Surrender

Chapter Thirty Two

Hello lovely people! I'm sorry this took so long, I really struggled to get it out and I bet you will be able to tell when you read it, so I apologize. First order of bizznizzz, I just want to give a big shout out to @eatreadwriterepeat for making that kick ass manip and for her AMAZEBALLS story Drifter. Go check it out because it's killer. Seriously. Also to @sarahsational for being the COOLEST cat and for ALWAYS ALWAYS giving me insanely awesome comments and feedback. Go read her story What Lies Beneath you will NOT be sorry you did and you'll freaking be hooked like a fish on Sunday morning father and son fishing trips. But just do it anyway, k? k.

So here is Chapter 32, tell me what you think because I literally thrive off of your comments, seriously, I improve so much from YOUR feedback, and don't forget to vote and such.

I love all of you sexy bitches. *gives all of you a big fat kiss* -Whitney

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

I'm being scrutinized by a dress.

I'm standing in my towel staring at the back of the door, stalling as long as I can before I have to get dressed. Louis is in the bathroom getting ready and after last night I need some time alone. I can't face this today, I just can't. If I make it through this day then it means that Aaron is really dead and he's never coming back. Up until now it's felt like he's been in California on one of his MIA streaks, bumming around the beach, surfing, drinking and partying with his friends. And maybe I'll always keep him that way, to preserve who he was and not what he became. I look out the window at the rain falling in thick drops from he sky. The entire world is gray today. How much more cliche can you get? It's raining the day of a funeral, I felt like I'm in a bad chick flick with a bitter ending. I sigh and let out a frustrated groan, tossing my towel aside and facing the fact that I'll have to get dressed sooner or later. I grab my underclothes from a box and take the dress off of the door, unzipping it slowly.

Like a band aid Rae. Like a band aid. I step into it and pull it up, the soft fabric making my stomach twist as I pull it over my arms and onto my shoulders. I reach behind me to start fastening to buttons, but I can't reach them all. Just then, Louis opens the door wearing a fitted black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath and the collar is unbuttoned enough that a small part of his tattoo is peeking out from beneath it. He looks handsome, and much to my relief, he didn't shave completely. He sees that the back of my dress is still open and he smiles to himself.

"Need help?" He asks. I nod and turn around so he can finish buttoning it. His fingertips graze my skin every now and then, calming me a little, and I'm glad I asked him to come with me today. It's a lot to ask, but I need him, and right now he needs me to need him. He moves my hair away from my neck and kisses me lightly before turning me around to face him.

"You look beautiful," He says, tucking my hair behind my ear, "I like it when you wear your hair down." I didn't know that. I hardly ever wear it down because I've always worn it up, but I didn't think something like that mattered to him. I have to constantly remind myself that Louis is far more observant than I give him credit for. I smile and step away from him to grab my shoes out of one of my boxes.

"We should finish packing this room in the next couple of days so the movers can come in and take care of the big stuff." He says behind me. I cringe and instantly feel nauseous. How much longer can I put off packing this stuff away? I'm going to have to hide it and hope he doesn't find it before I have the chance to tell him... Whenever that's going to be. I pull out my shoes and turn, a smile on my face.

"Sounds good." I say as I drop my shoes on the floor and step into them. They're black swede heels and I feel ridiculous. I never wear heels and I'd much rather be wearing my converse right now. Louis smiles and puts his wallet and keys into his pockets. We're the same height now, our eyes are level and if I leaned in just an inch my forehead would be resting against his. He touches my cheek and looks into my eyes, the soft blue calming me a little more.