Happy Never After. (Sequel to I Will Survive)

Chapter 7.

Louis' POV

           

            Several years ago, before Scarlett, before One Direction, before the X-Factor, heck even before my final school exams; life was a lot less complicated. Things went right instead of wrong most of the time. I knew what was coming the next day but in this lifestyle it seems a spanner is constantly being thrown into the works. 'Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it' I'm trying my best but there is only so many ups and downs that one person can take. I wasn't willing to give up easily though, I've worked hard for everything I have right now, I'm not about to let all that slip out of my hands. That is one thing I can promise myself. I know promise is a big word, but I'm a big boy.

Scarlett had been staring at the blank TV screen in our silent apartment for almost an hour now. She hadn't moved, she hadn't spoken a single word, sometimes I even wondered whether she was actually breathing. But then I would see her blink putting my mind at ease. I sat in the kitchen, perched on a bar stool sipping the cup of tea which had gone cold over the period of time since I made it. I was too busy concentrating on Scarlett since I made it. I wanted to know what was going on in her mind. How was she coping? Or would she just give up; everything.

I knew the world was full of evil creatures but I was yet to meet one properly until today that is. Never have I met someone with such a flamboyant appearance but a stone cold heart. The phrase 'never judge a book by its cover' works both ways. When you meet someone for the first time you instantly get a vibe from them, you can't deny it. You either get a good vibe or a bad one. Sometimes it can be wrong, but in this instance it was completely right.

I couldn't sit and drink another mouthful of cold tea any longer. I placed my cup in the sink, washing away the cold liquid before running my hands through my hair and taking a hasty breath. I breathed out deeply before walking slowly, silently across the kitchen and towards the living room where Scarlett was still sat. I took a seat on the sofa next to her. She didn't flinch at my presence. She was concentrating, unaware of her surroundings. Her eyes looked scared, watery yet no tears felt. My hand subtly reached across to grasp hers. Her hand was ice cold, her fingers didn't retract around mine, which I hoped. I moved my other arm across my body and pressed it against her fingers, curling them around my other hand. She still didn't move, not even a lip bite or a quick glance across.

"Please talk to me,' I spoke quietly, looking straight at her. Her lip began to quiver. I thought she was going to cry but she didn't, she didn't do anything. I hadn't heard her speak in over an hour. I missed her voice. I squeezed my hand around hers tighter, offering my comfort. "Please,' I begged. I needed to know what was going through her mind. What she was thinking. I wanted to protect her. I wanted to be her knight in shining armour, her prince charming, her real life fairy-tale.

I watched intensely as her head finally turned and her eyes met my gaze. I could see the tears in her eyes and I knew she was doing everything and anything to keep them from falling. She didn't like showing weakness, no matter how many times I told her crying doesn't make you weak, she refuses to believe me. 'You don't get anywhere in life by being weak,' something which she confessed when she had a breakdown one night. I wanted to tell her how wrong she was but she wouldn't believe me. She was one of the strongest, if not strongest person I know.

"Louis, I'm scared,' her voice trembled as she spoke. Her words barely came out formed but I understood exactly what she said. As soon as the words left her mouth the tears struck her cheeks, falling freely, much to her dismay.

My arms swiftly pulled her into my grasp, holding her tight. "I'll protect you. I'll protect us" I whispered into her hair before kissing the top of her head. Her body was shaking within my arms which only upset me even more. This wasn't what I wanted. None of this was supposed to happen but we couldn't stop, she couldn't stop it.