One Direction's Keeper

Chapter twenty - Six Months

It had been six months.

Six months since the funeral.

Six months since Louis had a mental break down.

Six months since Rachel Smith had lost her battle with cancer.

And in those six months, everything changed for Louis.

He slipped into s a deep depression, isolating himself from the outside world, not letting anyone in, and it had truly taken it's tole on his life.

Louis kept himself locked in his bedroom all day and night, not allowing anyone past the barrier of mahogany chest of draws that kept his bedroom door shut.

His family had to leave soon after the funeral, to get back to their own lives back in Doncaster as there was clearly no more they could do for Louis.

Michael moved over 200 miles away with Sarah, to escape the everlasting painful memories his and Rachel's home held back in London; he instantly lost all contact with Louis.

One Direction stopped. No warning, just stopped. They showed up to an international interview, minus Louis of course, and announced the band were on a 'break' until further notice.

Louis' life was falling apart all around him, and there was nothing he did to stop it.

He just didn't care anymore.

"It's been six fucking months, Harry, how much longer is he going to mourn?" Zayn whined, slumping back into the warmth of their four-seater leather sofa, a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

"I don't know guys, but he'll move on when he's ready"

"And when exactly will that be? A year? Two years? Harry, we've put our personal lives on hold, our careers on hold, our lives on hold to help him, and he won't even let us into his room!" Liam sighed heavily, itching the irritated skin of his chin where stubble had began to grow from his lack of shaving in the past few days.

"Liam, what exactly am I supposed to say to that?! Nothing any of us say or do is going to speed up his grieving process, we just need to be there for him!"

"Guys! This isn't helping!" Niall groaned, rubbing his temples as he felt the early signs of a migraine coming on "If it's really that big of a problem, why don't we just drag him out of his bedroom, kicking and screaming, and talk to him about it?"

"You seriously think that's gonna work?" Emily murmured walking out of the kitchen, a mouth full of Ben and Jerry's Baked Alaska in her mouth; the tub resting steadily on her 8 month bump

"You don't?" Zayn questioned, quickly stubbing his used fag out into the ash tray

"Well, me being a woman and all, this is probably the worst thing you could say to someone that's grieving. The last thing he's gonna want to hear is that he needs to move on quicker so you can all get back to your normal lives"

"Alright Little Miss Smarty-Pants, what do you suggest we do?" Liam huffed, slamming his bare feet on the glass centre table of the living room.

"Ugh, Li? I think Emily's supposed to be the hormonal one here-"

"Shut it, Styles"

"Anyway, I was thinking maybe I could try talking to him-"

"But he won't he even open the door to us, let alone listen to what we have to say"

"Which is why, young Horan, I am going to use this" Emily held up a folded up envelope from her cardigan pocket, the letters 'Louis' scribbled on the front in Rachel's neat hand writing

"What is it?" Harry questioned, snatching it from her hand, turning the sealed envelope between his abnormally large hands

"It's the letter I was supposed to give him months ago but forgot about" Emily shot back, stealing the envelope back "It's from Rachel"

Everyone sat in disbelief, staring at the cream envelope in which held the last piece of Rachel they had. It had felt like hours but had only been minutes before Zayn broke the silence

"I say we let Emily have a go at talking to him. This is exactly what he needs to help him move on; one final letter from her"

"I agree, plus, you have a better chance of him listening to you; you're the closest thing he has to Rachel now" all the boys nodded in agreement with Niall, giving words of encouragement to the young mum

"I'll try guys, but I'm not promising I can change anything-"

"It doesn't matter if you do or not Emily; but this is our final chance" Emily nodded, using the assistance of Harry and Niall to pull herself off of the sofa, descending towards Louis' room.

With each passing step, more and more butterflies filled Emily's stomach.

Emily and Louis hadn't said a word since the funeral; she hadn't even made the effort to like the boys had, they just stayed on opposite ends of the flat to each other.

The truth was, Emily was still grieving, she was just better at hiding it than Louis.

Every morning she woke up, expecting Rachel to be jumping on her to wake up.

But there was no jumping.

She still checked her phone every morning like always, but it came back with the same answer each time: no missed calls. no new messages.

Emily would constantly stare at the door, hoping one day her best friend would walk back through the door, a smile on her lips.

But she never did.

It was like yesterday she was still here with Emily, laughing and smiling, crying and hugging.

Living; something Emily missed about her best friend the most; the knowledge that even if they weren't next to each other, Rachel was still alive.

But it wasn't yesterday, it was six long, and difficult months ago.

Emily finally reached the blocked door of the Doncaster boys' room; taking in a deep breath before lightly tapping her knuckles on the wood, as if it would snap with any sharp movements.

There was silence for a couple moments, before a sound came from the room.

It wasn't a loud sound, but it was a human sound.

The first sound that had come out of that room in six months.

"What?" a croaky voice whined, fresh tears still hot on his breath

"Louis, it's Emily. We need to talk"