Notes To Strangers | L.S.

Note three - Louis' POV

Louis walked the empty street, his eyes almost giving up on him. All he's done today was stare into nothing and feeling tired because he wants to cry, but he just can't.

He doesn't know where he's going but he finds a restaurant and it smells good and it's warm. He heard the chatter from a group of teens upfront making his mind snap awake and be more aware of his surroundings.

He didn't go in the restaurant, he wasn't hungry and eating would only make him feel worse. Specially when he doesn't even want to be here, breathing.

He sat on a small table in the front, a little far from the teens who spoke loudly. He wasn't annoyed at them, he hoped it would distract him from his mind but it kind of made it worse in a way. Having this reminder that he's all on his own and nobody really notices him.

He brought his arms into his chest, seeking for personal warmth but even his body wouldn't provide him that. He was always cold, always numb. Inside and out. It's one of the reasons people stopped talking to him, for talking without thinking and accidentally saying the wrong stuff. He doesn't even mean it that way either.

It's been a long time since he's had a proper conversation with someone, he thinks he even forgot how to. All he does is look away when somebody glances his way or mumble an apology if he bumps into someone. That's his social life recently.

It's better than receiving glares for saying something stupid and then thinking about it late at night. And better than talking too loud that when you shut up you realize how awkward it was.

Louis always hated how loud he is and how he can never shut up, but he somehow learned how to keep his thoughts to himself and now he can't speak his mind anymore.

He took in a deep breath realizing he was zoning off and forgot to. Everything gets to his head and it's so hard to feel alive lately.

His ears caught up to the sound of footsteps but he felt too tired to look around, the sound stopped and Louis noticed the person stopped in front of his table but still, he remained looking down at the floor in hope that the other would leave.

Only that they didn't and instead spoke up, "Hey". After zoning out for awhile, the sound of a closer voice made Louis flinch even if he was aware of the person. He decided he'd be a decent human and look up at the person, immediately catching their green eyes and long curly hair.

Louis stared confused waiting for the other to continue what he's gonna say, but the guy looked away and searched inside his pocket before taking out a folded note and placing it on the table.

Louis was curious about it but he didn't show it, it would be embarrassing. He looked back up to the green eyed boy only to see him smile and walk away. It was a weird sight for Louis. How he came from nowhere and just like that he walks away.

He didn't follow the other guy and instead focused on the note again. How it almost flies away with the wind but doesn't since it's not so strong.

This is all distracting, just a moment ago he was thinking about leaving everything and now he's curious about a folded paper. Everything is so messed up in Louis' life. He doesn't like any of it, all his experiences were bad and he hates himself for being so annoying and curious.

If only he could be like his past friends, all chill and quiet, only talking when directed and keeping his words short. But no, he always had to make a huge deal when speaking to someone. Moving his hands around and reenacting a scene. His friends always pointed it out and told him how stupid he looks.

He was never the same since then, it was stupid how quick he believed his friends. He knew he shouldn't have but he couldn't help it. He wanted to be like them and have others like him too and going quiet seemed like the easy way to that.

Once again, he realized he hasn't been breathing properly. He let out a sigh, blinking and eyeing the note again. He finally reached for it, his arm feeling numb from the cold and lack of movement, it almost hurt to move.

He unfolded it carefully, scared of whatever is inside. He read the message multiple times before realizing what it meant. Louis folded the note again, pushing it inside his jacket pocket.

He didn't know what to think about it, just that somebody noticed him and it was so obvious he's struggling, Louis found that embarrassing. He rested his head back against the wall, looking into the dark sky. It was hard to focus on the stars, they seemed so far away yet so close. But not even the stars could keep his mind away from the note.

The handwriting was tattooed on his brain and the message replayed in a loop until he finally got up and went back to his place. He couldn't sleep, but for the first time ever it wasn't because he was doing something stupid but because he was thinking of someone. Of someone and their little action that practically saved his life.

He knew it was cliche and something others wouldn't find so interesting. But that night was hell for Louis and he got a good distraction at the end of it. So he was thankful, even if it was a famous little quote, somebody looked at him and decided to share it with him. Thats all it took for his life to be saved. Just to be noticed.