One night {Cinderella AU}

Chapter 2

(the song attached is 'the ballad of Mona Lisa' by panic! at the disco. It's one of my favourite songs by them and it really fits in with a certain character in this chapter)

"Louis!" His maid, Nina called, "your parents want you downstairs. I have to warn you, there's a good 20 girls in there with them" Dread fell onto Louis' face and Nina seemed to have picked up on it "Chin up lad. Someone as young as you shouldn't look so unhappy." She smiled at him, the wrinkles on her cheeks creasing even more. She had been his maid since he was born, and even back then she must've been around 40. Louis had meant to ask her how old she was on multiple occasions but he felt like it was rude to ask someone's age, regardless of whether or not you have a valid reason.

Louis made his way down the ridiculously long corridor and down the 2 flights of stairs that led him to the dining room. He had always hated this room. It was too big, too fancy, like it was only there to show off all the money his family had. But that's the thing about being in this family. It wasn't seen as a huge thing these days, the money is the only scraping of intimidating nature they have left.

Oh how he wishes Liam would come earlier.

He would be able to finish this shit with his parents and be able to take whatever pills Liam has today and he'll be okay. The pain will stop for a few hours.

When he reached the stupid over decorated room, his face dropped. His parents were standing in front of a row of silly little girls with stupid dresses on and stupid ringlets in their hair. Louis was sure that they were probably all nice people but they were portrayed as helpless and weak, like if you were to touch their arm it would break like a porcelain doll.

"Good morning Mr. Tomlinson," the girls all spoke in unison, curtsying all at once. Clearly they had been forced to rehearse the greeting and he felt a slight sympathy for them, these poor girls must've spent hours practising what they had to do when they met him.

Louis wasn't too sure on how to respond to the situation, so decided to give his head a little nod at no one in particular. If he was doing it to anything, it was the houseplant in the corner, at least it wouldn't irritate him as much as this mess he was in.

"The girls are going to greet you and tell you a bit about themselves. You will then pick one to take to your birthday ball." His mother instructed. Louis just gave her a glare and walked to the end of the line. This really was stupid. All the girls look the same so they're obviously going to say the same thing.

The first girl was wearing a purple dress with a stupidly over decorated belt. Louis feared for his sense of sight when he looked at her diamond encrusted hair band, it was like she had worn it to impress him with the size of her bank account instead of her personality. It turned out that her name was Anita and she was a princess who was originally born in Wales but had lived in Spain for most of her life. Louis zoned out in the part when she named all the polo competitions she had won, he couldn't take 20 of these.

The process carried on for around half an hour, and it seemed that even the girls were starting to get bored. Anita, who had been full of energy earlier, had started to slump her shoulders a little and he almost felt sorry for her, especially in those heels.

Louis was on the 14th girl when she was interrupted by the opening of a door. Another girl had arrived but she was different from the others. Her dress was black with a lace hem and she had a few tattoos that the dress was obviously meant to cover up but failed to. A black lip ring was a feature on her face that really stood out for Louis and, if he weren't gay, he would probably find her quite attractive.

"Sorry, your majesty. There was terrible traffic on the way here. I hope I'm not too late." She spoke quite politely but Louis could tell she had quite a strong London accent that she was trying to cover up. If he couldn't take a man to his party, he was going to take her.

"Don't worry my dear. You must be Amelia." His mother pulled what Louis knew was a fake smile. She clearly didn't approve of this new arrival, another reason for Louis to choose her. Why should Louis pick someone that his parents approve of? The whole point of this day is to choose someone he wants, not someone else.

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Amelia joined the line and in around half an hour they were finished. He hadn't really listened to any of the girls apart from Amelia, who was very interested in art and had designed all her tattoos which made his parent's noses wrinkle and the other girls gasp. But Louis was very interested, wanting to have a longer conversation with her some time soon.

What really interested him was that she said she loved music. Then Louis had spoke, "who's your favourite band?" he was praying she would say something of his interest, not the classical shit all the other girls said that they listened to.

"Well I have a few favourites, but I do really love 'all time low'." Louis couldn't help but crack a smile. All he could think of is marrying a man with the same personality and interests as Amelia. He was definitely going to pick her.

"Well that's all of you! I hope you don't mind waiting outside for a few minutes whilst Louis makes his mind up about who he's going to pick." His mother informed the girls. They began to file out of the hall and his father closed the door gently behind them.

"I'm taking Amelia." Was the first thing Louis said without hesitation.

"No way! She's a bad influence. I mean, she's a duchess and she dresses like one of those punk people. Disgusting. I will not allow it!" His mother insisted. Her stereotypical ways really do piss Louis off most of the time, and that's just when she says it about him. He will not let her speak of Amelia in such a foul way.

"Have you ever considered what I want? You're lucky I'm even here! I'm gay and you know that so stop acting like such fucking pricks and let me take whoever the fuck I want to this god damn party!" He felt tears in his eyes and he took a few deep breaths, preparing himself for the lecture that was sure to come.

"I will not hear such words out of your mouth Louis Tomlinson! You are a prince, not a filthy street boy! You are not taking that silly little girl to your birthday ball! Do you understand?" How could she? Of course Louis didn't understand. She always has to be such a judgemental bitch. No wonder why his father wasn't getting involved in this, he was probably as fed up with her as everyone else was.

"I'm not going." His mother lifted her head at his words, "go and celebrate my birthday but I'm not going. I'm gonna go to a club or some shit and get somewhere far far away from you!"

He couldn't take being in the same room as this pathetic cow any longer. Storming over to the door, he flung open the door, most of the girls gasping. He completely blanked them, typing in the code to let him out of the palace and walking out, leaving the door wide open. It wasn't like he expected anyone to follow him, so why did he feel like someone was?

He flung his tie and shirt off, revealing the 'Of mice and men' t-shirt he had been wearing and ran towards the alley where he frequently met Liam to get whatever there was.

"Stop." A woman's voice echoed behind him. "Smoke with me. You don't need your dealer when I've got ciggies do you?"

"Guess not." Louis turned to face Amelia and cracked a smile. "Let's go somewhere less open. We could get caught. From the racket in there, I guess your parents aren't the most acceptive type." If she heard the argument then- oh shit. She knows Louis' gay.

"Did you hear the bit about you know..." Louis trailed off, deciding he should shut up and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Yes I did. You're secret's safe with me."