Rainy Days

Chapter 4

Louis POV

Understand. She'll understand. I hope...

Shit. Oh, shit! My mind screams. How could you be so stupid! I try to scramble to get my stuff together. I'm more than two hours late. It's not my fault though... but how can I explain to her that I lost track of time while I was visiting my gram in the hospital. Would she really be mad? Oh god... I had planned to arrive late but not this late!

I look down at my phone for the first time today and see a text and missed call from Scarlett. "Oh man... shit!" I try to call her back. The phone rings once and then goes to voicemail... she ignored my call. Not good...

I read her text and respond. "I'm running really late" I type and rush to the park where we were suppose to meet. There's no one there and now I'm soaked head to toe. Had she been waiting here in the rain? I frantically look around for her. My eyes spot a girl on the other side of the park with a bright umbrella. She is looking down at her phone as she walks; a slight skip in her step. My heart skips a beat.

"Scarlett!" I shout. The girl doesn't look up. I run over and meet up with her. My heart sinks as I realize it's not her. "... I thought you were-"

"Scarlett?" the brown eyed girl says, cutting me off. "She was here; waiting for you actually. Poor thing. I've never thought I'd see the happiest girl in school crying so hard..." she purses her lips and looks down at her bright rain boots.

"Where-"

"She went home. Did you really think she would wait for more than two and a half hours. Actually, if she were here, it'd be three hours..." I furrow my eyebrows at the freckled faced girl. I recognize her from school. I can't quit think of her name though "I'm Sarah." she says as if reading my mind.

"Louis... I don't have time for this!" I pull at my hair.

"Well, then go find her. I suggest you don't just let her go. Things aren't going to get much easier. Good luck!" with that she spins on her heels and walks-skips actually-away.

"Damn!" I shout and take off running again. I need to explain. Shit, why do I care so much?

After what feel like forever I get to our neighborhood. I find her house and notice a light haired girl closing the door behind her just as I race to the house. I rush to her doorstep and knock continuously.

"Coming!" I frown. Her voice sounds weak through the door. I'm an idiot. I hate this girl, but how could I be this cruel; leaving her alone in winter and in the rain for that matter. Isn't that weather worse for people with asthma or some shit?

The door opens and we both freeze. Her from the shock of seeing me. And me from seeing her in this state; eyes and nose red and watery eyes. She's soaked. Her wet hair is coming lose from the French braids she had out then in. Her wet floral dress and coat sticks to her small body and she's shivering. She's fucking shivering and wheezing.

"I'm sorry!" I blurt out. She seems surprised by my apology.

I expect that annoyingly happy girl to appear and grin and try to hug me, saying something stupid like; "Lou! Haha how are you? I guess you forgot huh? Well, you don't have to be sorry!" But she only stares at me for a few minutes, eyes blank and cold...

"You're sorry?" she asks coldly, and I shudder. I've never seen her like this; so emotionless and cold hearted... it's kind of scary.

"Yeah..." I say more breathlessly than she must be right now. She walks outside and closes the door behind her without breaking the intense glare she has on me.

"How could you? That was cruel, even for you, Louis!" I frown. She didn't call me Lou. I know what I did was bad. Maybe if I just explain... "Don't even try to explain! All I keep doing is trying and trying! Well I'm done!"

"Will you shut up and listen?" I shout back. Her face twisted with anger and sadness, and I know I've chosen the wrong words. why can't I be nice to her?

"Hurry up and say what you have to say and leave." she huffs. She wraps her arms around herself and tries not to shiver from the cold.

"I was at the hospital. I was visiting my grandma and I lost track of time; fell asleep... I didn't mean to hurt you. I mean usually I do but this was different! And I don't have a car so it took forever... a-and I'm sorry!"

Her face softens slightly. "No... Lou... I-I didn't know. I'm sorry I just thought..." now the anger has faded from her expression and tears fall from her dull eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me! I didn't know! I'm a bad person!" she wails. Her hands ball into fists at her side, and she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to concentrate on breathing.

Before I realize it I have my arms wrapped around her. Damn, she's so difficult... She sobs into my chest, and I'm tempted to say something, but I decide its best to keep quiet and let her cry.

Scarlett's POV

I feel horrible. He was visiting his grandma, and I accused him of just ditching me. By the time I calm down enough to speak its getting dark, and I'm almost positive that my clothes have started to freeze.

"I didn't know. I'm sorry... I just.." my breathe hicks, and I bow my head.

Louis surprises me by smiling... acutely smiling at me. "Hey, it's fine. As long as you're not mad at me..." he trails off, his face slowly turning a dark red; most likely from the cold.

"I'm not mad..." I say and try to smile. Why is it getting harder to smile...?

"Lou...?" I choke out.

"Yeah?" he asks. I look up at him. He looks slightly dazed; tired from the events of today.

I've noticed something about him changing ever so slightly. I wonder if he noticed it too. I think he's actually happy? Or close to it.

"Are you happy?"

"What?"

I think for a moment. "You seem happier than when I first met you..."

He pauses; his lips pursed together in a straight line. "I guess I'm not as mad... I haven't really been focused on me lately-"

"What've you been focused on?" I need to stop talking.

"You." We both freeze. His face flushes a deep red. "I didn't mean it like that! You've been just like not leaving me alone and so what else am I suppose to focus on if I'm always around you and shit!"

My heart, which had leaped at the words 'you,' slowly sinks. "Right... Goodnight, Lou..." I quickly step inside and close the door; not wanting to hear another word escape his mouth.

I just need to be alone. I need to stop bothering people. I have to stop causing them so much trouble...

I have to stop being so damn happy all the time...

~

So sorry for not posting a chapter last saturday! Today I will try to post two chapters, and if not, I will post an extra chapter tomorrow :)