Message in a Bottle

Maple Avenue (11)

Chapter 11

*Harry's POV*

"Louis, we need to leave," I demandingly suggest. He's doing push-ups on a large blue mat, several other men were doing exercises but none were paying any attention to us.

He groans, getting up from the floor and grabbing his water bottle. "We've been here for ten minutes!" Louis protests, looking around for a machine to go on. Ever since the car ride, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Ciara. I probably hurt her with the four terrible words I said to her last. But, there's a high possibility that I have a child and that's my baby's mother, I can't just push them away like that! I was desperate to speak with her.

"I need to talk to Ciara!" I reply, taking my phone out of my pocket once again.

"Call her," he answers, giving me a dirty look. Louis didn't want to come to the gym today but I forced him to. It's not my fault that I found out this life changing information only a few minutes before we reached the gym.

"I've tried five times already," I show him my recent calls list, Ciara's name was repeating on the lit screen. Each time I tried to reach her, it went straight to her voicemail, for those few seconds I was able to hear her delicate voice.

"Do you even know where she lives?" He's acting like I was crazy. Maybe I was.

"On the date she mentioned something about living on Maple Avenue." I look to the ground, wishing I knew more.

"Well, if I were you I would be freaking out too, so Maple Avenue's only fifteen minutes away, let's head over there I guess." He gives in, beginning to walk towards the exit.

"Thank you Louis!" I call to him, thankful that I have someone that I know would never bail on me.

*Ciara's POV*

I lay on my bed, enclosed in heavy blankets and old white sheets, hot tears sting my skin as they slide down my cheeks. I can full out say that I'm a complete wreck, I don't think I can hide the pain for much longer.

I'm screaming into my pillow, it was moist from all the tears I have released this afternoon. I just wish I could forget about Mike and everything we had, but I don't want to forget any of it because what if I never find it again?

"Ciara?" I hear Mike's British accent flutter though the air, his voice was soft. I haven't heard that voice in over a year.

I bring my head up from the pillow and wipe the clinging hair out of my eyes, "yeah?" I answer back, trying my hardest to not sound like I've been crying. Mike loves to take advantage of weak people, and I can't deal with that right now. I must of not faked the act good enough because he comes over to my side, asking if I'm okay. "Yes," I lie, he always hurts me when I'm at my weakest state. I hide my red puffy face from his vision, maybe he will leave me alone.

"Oh baby, I hate seeing you cry." He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. I try to nudge away but I'm too tired, I just embraced the fact that he was giving me attention and that he called me baby. When was the last time this occurred? "I will never hurt you again. I'm sorry." He whispers. "We're together, we will always be together," he kisses my forehead. I feel satisfied, but also uncomfortable. I don't think I want to be with someone who made me feel this way, but maybe he actually means what he's saying.

I smile in return, hiding the pitiful feeling in my stomach. Mike is so bipolar, one minute he's in love with me and then the next he's abusive. He lets go of my body and stands up from the bed, "let's go watch the Notebook, I know how it's your favorite movie," he offers me his hand. I sheepishly accept his offer as I crawl out of the many layers of blankets. It's not like I had any other choice.