Falling Leaves (Louis Tomlinson Fanfic)

chapter one.

Present Day

I woke up disoriented, like always. My mouth felt dry and my muscles felt cramped. It was only when I tried to stretch that I realized where I was- curled up on a bench on the side of the town pier.

That's the thing about living like this. You're never really quite sure where you are when you wake up. It always takes a minute to gather your surroundings. You've gotta figure out if you're still in the place where you crashed last night. And if you aren't, that usually means trouble.

Luckily, it was still August- summer weather was a lifesaver around here. The winter months were hard, and definitely more dangerous.

As I sat up and stretched, it occured to me that it must already be at least ten o' clock- there was already a sizable crowd of tourists milling about, taking pictures of the bay and buying souvenirs from the local gift shop. That meant i might have already missed my chance.

I swore under my breath, feeling around under the bench for my guitar case. I grabbed it by the strap, hoisted it over my shoulder, and started walking briskly towards town square. "Nice job oversleeping, Faith," I muttered to myself.

I ran to the nearest newspaper kiosk and asked the man there for the time. He told me it was eleven-fifteen (shit!) and promptly resumed to reading his dog-eared adult novel. I also checked the dates on the papers; apparently today was Saturday, August 25th. 

Well, to business. I made my way to the town square.

It was always interesting to watch all the different kinds of people around the center of the city. I noted a few interesting people on the way to my usual spot; there was a man wearing 3D movie glasses with the lenes punched out, a woman with a huge fur coat on (in the middle of summer!), and a strangely striking young man with a hoodie on,  sitting alone at the local cafe. 

And of course, there was me. I must be a very strange sight; a girl in ragged clothes and shoes with holes in the toe, lugging a guitar case around with her all day. I probably looked like hell.

After all, why else would that hoodie guy be staring?

I reached my usual spot, which was luckily unoccupied, and started setting myself up. I took my case and opened it up, letting the buckles come loose. Then I propped up my little TIPS sign, got out my guitar, and started tuning up for my morning set. When I was ready, I pulled the strap over my shoulder, letting the body of the guitar rest comfortably against my hip.

I wasn't sure what song I should start with. I was never sure about that. Breathing in deeply, I let my fingers start plucking the strings. Perhaps they'd decide for me.

The starting tunes of "Autumn Leaves" by Ed Sheeran floated across the square.

I didn't want to concentrate on anything else but performing this song for the time being; this was a risky song to play, after all. Sheeran had a very quiet, acoustic sort of feel, and the first set was always about finding the right mood for the people around me. 

Another day, another life

Passes by just like mine

It's not complicated...

As I fingerpicked and sang my way through the first verse, a couple of strangers stopped and watched me play. A few others dropped their bits of change while walking past, but most bustled by and continued on with their hurrying. This was normal behavior, though. Very few people love a peddler.

Do you ever wonder

If the stars shine out for you?

Float down,

Like autumn leaves

The pre-chorus and chorus were the best parts of the song, in my opinion. When I first heard the record, I really started crying. It was a big cry, too- the kind that made you sob and sniffle and snot everywhere.

It wasn't ecause of the guitar, or the beat, even though they were both so striking. I cried because the lyrics were so simple, and pure. They brought up memories in a way I didn't understand.

That was a while ago. I really couldn't afford CDs anymore. Fourteen dollars could be better spent on the things I'd actually need.

Hush, now

Close your eyes before the sleep

And you're miles away

And yesterday

You were here, with me.

It was obvious, now.

I had attracted an entire crowd.

**

By the time I finished the set, it was half-past noon and I was almost giddy with success. After thanking everyone for stopping to listen (I had a crowd of almost thirty people!) I packed up my guitar and TIPS sign and walked off. I had learned it wasn't polite to count your earnings in front of your audience.

 After finding a partially secluded bench at the edge of the square, I almost timidly opened my guitar case, set my guitar aside, and scooped up the bills and coins that were gathered hastily together in a corner. It felt like a thick bundle. My hands trembled.

Oh, stop being a baby, I chided myself, and quickly counted the money. It amounted up to almost twenty-three dollars.

I blinked. Twenty-three dollars?

I counted again. And again.

When I was sure I hadn't calculated wrong, I almost squealed like a little girl. In public, mind you.

Twenty-three dollars! On a good day, on a two-hour set, I could manage fifteen, maybe eighteen dollars. Today I had played half the time and earned over twenty? I felt my eyes prick. God, I was crying. This was happening.

I hurriedly made a mental note to remember the hours I played today. Obviously it was a good rushtime, I reasoned this as I collected myself. Good times, and good luck, that was it. I smiled.

But I suspected, almost secretively, that part of this generosity was to be credited to one Ed Sheeran.

I gathered the money and put it in my back pocket. Then I picked up my guitar, taking a second to regard it. It was beautiful, really. Beaten-up, but beautiful. God, I was sentimental. 

All the same, I would be able to afford a decent meal tonight.

Hello there, you dear reader! If you're reading this author's note, that means you are one of those few people that braves the "New Additions" section of Wattpad, and I appreciate that. I will admit that lots of people on here seem to have a lack of the use of proper grammar. I apologize for that T.T

I'm aware Louis hasn't (officially) appeared yet. However, I did include him in this chapter: I just didn't mention him by name! Hm.

ANYWAYS. I LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU. GOOD DAY <3