Beat Still

Chapter 23: Beat Still

*Louis' Pov*

"Lou! Louis!" A chorus of feminine voices ranging from an older woman to the high pitched screams of children rang through the house.

Ugh. And so it begins. I untangled myself from my mess of thick blankets and threw the pillow off of my head. I glanced at my phone to check the time and indeed this was when my mum and sisters usually got home.

Don't get me wrong, I love my family more than anything and they have been trying so hard to take care of me these past days it's just...I don't like people seeing me down.

And I realllly don't like people taking pity on me. Especially not the girls or my mum because I'm supposed to take care of them, not the other way around.

And imagine the guilt I feel with having my lovely family take care of me when I should be helping Marcel. Although I doubt I'd even get within five feet of the house before Harry gunned me down.

Which reminds me, I should try to call again before the girls bombard me with hugs and kisses.

The phone rang twice before the call dropped. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding and ran my hands through my messy hair.

I was debating over whether to send Marcel a text when my mom stumbled in my room with shopping bags.

"You didn't hear us calling you?" she was out of breath so I got up to take some of the bags out of her hands. I sat back on my bed with the bags and peeked inside.

"Clothes?"

"Yes the girls wanted to go shopping after school so I picked you up a few things too." Agh, the guilt. "You look like shit honey."

"Wow thanks Mum!" I mutter sarcastically but immediately jogged to the bathroom where she followed intently.

She let out a hearty laugh as I examined my face in the mirror. She was right...

My hair was going in ten different directions, my face looked thin and pale, and on my sore body were the same white t-shirt and grey sweatpants that I've been wearing all week.

Of course I have been showering, but I just put on the same clothes. No need to get dressed up right?

She leaned against the counter watching me with a sad look.

"Where are the girls?" I managed to get out as I brushed my teeth.

"About that..." Uh oh, I know this look on her face. She was up to something.

"Listen Lou, I know you have been really down since the incident, but the girls are starting to really worry. And quite frankly so am I.

You can put on a brave face for your sisters, but not me. So I told the girls to change out of their uniforms because you are going to take them for ice cream. Like you always did when you picked them up from school. You need to get out of the house and stop worrying about Marcel, and they need you. The old you."

When my mum was done with her long speech she put her hands on her hips and gave me the look as if to ask if I understand. And I do, understand I mean.

I rinsed out my mouth and wiped off my hands. In response I threw my arms around her and squeezed. My mother always knew the right balance between tough and tender love.

"I love you mum."

"I love you too sweetie, now get dressed. And wash that hair, it smells." I giggled into her neck and pulled away to get showered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So shouldn't the grass be brown too?"

"No you dummy, the grass has to be green!"

"Yes but why is the question Phoebe!"

"Ohmygawd Daisy! Phoebe! Both of you shut up, who cares?"

"We care Fizzy!" Both of the young girls yelled in unison before giggling at each other knowingly.

Lottie turned around in the front seat to address her younger sisters," Listen up. The grass is green because it has chlorophyll. That is all you need to know." She turned back in her seat and I gave her a light smile.

She acts just like I did when she and Fizzy were the twins age. Mum was right, I so needed this.

We pulled up to our favorite frozen yogurt shop and all of the girls but one ran from the car.

"You look good Lou." I looked down at my white jumper and dark skinny jeans paired with my white toms.

"Thanks Lot, I learn from you!" You would think the joke was true because she was actually wearing a white cardigan, skinny pants, and her blue toms. "Runs in the family I guess."

"So what are you going to do about Marcel?" She put a hand on my shoulder as I ran my fingers through my hair. Lottie was old enough to talk about these things, and boy was I thankful.

"I really don't know Lo. He won't see me, and even if he would the boys won't let me get within a yard. I have no idea what to do." She rubbed my back as I spoke in an attempt to comfort me. It was definitely working.

"Tell you what: I'll stay here with the girls, and you go to Marcel's house. You guys have to work this out at some point." She's right.

"You're right, but what if they won't let me in?"

"You and Harry are like brothers Lou. If you just level with him first, I'm sure he'll forgive you. Tell him everything- the truth this time, yeah?"

I smiled brightly at my little sister," When did you become the smart one little girl?" I playfully poked her cheek as she laughed.

"'Runs in the family I guess'" We both laughed at her imitation of me, which was actually spot on I must say.

"Alright. Take this money for the ice cream, and I'll be back in thirty." She nodded and shoved the money in her pocket. She exited the car and motioned for me to roll down the window.

"Good luck Lou." She winked before walking into the store. I nodded and pulled off.

I'm going to need it.