Waited For A Girl Like You: A One Direction Love Story

Chapter 10: She's Just Looking For Someone To Love Her Unconditionally

[AN: I personally love this chapter. Mainly because I LOVE writing all that Zayn/Louis/Autumn stuff. And Hope is just adorable. Does someone want to make me a book cover for this story? That would be awesome!]

“Her parents split up when her mom had an affair with my dad,” Hope said as the others looked on. She moved to the couch with everyone else following. Zayn wrapped his arm around her for support. She grasped his hand in hers for extra courage.

“So your mom is my stepmom?” Harry asked.

“I guess so,” Hope said. “My dad stayed with her until I was about six months old. Then he left, and when he did, he took me.”

“How could you leave her like that?” Louis shouted out the anger still bubbling inside of him.

“I was six months old,” Hope said with a glare. “I didn’t get to make that decision.”

“Sorry,” Louis said plopping down onto the couch next to her. “I’m just worried. I know that family is really important to Autumn. I don’t understand why she would run away from you after finally seeing you again.”

“I don’t get it either,” Hope said.

“Well, it’s obvious that Autumn did meet you sometime after you were six months old,” Liam said. “She recognized you immediately.”

“Let her tell the rest of the story,” Zayn said pulling her even closer. She took a deep breath.

“Up until I was fourteen I thought I was on only child,” Hope said. “My dad always told me that my biological mom was a flake.”

“That’s a nice way of putting it,” Niall said slumping into an open chair. His cheeks were still ruddy from all his drinking. “That woman is nuts.”

“You’ve met my mom?” Hope asked expectantly.

“You haven’t?” Harry asked.

“No,” she replied. “My dad has never been her biggest fan from what I can tell. I didn’t know Autumn existed until I was fourteen.”

“How did you two meet?” Zayn asked.

“She just showed up at my school one day,” Hope said with a smile on her face. “She walked up to me when I was walking home. There was no denying she was telling the truth. We’re practically identical. She told me she had been looking for me for years. She wanted to get to know her sister.”

Louis smiled. That sounded just like something Autumn would do. By the time she had found Hope she must have already lost one stepfamily to her mother’s disastrous luck with relationships. Finding her half-sister must have been her attempt to find a family that wouldn’t abandon her.

“We spent the whole afternoon talking. It was amazing,” Hope said as she cuddled into Zayn’s arms. “That whole week I met up with her after school to spend time together. It was so cool to have an older sister.”

“Then why haven’t we heard about you until now?” Jordan asked. “Autumn ran off the minute she saw you.”

“It’s just like all those years ago,” Hope said standing up. “I was prepared to introduce her to my dad. I had told all of my friends about my cool older sister. But one day she never showed up. I kept waiting after school for three days. Finally one day in the mail I got a letter from her. I still have it.” The watched as she raced to her purse and pulled out a small folded piece of paper. It was worn and practically falling to pieces. She handed it to Louis to read out loud.

Dear Hope,

It was really great to finally meet you. You are more than any sister could ever ask for. I’m sorry I can’t tell you this in person, but I had to leave suddenly. None of this is your fault. I’m afraid I am all to blame for this. I can’t be the family you need or ultimately want. Even though I won’t be able to see you again I will always keep you in my heart. Thank you for everything.