The Story of Us-- One Direction/ Harry Styles Fanfiction

Chapter Twenty Two - Goodbyes

Chapter Twenty Two - Goodbyes

*Louis' Point of View*

     I stood not very far from the burial sight, keeping a close watch on everyone. It was raining; more like pouring actually. Yet, I kept my Aviators on as a disguise. I hoped nobody would notice me.

      Everyone stood in a tight group, all huddled together. There weren't many umbrellas present. Both Harry and Liam had one arm around Charlotte who stood on her own, crutches free. Harry's curly hair was slicked down due to the rain. His eyes, no surprise, were glued to Charlotte. He seemed confused. Liam's other hand was laced with Danielle's who seemed very emotional, even though she had never met Taylor. She also seemed a bit...wider? Maybe it was the flowy dress. Chelsea was weeping silently, clutching Niall's arms. I didn't blame her for sobbing, she had dated Taylor for a while. Zayn stood beside Harry with his arm draped around Sophia's small frame. She also seemed to be crying. But I remembered that she had a little brother, Ian, who was so injured, doctors didn't expect him to reach his tenth birthday. Then, my eyes wandered to Vic.

      My heart shattered. Vic was sobbing hysterically at the sight of his only son, in a coffin, being lowered into the moist ground. Nobody was hugging him. I saw Charlotte inhale a sharp gasp when Vic collapsed to his knees. She turned quickly and buried her head in Liam's shoulder. She didn't seem to be weeping, but she couldn't bear to see Vic crying. 

      As the funeral procession ended and people began to leave, I slowly approached the grave. Everyone seemed to be gone. I slipped my aviators off and dropped the single blood red rose that I had been holding onto the fresh, wet dirt. A lump rose in my throat as I read the tomb stone.

                                                                              Taylor Laurent Beck

                                                                 November 4th, 1991-August 3rd, 2014

                                                                            Loving Son and Brother

      Next to Taylor's name was a picture of him that I recognized. It hung on a wall in their living room. His senior portrait. The picture was four years old but Taylor looked exactly the same. His dimples were still noticeable, his eyes still sparkled, his dark hair was still cropped the same way. I smiled, thinking about how happy and peaceful Taylor must be.

      "I called you..." My head shot up and I recognized the voice immediately. "I called you to tell you that he was dying." I spun to my left and found none other than Charlotte, staring at me, dripping wet. She turned to look at the grave once and then back to me.

      "I came to pay my respect and offer my condolences." I said.

      "You think that after all this shit you put me through, I'd want you, of all people, here? Consider your condolences declined." she hissed, suddenly inches from my face. I fought the strong urge to kiss her again. Instead, I put my hand on her shoulder, smiling meekly.

      "I never said anything about offering them to you." I whispered. I tapped her cheek slightly and walked around her, slipping my Aviators back on.

      "Don't you ever get tired of running away, Louis? Or are you really a coward?" I froze, inhaling deeply. I spun around sharply and began to stride towards her, swiping my glasses off.

      "I've nothing left to tell you, Charlotte. I've admitted my deepest feelings, proved my love, told you my darkest secrets, betrayed my best mate, forgotten about my family...all for you. And this is how you finally acknowledge me? By calling me a coward? I'm sorry...but maybe you should think about who the coward is here, Char. Me? Or you?" I spat. Her jaw dropped as I walked away, slipping my aviators back on, thrusting my hands in my pockets. As I walked faster and faster, pain shot into my heart with every step I took.