearing them out of their own little world but Niall could swear he had seen Sean nod his head. Did he imagine that?

"Sure" answered Niall dizzily.

With a sigh, Niall stood up and made his way over to the rest of them for whatever reason they needed him. This has been the worst timing ever. Niall felt sad and disappointed and just ...

"And, Noe?" called Sean after him.

"Yes?" turned Niall around to him again in a flash, almost getting whiplash.

"I would definitely visit you in jail" admitted Sean with red-tinted cheeks.

And Niall's heart might have jumped at that.

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Question of the Chapter: Why is Harry with Andy and why is Andy lying to them?