Away

Chapter 22

-CERULEANS POV-

We both watch Zayn leave, and after Louis is certain he is gone, he turns to me and starts to cry.

Louis is sobbing and I don't know why or what to do about it.

So I sit and wait for him to calm down.

After a little while, he catches his breath enough to talk.

"P-please, Cerulean, d-don't talk about what that," he pauses to gulp in a breath of air. "That scum bag tr-tried to do to y-you. Okay?"

I look at him and nod slowly, wondering just how much I really don't know about Louis Tomlinson.

"Louis?" My voice is quiet, reserved.

"Yes?"

"How did you meet Erin?"

"When I was seven, I tried to pickpocket him and he caught me. Asked me why I was trying to steal from him. I told him I didn't have a house anymore because my dad and mum kicked me out. Didn't make much of a difference; they were never there, always too drunk or high to care for me, so I took care of myself. Erin took me home- well, to your home- and told me I could stay with him."

"But if that's true- and I don't see why you'd lie- he was only thirteen. Our dad was still there then."

"I know, he told me about how angry your dad had been lately and how I needed to watch out for him."

I nod. "What about me? When did you learn about me?"

"Do you remember your dad very much from when you were around five?"

I shake my head. "Just that he made loud noises and broke things."

Louis smiles a rueful smile and nods. "I met you when you were five. I had just turned nine, you were turning six on the seventh of January, right?"

I nod. "But why would I have met you already and not know you?"

"Because that was the night your father left the first time. Erin saw he was drunk, majorly drunk and was scared for your safety because your father was headed for the stairs and you were crying for Erin because you'd wet the bed. It made your father mad. So Erin told him to get out and your father attacked him. At one point, Erin told me to get you and hide somewhere with you. I did. You were beautiful then, too. Your eyes like a mixture of indicolite, blue zircon, and Pacific opal, highlighted with tinges of heliotrope. And your hair was as crazy wavy as it is now, but much shorter. I took you to the bathroom with some unspoiled blankets and pillows and locked the door to the mirror part of the bathroom and then we slept in the tub in the actual bathing part of the bathroom. I locked that door, too."

"We slept together when I was five?"

"In a way, yes. You were very cuddly then. But you had chubbier cheeks." Louis smiles and absent-mindedly touches my face. I blush at the feel of his touch.

Louis yawns. "If you still want to go, we can still go shopping tomorrow," he offers.

I smile and nod. "I still want to go. I need some more clothes."

It's then that I realize I'm wearing a pair of sweatpants now, as well as Louis' t-shirt.

"Whose are these?"

"Niall's. He said you could use them."

That was nice.

"I need some sleep, so could you maybe scoot over please?"

"One more question first? Please?"

"Alright."

"Why did you run away that night? If you cared so much, why would you run away?"

He sighs. "Cerulean, I was afraid you wouldn't like me or want me around. And you were so happy with that one boy. What's his name? Keith, right?"

"Kyle," I correct, since he's technically still my boy friend.

"Whatever, close enough. I didn't want you to reject me, so I ran away."

"Did you come back that night?"

He nods. "Yes, about twenty minutes after you went back upstairs."

"Louis, I haven't slept good since the time my father really abused me. Until lately, with you. I know because I've beat you up in my sleep and Harry said I was talking in my sleep. I do those when I'm sleeping deeply."

"Well, then can I get in the bed?"

I laugh and slid over. Louis climbs to the bottom of the bed and grabs a blanket before cuddling close to me.

A thought occurs to me and I have to ask before he falls asleep.

"Louis?"

"Yes?"

"Can we, um, I don't know how to say this without feeling dumb. Can we, um, you know, like-"

"Spoon?" I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Mhm," I nod, feeling embarrassed.

"Ok, love, do you want to be the big spoon or the little spoon?"

"Uhh, the one in front?"

"The little spoon."

"Ok. That one."

He chuckles and pulls me close to him with his arms tight around my waist. He bends his knees causing mine to bend as well.

When we are both comfortable, he hugs me tightly and breathes in deeply.

"Night, Lou."

"Night, Cerulean."