To Love a Broken Heart

Chapter 16

“Harry?” A car pulled up in front of Louis and I, and a voice called out with a perplex countenance, “Is that you, honey?” I squinted my eyes and looked through the open car window; it was Jay, Louis’ mum.

“Yes,” I said, walking closer towards the window, “It’s me.”

“Oh, dear, I haven’t seen you in a while!” she exclaimed in pure happiness, as if she had just won the lottery ticket. “Oh, come on inside, dear. It’s freezing out there, and you’re shivering like mad!” she scolded, putting me under her quick scrutiny.

I opened the backdoor and climbed inside. “Yeah, I’ve been, umm…” I looked outside where Louis stood, his eyes were foggy and not the clear, ocean-like colour it was a couple minutes before. I could tell he was worried; he gave me a quick regard and the desperation in his eyes told me his mum had no idea about Eleanor. I sighed before continuing. “I’ve been busy with all the exams coming up, I have had barely any time to relax. And now I’m free to chill for a bit, Louis offered for me to come over, if that’s okay with you, I mean?” I winced at the lie that just came out: I hate lying, especially to Louis’ mum, but the pain Louis feels, the regret that’s eating him away must be far worse than what I’m feeling. So, I swallowed down the lump in my throat and looked at Jay. The smile on her face told me that she is permitting my visit.

“Hey mum!” Louis greeted as he opened the passenger door and hopped inside. His face no longer seemed in pain, but his eyes were still foggy, it was lucid that he’s endeavouring not to break down and succumb to the guilt that is devouring him from inside out. My heart sank at the sight, sorrow banished the feeling of rapture I was momentarily experiencing, and it made an unwelcomed residence inside of me.

“Hey there my little boobear!” Jay enthused, manipulating her voice to sound like the way a Mother would speak to a baby. I smiled at Louis’ flushed face and he quickly smacked his mother’s approaching hands. “Ouch!” Jay cried out, faking a pained expression and pouting. Louis huffed and crossed his arms, refusing to look at his mother, he faced the front and remained silent.

Jay soon pulled out of neutral and began driving. We drove past the road where I vomited, its repugnant smell wafted through my open window and I immediately shut it close, in fear of having a repeat of what happened; from under the bright orange glow of the street light, it became a murky yellow colour, which made the little bits of undigested food more evident to the eye.

The remainder of the drive back was surprisingly funny. I could tell Louis and his mum had a special bond; the way Louis and Jay could just joke about each other and engage in an interminable conversation reminded me of my relationship with my Mum, but Jay’s schedule was a little more flexible; she could spend more time with her children and completely extricate herself from the stress of work, my mum couldn’t. She would always be worried sick: She had a fear that if she missed a single day of work, me and her would end up on the streets without a house and a roof above our heads, when, as a matter of fact, we were financially stable.

By the time we reach Louis’ house and we were pulling up his drive, my stomach was yelling at me, demanding me to put some food into my system. Jay and Louis were caught up in a conversation about the meal she had prepared – which only exacerbated my hunger – when my stomach released a thunder of a growl. My face flushed in embarrassment and I lowered my head as I could feel Louis’ stare on me, I could tell he was smirking at me.

“You hungry there, Harry?” Louis asked wryly.

I nodded. “It’s your fault I’m hungry Louis,” I accused, “I mean, if I didn’t have to go find you, I could have stayed and immersed myself into a flavourful meal.” I crossed my arms at him, a little annoyed; however, a melodic laugh escaped from his lips and all the anger inside me dissolved.