The Demons Inside. [ZM AU]

Ch: 12 || Charms.

[Louis]

"You never told me where Liam disappeared to, Lou-or Harry, Nikki, Sophia and even Zayn?" Eleanor was clinging onto my arm as we walked out the school gates for the last time. We had finally got our exam leave now, meaning we have just finished college. We have time to revise at home before our final exams before we can head to University. Eleanor, Danielle and I were held back a few weeks while some of our classmates were able to have their exams early and leave. I guess it's because I was held 'captive' and Eleanor's not entirely bright-I don't know what Danielle's excuse for being dumb is.

"I already told you babe, they all finished early." I was lying to my girlfriend which was something I swore I would never do. I couldn't help but lie though, what else could I say to her? The truth would be too much for her to handle. As much as I love her, she could gossip for Bradford-her and Nikki.

 "What-even Nikki? That seems highly unlikely... she wasn't bright at all, was she?" I know that lie was terrible, but what other choice do I have?

"Yeah well, she must've been bright if she's left." I shrugged, trying to brush the subject under the rug, like every other subject we have talked about that involves those five people.

Eleanor decides against continuing to question me now, instead we walk back to my house in pure silence. It's weird because she is usually blabbing on about her day, and how many detentions she has received for the way she was dressed. I love her to pieces but the way she dresses does disgust me in some ways. No-one needs to see so much skin-skin that is rightfully mine.

Whenever I try and convince her to cover up just a little bit, she send up bursting out in tears, claiming that I think she's a bimbo even though I wouldn't dream to ever call her that! She's dramatic, but so am I... so I just put up with it.

 We arrive at my front door and my mother is on the porch shaking slightly in what looks like, fright. I rush straight up to her, worried as always, "Mum! What's the matter-what happened?!"

"L-lo-Louis... there-there's s-someone in-inside! So-someone I-I d-don't k-know!" she began to cry probably from the shock she was feeling. I, feeling rather heroic, go ignoring the calls from the two women outside for me to be careful. When am I not careful anyway? Woops... just slipped! Okay-calm down Louis. Act smooth.

"Hello?" I called into what looked like an empty house.

"Louis. Louis Tomlinson." I heard a voice speak out from the living room, and I cautiously make my way into the room. My heart is slightly beating harder then usual now. Damn, BE A HERO LOUIS!

"Hello?" I call out again rather stupidly, because I don't know what else to say.

"Hey Louis. It's me-Tom." and sure enough the rough looking Bolton lad was smirking from his position on my couch. He looked more rougher then I've seen him before-he looked like he hadn't shaved in ages. His stubble was in an almost thick beard as well as his moustache. His clothes looked as if he hadn't changed them since I last saw him-a month ago?

"Hi... what are you doing here Tom? How did you even find out where I live?" I greeted him with a small smile, perching down opposite him on an arm chair, examining his features. We weren't best of friends, but I was never as horrible to his friend Zayn as Harry was, so I don't see any reason why Tom and I cannot be friends. I guess this means we are... friends? Weird.

"Good to see you, mate. I stalked you obviously. Don't look at me like that-I know I'm a mess. Can you blame me? I've had no where to go in a while." he chuckled half-heartedly, scratching the back of his neck. He really did look a mess.

"Wow. That's just um... hold on." and I quickly ran out the front door to where the two women of my life were standing frozen, in a shell shocked position like they were in when I left.

"Louis! Who was it? Was it a criminal-are you hurt?!" Eleanor embraced me as soon as she saw me, and was interrogating me just like my mother would.

"I'm fine-I'm fine! Guys, you can both come inside. It's perfectly safe-he's alright. He's my friend, Tom. Tom Parker-"

"-Tom Parker? I've never heard of him. He can't have come to our school-I knew everyone." Eleanor was bragging and as much as it was starting to annoy me right now, I needed to let it go--like I always do.

"No, no. He doesn't go to our school. He's a friend of Zayn mostly, but also one of Sophia's-"

"-Zayn, as in Zayn Malik? Oh God. I've always hated him! Why are you hanging out with people like him?! His standards are really low-mummy always told me that he had issues so I have to stay far and clear from people like that. Messed up-"

"-Eleanor, dear. Please shut up. Can you do that-is that too much to ask? Please babe. Thank you." she looked at me taken aback, and my mother had a small smug smirk playing on my lips as I had finally spoken my mind.

She knows I've always been crazy about Eleanor but she also could see how crazy Eleanor was making me feel-not in a good way. She talks about other's without a care, and it's was getting rather frustrating now. Especially if that's the guy my best friend loves. The best friend I haven't seen in ages now.

"Now, come in. I want you both to meet him. He's nice-he won't bite. Promise." I took my mother's hands and led her slowly back inside, where she reluctantly followed me.

"Tom, come say hey to my mum. She's pretty scared of you-so be nice."

Tom came into the hallway with one hand causally in his jean pockets, while the other waved shyly. The guy I once knew was confident all the time, this guy certainly wasn't. I was dying to know what happened-what made like this.

"Hey Mrs Tomlinson. It's lovely to meet you." he held out a hand in front of the small woman next to me for her to shake, which she did hesitantly.

"Nice to meet you too, Thomas. May I ask why you're in such a bad condition now, I don't mean to be rude or-"

"-no, no. It's completely fine. I was left homeless actually. I had nowhere to go. My parents passed away and the place I was staying in with some friends... well, we had to sell it. They all moved away and I was left behind." he brushed off the subject and briefed my mother on my story, taking out the parts about the gang and the murder or Niall Horan-which of course is understandable. Even I haven't told her that.

Oh heyyy mum, yanno that murder enquiry that is going on and is all over the news about that Irish dude, Niall Horan? Yeah-did I forget to tell you that I was involved in his life and I was there the night he died? Oh, I didn't tell you... Oh.

See, sounds stupid trying to tell her. Therefore, I just can't. Neither can I tell Eleanor.

"Well, you're more then welcome to stay with us Thomas. We have lots of rooms now that some of my daughters have moved away to boarding schools. Any friends of Louis's is like a son to me. I have six daughters, so the more sons the better." my mother's laugh was a musical sound and I love her giving attitude.

She was once scared of Tom, and now this. This is one of the many reasons to love my mother, everyone. She is so loving-such a big heart.

"Really? That would mean so much. Thank you, miss!" Tom grinned at her with happiness that I hadn't ever seen on his face before. I had actually only met him once in my life- so hey ho.

"You're more then welcome, dear. Oh... please call me Joanna. Miss sounds like an old lady, and I may look old but I'm really not that old."

"Nah-you're a stunned, Joanna." Tom smirks at her and she laughs out once more.

Tom has a thing with women, a natural charm. A charm that can wrap them all around his pinkie finger. Sophia once told me that Tom was a ladies man, a toy boy.

It seems Eleanor is taken by it too...

{{hii. LOUIS IS BACK IN THE STORY AHHHHHHHHH! LOU LOU LOU, OH AND TOM YAY! Comment, and Vote please;) I'm already on chapter 18 on this story.. yeah, I write ahead:) Oh, if you haven't fanned already please, may you? Because I'm 2 away from 200 omg... Love you all-Tanisha .xx}}