You're Still the One (Louis Tomlinson) (FINISHED!)

Chapter 24: Something Changes

Work passed and I was finally able to work on the floor instead of just the registers. Needless to say it was a welcomed change. I got off at seven and when I got to Louis’ I let myself in with the spare key he left in the same place I left mine. I walked in, grabbed something to eat and fixed my hair and makeup. I had texted him on my way over in the cab and he said he would be home around eight. It was 7:30 now so I snuggled in his bed, being enveloped by his smell. I was very tired and after a few minutes it was all I could do not to fall asleep. Just as I was dozing off I heard his door open and voices. Plural. I sat up wondering who was with him. It sounded female. I heard them walk into the living room where I knew I would be able to hear their voices better.   I wasn’t sure what to do. Do I go out there and let him know I’m here, or do I stay back in the bedroom so I don’t interrupt anything and keep the surprise.

“I want you to know I’ll always be here for you, no matter what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future,” he said softly

Who is he talking to?

“I know…I just need some time to figure things out about myself,” came the female voice sounding nonchalant.

“You don’t have to sugar coat things. Not with me,” he said in that same soft but not more firm tone.

“I just…I really hate myself,” she said sounding like she was about to cry. I got out of bed thinking if he was condoling a friend, maybe I could help. She sounded really upset. I walked out to the living room where I saw his back was turned to me and a pretty bleach blonde sitting across him but with little distance between them. She glanced up and saw me but didn’t say anything.

“Don’t ever hate yourself, ever. I will always be here for you to remind you how lovely you are. Because…well…I love you,” Louis said and hesitated for a minute before she kissed him, looking straight at me.

          I froze. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to move or how to think or how to breathe. I must have made some sort of sound, and Louis turned around to see me, his face contorted in terror. “Jovi! I didn’t know you were here, it isn’t what it looks like, I promise!” I didn’t know what to do but I ran. I ran as fast as I could with my boot on, and I got in that elevator and closed the doors before he was able to get there. I heard angry yelling, but couldn’t hear anything specific. The doors opened and I bolted again. I knew I wasn’t supposed to put a whole lot of strain on my ankle, and it was starting to kill me, but I kept running. I ran all the way home, but I knew Louis would follow me and I didn’t want to talk to him. I knocked on Liam’s door. He answered it and asked, “Jovi, why are you crying?” I wasn’t even aware I was, but I wiped the tears away and asked, “Could I hide in here for a little bit?”

          Liam ushered me in and I sat down on his light blue couch as he made me a cup of strong tea. I told him all about what happened, and he listened intently.

“Maybe you should hear him out, maybe it really wasn’t what it looked like,” he offered.

We heard a muffled knocking from the hall and Louis’ voice saying, “Jovi open up, I want to talk to you!” we heard metal clanking together and it was obvious he got my spare key from my door frame and walked into my empty flat. I got up and said, if he comes over, please don’t tell him I’m here. I don’t want to talk to him right now,”

Sure enough a few minutes later there was a knock on Liam’s door. I went and hid in the bathroom. Liam opened the door and Louis walked in saying, “Is Jovi here, I need to talk to her,”

“What’s wrong, mate?” Liam asked. I knew why he asked it, he wanted me to hear, even though I just wanted to be far away from Louis. For the first time since meeting Louis Tomlinson I didn’t want to be around him. When I saw them kiss something inside me snapped. It was like everything I trusted him with fell. Like they were all floating freely and beautifully in space but then the gravity got turned on and everything plummeted into nothingness.