Being Perfect

Chapter 3 - Flushed Hopes

Chapter 3 Nichole

We managed to escape the mall parking lot without hitting any of the girls. We had decided to skip tanning and go get something to eat. This whole day was weird. Louis was driving me around, buying me things, taking me to lunch. Isn't this what happens when you're dating? I was mindlessly staring out of the car window when a hand flew in front of my face. "Earth to Nic. We're here." I rolled my eyes and smiled over at Louis. His brown hair was shorter than I remember it. He had a little bit of facial hair, but not like a full grown beard. His blue eyes were the same though. I slid out of the car and Louis waited for me at the entrance of a small little diner. I had no idea this place even existed. The wall looked like an all white painting that someone dripped candle wax down. The tables creaked like they would fall apart at any second. I gave Louis a questioning glance and he smirked. Without realizing it, he grabbed my hand. I quickly pulled it out of his grasp and he looked at the ground. "Sorry I wasn't thinking." I nodded and followed him to a table. Once we were seated I sighed. I looked around and saw that the diner was empty except for Louis and me.

"So how was your tour?" He raised his eyebrows. "Or tours, I should say." He smiled and shook his head.

"I love it. I mean, I never pictured myself where I'm at now. I never thought that I'd amount to much more than my dad, but here I am. I've been to almost every country. Played the biggest arenas. I don't understand why or how it happened, I'm just happy that it did." His smile grew as he talked about it and you could tell he loved it. "So how have you been?" I shrugged.

"I've been taking care of those sisters of yours." I smiled. "I got a job at a diner similar to this one, but cleaner and in town." He laughed. "Other than that I'd just read in my bedroom and listen to music." He tilted his head to the side.

"Do you hang out with your friends?" I shook my head.

"After you left, I finished high school. Blaine went to a vet school in London and Ashli went to France to be a fashion designer. I haven't made any new friends at work, but it doesn't really bother me. I hang out with Lottie a lot." Louis sighed.

"Why don't you hang out with the people from your job?" I sighed.

"Because I don't trust people like I used to." I blurted out the truth. I didn't trust people at all actually. Will tried to kill both me and Louis. Louis left me. But in all those situations, it was my fault. That's why I didn't have friends. I didn't want to hurt anyone. Louis was about to say something, but our waitress stopped at our table.

"What can I get you guys today?" I realized that I hadn't looked at the menu once. I quickly scanned over it while Louis was ordering.

"I'll have a cheeseburger with fries and a coke." She smiled down at him and then looked over at me.

"What about you?" Her tone had flattened a bit, but I tried to ignore it. I wasn't really hungry. Plus I didn't trust my face anywhere close to a bathroom in this place. I looked a little bit longer before I decided.

"Um, can I have a salad? But I want it in one of your smallest bowls and I don't want dressing." Both she and Louis gave me weird looks.

"Okay. Do you want anything to drink?" I shook my head. She left quickly after that. Louis was still looking at me.

"The Nic I know wouldn't turn down a cheeseburger and now you can't even eat a bowl of salad?" I played with my hands under the table. I could talk to Louis, but not about this. Not right now. He wouldn't understand. I shrugged.