A Different Way[Louis Tomlinson]

Chapter Thirty-Two

Louis grips my hand tightly as we scramble to get inside the centre. Ever since I told him and the other four boys about our managements new idea, he hasn't let go of me. I cling onto Louis as we sit down at the table set up just for the nine of us. I sit with Luke on my left, and Louis on my right, Cali and Marlene sitting on the other side of Luke.

As the girls begin to line up, and their eyes well up with excitement, it feels like I'm being drained of life. I smile for the girls and sign their things, Louis gripping my knee under the table. The girls squeal and I flinch, the girls jump up and down and I slouch farther in my chair.

"Amber! I can't believe I'm actually meeting you! This is just amazing!" One girl squeals to me.

"I can't believe I'm actually meeting you! I absolutely love that skirt!" I say back, smiling. She curtsies, holding the flower print skirt out at her sides.

"Why thank you! I absolutely adore that shirt!" She laughs back at me. I smile and say thanks, sliding her sign on to Louis.

When finally the last girls wave goodbye, I lean in against Louis, heaving out a sigh. He grips my knee tighter under the table.

"Good day, kids, but I think it's time for us all to go and get a rest." Charlie says, already walking towards the door. I stand up, pulling Louis up with me. He wraps his hand around mine, our shoulders knocking into each other as we follow Zayn around the table.

We all stalk out into the setting London sun, through the crowd of girls still standing outside. Louis and I pile into the very back of Charlie's van, Luke and Marlene sitting in front of us. This time, Charlie and Cali don't talk as we drive. I spread out across the back seats, my head in Louis' lap. I play with the bracelets on my wrists, somewhat hiding the thirteen scars. Louis runs his hands silently through my hair, wrapping it around his fingers.

All I can hear is the sound of everyone's breathing and the rush of cars as they pass by. My eyes begin to flutter closed, and my arm drops to my side. I lay in peaceful blackness for a few minutes, until the flashes of crimson and the snips of my screams echo like the nightmare they are through my mind. I jerk awake again, gasping.

"Amber?" Louis questions, his hand hovering over my hair.

"Sorry." I sigh, closing my eyes again. Louis hesitates before brushing his hands back through my hair, sending chills down my spine.

"Goodnight Amber." Louis hums, pressing his lips into my temple. I smile sleepily up at him, and he smiles sleepily back down at me. Marlene huffs past me into the room behind me.

"Goodnight, boys."

"Goodnight Amber." They all smile back as they walk into their room. Turning into my room I can hear Marlene and Cali whispering in the bathroom as I walk by, and I see that Luke is already in his claimed bed. Charlie is cramped in the uncomfortable looking chair in the corner. I smile, pulling pyjamas out of my suitcase. I wait until Marlene and Cali stumble out of the bathroom, sleepy eyed. I walk past them and into the big bathroom, locking the door behind me. I change as quickly as I can in my sleep state, stumbling into the sink a few more times than I should have. Once I've finished, I gather my clothes and head back out towards the beds. Luke still occupies the one closest to the giant window, Marlene lays in the one in the middle, and Cali is snuggled up in the bed next to her. I throw my stuff in another bag, and set my hands on my hips, sighing.

"What's wrong, prissy-pants." Marlene huffs, turning to me.

"And just where am I supposed to sleep?" I question her.

"There's plenty of room on the floor." She says, throwing me a pillow. "Oh, and I'll try not to step on you in the middle of the night." She huffs sarcastically, laying back down. I sigh again, and turn towards the door. I look back at Marlene before throwing the pillow on the floor and storming out.