Andy & Louis

Two

Louis awoke in bed with a raging hangover. The sunlight streaming through the curtains of the floor to ceiling windows of his bedroom, only made him crawl under the comforter to hide like a vampire. That is until he smelled the scent of salty broth wafting through the air. He uncovered his eyes and looked over to see a tray containing a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a large glass of water sitting on his night stand. Next to the tray was a couple of pain killers with a note.

He picked up the sticky note and read it.

"Don't come out of your room until you finish the soup. And next time the police have to bring you home I'll chop off your head!!"

Louis chuckled and set the note back down picking up the hot bowl taking a sip. The steaming liquid tasted great, and he felt like he could be cured by just one sip. Lana always made him chicken soup the next morning after a night of drinking. Ever since their mom passed a few years ago, Lana always acted as though she was his second mother. Despite him being 3 minutes older than her. But he found it comforting and knew she had always been the more responsible one.

Finishing the soup in one fell swig, he put the bowl back in place and made his way back under the covers. He began pondering the events last night. There was so much that he couldn't remember, only bits and pieces here and there. He was at his father's luncheon and was bored out of his mind, the only thing he could do was drink. He remembered leaving the party and taking a walk. It got fuzzy from there. But there was one thing he couldn't forget. The cute curly haired guy with hazel eyes.

Louis never believed in love at first sight, but found himself unable to stop his thoughts from wandering back to him. Drifting in and out of consciousness last night after the police brought him home, every time he was awake he saw the man's face in his mind. The white turtleneck and tan sweater vest complimented his caramel skin, and looked like a stereotypical nerd with the big round glasses perched on his high nose. He never learned the man's name and knew well he would never see him again. Yet a part of him wanted to find the man who now occupied 90 percent of his brain capacity.

As Louis began to contemplate how to find the guy from the alleyway, he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

"Come in."

"Are you finally sober? You almost gave me a heart attack last night when the police came and asked if a Louis Carmichael lived here, you know." Lana walked in holding an envelope in her right hand. She had her black hair in a messy bun and was still wearing her silk pajamas.

"It's not like it's the first time." He responded.

"Well it better be the last. What if dad found out? You're lucky he wasn't here last night."

"He's never here at night. He's always off somewhere with his new girlfriend at ungodly hours of the night." He scoffed at the thought.

Ever since their mother passed, Walter Carmichael had a new girlfriend every few weeks. He didn't seem to mourn long enough in Louis' opinion. Perhaps he didn't care.

"Like you've never stayed out 'til seven am." Lana rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying Lou, you shouldn't drink so much or else dad might take away your car again. And its not good for your health anyway." She sat on the bed next to him.

"I'll be fine Lana. Don't worry." He patted her head and took the envelope she held out to him. "What is this?"

"An invitation. To Annalise's birthday party. Dad told me to make sure you went."

Louis felt heat rise to his face. His father had been trying to set him up with Annalise Reynolds ever since he came out to him 4 years ago. Annalise's father was Walter's best friend, and both agreed it would help "set him on the right path" if he dated Annalise.

"I'm not going. I have plans that day."

"You didn't even read to see what day it was."

"Doesn't matter. Whatever day it is, I have things to do." Louis crumpled up and threw the invitation across the room.

"It's just a birthday party Lou. I'm sure Annalise will want to see you there. And everyone else."

"I said I don't want to go! And none of you can make me!" Louis always felt bad yelling at his sister, but he was angry just at the thought of his father pushing him toward someone he couldn't even be in the same room as.

"Please just leave now Lana. I want to take a shower." He turned his head toward his windows not wanting to see the hurt look on his twins face.

Lana hesitated for a moment, but eventually stood up and walked toward the door. "I understand you don't want to be with her, but you can't avoid her forever. She's your best friend." With that, Lana stepped out the room and shut the door.

Louis knew she was right. Annalise had been his best friend since they were four. In fact he knew her birthday was coming before the invitation even came, but he didn't want to think about it. Up until last year, he and Anna did almost everything together. Even with their fathers wanting them to marry, there was nothing that could separate them. Or so he thought.

He still couldn't forgive her for what she did.

Louis sighed and once again began to feel the hangover still lingering in his head. He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom for a hot shower. Perhaps that will allow him to clear his mind for a while.