Let's Pretend It's Love

“Louis, if you sing one more bloody Robbie Williams song, I’m going to hurt you.”

Louis couldn’t help but grin as Ivy glared at him while she cleaned the coffee pots of the small café they worked in together. They had locked up an hour ago and were just finishing up the last few closing chores before they could go home. Louis smirked at her; most girls would have leapt on him over just that devilish smile, but Ivy wasn’t most girls. “I thought you loved my singing?”

“Love is a strong word. Besides, I don’t really have a choice whether or not I hear you howling at the moon all night long.” Her head was still throbbing and the last thing she wanted to hear was more Robbie Williams, even if it was Louis and his incredible voice singing it.

“Ouch. That’s not what you said last night.” He said, setting down the broom and walking over to her, sitting on the counter. A smile tugged at his lips as he just watched her, she was focusing on those kettles like they were made of gold, trying to avoid his bright blue eyes. If she didn’t make eye contact she wouldn’t have to relive drunkenly flirting with him at the mixer. Thank God Emma and Elise were there to pull her away from him. She was pretty sure that from their description of her throwing herself on him that things would have gone much further than a hug if they hadn’t stopped her. She shuddered at the thought.

“I was also drunk last night.” She said quickly.

“Ah, and everyone’s always the most honest when they’re drink.” He chuckled. “Besides, you had what, three beers?”

“I’m not good with alcohol.” She admitted. “Ignore everything I said. And for the love of God, stop singing Robbie Williams.” He pouted at her but then bit back a smile and started sing again, his stunning voice filling the small café.

“And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead”

Ivy had to stop herself from swooning over his incredible voice as she kept her eyes on the kettles. No matter how good of a singer he was he was a smooth talking brat who always got his way.

“Don’t quit your day job.” She said. He grinned at her.

“What, and leave you Ivy love? I wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, I remembered you slurring something about me having the voice of an angel.” He hopped off the counter and took a step closer to her. “And the face of an angel.” Another step closer. “And the body of an angel.” She rolled her eyes, trying to focus on the task at hand instead of the adorable boy beside her. “And then you just plain called me an angel. And you wanted me to come up to bed with you, let’s not forget that-” She finally snapped and threw the entire kettle of cold water in his handsome little face; biting back a smile at his look of total shock.

Ivy couldn’t stand Louis Tomlinson; he was always getting away with anything he wanted simply because he was good at charming Melinda, their manager. Ivy on the other hand was always getting scolded for every little thing even though she worked twice as hard as he did. She just had to finish cleaning these stupid kettles and then she could go back to the sorority house and vent to Emma or Rhianne about how dreadful Louis was and yell at herself for letting herself get drunk enough to throw herself at Louis like that.

He sighed and pouted, hoping for a spot of sympathy, but her eyes were locked on the sink. He smiled weakly at her as he finished drying his hair with a small hand towel and picked up the broom, quickly resuming the sweeping where he’d left off. “So, if Robbie Williams is off the table, what singers do you like?”

“Ones that you don’t.” She answered simply. He sighed. He knew his mate Liam was dating one of the girls in her sorority, so she could probably tell him. He smiled as he attempted conversation again.

“So, are you doing anything tomorrow?” He asked knowing she didn’t have class all day on Sundays.

“Homework.” He held back a frustrated groan. She simply couldn’t stand him and he hated it. The birds always loved him and his shimmering blue eyes, but Ivy was uncrackable. Most might have given up, but Louis simply wasn’t a quitter. He bit his lip, thinking of some American tune Haz had shown him.

“When I walk on by, girls be looking like damn he fly
I pimp to the beat, walking on the street in my new lafreak, yeah
This is how I roll, animal print, pants outta control,
It's Redfoo with the big afro
And like Bruce Leroy I got the glow”

Ivy stared at Louis as he started dancing all over the place, looking like a complete idiot as he spun the broom around like a dance partner.

“Girl look at that body
Girl look at that body
Girl look at that body
I work out!
Girl look at that body
Girl look at that body
Girl look at that body
I work out!”

He danced his way over to her and grabbed her wrists, pulling her towards him. He moved her arms back and forth, making her body sway from side to side as he continued.

“When I walk in the spot,
This is what I see,
Everybody stops and they staring at me
I got passion in my pants and
I ain't afraid to show it, show it, show it, show it”

He locked his blue eyes with hers, a completely serious look on his face.

“I’m sexy and I know it!”

Despite everything Ivy couldn’t help but chuckle at how stupid Louis looked. He backed away from her, dancing like a moron again and belting something about looking at his body as she simply busted out laughing. He stopped, trying to feign shock.

“What?”

“You are definitely not sexy.” Louis grabbed his heart, acting as though she’d wounded him deeply.

“Harsh.”

“Hey, I think you should know it.” She laughed. But her joy was short lived as the smile fell from her face. “I should get going. Don’t want Melinda to yell at me for distracting her favorite.” She put the kettles away and quickly grabbed her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder.

“Oh, Ivy!” Louis hollered just before the door closed. She looked back and saw him digging around in his bag. She let out a long sigh and walked back inside just in time to see him pull her favorite red heels out of his backpack. He had a small smile on his face as he placed them in her hand. “You forgot these at the party last night. I had to fight them away from a drunken Beta girl, but I got them.” He cradled the shoes in his hand, offering them to her. She looked up at him as she cautiously stepped closer and snagged the heels from him.

“Thanks.”

“For you love? Anytime.” She pressed her lips together, giving a halfhearted wave before she stepped through the door and disappeared down the halls. She wanted to run, but her twisted ankle from the other night cried in protect if she tried going any faster than a slow walk. Why did he think that he could charm her like he did everyone else? She knew what a little brat he really was, and should have smacked him for grabbing her.

But she didn’t.

She stopped, running her thumb over the shoes. These were her favorite heels, and Louis had gotten them back for her. True, him insisting that she would get hurt if she stayed in them was the reason she’d taken them off in the first place, but it was still a sweet gesture. She let out a long sigh as she walked into the house and started for the stairs. She was hoping to avoid everyone, but Elise’s voice stopped her.

“You found your shoes!”

“Louis grabbed them for me.” She said simply. Elise had an unreadable expression on her face as Ivy looked at her friend.

“That’s the first time you’ve ever referred to him by just his name.” Ivy rolled her eyes.

“Sorry, the demon of the café found them for me.” She corrected quickly, making her way up the stairs before Elise could say anything else. She made her way to her and Emma’s room, flopping down on her bed and trying to get his beautiful blue eyes out of her head. He was a brat. A stupid, spoiled snob who was used to getting everything he wanted. Ivy was sure that the only reason he flirted with her was because he saw her as a challenge.

“Everything alright?” She looked over to see Rhianne leaning in the doorway. Ivy sighed, knowing Elise must have said something about how drunk she’d been yesterday.

“Yeah, Lou’s just being a bloody pain, that’s all.” Rhianne was quiet, but didn’t leave. Finally padding feet made their way over and Lola stuck her head into the door.

Is there a party in here I’m unaware of?” She joked, grinning.

“No, Ivy’s just mad because Lou’s being a wanker again.” Rhianne answered. Lola smiled devilishly, her green eyes glinting.

“You’re just put out because you know he thinks of you while he does it.” Ivy’s eyes grew wide as she threw her pillow and hit the redhead straight in the face.

“Sod off.” She growled, completely flushed.

“Oh come on Ivy, we all see the way he looks at you, the look of lust in his eyes. He’s been mad about you since freshman year.” Lola insisted. Rhianne nodded.

“Liam says he never shuts up about you.” Ivy pressed her hands to her face, a long groan escaping from between her fingers.

“No.” She said simply. Louis might think she was cute, but if she flirted back, while she was sober that is, he’d more than likely lose interest and find another bird to chase. Not that she would really care.

“You two would be cute together you know.” Lola said, smiling.

“You’re barmy; now please give me back my pillow.” Ivy extended one of her hands and Lola obliged, placing it in her palm. But a smile soon took over her face once more.

“Have nice dreams of your little Louis love.” She cooed.

“Get lost!” Ivy cried, trying to hide how red her face was. She pressed her pillow to her face and let out a long groan as the two girls left. She was never drinking again, that’s what she’d do. She couldn’t handle alcohol, so maybe if she just never drank she wouldn’t look like such a bloody idiot. She let out a long sigh as she sat up and turned on her telly to see Scooby Doo was on. She flushed again at the idea of inviting Louis to lay in her bed and watch this with her. She immediately changed the channel to some Historical program on London and buried her head in her pillow case.

No matter how sweet he was to her, no matter how many shoes he saved, Ivy hated Louis Tomlinson.

And that was never going to change.