A Love, a Lie and a False Identity (Louis Tomlinson)

Louis

Chapter 13

Louis

I was nervous, and I could feel my hands sweating. I didn’t know why I was so worked up; it was just one girl, a girl that I barely knew. But I felt more alive than I had for a while, and I had a sneaky suspicion that she was the reason. The thought alone terrified and excited me.

I shoved my hands into my coat pockets deeper against the slight chill and hoped she wouldn’t be cold when she got here. It had seemed like a brilliant idea when I had been thinking about it, but now the doubt was starting to creep in. Our driver was picking Veronica up from wherever Harry had taken her for his date, and bringing her here. A few moments later and I could see the tell-tale headlights of the car pulling up at the curb; I jumped up off the wall to open the door for her. Her pale face shone with excitement and a small smile broke out across her lips as I took her hand and helped her out of the car, watching as she gathered up the fabric of her skirts before dropping them as she stood, them falling around her legs like a waves.

          “Hi,” she said simply, tucking a strand of light brown hair behind her ear before looking at me nervously.

          “Hey. You ready to go?” I asked, and Veronica nodded before staring around.

          “Where are we exactly?” she said as I led her towards the big iron gates that would take us to where I had planned our date.

          “Kensington Gardens, have you never been here? That’s surprising, considering you’ve lived in London your whole life.” There was a moment where she had a startled look on her face before composing herself and shaking her head.

          “I guess I never got round to it.”

          “It’s home to my favourite place in London,” I confided in her, leaning closer as I took her tiny hand in my own and pulled her forward.

          “A…park?” she said uncertainly, her voice making me laugh.

          “Don’t worry, I didn’t bring you here to kill you, though it definitely looks slightly scary in the dark, doesn’t it? I think a few people would notice if you went missing,” I said, but instead of laughing, she just shrugged.

          “Not as many as you’d think,” her response was quiet, but I thought it best not to ask. Instead I led her down the path, the large expanse of grass and greenery surrounding us. After a few minutes, we finally arrived.

          “This…is my favourite place,” I announced, gesturing to the Peter Pan fountain that stood proudly before us. She stared up in wonder, her face lighting up at the sight of it.

          “The boy who never grew up. How fitting…” she said with a knowing look in my direction. “Rather suits your reputation, I must say.” She walked around the fountain, stopping when she saw the picnic basket sitting on the iron bench on the other side. “For us?”

          “Yep. I didn’t bring much, I thought you would be a little full from the dinner, and I don’t know where else the others took you so-”

          “It’s perfect,” she interrupted my long winded explanation, and I grinned gratefully at her. She went to sit down, but I rushed forward, pulling a blanket from the basket and placing it down on the bench for her to sit atop.

          “I didn’t want you to ruin your coat or your dress,” I explained, and she looked slightly astonished, like no one had ever been that thoughtful to her. That couldn’t be it though, she must have a hundred guys fawning all over her, and after all, she was rich, famous and beautiful. To most guys, that was the whole package. Not to me, I wanted more. I wanted a best friend, not just arm candy.