The Connotations of Home

Chapter 2

September 5th, 4:00 pm

Louis

Louis grabbed a large, heavy turquoise suitcase from the backseat of his car, heaving it upwards and dragging it down his drive.

The car journey had been horrendous; non-stop traffic, idiotic drivers, constantly having to take the long route at every moment possible - it was hell. And Louis wasn't the most patient person in the world.

But he was home now.

"Louis, sweetie!" His mum, Esme, called as he plopped the heavy box down by his feet. She wrapped him a tight embrace, breathing in happily.

"Hi mum, how are ya?" Louis smiled, pulling her back and resting his hands on her shoulders.

"Even better now you're back, Lou." She said softly.

He loved his holidays, he really did, but he felt bad leaving his mum to take care of his younger sisters by herself for that long.

Louis would help out when needed, for example driving his sisters to sleepovers and such when his mum wasn't able to. She was always very thankful for it, but she would never take advantage of him.

Esme would do the absolute most to make sure everyone was well, and Louis would often have to tell her to take a break.

Being the oldest sibling by a good few years and not having an actual dad there, he was very close with his mum and saw her as more than just that.

"Louis!" Demi called, running towards him, Louis picking her up to save her running straight into his legs.

"Woah, hi!" He propped her on his hip, his arm snug around her torso, "Look at how much you've grown! How long was I really gone for?" Louis chuckled as Demi snuggled into his neck.

Both of them excitedly asking him every little detail about his trip.

"Did you get a haircut?"
"How's Jack?"
"Did you meet any girls?"

"I didn't, he's fine and that's none of your business!" He laughed. "Look, I'll talk to you both more later but right now I need to sleep," He chuckled on a sigh, gently lowering Demi to the laminate floor.

"I don't understand your thought process for coming home today, you have college tomorrow, you know." His mum said.

"I know, bad planning," Louis shrugged, pulling her into another hug. "I'll learn eventually."

He probably wouldn't but that was a topic for another time.

He dragged his feet up the stairs and flung himself onto his bed without hesitation. He took in his deep red walls and black duvet covers, with a poster of The Fray plastered on the wall opposite his bed, next to a large TV on top of a strong wooden cabinet.

A dark brown chest of draws and desk in the same colour were placed to the left of his bed, against the wall that he shared with his neighbour, Harry.

He'd missed Harry more than he cared to admit. They had been friends for so long, as they grew up together, however he couldn't help but wish for something more. He just didn't want to ruin what they had.

He lay there on his bed, drifting in and out of sleep before fully closing his eyes and giving in to his exhaustion. He'd had so much fun with his friends, partying, laughing, flirting with people, but he underestimated how tired he would be when he came home.

He practically blacked out for at least 4 hours before the tedious trickle of piano notes through the wall pulled him out of his slumber. Harry always seemed to have found a new tune to work on (and practice constantly) whenever Louis wanted peace and quiet.