To Love a Broken Heart

Chapter 17

My eyes suddenly widened in fear. Louis mimicked my expression and both our mouths hung low. No way, this can’t be happening! After everything was going so well, she can’t be here! Louis slowly got up and put the oak chair back under the table. He was tenuously shaking, his eyes seemed lost, it was clear he was trying to dispel the cruel fact of Eleanor’s presence but we both knew we’re screwed. I got up off of the chair, leaving the chair untucked, and moved towards Louis, holding his arms to stabilise him.

“Lou, breath!” I commanded him, his head snapped towards me, his eyes still full of fear, but he complied. Slowly, he exhaled and inhaled, the shaking soon stopped and his eyes returned focus.

“Harry, you need to hide!” he told me, grabbing hold of my shoulders and looking at me stern in the eye. His face seemed determined, his jaw was clenched, his cheekbones defined, and his blue irises were dilated, focused on me.

“Louis!” We heard Jay call out again, a hint of annoyance in her voice. “Alex is also here, isn’t that nice?” she added, and then it was my turn to freeze on the spot.

My head began to feel dizzy, the light in the kitchen was dimming, and my senses became impaired. Louis face was in front of me, his mouth was moving, screaming, but I couldn’t hear a word, everything was muffled and I could feel the sweat slowly form on my forehead. Louis was shaking me, trying to draw me back, but I couldn’t. I was lost in fear; my body entered a state of panic.

Alex is here.

Alex is here.

Alex is here.

This became an unwanted mantra engraved into my mind, torturing it. I couldn’t function properly. I felt like someone just told me a relative had just died… but instead, I know if Alex found out that I’m here, it would be my relatives informed of my death. I know that’s a bit far-fetched, thinking that Alex might kill me, but I know he can definitely do some harm, especially if he hospitalised Liam – A walking hulk – and managed to get away with it.

Then suddenly, all my senses awakened and Louis’ desperate pleads to call for me returned. I looked at him and saw tears threatening to escape his eyes, clouding up that beautiful and magnificent shade of blue. I didn’t hesitate to bury my head into his shirt. He clutched the back of my shirt and pushed us closer together.

“Don’t worry,” Louis reassured, his voice lucidly nervous, too. “We’ll be okay… just go hide and I’ll see what they want. Okay?”

“Okay,” I replied, my voice hoarse and croaky.

Louis released me and gave me a small smile before patting my back and walking out the kitchen door. A conversation soon ensued behind it and I remained on the spot, trying to listen in. I pressed my air against the cold frame of the door and listened.

“Louis, baby!” A high pitched, annoying, feminine voice spoke; it was Eleanor. I gagged at the thought of her hugging my Louis.

“Hey, Eleanor.” Louis responded. HA! No ‘babe’ or another nickname for you, Eleanor. “Hey… Alex.” His voice was wary and slow. Even the way his name rolled off Louis tongue was enough to send cold chills down my spine.

“Sup, Lewis.” I could hear the darkness in the following voice, it was so malign and vicious, deep and cold, that it could have a lion cowering in fear. Suddenly, I became apprehensive about listening in; He could just barge in at any second and find me. What he could do after that was frighteningly inconceivable.

“Well…” I could hear Jay talk, a clap of hands followed after. “It’s lovely to meet you guys, but my favourite show will be on soon. Call me if you guys want something!” the sound of footsteps escalating the stairs came and then an awkward silence.