From Everything That Was (Till Everything That Will Be)

Before (Past)

One day, my father, he told me, "Son, don't let it slip away"
He took me in his arms, I heard him say"When you get older your wild heart will live for younger days"
"Think of me if ever you're afraid"
-The Nights, Avicii

Spring came with the promise of warmer weather. Louis, Niall, and Harry spent many hours outside, making kingdoms in forests (which in reality was just a really tall tree that they pretended was a castle), and sitting at home playing PlayStation.

Hours were spent walking the streets of Doncaster together with Harry, often ending up at the record store. As a birthday present, Harry had gotten his long-desired record player, and his collection of music was growing rapidly.

Louis was enjoying life. He had Harry. He had Niall. He had a few other mates at the school. He loved going to school.

His attic was now completely furnished, and it finally felt like his place. He loved it.

Louis was glancing out the window in his attic. Outside, in their driveway, Patrick and his wife were standing. It was Wednesday, their usual dinner day. Patrick was looking angry, his face red. Even through the thick walls, Louis could hear Veronica's voice going higher and higher.

He furrowed his eyebrows confusedly. What was happening?

He looked on for a few minutes more, but then Veronica promptly walked over to their car, got inside, and drove away. Patrick looked after the car, his shoulders slumped.

That night, at the dinner table, Patrick drank a lot of wine while he loudly talked about how he and Veronica had had problems for years. Jay was silent, her jaw tight as she listened. Louis' grandfather was looking at his friend with sympathy.

Louis was still confused. "But don't you and Veronica love each other?" asked Louis.

"Louis—"

"It's alright, Jay," Patrick said, his cheeks red from the alcohol. He turned his attention to Louis. "See, Louis, some people meet and fall in love for the rest of your lives, some people meet and feel like they are forced to be together. That was the case for Veronica and I. We never loved each other, we married 'cause we were expected to."

"Uh-huh."

Patrick patted his cheek. "It's okay if you don't understand it, Louis. One day you will, perhaps."

Jay cleared her throat. "I think we have all finished eating, haven't we? Patrick, you can stay over in one of my siblings' rooms if you'd like."

"Thank you, dear, thank you."

Since that Wednesday, Patrick slept over at their house every day they ate dinner. He no longer brought Veronica with him, and a month later he announced they were going to get divorced.

* * *

Louis stepped back, he ran, he kicked. The ball soared through the air, flying into the goal despite Harry's efforts to not let it go in.

Harry groaned, retreating the ball. "I just don't work well with this shit."

Louis raised an eyebrow. "You just cursed, Haz?"

Harry shrugged, grinning. "I said shit."

"Exactly."

"I wouldn't call that a curse word."

Louis pursed his lips. "Whatever. Give me the ball."

"Can we take a small break?" Harry asked, jogging over to Louis. "I'm tired."