The Dark Days

Chapter 42

"Peyton?" I rolled over and opened one eye to find myself still on the couch, in a fitfully sleeping Louis's arms. Niall was stood in front of me, looking down at us questioningly.

"Just a second." I was sat up now, Louis's outstretched arms reaching around aimlessly at the feeling of my missing presence. I reached my hand out and laid it flat against his shoulder, applying slight pressure, watching as his face relaxes, followed by the rest of his body.

"Wow." Niall spoke, looking at me in awe, making me blush and look away. "You really have a way with him, even unconsciously he knows it's you and calms down. That's amazing. He's like a baby being soothed by his mother's touch." I smiled up at him before standing in front of him.

"What did you need?" I finally asked.

"Will I wasn't sure if that was you so I wanted to see and I kind of need someone to talk to."

"Alright! Well let's go somewhere a bit more private to talk okay?" Niall nodded and lead me back to his room , apologizing for the mess and taking a seat on his bed.

"Niall, what's on your mind? You just aren't acting right today." I spoke first, sitting next to him, keeping a comfortable distance and reaching over to lightly hold his forearm. He looked down at my hand and I brought it back to my side, figuring he didn't want me to touch him for some reason. "Sorry." I laid down on my back and looked over at him, as he looked down at me.

"No its fine, I didn't mind your hand on me. I'm acting different because my girlfriend broke up with me the other night. That is also why I couldn't sleep. I was too busy thinking." He looked in my eyes, his filled with unshed tears and sadness. "What did I do wrong? What's wrong with me?" He plopped down next to me and then rolled over, placing himself on me, head nuzzled in my neck and I felt his hot tears hit my neck.

"Hey, don't cry. Niall, look up at me please." He did so slowly, not bothering to remove his arms from around me to wipe his cheeks. "Nothing is wrong with you. You would be a perfect boyfriend and she is missing out by not being with you. Okay?" He nodded and let me reach up and wipe his wet cheeks. His eyes closed as I wiped beneath them and then ran my hands through his hair, applying pressure and silently encouraging him to lay back down on me.

"Thank you." He croaked out, staying there for a few more minutes as I ran my hands through his hair, across his back, and over the side of his face that was visible to me. Eventually, he stood and excused himself to go shower and clean-up. I left his room and gave him some privacy.

When I entered the living room Zayn was coming around the corner from the staircase and Louis was writhing around on the couch, again blindly reaching for something he couldn't find. I knew the drill, but I wanted Louis to wake up this time, he had been sleeping for a while and would want to be up for a bit before eating supper, which I needed to start figuring out.

"Louis, wake up." I gently shook his shoulder, making his eyes shoot open. For a brief moment they were wide and worried but he recognized me and relaxed, a lazy smile gracing his face. "Morning sunshine! Supper will be soon!" I laughed, ruffling his hair and standing up, then heading for the kitchen.

Zayn had beaten me in there, exiting the living room while I was still occupied with rousing Louis from his slumber. He simply nodded at me and sat at the island, turning his body on the stool so he could look outside. I furrowed my eyebrows but went ahead and started looking around for something for us to have or supper.

"You know what? I'm ordering pizza." I was frustrated and my body felt heavy and tired. I called the delivery number and ordered a couple of large pizzas, hanging up the phone and putting it in my back pocket.