I stared at the marble that marked your life and smiled as the flood of memories clouded my vision. Every tear that ran down my face was a memory I had shared with you, every tear was the love I gave you and still gave you. I had cried straight for almost six years, and every tear was a symbol of my love for you. Sometimes I would be walking around the house, Sophie in her room on her laptop or talking to friends, and I would see something or think of something and break down in the middle of the hallway, the bedroom, the kitchen, even the loo. And it was to the point where Sophie wouldn’t cry or panic and call her Uncles but would ask if I needed a hug or if I wanted to be alone. Sophie looks so much like you Jo, it makes my heart break. But she’s beautiful, just like you were and still are. I sniffled and wiped my eyes, and smiled.
“Hey Jo, remember that time we camped out in our backyards...?” I said grinning like a fool. That night I confessed my love for you and I couldn’t have been more nervous.
“Harry, I don’t know what to do. I really, really like her. It’s the first time I felt like this since Eleanor. I don’t want to lose her to someone else. I just don’t know how to say it...?” I trailed off toying with the hem on my shirt.
“Louis, take a breather. It will be fine. Just tell her how you feel. You two have been together nonstop for the past couple of weeks. I’m sure you’ve worked your charm on her and already have her swooning at your presence.” I heard his deep, raspy chuckle on the other end. I huffed out a breath, frustrated at his answer.
“Harry please, really. I don’t want to fuck this up.”
“Okay, okay. But really. Tell her how you feel. Just say that ‘you’ve really gotten to know her and that you really have felt something that you haven’t felt before. You’re happy when you’re around her, your days a little brighter, blah, blah, blah.’ When you’re with her, you’ll know what to say. And Louis, if you two do end up making it official... I want to meet her. And I’m sure the boys would too.”
“Of course Harry. Yeah, that helps a lot. I’ll try.”
“Do you have something planned?” He asked.
“Yeah, we’re camping out in our backyard tonight. Just the two of us under the stars. I’ve already told Mum about it so the girls won’t bother us, and I don’t know. I’m just really nervous.”
“You’ll be great. I know you’ll be. You can be a sweetheart when you care about someone.” He retorted. I was taken aback. I guess I never considered myself a romantic before. “I have to go Louis, good luck tonight! Call me and tell me how it goes!”
“Thanks Harry, and for sure mate! I’ll do that!” I heard the click of his phone and I was suddenly cast into my own thoughts. My nerves peaked and I glanced at the clock, you were going to text me soon when you got home from work. You worked at a small retail store down in the middle of Doncaster, of course I couldn’t visit you because you would be mobbed by fans but still. It would have been nice to see you at work and take you out on your breaks, but you understood. My phone beeped in my palm and I glanced down at it, seeing your name flash across the screen.
Jo: Hey Lou! Just got off! I’m just going to shower and I’ll be over soon! Xx
Louis: Hey love! Sounds good, can’t wait! X
My heart beat quickened as I waited for you to shower and come over. I paced the living room, going to my room, passing my sisters rooms and finally coming back downstairs. Nobody was home yet, and I was left with the empty silence of the house. I was waiting for the loud laughter of you to fill it, your perfume, your persona.
I heard a soft rap on the door and I shook myself. I needed to pull it together for you or you would probably be spooked. I walked towards the door, and opened it to reveal you standing there. Your long black hair was sopping wet and you wore a simple pair of jean shorts and a camisole. A beautiful feature graced your face.
“Louis!” You exclaimed smiling at me. You launched yourself at me and gave me a huge hug. Your body fit perfectly to mine, every contour fit to mine, and your height was just small enough for your head to fit under my chin. You were perfect. “So, what do you have planned for tonight?” You asked after you had pulled away from me. I smiled at you,
“Oh do I have a night planned.” You trilled your beautiful laugh and carried your bag inside. I shut the door behind you; all the while my heart beat like a hammering drum. This was the night that was going to change my life.
We were lying out on a blanket in my backyard staring at the stars littering the sky. “Hey Louis,” Your voice broke the silence of the night. I hummed in response. “Do you ever think of what’s up there? Like we can’t be the only people in the entire galaxy, let alone world... it’s strange to think.” You question amazed me. I knew you were clever, but you blew me away.
“I don’t think we’re the only people here. It’s too insane to comprehend. Hey Jo... can I ask you something?” My heart fluttered. I saw you turn her head to look at me, a smile tugged at the corners of your mouth.
“Of course Louis, go for it.” I felt your hand barely brush mine; the touch was like the softest of butterfly wings. But it was electric; it sent shock waves through my body.
“Are you like... seeing anyone? Or involved with anyone?” I stumbled over my words. The smile grew larger on your face.
“No I’m not. I haven’t really met anybody but you.”
“Are you, I don’t know. Looking to date anybody?” I asked. A blush of heat flushed over my cheeks.
“I don’t know, depends who asked me.” You smirked at me, your pink lips quirking up to form an adorable expression.
“Oh,” I rolled over my side to face her. I felt a surge of courage. “So, I don’t know. Maybe a guy with blue eyes and tousled hair...” I edged closer to you. Your chest rose and fell a little bit quicker but you didn’t move away. “Maybe a guy that’s been admiring you for the summer, a guy that has felt normal for once in a long time...” I edged closer to you again. “A guy that is right beside you, perhaps?” I closed the distance between us, pressing my lips to yours. They were as soft as I had imagined, so soft and perfect that I just wanted more. I didn’t want this moment to end, because finally I was living my dream. A scenario I had played in my head for so long, the times I had daydreamed when Lottie was talking to me. Or when you walked by the window I pictured myself beside you. We broke away gasping for air, but we remained just as close.
“It’s funny Louis, because I’ve been admiring a guy that has blue eyes, tousled hair and just happens to be beside me...” You trailed off and my heart fluttered. You bit your lip and I wanted to bite it for you. I restrained myself though and instead leaned in for another kiss.
That night we talked, and slowly you edged closer to me until by the end of the night you were pressed against my chest and I was embracing you. You fell asleep against me, and the feeling of your chest rising and falling lulled me to sleep. We woke that morning intertwined with a blanket covering us, complements of my mother. I woke first to the bright rays of sun falling over our bodies. You were beautiful, your eyelashes fluttering against your cheek as you dreamt of things only you could see, the way you were curled up against me – it made me realize I wanted to wake up like this for the rest of my days. You stirred beside me, until your eyes fluttered open to reveal a set of emeralds staring at me. You smiled and cast your face in the crook of my neck. I could feel your smile on my chest and I tightened my embrace around you.
“Good morning babe,” I murmured into your hair.
“Morning Louis...” You said against my chest, muffled by the fabric. You sighed in content and snuggled into me and I smiled as the sun washed over us, the dew around us, and you in my arms.
For the rest of the morning we talked, and smiled and laughed. It was one of the best mornings ever. And that was when I asked you to be my girlfriend. And you agreed. I warned you about the publicity, the light of fame being cast on you, but you just shook your head and kissed away my worries.
