Broken Promises

Chapter Thirteen

Emerson's POV

After a restless night of sleep- tossing, kicking and turning- I woke up with a massive head ache. Groaning, I shoved my face into the pillow, hoping to push it out. But obviously, that didn't work.

I grumbled as I slowly stretched and got out of bed. Shuffling to the bathroom, I took one look in the mirror and was scared for my life.

"I look like shit," I say to myself. I tried taking my hair out of its messy bun, and found it practically kneaded into the hair tie. After picking at my hair for about three, long, painful minutes, I finally got it all out and started brushing it.

After I brushed my hair, I stripped out of my clothes and took a long shower, to loosen up my tense muscles. I run my hands over my belly, and I can't help but frown that it is not flat like it used to be. I wonder if Liam notices the weight I have lost in the last five years, or if he still thinks of me as his ugly fat friend. I try and push out those unpleasant thoughts and work on the affirmations my therapist taught me years ago, but it's getting harder and harder to summon those positive thoughts.

Frowning to myself, I turned off the water and wrapped myself up in a towel.

I looked to see if Layla was awake in her room, and found her tangled up in her blankets with her face buried into the bed with her pillow on the ground.

It was going to be a lot nicer than it was yesterday, so I decided to wear a pair of high-waisted shorts, a cropped band tee, and sneakers. I am in dire need of caffeine, so I set off for Starbucks for Layla and myself.

***

I'm at a table in the corner of Starbucks drinking my cold brew and scrolling on my phone. I needed a moment to myself, so I decided to stay at the shop before heading back to the flat.

The bell rang, signaling that someone was coming in. I didn't pay any attention to it as I went through my phone.

"Vanessa!" A familiar voice exclaimed.

I looked up and saw Louis smiling down at me with his arms extended.

"Hey Lou!" I stand up and gave me a hug. There was gorgeous, tall, skinny, brunette standing next to him. It must be Eleanor.

"This, is my lovely girlfriend, Eleanor. Eleanor, this is my friend, Emerson," Louis proudly introduced the two of us.

"Hi Emerson! You're so pretty! I've heard a lot about you! I couldn't wait to meet you." Eleanor exclaims, wrapping me in a hug. I instantly hugged her back.

I could tell already that there was something about Eleanor that made you feel comfortable and at ease. "Thank you! You're very pretty as well! Louis talks about you a lot you know. It almost gets annoying." I say, winking at Louis, who turned crimson.

"Aw Lou!" Eleanor turned towards him and pecked him on the lips.

I look away to give them a bit of privacy. I ached for that sort of affection.

"So, Zayn and Ella's date.." Louis looks at me, waggling his eyebrows.

"I know! I'm so excited for them! God, you should've seen her reaction last night. It was hysterical." I shriek.

Both Louis and Eleanor laughed. "I bet Zayn was worse. I haven't seen him get worked up like this in a while. I didn't think they would hit off this great!"

"I doubt Zayn could get worse than Layla. She was literally crying, screaming, on the verge of hyperventilating, and tearing apart her closet for something to wear," I admit.