The sudden chill of unfamiliar sheets jolted me awake, fear tightening in my chest. Disoriented, I blinked against the dim light. What day was it? What time?
I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand, the screen illuminating the time: 9:03 AM. Monday. School. A wave of recollection washed over me—Louis’ house. But where *was* he?
A small note, tucked under the phone, read: “Office. Help yourself to clothes. Food’s in the kitchen.”
I sprang from the bed and hurried to his closet, pulling out a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt. They weren't mine, but they felt…right. I rushed out of the house, leaving a trail of discarded clothes on the floor, and ran towards school, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
---
After the last students had filed past, my mates and I sprawled on the steps, basking in the late morning sun. Most of them were already bickering over some minor grievance, but Niall, my best friend, looked at me with a knowing smile.
“Where’d you disappear to yesterday, Styles?”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I scrambled for a lie. “I…”
“I saw him head into the Bachelor’s house!” another boy called out, grinning.
Niall tugged at the collar of the shirt I was wearing, his touch sending a shiver through me. “Well, you’ve got new clothes.”
“He’s teaching me football, I stayed late practicing. Wasn't worth going home." I squeaked, desperate to see Louis. All I wanted was to be with him.
“What a creep, isn’t he, like thirty?” one of the others asked.
“Twenty-five,” I corrected, but my voice was barely audible.
“And you’re fifteen. That’s weird.”
“You guys wanted me to make the team. That's all. I’m not even a fag.” I blurted out, trying to sound confident.
“Speaking of fags, anyone got any?” a dark-haired boy drawled as he walked past our group.
“Only me!” Niall responded with a flamboyant wave.
The boy shook his head and continued walking, leaving us to our usual banter.
Once the bickering subsided, Niall looked me up and down, his gaze piercing.
“You’d tell me if something was going on, right?”
“Of course, Ni.” I turned to leave, a sudden wave of desperation washing over me. “I gotta go.”
I didn't look back as I walked towards my house, the weight of my secret pressing down on me.