While We're Young

Chapter 2

Let me explain. About five years ago my parents and I went on a trip to Paris. One night, it was raining and something blocked my father's vision and he swerved and lost control of the car. We ran head on into an abandoned building and somehow I survived and escaped the wreckage… Though my parents were unable to do that. Now, I didn't have any siblings and my mother didn't have any either. My only relatives were on my dad's side and I only knew some of them. My favorite was my cousin Liam. His mother was my dad's sister. He was the only cousin I really got along with. We didn't have much in common except I apparently had his wide puppy dog eyes. I didn't see it. After the accident I was sent to live with my aunt and Liam. For a long time I didn't talk but Liam was able to coax me out of my silence and bring back my old self.

By the time when Liam joined X Factor, we had become best friends, brother and sister. He took care of me and was very protective, sometimes a bit too much but it was who he was. Every day Liam would text or call me with updates and I would cheer him on. The main thing that Liam used to get me out of my silence was his beautiful voice. I loved it so much. He taught me to sing but I could never imagine performing in front of an audience, so I usually just sang when I was alone or wrote lyrics in my journals. 

When Simon put Liam with the four other boys, I knew they would go far. And of course, I was right. They may not have won first place but they became huge! The day they came back, Aunt Karen, Uncle Geoff, Nicola, Ruth, and I threw Liam and the rest of One Direction a surprise party. That's when I met my best friends. Louis and I instantly clicked. Then I met the little leprechaun, the Bradford "bad boi", and of course the curly haired menace. Okay maybe I don't mean menace. We have a mischievous friendship, always pulling pranks on each other and teasing.

Anyway, that is how my life changed and I started my travels with a world famous boy band. Back to what's happening. Liam  escorts Lou and I to his car and we both jump in the back seat. I was getting tired quickly. We are pretty much silent on the way to the hotel, except for the occasional giggle from me or Louis when we poke each other. When we get to the hotel, I kiss Liam on the cheek and thank him for driving us.

"No problem, Ray. Oh and Louis, watch out for my cousin okay?" Liam smiles and Louis laughs. Liam then rolls up his window and drives off, leaving Louis and  standing in the cold.

"Shall we go in?" Louis asks as Liam disappears from sight. I nod and hold onto his hand while he leads me into the grand hotel and to the elevator. I press the button for the top floor and up we go. I can't help but burst out laughing at the cheesy elevator music that you only hear in movies. By the time Louis and I reach the top floor we are laughing so hard there are tears in our eyes. This is why I love Louis, because we share such an easy sense of humour. We giggle our way to my door and I nearly drop the key when Louis grabs me from behind and starts tickling me. I bite my lip to stop myself from shrieking and I'm finally able to slide the key and open the door. We tumble in and fall on the bed together, still laughing. 

"So, babe, what's new? Any guys you're interested? Hm?" Louis winks and nudges me. I sigh and shake my head.

"Unfortunately, no. I haven't had a boyfriend since, like, eighth grade and that didn't last very long…" I sigh again.

"Awe, what happened?" 

"I don't know, it wasn't anything serious anyway," I murmur. Louis stops questioning me but I can tell he feels bad because his mood is calmer. 

"Hey, Lou?" I poke him. He turns towards me, away from the television that we turned on. It was a scary movie, Insidious. H looks at me with question in his eyes and I don't say anything, just scoot closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder. I pull out my phone and go on Twitter to see what's new, while simultaneously watching the movie. A scary part suddenly occurs and startles me. I shriek and hide my head against Louis's chest without thinking. He laughs and wraps his arms around me. We don't say anything still. Suddenly my phone dings, I got a tweet! I open the page and read the tweet. It's from Louis.

@Ray_Belle_Pay You scared? ;)

I huff and tweet back:

@Louis_Tomlinson I only act like it to get you to do things that I want ;)

Louis looks down at me and I just shrug so he tweets again.

@Ray_Belle_Pay What do u want?

@Louis_Tomlinson Some hot choco and popcorn maybe?

I look up at him and try to make the biggest puppy dog eyes I can. I see something in his eyes that is different than before. I don't know. He tweeted back!

@Ray_Belle_Pay I can't deny you with those gorgeous, grey puppy dog eyes of yours x

I laugh and hug him and repeatedly thank him as he picks up the phone and calls room service. Soon enough, we are enjoying popcorn and soothing hot chocolate, cuddled up together watching the movie. 

"Hey, Ray!" Louis whispers in my ear. I look at him and I'm greeted with a face full of popcorn. Oh no he didn't. I grab a handful of popcorn and chuck it at his face. He pulls a fake appalled look and we start bursting out in laughter, shoving popcorn down each others' shirts and pants. I always have so much fun when I'm with Louis! When I reach into the bowl for a final time, my hand meets Louis's and I look up, as does he. No more popcorn. 

"How about some pictures to remember this fun night?" Louis asks, plucking a piece of popcorn from my hair and popping it into his mouth. I lick my buttery index finger and nod my head in agreement. I got to my bag and pull out my nice camera (I like photography quite a bit) and sit next to Lou. We begin posing in various ways, taking a bunch of goofy and cute pictures. I decide for the next one I'd catch Louis off guard and kiss him on the cheek. That would make a great pic! So right before the next click I close my eyes and turn my head towards Louis. To my surprise, my lips don't meet the rough, sexy stubble that I expected, but instead something softer, something that fit to my lips. My eyes fly open. Oh my god, it was Louis's lips! We pull away quickly, both at loss for words. Louis is the first to speak, or at least try to.

"I- I di-di.. Wha-?" I try next,

"I- I was ju- just going to kiss y- your cheek but-" I stutter.

"I was too!" Louis interrupts. We both laugh a bit. I look up shyly and as he speaks again, 

"Well… It wasn't… bad…"