Beautiful Scars

Loving Betrayal

Eleanor Calder tossed her loose braid over her shoulder as she stepped out of the elevator, forcing herself to hold back a yawn. Truthfully, Eleanor had slept fitfully the night before. Tossing and turning the whole time, she could not get Louis out of her mind. This was supposed to be their special night, she had thought. She had not seen him in a month and had been so excited. What could possibly have made him cancel? Refusing to dwell on the worst possibilities, she had forced herself to stay in her apartment until he explained himself like he promised he would. However, this proved to be increasingly difficult since Louis had not shown up or given a call or even another text since early yesterday night.

Eleanor had used the time to dress and redress, and perfect her makeup. Usually, she was not too concerned about how she looked around Louis, but for an inexplicable reason, today she was nervous. She had tried to distract herself from her boyfriend by listening to music, or watching television, but always found herself worriedly pacing around the hotel room. She had tried to wait, really she did, but as noon came and passed she could not stand it anymore. She had called his cell phone, only to be directed to the answering machine after listening to those insistent rings for longer than she would have liked. Then, she decided it would be better anyway just to find him. So, she threw on shoes and headed for his hotel. Honestly, Eleanor really missed Louis. She missed watching him laugh, making him smile, hearing his voice, feeling his body against hers... she sighed. Hopefully, he would be in his hotel room, ready with an explanation and an apology.

340… 342…344. Nervous energy ballooned inside of Eleanor as she saw his room number. It was a feeling she now associated with seeing Louis after a long time apart; excitement, longing and a little nerves for what could happen. When did I become such a fool in love? she thought to herself, as she stepped up to his door. Raising a tentative hand, she knocked. She waited, but no answer came.

Again, she knocked, looking around to see if anyone was near her. Still no answer.

She pulled out her cell and tried calling him for the third time, but it went to voicemail, this time immediately. As if he shut it off, whispered an unwelcome thought in her brain. She considered calling the other boys. Certainly one of them would know what he has been up to. And then she remembered what had been waiting for her with flowers when she had first arrived in New York: a spare key.

Quickly, she dug it out of her wallet and swiped it through the door. She smiled as the light turned green and she was able to swing the door open. She found herself in a little room with a couch and a television that opened into a kitchen. She shut the door behind her and walked through. To the left she could see a door that was cracked open. Surely, it was the bedroom. As she walked towards it, her eyes caught on something on the floor. There was Louis' suitcase, open and overflowing as she was accustomed to seeing it. But next to the suitcase was a pile of clothes that she was absolutely certain did not belong to him. There were ripped skinny jeans (a look Eleanor was never a big fan of) as well as a red pea coat. Unmistakably, clothes of a girl. Her stomach tightened, but she had not seen enough. Louis and her were... Louis would never... Louis could never... In a near run now, Eleanor threw open the bedroom door. She saw everything that her mind told her had happened, but everything her heart told her was not possible.

A/N: Short chapter, I know, but I wanted to split up the different POVs. More coming very soon!