The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 14

It was the day after the worst hangover I've ever experienced. Malik had invited Liam and I to this house warming gathering, so we decided to attend. Luckily, his condominium complex is only about two miles down mine and Liam's housing. I find it funny because Malik is such an edgy and serious guy, like why would he throw such a girly gathering?

We pulled into the parking garage of the building and parked next to what I assumed was Niall's jeep. Right before my best friend and I piled into the elevator, I pulled him back.

Liam saw the look of worry etched on my face.

"What's wrong?" he asked in a caring way.

"It's gonna be awkward," I sighed, "Louis' gonna be there,"

"I thought you all discussed this before I picked you up from his house?"

I chewed on my bottom lip. Yeah, not really. All we did before I totally ran out of there was talk about his tattoos and how we never checked each other out. Which I am totally guilty of because he's actually pretty cute. Those eyes, I tell you. Damn.

My best friend caught onto my silence and rolled his eyes. "You didn't talk it through, did you?"

"No," I pout and I let out a whine, "I just ran out of there. I was freaked out! Can you blame me?"

"How do you think he feels about it?"

My shoulders shrug and I frown. I've never done anything so stupid in my life. Wait, no. That is a lie. My teen years were definitely filled with stupid mistakes. Hilarious ones, too.

"Look," Liam grabs a hold of my shoulders, "Get a grip. We walk in there and pretend none of this happened. It will only be awkward if you let it be. Be the normal, cursing, giggly Elisabeth that I love as a best friend. Got it?"

His words of encouragement cause me to smile uncontrollably. I love Liam. I said this countless of times and I'll say it again. I don't know what I'll do without him.

"Got it?" he urges once more.

"Got it,"

We hug it out and walk into the elevator.

Alright, Elisabeth. Nothing happened and we are all just here for a good time.

***

The three of us were on our way to Zayn's and the car ride was silent. Kelsey was sitting in the passenger seat beside me with her arms crossed and a scowl plastered on her face. Mason was on my cell phone. She's been quiet since we got in the car and she's been angry since last night. We have to talk about this and soon. I don't want to cause a scene at the gathering, especially with Niall's stupid ass there to instigate everything. I love the boy to death, but he's a hardcore instigator and he just makes things worse.

"Kels, we have to talk about this," I finally speak.

"About what, Louis?!" she spits, "About how you ditched me and left to go fuck another girl?"

My face pinches at the words. She makes it sound so harsh.

"I was drunk, Kelsey. I didn't know what I was doing. I don't even remember half the night,"

She didn't believe my story and one hundred percent of it was true.

"Well, she looked absolutely stunning in your clothes," she hissed with venom dripping in every word.

She saw her? My eyes were wide as saucers. "You saw her?"

"Yes. Yesterday morning at the coffee shop. She was with Liam,"