Last First Kiss (One Direction Fan Fiction) (Charlotte's Directions Book Two)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14                Liam POV                  Day 14.5 of Tour: Vegas

“You lost her.” I repeated calmly. I squeezed my eyes closed. “You lost Charlotte in Vegas.”

From the other side of the room Niall jumped from the couch. He had been awake with me all night, watching TV and waiting for those fools to get back. Which never happened. And now I knew why.

“They LOST HER?” Niall shouted. I put a finger up to quiet him. He ignored me. “Give me the phone,” He lunged for it. I backed out of his way, securing the phone in between my shoulder and my ear.

The crackly voice on the line continued. “We heard she went down Koval… we’ve been searching for hours.”

“You have no idea where she went?” I tried to stay calm while Niall started to have a panic attack. I ignored him.

“No… we don’t.” He sounded hesitant.

“What is it you’re not telling me?” I asked.

“Well, someone said they saw her leave the party… with another guy.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Louis why didn’t you just call me earlier? God knows what’s happened by now?”

“We’re sorry. So sorry. But we really need your help… and maybe Paul’s.”

“No,” I shook my head. “We don’t tell Paul. If this ends badly management might send her home.”

“Sure, yeah I get that.”

I kept the phone to my ear as I threw on a jacket. “Niall, get your shoes on.”

He scrambled into the bedroom.

“Okay, we’re heading out right now. Where should we start?”

“We’re on one side of Koval; maybe you could hit the other? There’s a bus stop down there. Just take the bus.”

I nodded stupidly before I realized he couldn’t see me. “Got it. Now get back out there and find her.”

“Thanks Liam.”

I sighed. “Don’t thank me yet.”

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Charlotte POV

The rain pattered against the top of my head. I attempted to scoot farther under the roof, the tall bulky Redbox machine blocking my way. The only thing I could see ahead of me was an empty two way street, and behind that distant high rise buildings. To my left was a casino and brewery called Ellis Island that I had tried to get into, but they wouldn't let me in.

I looked up at the 7 Eleven sticker that was peeling from the darkened store window. I shivered, the rain seeping in between my bare feet.

My fingers instinctively went to the bracelet around my wrist. God I wished he was here.

What did I get myself into?

I hugged my shoulders, wishing that I hadn’t have left Zayn’s jacket back at the party.

I figured it was about five or six in the morning. I was getting so tired. My eyes wanted to close, but my buzzed mind wouldn't let them.

I glanced to the phone booth. I considered searching the area for quarters again, but decided it was a lost cause. I had already spent enough time on the ground.

My head flopped to rest against the Redbox machine. I wanted to cry, but I was just too exhausted.

I bit down on my lip. It started to bleed, which wasn’t surprising. I didn’t even wipe up the blood that dripped into my mouth. I tasted the sharp bitter flavor of metal.

“Hell of a night,” I thought to myself. 

Fountains of water sprayed up under the wheels of a public bus as it flew by. It was the first one I had seen all night, and I wanted to chase after it. I knew the bus stop was only a few hundred feet away. But just my luck, about forty minutes ago I twisted my ankle in those awful heels. I could barely stand let alone run.

I just wanted the night to end.

I wanted to go home.

I slumped down farther. My dress rid up in the back, scrapping my bare thighs against the rough cement. I cringed, picking my butt up and tucking my short dress back under my legs as much as I could.

“This sucks.”

I sang One Direction songs in my head again. It wasn’t the same as hearing them in person, but at least I could imagine it.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. For once all night I was actually sort of relaxed.

“This isn’t that bad,” I told myself. “The rain is slowing, my foot doesn’t hurt as much, and it’s almost daylight.”

Thunder roared.

The rain came down three times as hard.

“That wasn’t a challenge,” I muttered out loud.

I rubbed my face, smearing my eye makeup.

“Just go to sleep…” I told myself. I shut my eyes and curled up in a little ball.

The only sounds were the rain and rumbling thunder.

My mind drifted away…

“Charlotte!” Someone screamed my name, like a little boy calling out for his lost puppy. A few moments passed and it was shouted again. “Charlotte!”

I sat up straight; my eyes flew wide. I twisted my head back and forth, looking for the “little boy”. “Niall! Niall I’m here!”

“Charlotte?” He called out, his voice raspy. I could tell he was far away, but coming closer.

I stood up, stumbling a bit. I steadied myself on the Redbox before yelling, “I’m over here!”

My heart beat faster.

His picture perfect frame appeared across the street. I smiled as big as the moon.

“Charlotte,” I saw his mouth say. Niall started to jog across the street, not caring to even look both ways.

I laughed, seeing his gorgeous face coming closer.

Niall dashed across the parking lot. I stumbled towards him, my ankle falling under the pressure. He reached out and caught me before I fell to the ground. His arms looped under mine, encircling my waist. I stuffed my face into his shirt, craving his warm touch. Niall’s fingers trailed along my bare back.

“You’re so cold,” he said bitterly. He stepped back to take off his jacket before I started to fall. He quickly caught me again, looking down at my ugly twisted ankle. “What the hell happened to you, baby?”

I leaned up against his wide frame. He slipped his fuzzy jacket off of his shoulders. I closed my eyes as he threw it over mine.

I felt dizzy…

“Niall,” I pressed my face against his chest. I rolled my head back to see him. “You’re so beautiful.”

He sighed. “Come on, let’s go home.” Niall bent down to pick me up.

I was dizzy…

“No,” I told Niall. I pushed him away from me. “I can walk…” I slurred and fell backwards towards the pavement.

Niall caught me again. Wordlessly he took me into his arms. I remember hearing a loud crack of thunder, shielding myself in him. I remember his hand trailing small circles under my thigh, and the soft peck of his lips against mine.

Then everything went dark.