Dependency // l.tomlinson *Completed*

11. Louis

11. Louis

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal." That one line- from the holiday favourite movie- blared through the rooms.

I covered my face and groaned from the mixture of the volume and pounding in my head. Quite possibly the only reason I hated drinking so much was waking up with a hangover.

I groaned and turned on my stomach, throwing an arm over Radley's waist. It felt a bit off so I opened my eyes. I was surprised to see a bare, muscular- definitely a male's- back.

"What the fuck?" I whispered and pushed myself away.

I must've startled him because he jumped up so quickly.

"What? Where's the fire? What happened?" Harry asked.

"Dude, where's Radley?"

"I think she and Niall passed out in the other room. We were both too drunk to carry either of them out. Don't worry. I recall giving them separate duvets, though."

"I'm not worrying. I trust them both," I stretched and sat up, "it just feels kind of weird that I didn't wake up to her next to me. How am I supposed to go back to London when I can't do simple things without her by my side? Does that make me an obsessive freak?"

"I think it makes you a bit too dependent, not an obsessive freak," he yawned, "I am going to try to shower this hangover out of me and I suggest you do the same. We smell horrendous."

"Yeah, I think I will. Merry Christmas, Haz." I smiled.

"Merry Christmas, mate." Harry walked out of my room and into the one on the other side of the hall.

In the shower, I rubbed myself raw of the memories from last night. How could Anthony turn out to be Caleb? Why didn't Radley react to seeing him in front of everyone? Why did she agree to bring him to our room? All these questions were going unanswered for the time being.

I stepped out of the bathtub and put on my red pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt. I ran my fingers through my damp hair and headed for the living room, where Harry had already joined Radley and Niall.

They were watching Home Alone all cuddled up under a throw over.

"Merry Christmas, you guys." I said quietly, my head spinning on ever syllable.

"Back atcha, mate!" Niall said, fist bumping me.

Radley got up and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "Merry Christmas to you, too."

I sat on the couch and pulled her into my lap, draping half of the throw over on us. My arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to my body.

"Well, aren't you in a cuddly mood today?" She giggled.

"I've got a really bad headache." I whispered.

Radley jutted out her bottom lip, "Oh, no. What can I do to help?"

"Nothing, just cuddle." I closed my and rested my head against the back of couch, unconsciously fiddling with her fingers with one hand and rubbing her hip with the other.

"How about we open presents?" Harry asked, "I mean, your display of affection is cute and all but come on, guys! Presents!"

Radley nodded excitedly when I finally caught a glimpse of it. The bruise that was forming on the peak of her right cheekbone.

"Uh, Harry and Niall, you go ahead and exchange your gifts with each other. Radley and I need to talk." I mumbled, helping her out of my lap and taking her to the kitchen.