Look After You

Ch 19: I missed you more than coffee

Claire's POV 

I sat in the limousine, clutching my best friend's hand. I'd gotten more nervous as we approached the One Direction mansion. What if Louis didn't want me back? 

"And then she walked up to me and-" I tuned out Sara' s endless chattering, it was only making me more nervous. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing having my best friend back, considering I thought she hated me. But now I only wanted one other thing... Louis. 

"Claire," Sara whispered. She'd successfully bored the boys, they were "busy" on our phones, doing god knows what. She looked up at me concerningly. 

"I know that you're nervous but don't worry. I'm sure that he wants you back. After all, you're pretty amazing." Right I'd forgotten how we had that connected minds thing. "And if he doesn't, you can just screw Zayn." I looked over at the bored Bradford Bad Boy. Man, he was shmexy. 

"Thanks mi amiga, but I'm pretty sure that Lily would painfully torture me if I messed with Zayn." 

Sara squeezed my hand reassuringly and turned back to focusing on Niall. I could tell that she'd fallen hard for that annoying Irish leprechaun, and I found that quite adorable. 

"Hey Niall," I said. He looked up and frowned at me, but smiled when he saw Sara. Ouch, I see how it is. 

"You don't have Sara's Twitter, do you?" He shook his head and I continued talking, ignoring Sara's hissed threats. 

"It's @saraforever. You should totally follow her." Niall started typing on his phone and I could focus on the pint-sized fury that was currently strangling my hand. 

"Yesss?" I asked, trying to sound somewhat innocent... and failing. 

"I cannot believe you just did that, " Sara hissed. She slouched down and glared at the window. Sara was super insecure about her relationships and she would take forever to get into a relationship, so she just needed a push from yours truly. 

"Relax mi amiga. Niall totally likes you, it's painfully obvious to the rest of us." Sara's face turned bright red and as she tried to form a retort, my phone buzzed. 

@NiallOfficial: Spending the day with a beautiful girl, @saraforever :) oh yeah... and @claireforever

That Irish boy was going down. 

@claireforever: Watch it Horan. I know you like my bff. 

@NiallOfficial: So what if I do? 

@saraforever: Stop it! You guys are acting like you are 3 years old! 

I put my phone away and was amused to see Liam yelling at Niall. 

"You do not mention that you like someone on Twitter! Uncle Simon barely gave Lou permission to date and I highly doubt that he'll give you permission." Wow, Liam was seriously pissed. But why? It could be that he was upset that he and Danielle had broken up. 

"Liam, relax," Sara soothed. "Niall meant no harm and since the fans know about Claire and Niall's teasing, that's all it looked like." Liam relaxed and Sara smiled. Crisis diverted. For now. The limo pulled    into the 1D mansion driveway and stopped. I started to hyperventilate. We were here and Louis was in there. 

Fml. 

"Claire, you wait in the car until we can convince Lou, k?" Liam asked. I nodded and watched, as if I was watching tv, Sara let go of my hand and whispered words to me that I didn't hear. I was frozen and couldn't move. Harry, Liam, and Zayn got out of the limo first, and then Niall took Sara's hand and helped her out of the car. The unfrozen part of my mind was cooing at how cute they were, but the rest of my mind was on autopilot. 

They were barely out of the car when Louis, my Louis, came running out of the house. He was only wearing sweatpants, nothing on top, and my heart shattered...again. I wanted him to be mine again. 

"Where the hell have you been?" Louis yelled, mostly at Harry. "I called and texted you and none of you replied." He turned to a sheepish Liam, who was cowering next to sleepy Zayn. "Even goddamn Daddy Direction didn't pick up! I was this close to calling Uncle Simon!" He finally noticed Sara, who was half hiding behind Niall, but was still holding his hand. Niall pulled Sara closer and kissed her head. She must've been terrified, watching your idol acting like an insane idiot. 

"And who are you?" Louis asked, in his most snotty voice. God, he could be a Sass Master when he wanted to be. 

"This is Sara," Niall said in his thick accent, holding her close. Louis gave her his iciest look and it was all I could do to not run out there and slap Louis. She was already fragile enough as it is, the last thing she needs to have the Sass Master from Doncaster be a total jerk. 

"We met once on Skype. But you probably don't remember. I'm Claire's best friend," Sara said, staring at Louis, refusing to let his attitude scare her away. 

"Oh, you're Sara. Why are you here? I thought you were mad at Niall for sleeping with your best friend," Louis said, smirking at Niall. 

"Listen, Claire was only trying to help Niall out. He was nervous about our Skype date and he wanted help with his outfit. He got stuck while trying on a shirt and Claire was trying to help him when you walked in. Believe me, she would never do that to you, she cares about you far too much." 

He crossed his arms, refusing to show any emotion. "Where is she?" 

Liam turned towards the limo and beckoned to me. Crap. I guess now would be a good time for me to unfreeze. I somehow managed to open the door and walk over to the little group. I avoided looking at Louis and instead stared at the ground. 

"Claire," Louis said in his angelic accent. " I suppose that I was wrong. I miss you." His voice broke and I  looked at him, really looked at him for the first time. He looked exhausted, with bags under his eyes and  I thought I saw a tear in the corner of his eye. 

Sometimes life gives you a choice...to do something or to not. And right now I had the choice to either forgive Louis or walk away. I could've thought about it, told him I needed time, or just left. But I didn't need to think about it... for once in my life. 

I threw myself at Louis. Literally. He caught me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I clung to him, refusing to let go. "I missed you more than coffee," I whispered. Louis laughed and pulled me closer. 

Life was good.