Fortune's Fools

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

I checked my pockets for my wallet, my phone, the small paper with Harry's address written on it in Niall's scribbly handwriting and hung my camera bag over my shoulder. I opened my bedroom door and looked around at the empty hallway. Just as I had expected. The sun was barely up, so the only ones alive in this house would be me and the workers. I quickly made my way to the grand staircase and greeted Maria who was vigorously cleaning the steps. She almost fell down from her spot, not used to anyone of the family speaking to her, I suppose. I was usually guilty of that as well, just because it was easier, not because I was rude or because I thought less of them like my parents. 

I snuck into the kitchen where the smell of bacon and eggs drifted towards me. I looked around until my eyes fell on the familiar head of brown hair and couldn't help but smile when I saw her swaying to the music that she was listening to through her headphones. I ran the few passes towards her and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling one of her earbuds out to put it in my own ear and pulled a face when I didn't recognise the songs.

"What are you listening to?"

"Music. You wouldn't know and probably not even like the group though. Your cookies are over there on the counter. They are still warm so be careful if you pack them in your bag."

"You're such a doll my darling El!" I squeaked as I darted over to the place where the rack with cookies was cooling. She just rolled her eyes at me and watched me as I took them and put them carefully in a paper box to go in my bag. 

"Good, and now run because everyone will be up soon. I'll tell them you went out into the country to take photos. As long as you remember to put your minor on photography next year, nobody will get suspicious," she smiled and tapped my bum as she shooed me out of the kitchen, into the giant living room, the lights of the aquarium being the only thing lighting the room. I felt a flutter in my stomach at the thought of what had happened at both sides of that fish tank the other night... Harry. Every time I even only thought about his name I would feel an eruption of butterflies in my stomach and I wanted to skip around instead of just walk and sing about all that was beautiful. Harry in the first place. I felt a broad smile on my face as I walked past the stairs, Maria had already disappeared somewhere else, and went to open the front door after I picked up my car keys from the hook next to the coat rack. 

"Louis?" a slightly sleepy voice sounded through the hall and made me jump on the spot. I turned around and found Lottie at the top, slowly making her way downstairs while rubbing her eyes. I swallowed at the thought of having to lie to her about where I was going. I had never ever lied to her before. Even when she had turned... not herself... I had never told her a lie. In all this mess that our family was, I had hardly ever kept a secret from her, but certainly never lied, she was my soulmate, my best friend in this entire household. Apart from Zayn maybe, but he was definitely the last person ever I could tell about Harry and me.

"Where are you going to, it's still terribly early. You're never up at this time of day." she asked, a curious look on her face as her eyes sought mine.

"I uhm, I thought it was a good idea to go out into the country and already have some work done for my photography classes next year."

"Oh. I didn't even know you were taking photography classes."

"Wasn't, but I will, next year. Obviously." I muttered, all the time praying that she wouldn't pick up on my nervousness because she would have to be stupid to believe I was nervous to go out into the country and take photos. I was nervous about the photos, but I wasn't going to photograph any countryside views. Unless Harry would agree on going out and go skinny dipping or lay beneath a tree wearing only... I trailed of and had to force myself to keep my mind with the conversation at hand.