Louis sat casually on the couch at the recording studio with a guitar in his lap. He had half of a phrase grasped tightly in his mind, he only wished he could finish it brilliantly. He tapped the pencil against the guitar impatiently as he racked his brain, begging for the words to suddenly come to him.

That was when Zayn and Harry came barging in the door with cheeky grins. Like that, the words were gone and any hope of retrieving his potential poetry had gone with it. Louis sighed and sat back on the couch, ready to give up for the day.

“Vas happenin?” Zayn asked as he and Harry laughed. Harry collapsed into the armchair next to the couch and Zayn leaned casually against the wall.

“I thought I had a stroke of genius but no such luck,” Louis sighed as he gently set down his guitar.

“Happens to the best of us. But Harry managed to have a stroke of genius last night,” Zayn smirked.

“I had a stroke alright,” Harry said as he wiggled his eyebrows. Zayn burst out laughing again and Louis managed an exhausted smile.

“Another date with...” Louis led off.

“Clarissa,” Harry answered with a smirk.

“Clarissa? El’s friend?” Louis asked.

“Yeah, I told you that,” Harry nodded.

“I also told you that you can’t date any more of Eleanor’s friends. It makes it hard on her to continue being a mate to you when you keep hitting and quitting her friends,” Louis said and Zayn snorted a laugh.

“It’s not my fault your girlfriend’s friends are so fit,” Harry defended.

“No, it is your fault that you have no self-control,” Louis rolled his eyes.

“It’s a bit late for that,” Zayn said facetiously and Harry shot him a glare.

“Hey, when it comes to the right girl I’ll settle down. I’m just sewing my wild oats until I find her,” Harry smiled.

Louis rolled his eyes, “Well stock up on oats somewhere else. Seriously, mate; I really don’t care who you plow. I’m just tired of hearing about it from El. It really bothers her y’know.”

“Alright I’ll stop, but just for you,” Harry winked.

“You guys are the best couple ever. Even your fights are cute,” Zayn sighed sarcastically and Louis threw a couch pillow at him.

“What are you lads up to?” Liam asked with an amused smile as he walked in the room.

“Oh just having a bit of a lovers spat,” Louis laughed.

“So you found out about Niall and Harry then?” Liam asked and the boys all laughed.

“No!” Louis said, his face suddenly becoming serious. “YOU SAID I WAS YOUR ONLY!” he shouted dramatically.

“I’m sorry, Lou. It was only one time I swear! And I was thinking of you the whole time!” Harry said as he struggled not to laugh, but it was no use.

“I’m so sure,” Louis nodded before finally cracking a smile. The boys laughed at how ridiculous they were as Liam collapsed on the couch next to Louis.

“Oh, hold on, it’s my mum,” Harry said as he pulled a buzzing cell phone out of his pants pocket. Harry left the room and pressed the answer button quickly.

“Hello?”

“Harry? It’s mum.”

“Yeah, how are you today?”

“Good, son, thanks. How’s recording the new album?”

“Well Louis is going nuts trying to write this one song but other than that it’s going pretty well,” Harry shrugged.

“Good to hear. It’s hard for me to imagine Louis trying to be serious about anything,” Anne chuckled.

“I know, it’s really put a shock to our systems,” Harry joked.

“Anyway, I was calling to see if there was anyway you could make it home this weekend.”

Harry sighed heavily, “I don’t know, mum. I was just home for Christmas and things around here have been pretty stressful around the studio.” That was a half-lie. Things had been stressful but not for him, he was just hoping to see Clarissa one more time that weekend.

“What if I told you I had a surprise waiting?” Anne asked and Harry’s eyebrows shot up. His mother knew exactly how to keep him intrigued.

“What kind of surprise?”

“A big one. One that you’ll be sorry you missed out on if you’re not home for dinner Saturday night,” Anne smirked.

“Hmm,” Harry hummed thoughtfully. “Can I invite the lads?”

“Of course! The boys are always welcome here!”

“Well I don’t know who all will come, but I’ll definitely drag Lou along with me.”

“Like I said dear, they’re all welcome. Just make sure you give me a final head-count so I know who all I’m cooking dinner for,” Anne warned.

“Will do, mum.”

“Love you, son.”

“Love you too.” The two said quick goodbyes before hanging up. Harry walked back into the room and saw Niall was now on the couch with Louis and Liam.

“What did your mum have to say?” Louis asked.

“She wants me to come spend the weekend at Holmes Chapel,” Harry shrugged. “You lot are invited to join as well, if you’re free.”

“I’ll go!” Louis piped.

“I’m not doing anything,” Zayn shrugged.

“I already promised I’d take Sam out. I can’t back out of it, sorry mate,” Liam sighed.

“S’alright,” Harry shrugged. “How about you, Horan?”

“Already promised my dad I’d be out for the weekend. Hop on a plane Friday morning and I won’t be back until Monday afternoon,” Niall shrugged.

“Looks like it’s the three of us then,” Zayn shrugged.

“When are you planning on leaving, Haz?” Louis asked.

“I was thinking around noon on Saturday. Gives us plenty of time. And we can come back Sunday afternoon or Monday morning, whichever you prefer,” Harry shrugged.

“Monday,” Zayn piped. “Perrie’s been about to scratch my eyeballs out lately. I figure distance will make the heart grown fond again.”

“Stressed about the upcoming tour?” Liam asked.

“Unbelievably,” Zayn rolled his eyes. “I’m actually starting to worry about her a bit.”

“Maybe a few days away from London will do us all some good,” Louis shrugged, trying to remain optimistic.

“Always does,” Harry nodded.

Harry loved that his mum and step-dad still lived in their house in Holmes Chapel; it gave him a reminder of where he came from with every visit. It kept him humble, or at least kept his head from growing too large.

But Harry’s mind mulled over what surprise could possibly be waiting for him at home. He replayed his last few conversations with his mum in his head and wondered. One thing was certain: it would bother him until he showed up on Saturday and figured out exactly what it was.