Beat Still

Epilogue

"Will you talk to me please, Lou?"

No answer.

"Can you at least look at me, Love? Just look at me please, Bear?"

He flinched at his nickname but still did not respond. He stared blankly out the window as if he cannot focus on anything else but the passing trees and cars. I guess I should not be surprised. After what I just did...

For the sake of my own sanity I keep telling myself it is for the best. But how can I be so sure? How do I know that maybe what I just did ruined his confidence and then he will quit the show and then the boys will hate me and then I'll have to move to Argentina and then-

"Hey I know what we should do!" The awkward silence on the bus was interrupted by the splitting Irish accent of a way too cheery Niall.

He dug in his pocket, pulling out his samsung galaxy,"Let's take a picture for instagram!"

The boys, excluding Louis, all cheered and gathered around the lad. I shrugged and moved from my spot in the seat beside Lou, to the opposite side of the bus. I suppose I should do something else for the next three hours other than stare at Louis.

Niall held the phone above all of our heads trying to squeeze everyone in. The five of us pressed our faces together.

As luck would have it, I was sat right next to Zayn...and he had his arm around me...and he just whispered in my ear...and his lips grazed my cheek...and now Louis chooses to look at me!

He sent me the most evil look I have ever seen cross his face before grabbing a magazine and flipping through the pages roughly. If only he would talk to me, I would explain. It wasn't what he thought at all. Zetus Lapetus, this is just what I needed.

"Marc, you weren't even lookin' at the camera, but whatever. What filter and tag should we use, boys?" Niall rolled his eyes at me before looking for the perfect filter.

"Black and white!" Harry yells. He is so artsy hipster it hurts.

"Let's tag it 'Single ladies hmu' Maybe we'll find fit girls now that we're going to be on tv." Niall smirked typing faster than I have ever seen him type. I knew he was joking, but it was probably true. They were going to be rolling in women and probably men too...if you're into that kind of thing.

"And 'U got kik?'" Liam added laughing. I did not get the joke, but I have seen some people comment that on Instagram pictures before so I guess it is a popular thing. Louis turned the pages of the trashy magazine, yawning loudly.

Hey, I just realized what Niall said,"Not all of us are into girls though, Ni." I poked his shoulder playfully.

He howled in laughter,"Right, mate. I'll add 'DicksNotChicks4Marcy'."

We both laughed as I tried to grab the phone out of his hands. Liam and Harry cheered for me, and Zayn helped Niall by holding me back. Suddenly something scratchy hit the side of my face. Everyone stopped playing and looked to Louis.

He was standing now, bracing himself on one of the seats so that he would not fall from the bumpy ride. His eyes were dark and hollow, and I swear if looks could kill...

I picked up the magazine from the floor, inspecting the cover as if I was some sort of detective looking for clues.

"Louis. Did you throw that at me?"

He crossed his arms over chest and stepped forward, now directly in front of me. He leant down so that our faces were almost touching.

"Fuck. You." He spat. I was shocked. I sat frozen as he retreated to the back of the bus where the bathroom and bedroom were and yanked the curtain closed behind him.