Broken Promises and Half Truths

Chapter Eight

     Madeline sat uneasily in her seat across from Louis.  They were at a coffee shop; coincidentally, the same one Brianna bought her drinks from.  Louis had shed his outerwear and sunglasses, leaving his true identity open.  Girls and boys alike were flocking their table, flirting and begging.  Madeline tapped on the side of her mug of coffee with her pale-pink colored nails.

     "Brianna was right you know," Louis told her, handing a young girl back a notepad that he had just signed.  Strangers were shouting out questions, wondering if Maddie was the girl that made him leave set early or if she was the one that called him.

     "About what?  All she did was hurt my feelings," Maddie grumbled, taking a small sip of her coffee.  Brianna had been right; she would have enjoyed hot-chocolate better.  Louis sighed, ignoring Madeline's snide comment.  He was walking on thin ice.  He knew it would be easier to just give up and forget about Madeline.  

      He had half the mind to do so.  It would be easier for the both of them.

     "You made her strip in the freezing cold.  She had to get you outside somehow."  Louis sighed, taking a sip of his tea.  He had never like coffee, but he did quite enjoy tea.  "I was just trying to save you from this.  You're uncomfortable, I can tell."

     Louis reached over and brushed the hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.  He had a secret obsession with her blond hair.  It was so soft.

     "I didn't make her do anything," Madeline grumbled, drinking more of her coffee.  "Yeah, these people are kind of annoying," she whispered into his ear.  "But I think it's sweet you're still signing things even though they're all over your business."

     "Let's make it exclusive," he said suddenly, moving out of his seat  and pulling Madeline out of hers.  He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.  

     "You want to --"

     Louis cut her off by kissing her full on the mouth, in front of everyone.  Cheers rang throughout the crowd, making Madeline's cheeks flames ever more red than they had been before.  "Yeah, I want to be exclusive," Louis told her, leaning in and kissing the tip of her nose. 

     Madeline and Louis walked hand in hand down the street, towards his flat.  Maddie hadn't had the time to formally introduce herself to Lottie.  Louis had pulled his hoodie and sunglasses back on so they wouldn't be bombarded with questions or girls.

     "I'm sorry; I reacted poorly again."  Madeline squeezed Louis' hand.  He squeezed it back just as tightly.  Again, he pulled his key from around his neck and unlocked the door.  They guys were probably still at the hotel or out with Brianna.

     "Whatever, I was lying."

     Madeline thought back to her and Brianna's phone call.  Maddie pursed her lips before reaching over a touching his shoulder.  He turned slightly, only for Maddie to slide into his arms and into a hug.  "I never asked, you never told.  It's was just a half truth."  Madeline enjoyed sounding smart.

     "Yeah, sure."  Louis sounded unsure  He didn't enjoy lying, nor did he like being lied to.  Half-truths didn't sound too nice to him, either.  Louis frowned, looking up at Madeline's calm face.  If she had been hiding something that big to him, he would be livid.  "Whatever," he said again, opening the door, surprised by the silence.

     "Lottie?" Louis called out, pushing the door open further.  He was entirely freaked just yet.  He was just worried.  It would take another minute or so for him to begin to hyperventilate and run around the house looking for his younger sister.