Catch You (One Direction) [On Hold]

Chapter Seven

 Sadie

The next morning, after breakfast with grandma, I head to the coffee shop. Best place to start as any, I suppose.

I sit at the table by the window, the same one I sat at when I met Louis here. I can watch everyone who passes by.

It's kind of a nice day outside. Not too hot, not too cold. Sunny and beautiful. I can only hope Harry will come by here again.

I mean, he's been here twice, now, and I know there must be some reason he came back. And he doesn't know that I know who he is.

The bell rings, the one announcing when someone comes in. I look up hopefully, but it's not Harry. It's three girls, chatting about something or another.

And then I hear their conversation.

“Yeah, they said Liam Payne's, like, missing or something” one of them says.

“Oh my gosh, he's got to be okay, right?” another one says. The third one walks up to the counter and rings the bell furiously until a cashier comes out. The other two girls stop talking to order, and then they jump right back into their conversation. I pull out my cell phone and dial Louis' number.

“Hello?” he says, when he picks up.

“Hey, it's Sadie” I say. “Where's Liam?”

Louis sighs. “Missing” he says. “I take it you've heard?”

“I'm here in the coffee shop, waiting for Harry, and some girls walked in” I tell him. “They're talking about it.”

“Shite” Louis says. “How do they know? Paul wants to keep it quiet.”

“Lou” I say. “What happened?” One of the girls looks up when I say 'Lou'. Her eyes lock on mine. I look away quickly.

“They were shipping him away” Louis says. “To rehab or whatever. And he was supposed to get there and he's still not there. Paul got the call right before I got back yesterday.”

“Are you guys staying in New York?” I ask him, trying to keep my voice low. The girls have their coffees by now, and are sitting at a table, but they're whispering about something, and they keep looking up at me.

“Until they find Liam” Louis says. “But Paul's keeping me locked in the hotel room, so I can't . . . help or anything.”

“It's fine” I say quickly. “I'm just sort of sitting here, seeing if he comes in or whatever.”

“Sadie, you don't have to do this” Louis says. “I mean, I sort of . . . I feel bad . . . for asking and all. I mean, it's a lot to ask . . . if you don't want to, I'd understand . . .”

“Louis?” I say.

“Yeah?” he asks.