Under The Willow Tree • Louis Tomlinson

iii.

iii. a little punch won't hurt

— • —

Fridays were my favourite day of the week. The shop was always full of locals just roaming to pass time. I usually closed early so I could spend some time up stairs pampering myself or reading Vogue. I even spent Friday night playing my violin, working out the notes for all my favourite songs. I guess it was a breath of relief before the storm because Saturdays are the days where I make the dresses. I do nothing but sleep, eat and spend the day behind a sewing machine.

Jenna's friends weren't supposed to turn up until Midday so I had enough time to prepare myself. I doubted that I would get star struck from whoever decided to show up but I had to calm myself just in case it was a big name. The store felt empty without music so I raced up the stairs to my apartment to grab my Dock. I then ran back downstairs, you could not trust people these days. I placed my IPhone on the dock and softly put on my favourite playlist. It was mostly Ed, Unknown bands and as much as I hate to say it, One Direction.

I didn't hate One Direction. Their music is great. It's just that they bring back the memories of when I was younger.

A few minutes before midday I ushered everyone out of the store. I always closed it off to the public when I had fittings. When everyone was out of the store I sat down at my desk. I didn't know who was coming so I couldn't draw up any designs last night.

"What if they don't like my style? What if they know the big designers?" I asked myself. I was starting to fret. My thoughts then turned into spoken words, "It'll be okay. I can make an outfit for anyone."

"Did you know Rose, that talking to yourself if the first sign of insanity?" His voice filled the shop. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. It felt like a lifetime since I heard him say my name. I spun around in my chair and stood up, striding towards my new customers. Instead of shaking hands or hugging him, I punched Louis William Tomlinson in the face.

"It's great to see you to." Louis muttered as he rubbed his jaw. The other person in the room was Harry. I got to admit, it was hard not to fan girl but I kept it inside. I would die if Louis knew I was a fan.

"Do you two know each other?" Harry asked slowly. His face looked confused. I didn't blame him.

"You could say that." I smiled, "Anyway, where are my manners?" I then straightened my shirt and plastered a huge grin on my face, turning my attention to Harry. "Hello and welcome to Petals in the Wind. My name is Rose Redwood and I am the designer/store owner. I'm guessing you two are Jenna's friends?"

Louis just stared at me for a few moments before nodding. "Yeah we're the friends Jenna told you about."

"Okay then. Take a seat. I'll be with you shortly." I then gestured to the seats in the little alcove at the front of the store. I could not believe that he was in my shop. It had been so long. And what? It looked as if he expected me to hug him.

"I haven't done any men's formal wear in a while. So I don't have many sketches. I'm just saying wouldn't it have been easier if you both either rented or brought a tuxedo." I was trying to hide the anger in my voice as I sat down. Louis wasn't looking at me anymore, instead he decided that the outside world was more important. Harry on the other hand was studying my face. It looked as if he was trying to work out what my history was.

The silence in the store was very awkward. It was only when Louis went to speak that I opened my mouth and interrupted him. "Over a year. It's been over a  YEAR and you waltz into my store expecting me to smile and hug you like nothing happened?"

Both Louis and Harry stared at me with wide eyes. "I'm sorry Rose. In didn't expect to make it past X Factor. I didn't realise that the life I'm living now would change my life before all this." Louis sounded hurt.

"So... Um do you like our music?" Harry asked, sensing that the topic Louis and I were talking about was sensitive.

"Yeah it's not bad I guess. Why do you ask?"

"Because What Makes You Beautiful is blasting out from the speakers." Harry stated, motioning to the Dock.

I grinned, blushing slightly before handing the boys sheets of paper. "These are some basic sketches of tuxedoes. If you see anything you like just tell me."

The boys picked up the drawings and studied them. It only took a few minutes before they had picked their favourite. "Any colour preferences?" I asked

"White!" Harry grinned

"Red" Louis said with a sly smile.

"Unfortunately you are both wrong." I muttered, thinking about Jenna's sky blue dress. It was her night and everyone should base themselves around her.

"Well what colour do you believe is best, all mighty dress maker?" Louis said sarcastically.

"I can punch you again Lou. Remember that before you speak." I hissed, "And I was thinking a blue. Dark blue for Louis and an almost black for Harry." I then thought about the other three members of the band. "Where are Niall, Zayn and Liam?" I asked before Louis could think of something sarcastic.

"Different designer" Harry replied, "Jenna only recommended you to us"

"oh okay then. So you both don't mind the designs and colour choices?"

"There fine" Louis sighed while playing with the corner of his shirt.

"Well then. Let's get you two fitted!"

— • —

It took longer than I thought to get both of them fitted. As they were leaving the store, Louis hung behind, pretending to be interested in a purple dress.

"What do you want Louis?" I asked in a bored tone

"To talk to you again. I promised that we would be best friends for life. I'm not going to let a year in our life get in the way of that plan." Louis' tone sounded sincere

My heart ached, he was so sweet when he was trying to apologize. "I'll think about it." I muttered, fixing a top that had fallen off its hanger.

"Can I have your number?" Louis asked, his eyes full of hope.

"Here's my card. Now get out of the shop before I have to kick you out." I waved goodbye and sat back down on my chair. It felt weird. The only person in the world I used to feel close to was back in my life.

But for how long?