Brother

Nine

Ellie's POV

Louis: "I can't wait to see you! I'm so very glad you'll be spending your holiday here! Send me a list of your favorite items so I can stock up the house for your visit."

I'm sitting here on my bed trying to process everything that's happening...

I'm going to England in two weeks to go meet my older brother that I never knew about up until about 15 days ago. This is all so crazy!

Louis and I have been texting for around an hour about, well, everything. So far it's all been about planing my trip, and it's all so real, and yet somehow not. I can't help but feel like I'm watching a movie, or living a book characters life. Everything about it feels unlike my life, but then I snap back into it all and realize, this is my new normal. I have a brother.

I sent Louis a text of all my favorite foods, and easy meals he could buy for when I'm there. I told him what kinds of things he should get for the big thanksgiving meal, sense this would be his first one, but I offered to go shopping with him for all this stuff once I was there too.

I texted my neighbor to see if she could watch the house and my pets while I'm gone. Thankfully that weight is lifted off my shoulders when she agrees, saying it's no problem at all. I thank her then continue to text Louis.

"I've got everything here settled and ready for the trip. House and pets taken care of. I wish time would hurry up, I can't wait to be out there!!"

He reply's in no time.

Louis: "Me too! I can't wait to see you and show you around! I finally get my sister back!"

• • •

It's been a week sense planing everything out with Louis. I can't seem to focus on anything, my mind keeps wondering to the trip, and what it's all going to be like. My childhood home in London. What it will be like to see Louis in person. What the country will look like. How the flight will go. If I'll get to meet Harry. If he'll be over a lot...

Wait...what?! I find my mind wondering to Harry much more then it should. Ever sense Louis sent the picture of the two of them, I can't stop myself from thinking about him. And I don't know how to feel about it. He'd told me hi, over text, and sometimes when I speak to Louis on the phone I can hear him in the background saying hello, but still, I've never met the guy, hell, I've never met my brother...well technically I have, but I was little. Anyways, how can I be thinking of Harry when I have Louis that I'm going to visit? So much to process. I find myself wanting to ask Louis for his number, but it seems childish. I mean really, I doubt Harry even thinks anything of me.

I push the thought to the side, and go through things I need to pack. I have six days until I leave. I've started packing the things I know I'll want. I think I'm done packing, but I can't help checking it to make sure.

School has become increasingly hard to focus on. England, Louis, and Harry, is all my mind can think about. Today while in class, my teacher had to call my name three times until someone beside me taped my shoulder bringing me back down to the conversation at hand. Everyone laughed and I instantly became bright red. After that I was able to make it through the rest of the class, all my attention on the learning. But once the bell beeped it's long monotone sound, I was back to zoning out on my new normal. Louis, England, and I hope Harry.

See there I go again...

My phone buzzing on my bed grabs my interest. I stand from my suitcase, walking three steps to my bed, picking up my phone and clicking the screen on. I see that is a message from Louis.

Louis: "Hey El! I've got a real quick question for you?"

Subconscious my heart begins to pound at the words. What would he need to ask me?? I type back quickly.

"Ok Louis. Shoot."

The three bubbles pop up and I steady my breathing. I remind myself it can't be anything bad, he's my brother.

Louis: "So my mate Harry, you remember the one from the picture, is really looking forward to meeting you, and wants to know if you'd be okay with him joining us one or two of the days you're down here for?"

My heart literally stops. My mind is going fuzzy. Harry is "really looking forward to meeting me"!!! What!?! And wants to know if I'd be okay if he joined us while I'm there! I know I shouldn't feel this way for a boy I've never met, nonetheless, the best friend to my brother I've never met...The butterflies are swarming in my stomach.

I pull myself together to text Louis back.

"I would love to meet your best friend. Let him know I would enjoy getting to know him."

I look over the message and decide I can't send that. I delete it and start over.

"I wouldn't mind at all if he hung around with us. Please let him know I look forward to meeting him as well!"

Well I think that's much better. Less obvious...right? I hit send anyways. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm totally crushing on the idea.

A few moments later I get a reply back.

Louis: "Harry says he can't wait, and to please travel safely. Can't believe it's only six days away! We're super excited over here!"

I can't stop the goofy smile on my face from spreading, but I don't want to.

"Tell Harry I will! You have no idea how over the moon I am about this whole thing. Thank you so much Louis for pulling this all together. I can't wait to see you both in six days!!"

Wait...did I just say both. Maybe he won't take it that way. I hope.