Night Changes// L.T AU

Chapter 7- parents

**no one reads this book but okay!!**

It's a quiet ride until we reach my parents house. I never told them about Louis. I only said that I was staying with a friend, when in reality it was just a guy I met a few days back. I didn't need people to pity me which is what my family would have done. Louis, somehow, made the pain bearable. I'm proud of myself for staying this strong. My future just burned up into flames.

I'll have to start living again though, without Louis." The thought makes me sad, but I know that it will eventually come. We can stay friends, though. I honestly don't know what the future holds, I guess I'll eventually find out.

"We're here," he tells me.

I step out of the car going around the back to get my suitcase, Louis stays seated.

"I'll see you around, Ashley, okay," he says making my chest tighten.

"You can come in, if you want."

"I guess it couldn't hurt."

He takes the keys out of the ignition and steps out of the car, he makes sure he locks it. We slowly make our way, to the front door. I knock on it twice, waiting for an answer.

After about 3 minutes, the door finally opens. My mom looks at me first and then Louis.

"Come in," she says sweetly.

I step in first, taking in the aroma of my house, it makes me realize how much I've missed it.

"Ashley, we were so worried about you, I'm happy to see you're safe," she gushes, giving me a tight hug.

"I'm gonna shower, if that's okay," I say, the tension in the room suffocating me.

I start to climb the stairs to my room, Louis following behind. I'm surprised my mom hasn't said anything about him, but I'm also relieved.

I reach my old room and it's exactly how I left it. My blue and yellow walls, it makes me think about my childhood. Oh, how I miss being a kid, everything was so simple. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Louis stares at me as a reminisce. I finally bring myself back to reality and go in my draw for clothes, I take out a pair of sweatpants and a black long sleeved shirt, I also grab some fuzzy socks. It's pretty cold out today. I lead Louis out of my bedroom and back downstairs. We quickly trotted down the stairs.

"What should I do while you shower," he asked.

"Just chill on the couch, make conversation, I don't know. My parents are pretty cool," I tell him.

"I just feel awkward," he answers.

I nod my head," I know, but I'll be fast."

I finally go into the bathroom, turn the shower on waiting for it to get to a nice temperature. I carefully stepped in, the water heating my body.

I could hear Louis talking to my parents. It was hard to hear exactly what hey were talking about. I think they'll get along just fine. Louis' a good person, with a good heart. He doesn't seem like the type of person, to hurt anyone. How could anyone turn him down, his girlfriend must've been a real bitch. How could you hurt someone like that? Maybe this was fate that Louis and I met.

But I can't help, but think about Jake, I was going to marry him and well now I'm not. I know it sounds terrible, but I wish Jennifer was dead. If she was just a few minutes late, Jake and I would've been married. I can't help, but think that if I did something different, this would've all worked out. I met Louis, so I guess that's something good that came out of it. I'm just trying to look at the bright side of things, I guess. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and everyone has a plan. So maybe this was my plan. It sucks now, but maybe I'll look back on it years from now. Maybe I'll be grateful it happened, you never know. Maybe Jake isn't the man I thought he was. Maybe I'm being saved.

With all of this going through my head, I step out of the bathroom. Everyone faces me. My mom pulls me into the kitchen.

"Louis, seems like a really great guy, and he's cute," she whispers.

"I know, but I'm not really looking for a rebound right now, I'm not ready yet, I need time," I tell her.

"Of course honey, take all the time you need," she says.

"I just hope it all works out in the end," I say lowly.

After our small conversation, we both head back into the living room to see my dad talking to Louis. My dad is laughing at something Louis said, which makes me smile. I want them to get along and accept him. I check the time, it's almost 5.

"Honey what would you like for dinner," my moms asks me softly.

"Pasta maybe," I say questioningly.

I'm honestly a sucker for pasta.

"Sounds good," she says.

"Where's the twins and Kelsey," I ask thinking of my younger sisters.

"The twins are at grandma's and Kelsey's out with some friends," she informs me.

"Okay," I simply respond.

"How many siblings do you have," Louis asks.

"4, what about you," I ask Louis.

"7, but I have some half siblings, and two pairs of twins," he tells me.

"I have twin younger sisters, another younger sister, and an older brother," I inform him.

"Do I have to worry about him," Louis asks.

"It depends," I say jokingly.

My mom slips into the kitchen, starting dinner, I'm assuming.

"Maybe, I should get going," Louis says, scratching his neck.

"No, you should stay for dinner," I push glancing at Louis.

"Yeah, you should stay, son," my dad says kindly.

He called him son, it's a word of endearment, chill out.

"If you insist," Louis says awkwardly.

In a matter of minutes, a bowl of pasta and sauce is placed onto the the dining room table. I grab Louis' hand and lead him into the dining room. There's a set of knocks on the front door. My dad gets up and answers the door. I look to see who it is, Jason comes into view.

"Oh honey, I forgot you were coming over for dinner," my mom gushes.

Jason observes the room.

"Who's this," he asks gesturing to Louis

"My friend," I answer.

"Why have I never seen or met him before," he asks suspiciously.

"I don't know, I guess I never brought him up."

"Ashley, going home with random men from the bar is not safe," he says sternly.

I know Jason's protective over me, but I trust and care for Louis.

Jason takes off his jacket and places it on the coat rake. He sits down next to my dad.

"Pasta my favorite," he says smiling.

**** Ik tomorrow is 2018, which is really fucking weird, this year went so fast. ***