A Love, a Lie and a False Identity (Louis Tomlinson)

Charlie

Chapter 32

Charlie

 I didn’t see Louis again before I left. He didn’t come round, he didn’t phone, and I knew if I tried he would just ignore me. I didn’t blame him, and if I had any right I would forgive him for his behaviour. But he was right, I had done a terrible thing and if the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t have seen him either. 

“Are you sure you want to go now? You can stay with an extra few days if you like,” Veronica said at the airport. She had come to see us off, even given us a lift there. It was odd, but last night when Katherine and Laura had disappeared off, she had been the perfect friend. Sitting with me, talking and making sure there was always sugary treats surrounding me. After all this being her fault, and it really was her fault, I didn’t feel any anger or hostility towards her. In fact I would probably miss her when I was gone, just a little bit. 

“No, I should get back. Gotta return to the real world at some point,” I said. 

“Well, if you ever need some to pretend to be you, you know who to call,” she joked, pulling me into a hug. 

“I think we’ve caused enough trouble with that one for now, don’t you?” I said lightly, making a grin stretch across my lips. Hers faltered slightly, but she took a sharp intake of breath and patted my arm. 

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Still, you have my number so don’t be a stranger. You two,” she turned to Katherine and Laura who were loitering behind us, “take good care of my twin here, OK? She’s something special.” 

“We always do,” Laura said, giving Veronica her own hug. Katherine followed suit and then we made our way to check-in, handing over our passports one at a time. I turned round just before we disappeared off into the tunnel to see Veronica standing alone, her arms wrapped round her and looking a little lost. 

“What’s wrong?” Her head jerked up when she heard me and she smiled a little wistfully.

“Is it my fault, what happened between you and Louis? Am I really that much of a bitch?” she asked tentatively. I laughed at the absurdity of it all. 

“Maybe a little. But you are not a bitch. That I can promise you.” She still looked worried, so I sighed. “It’s not your fault, Veronica. Don’t blame or hate yourself for this, please. I agreed to it, I’m the one who led him to believe I was someone I wasn’t. That’s on me, not you.” A look of relief washed over Veronica’s face, and I felt envious that I didn’t have the same feeling. 

“You really are something special, you know that Charlie? Don’t you dare not call, you hear me?” she said, and I smiled for genuine this time. 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Waving goodbye, I turned and boarded the plane, taking my seat next to Laura and turning on the music before either of my friends could speak to me. I didn’t want to talk anymore, I just wanted to be left alone to wallow in all the self pity I had been building up inside. 

I had never been more excited to get back home to my tiny little room and listen to the pelting rain battering against the window. I wanted to smell my mother’s cooking wafting up from the kitchen, and the scratching coming from Marmaduke at my door wanting to come in. 

I slept most of the flight, drifting in and out of dreams that mainly consisted of Louis shouting and turning away from me, over and over again, like he was on repeat. 

“Charlie? Wake up, we’ve landed,” Katherine whispered as she nudged my shoulder gently. I groaned and stretched my arms up above my head. I was stiff from having sat in the same place without moving for so long, and it took me a little while to stand.