I waited {L.S}

3.0

I took a deep breath and looked at the water. Fizzy and Lottie were splashing each other in the lake while the twins were inside. I stayed on the grass, moving my fingers back and forth. Sitting outside was easily one of my favorite things now.

"Louis, girls!" Our aunt called from the house. I looked back before standing up. I waited to walk back until Fizzy and Lottie were in front of me, then followed them inside.

Mary smiled and had the girls go change before we ate. She looked at me and patted my shoulder. "Are you eating, today?" I nodded slowly, which made her smile. "Alright, get whatever you want, hun."

I nodded and she left the kitchen, probably to go get the twins. I made a small plate with the sandwiches and sides she had out,

Mary was sweet. Apparently none of us had met her up to this point, but instead of just throwing us in her custody, we got to stay with her in small intervals to see how we felt.

I felt safer, here. It was a big farm that was far away from a lot of people. We had been here for months, and I hadn't seen anyone but them, really. Once in a while, I go into town, but then I normally sit in the car with all the doors locked.

I missed Harry. I haven't seen him since we moved, and I hated it. He probably forgot about me, so I tried not to think about him a lot. Half the time I couldn't help it, and Harry invaded. Most of the time, actually. He was always buzzing in there for some reason.

I sat down at the table and slowly ate, mostly waiting on everyone else. Once they sat down, my aunt looked at me. "Kayla wants you to go meet her in a few hours."

"Why isn't she coming here?" I asked. "She always..." I trailed off, looking at my plate.

"I can tell her you would prefer to just meet here," Mary informed me.

I shook my head. "I'll go... it's just weird."

We ate and the girls talked while possibilities flowed through my head. Was it bad I hoped Harry was a reason?

Lottie walked over to me. "Don't get your hopes up." She wasn't being petty or mean, she was telling me something I should have already been chanting. Harry probably isn't there.

"I'm not. He hadn't called since I've gotten the phone. He... He has to get through this too." I shrugged and looked down. I purposely avoided talking about Harry with Kayla or anyone, really. Lottie was the only person who questioned leaving Harry besides me, which made me feel better I had to admit.

Lottie nodded sadly and tucked hair behind her ear. I walked to the bathroom to take a shower, but I didn't see the same kid who got rescued, or even the same one from six months ago.

I didn't have as many scars all over my body. Some of them had faded, and the dark ones had become a little lighter. I had put on more weight, but I needed to put on the weight. I looked healthier, not like a sick kid who didn't grow into his body right.

Sometimes I still focused on the fact he wouldn't like the fact I looked like this. I didn't tell Kayla about every single time I thought about him like I was supposed to. Then she would realize I'm not making nearly the progress she thinks I have been.

I looked away from the mirror and took a deep breath. "It's okay."

I took a shower and got dressed rather quickly. I still hated my body. That was one of the topics I talked to Kayla about. Obviously it's helping a little because I'm putting on weight, but it kept me on edge at the same time.

"Louis, ten minutes."

I dried off my hair and threw on some clothes, then went to my room for my shoes. I slipped them on and grabbed a hoodie. I still liked to be in hoodies more than not. Even if it was hot enough as it was.

I went to the car and Mary got in the driver's seat. I got in passenger and played with the hoodie since I had it on my lap. She didn't start the car for a second.

"Do you want to drive?" Mary asked.

"I've never-"

"I know. But you have to sometime, right?" She smiled warmly. "I won't force you this time, but you will go driving soon."

I stared at her. She wanted me to do something like drive? I let a small smile over take my face and I chewed my lip. It would be cool to be able to drive.

I let my eyes close and after what felt like only a few minutes, Mary was shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and sat up rubbing them. I saw Kayla at a table with a coffee in her hands.

"Call me whenever you're done, okay?" Mary told me. I nodded slowly and got out of the car, carefully walking across the street to where Kayla was sitting.

When her eyes landed on me, she smiled. "Hey, Louis."

I smiled and sat down, folding my hands together. "Hey."

"How have you been?" She asked.

"I'm good." I stopped myself from adding on I missed Harry. I stopped doing it a few meetings ago, and it stopped us from ripping open memories that were just starting to heal.

"I thought the first thing you would have asked is why we're meeting here."

I shrugged. A few seconds later, I felt arms around me. "Hi, Sunshine."

I turned my head and my eyes went wide when I saw Harry. I turned around and hugged him tightly, pushing my face into the side of his neck.

"I missed you," I rushed out, like he could disappear. "I missed you so much."

"Someone's talkative," he commented with a smile the I saw when I pulled away. "Yes, I mean you."

I looked behind him and froze. I don't know what caught my attention, but my blood ran cold when my eyes landed on him.

"No," I whispered. I saw Harry frown and start to turn around, but he started walking closer. "No, no."

"Louis?" Harry questioned, grabbing my shoulders. "What's going-?"

"Stay here," I mumbled. I pushed past Harry and walked through the crowd. I lost him for a second, then I found him again and shook my head as he motioned for me to get closer. This was supposed to be about Harry, yet here I am, somehow avoiding him.l again.