Paper Hearts (Book Five)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

No one wants you when you have no heart and

I'm sitting pretty in my brand new scars and

You'll never know if you don't ever try again, so let's try

"Jesus christ you've gotten old." Was the first thing Louis said to me as he sat down at the diner table.

"That's the first thing you say to me, after three years? No wonder why we stopped talking." I rolled my eyes, but I still smiled at my friend. Louis just grinned back, running a hand through his hair.

"Where's the penguin?" Louis asked, looking around the diner for our youngest friend.

"Don't know yet." I said, also looking for Luke.

"Well how have you been? How's Niall and A.J.?" Louis asked, giving up on looking for Luke. He was happier than I remembered, it was a nice change.

"I've been great, same with Ni and A.J. Its been pretty hectic back at home though with four kids and all... What about you? What've you been up to?" Louis continued to smile as he pulled out his wallet. Inside his wallet was a family portrait that looked rather recent. It was of Louis and Calum plus three kids. I was able to recognize Rayden, but the other two I had no idea.

"Wow... You guys look great." I said, handing Louis back the picture.

"Yeah... This one is Benjamin and this is Carter." Louis pointed at the two other boys, a very fond smile on his face. I assumed it was my turn to pull out the picture of my family, Louis' eyes widening comically as he saw the kids.

"They all look like you. Christ." Louis said. I chuckled as I nodded, smiling fondly at the picture.

"I guess so.... they all look like Niall to me." I said, shrugging. I named off all the kids before Luke finally showed up.

"Sorry I'm late. Brenna didn't want to stay with Michael. What'd I miss?" He asked, trying to catch his breath.

"Nothing really. Just Louis and I showing off our kids." I said, pushing the picture in my hands over to Luke.

"Christ. They look like you." Luke chuckled, handing me back the picture. That was how most of the lunch went, the three of us catching up on what had happened in the par three years. Luke was trying with Michael again, that was part of the reason why he'd moved back. Louis and Cal had moved a few towns over for Lou's job and for a better school district for Rayden. I hadn't realized how badly I missed my friends until today, and I was silently praying that I wouldn't have to leave.

"Holy shit... Is that Ashton over there?" Louis suddenly said, looking over my head. I flinched at the mere mention of Ashton, really not wanting anything to do with him. Neither Luke nor Louis knew anything about what had happened between Ashton and I over the past few years.

I wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

"Yeah... Since when did Ashton have a kid?" Luke said, also looking over the top of my head. I figured I might as well look, avoiding eye contact with Ashton as I looked at Laci. This was the first time I had seen her in over three years.... and she looked completely different. Her once vibrant green eyes were now brown, her dark brown hair now fading into more of a blonde. She met eyes with mine, curiosity filling them. I wondered if she remembered who I was...

"Shit he's coming over." Louis said, but was quick to smile at Ashton as he practically dragged Laci over to our table. He smiled sweetly at us all.

"Hi guys. How are you?!" Ashton asked, his voice over excited and it made us all cringe. Louis and Luke mumbled how they were while I continued to stare at Laci.

She didn't look a thing like me anymore.

She didn't look like Ashton either...

So who did she look like?

"Laci, you remember Harry don't you?" Ashton asked the nine year old girl, gesturing towards me. I made no acknowledgement towards him, wanting absolutely nothing to do with him. Laci shook her head, biting her lip before hiding behind Ashton. She was still looking at me though, her brown eyes almost pleading.

Pleading for what though?

"Well as much fun as it was seeing you boys, Laci and I have to be going. I'll call you later Harry." Ashton smiled at me, kissing my cheek softly before walking away. Laci was dragging her feet, looking at us over her shoulder. I didn't relax until they were both out of sight.

"I wonder who her dad is..." Louis said, taking a sip of his drink. Luke nodded in agreement, tapping his fingers on the table. I didn't say anything, looking out the window as if I was going to see them again.

"If I didn't know any better I would say she was Alex's." Luke said, meaning for it to be an after thought...

But it stuck in my head.

It stuck in my head when we said goodbye.

It was still there when I got home.

It was even still there when I lay awake that night with Niall right beside me.

What if she really was Alex's?

Then why would Ashton say she was mine?

And then it makes sense, at nearly two in the morning.

"That f ucking prick."

---------------------------------

Oh how interesting.

Louis is alive and well.

So is Luke.

I don't know if Ashton's gonna last much longer ;)

We shall seeeeeeeee

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Connie xx