Safe [punk l.t.]

Chapter 22

Louis' P.O.V

I hope I'm able to keep my promise to Jess. I really do, but I can't help but think of all the promises I've broken in the past to get me the image I have now...

At least Jess seems to be warming up to me.

We snuck out of her window when her parents were asleep carefully enough not to wake them and risk having those neighbors see us. Then we started down the road which will take us some time to reach my mum's old house.

It's a cold and breezy night even though it's almost summer and the sunset is burning out slowly leaving us a light to walk by.

"I should have brought more layers, I didn't expect it to be this cold this close to summer for Pete's sake," Jess whimpers next to me.

I take off my jacket and hand it to her.

"Are you sure?" She asks.

"Yeah, I don't get cold easily."

"Thanks," she hurries and puts it on.

We keep walking until the sun is fully set and I begin to weigh our options. We can either stop and rest for the night or keep on walking until we reach the house.

"How much farther?" Jess yawns.

"A long ways I'm afraid," I say and look over at her. She looks tired.

"Babe are you tired? We can always stop for the night," I offer.

"No, no...I don't want to slow us down..." She yawns again.

"Alright you're tired, here, we're heading into town pretty soon then after we'll be on the outskirts. Why don't we rest up then head out in the morning?"

"Sounds good," she murmers.

We reach a small Motel 6 and Jess and I head inside. Luckily, it's not crowded.

"Erm, hi. We'll take one room please," I say to the rather shady looking guy behind the counter.

"Sure, sure. Sign here and I'll get you your keys. I made sure to get you a room a little farther away," he winks at us.

"Delightful," I deadpan at his filthy suggestive mind and take the keys from his grubby hands.

Jess, too tired to care, utters an "ew" and then trudges on behind me.

"Louis?" She asks and I turn around.

"Yes love?"

"Can you carry me?"

"Sure," I smile and lift her up into my arms. Carrying her bridal style down the long sidewalk which did indeed lead us to our room- farthest away from civilization.

In one swift move I open the door and push the two of us through it as I stumble inside and plop her gently on the bed.

"Louis why is there only one bed? Are you trying to get in my pants?" She snickers.

"Trust me, that was not my intention at all, that crazy old bag at the desk really did think we needed some alone time," I chuckled.

"Oh," she gasps and giggles.

"I'll even put a pillow divider between us if you're that worried," I comfort her.

We climb into bed after brushing our teeth and setting up the pillows. Finally the room is filled with silence.

"Thanks Louis," Jess pipes up after some time.

"What for?"

"Respecting me and agreeing to run away with me," she yawns.

"Sure," I smile and roll over so I'm facing the pillows.

A small hand reaches over the mounds of cushions and grabs mine. Jess gives it a small squeeze before saying:

"Night Lou."

"Good night Jess."

I really like Jess. I have to admit it. I really need to stop running from my heart.