Louis

"We all have struggles in life - battles to fight. And sometimes, we feel like we can't win it, yeah? Like we aren't strong enough. But we're all wrong. God only gives us problems He knew we could handle. He only gives the hardest battles to His strongest soldiers." I trailed off, looking up from where my eyes were trained on a piece of paper containing my speech, to the crowd of people infront of me intently listening. Couple of flashes went off as some of the decent paparazzi that were actually invited, took pictures of the current events. I scanned the crowd to look for a certain face and there she was, on a corner sitting by herself looking at me with an approving smile making me smile back.

I never really concealed my growing adoration for this beautiful lady and I doubt she didn't notice it. But as my adoration grew, a sprout of emotion was slowly making itself known. I always knew I adored her but lately I realized, it wasn't just that. At the back of my mind I knew affection is what it was.

I was falling for her - no. I was already in too deep.

At this realization, I continued speaking, not once looking down to look at the paper that held my speech. The words were falling freely from my mouth like I had no control over it, "We only need a shoulder to cry on and someone to have our backs when we're falling apart. Someone who'd hold it altogether in our vulnerable moment before we're ready to fight again. Someone who'd pull us to our feet when we fall down." the words were spoken softly but ironically, it held much more conviction.

I continued looking fondly at her, adoring the way her hair was messily styled, framing her beautiful face that was flawlessly adorned by the thing that always enticed me into her - her hazel eyes. I noticed that its dullness was fading, the haze clouding it was slowly being wiped away. The sparkle I once saw was slowly showing its glint. It wasn't as bright as it was the first time we met, but it was there, and it was a start. I sighed contently at the sight that was her at the distance, the way the light was illuminating her features - her protruding cheekbones, her close-mouthed smile that made her full lips pout and the way she blinked, absent-mindedly batting her long eyelashes as she looked back at me.

I was so lost in her that I had been staring for a while, all words long forgotten. I didn't notice I left my speech hanging and the people were still waiting for me to continue.

So I did, breaking eye contact with her and looking at all the children scattered inside the enormous hall, "And once you find that person that would stay with you, you'll realize how much of a warrior you are, not because you expect them to fight your own battle but because you'll find your strength in that person," I exhaled deeply trailing off. And for the last time, I looked back at her while giving an end to my speech, "So thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a hand to help and a source of strength. Thank you for letting me fight with you. Thank you for letting me be one of the reasons you're ... strong."

The room was silent for a second, everyone absorbing the last words that just came out of my mouth. Then a round of applause thundered inside the room after a while. I smiled at my mum, who was beside me all the while, as I pass the mic to her before kissing her cheek.

"That was so beautiful, son. I'm so proud of you, my boy." she told me while looking at me with teary eyes.

"I know you are, Mum. I know you are."

The flashback of my speech just hit me while I was in stage rehearsals two weeks after the ball. After that mid-speech realization, the feeling of wanting to be near Eleanor was gnawing at my insides almost everytime. I find myself craving her presence: wanting to hear her laugh and her sweet voice, wanting to see her smile and her doe hazel eyes staring back at me. It's like there was a force pulling me towards her, urging me to come and see her. Each passing day that I didn't see her made me grow more anxious anticipate the day to end so I could think of an excuse to see her. But it was like the universe was testing me, for everything that was hindering me from seeing her seemed to be a never ending list. And it was frustrating, my patience was wearing thin and I awefully wanted something; to atleast hear her voice, but of course, even doing a phonecall I had no time to do so as something was always up.

"Louis! You weren't supposed to go that way!" our floor director yelled at me for the nth time today. I couldn't get myself to focus when all I could think of was Eleanor.

"I'm sorry, I forgot." I apologized.

"We've been rehearsing the same routine all day, Louis. How can you not remember where to go?" he continued to scold me.

"I just can't, Paul, okay?" I snapped, glaring at him.

"The tour is coming up and you all need to get your sh*t together if you dont want to f*ck this up." he shot back. I sighed, knowing he was right then I looked away. There was a brief pause before he spoke again, "That's it for today, you can all go." he announced.

My eyes widened and I quickly scurried to get my phone to look at the time. It was just four in the afternoon, I could still see Eleanor without fully tiring myself.

"We can go already? Really?" I asked just to make sure. I didn't want to get my hopes up.

"Go home, yes. I don't want you to knacker yourselves. Go get some rest." he smiled and I did too. Wide, actually.

"Home, of course. Thank you, Paul!" I practically squealed. God, I felt like a girl finally going to go see her crush. But then I was, sort of.

I was about to bolt out the door when I noticed the other four boys staring at me like I'd grown three heads.

"What are you looking at, as*holes?" I spat out.

"Why are you such in a hurry, Tommo. Hmm?" Niall asked with a smirk. I shifted on my feet and anxiously checked the time on my phone. This is wasting my time, I should've been driving to her house by now, I thought to myself.

"That is none of your business, Nialler." I hurriedly responded. I kept eyeing the door, thinking of ways to get out of here.

"Awwe come on, Lou. We just want to hang out, all five of us. Just grab some drinks and see where we get from there." Zayn said with a sly smile.

My eyes softened and my resolve was suddenly crumbling down. I knew what Zayn was thinking. Not just a drink but a some. Or maybe lots of it. And actually I missed it - spending time with them.

"We barely go out now - no actually, you barely hang out with us! Don't you love us anymore?" Liam faked a sniffle.

"Oh cut it out, Liam. Stop being a sap." I rolled my eyes but I fondly smiled. I found myself guilty but I was glad they weren't upset about it.

"So you coming? We want to know where you were these past few days." Zayn asked.

I almost said yes because I really wanted to. But then Eleanor's smiling face popped inside my mind and suddenly, the feeling of being pulled in towards her resurfaced. Then I knew I had to see her real soon or in one way or another, I'd combust. And by soon, I mean now. I looked at the time and it was already 4:20.

"I... I can't. I'm sorry." I told them. Their hopeful faces faltered at that and I immediately wanted to punch myself. "I love you lads, but I just really have to see someone right now. I mean right now." I blurted out without thinking.

Their brows raised in suspicion and I knew I had to run and make my exit. But then I noticed Harry had a sly smirk on. I was a curious person in nature and I was intrigued as to what he was thinking that.

"What?" I asked.

He chuckled heartily and it made me even more confused, "Okay, I get it now. Let the guy go. I think I could answer your questions for him."

"What are you talking about, curly?" I asked with furrowed brows. I swear this guy's mind runs the most random sh*t.

He just smiled at me and asked, "Aren't you in a hurry?"

Then I remembered, Eleanor. I panicked and looked at the time once more, the previous conversation long forgotten. After seeing that already five minutes passed, I cursed lightly before turning to the lads to bid them a quick goodbye.

"Let's... I dunno... hangout some other time. I just- just- I need to-" I babbled.

"You need to go, okay Lou. We understand." Harry laughed. I didn't really know why he did and if I wasn't really in a rush, I would've asked. But he was right, I needed to go and that thought alone made wanna jump in delight because finally, and then fly myself to Eleanor. All other things seemed not so important as seeing her at the moment so I nodded and started walking away, careful not to look like a running chicken and remained my cool.

"See you later, losers!" I yelled while scurrying out of the building, hoping they heard me but then not really caring if they didn't. But hearing their laughs let me know they did.

I shook my head. I love those idiots.

Harry

"Why is it like he was waiting to do that for hours now?" Liam asked while we watched Louis' back disappear from our sight.

"Because he was." I answered knowingly.

"I wonder where he's heading to. Probably where he always hangs out at. What could he possibly be doing there?" Liam wondered.

I smiled because there was only one place I could think of. And yeah, I believed that's where he was heading to, too.

Niall gasped rather dramatically, making all of us look at him, "What if he's dealing drugs? That f*cker! We should probably ask for some - ow! What was that for?!" Niall asked while rubbing where Liam just hit him in the head.

"Does Louis look like a drug dealer to you?" Liam asked.

"I mean ... ye'h." He uttered under his breath.

"Hey!" I protested, offended for my best mate.

"I was kidding! Jeez, you act like a protective boyfriend!" he responded.

"That's because I am." I laughed, kidding around.

Louis and I were something special. But not in the romantic way. We were more than friends but not like that. We were practically brothers, probably because we lived together for some time and created a strong bond. We look out for each other and we got each other's back. We may act more affectionate than most bestfriends did but we were not like them. Just like I said, we were something special - and friendship on it's own is special. Other people may take our friendship the wrong way but we really didn't care.

"I think," Zayn blurted out after being silent for a while, "That Louis' inlove."

And I just smiled because Zayn couldn't have been more right.

Louis

I was cursing through out the whole ride to Eleanor's house due to traffic. The last time I checked the time, it was already 5:15 and I was anxiously tapping my fingers on the stirring wheel because I was nowhere halfway near her f*cking house. The whole anticipation to finally see her was killing me and I really needed the traffic to flow already before I lose my sh*t.

It was already 6:20 when I arrived because of course, I had to accidentally drive past her street because I was feeling uneasy and was just staring blankly ahead. I was finally 20 meters away from her and I couldn't think straight. Two weeks away from her and I was almost losing my mind. Is this how the phrase "crazy inlove" feel?

I parked my car carelessly and flew out of it to get myself faster to her. I knocked on her front door.three times but no one answered. I tried twisting the knob and it opened - the door was unlocked. I heard her giggles from the living room and I sighed in relief. I wasn't really sure if it was her or my mind was just playing tricks on me but it relieved this overwhelming feeling of wanting to explode after two weeks of not catching a glimpse of her or atleast hear her voice. I made my way towards the living room after hearing her laugh, my heart was beating so fast it would burst out of my chest and my smile was so wide it was splitting my face.

Then my heart stopped altogether when I saw her sitting on the couch smiling so brightly, her whole face was lit up. She was clutching her phone with both hands and she seemed like she was reading something funny. Her cheeks were flushed probably from laughing and her eyes were twinkling like stars. I knew right then and there, she was the most beautiful sight I wouldn't mind looking at forever. I wouldn't mind going crazy waiting to see her for so long because she already makes up for it without her knowing by simply being her.

She giggled once again and it was then that I realized she was dressed like she had plans for the night. I felt like a creep watching her so I made my presence known.

"You shouldn't leave your front door open."

Her giggles were cut off, "--Bloody sh*t! Louis you nearly killed me of heart attack!" She said, clutching her chest and breathing heavily.

I laughed fondly. "Nice to see you, too, El."

"It isn't nice when the first thing you do when you see me is try to murder me." She rolled her eyes humorously then turned her attention back to her phone when a 'ting!' sounded and a message was received.

I raised my brow at her actions. Who was she texting?

"So you going out tonight?" I asked the obvious, while sitting on the couch across her. She was dressed and looking like she really was about to go out but I couldn't help but ask. And maybe hope she'd cancel. Ugh, I'm smitten.

But my hopes were crushed when she - distractedly - nodded her head and smiled at her phone.

I was beginning to get annoyed but I tried to cool down because really, it wasn't my place to be. I practically showed up unannounced.

"With who?" I asked, trying to get the conversation going despite her being focused on texting. My excitement was slowly wearing down as time passed by, seeing she wasn't really happy I went to see her.

It took her a minute to be done tapping on her phone and finally look up to me. But then she asked, "What was that?"

I sighed quietly, "I asked you who are you going out with?"

"Oh. Just a friend." she answered, her eyes flickering back on her phone and I could tell she was trying hard to stop herself from using it.

Who was that friend?

"Do I know her?" I asked, just to keep her talking.

Her eyes furrowed in confusion so I clarified, "Your friend, do I know her?"

Her brows shoot up in realization, "Oh, it's a him."

"What?" I asked, replacing her position of being confused.

"My friend, it's a him. He's a guy." She answered casually.

My stomach dropped at that. He was going out with a guy tonight. She already said he was a friend but I couldn't help but think otherwise, and the idea of her being with a guy made my heart break.

Her eyes flickered on her phone again then to the front door, then back to me. "So what made you come here?" she asked.

I knew she was just asking and not really throwing me out of her house but I couldn't help but feel that way. Her probable date must be arriving any minute and it really wouldn't look good if a guy sees her date with another guy, minutes before they go out.

"I ... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here." I said before standing up then started walking towards the door.

I heard her heels clicking harshly on the floor, indicating she was struggling to follow me so I turned around and saw her creased brows, "Why are you leaving?"

I looked away and tucked my hands in my pockets, "I shouldn't have come in the first place. I got used to it, I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? Is there something you want to tell me that's why you came to see me?" She asked calmly.

I thought about it and all I had was nothing. I just wanted to see her and hear her voice. I wanted to be with her. I just missed her, was all.

My eyes widened because that was it. "Yes. Yes I have."

"...and that is?" she expectantly looked at me.

"I came to see you," I sighed and smiled sadly, "Because I-"

"Eleanor?" someone called out.

Eleanor's eyes flickered towards the guy who just entered the door and was now standing beside me, her face instantly lighting up once again. "You're finally here!"

The guy walk past me and towards Eleanor to envelope her in a tight hug in which she gladly welcomed.

"Because I missed you." I whispered as I tore my eyes away from them before turning around and opening the door to leave - the reason why I was standing by the door in the first place.

A/N: what happened. What do you think of this chapter? Thrash? Sorry ._.

Omg guys I'm so sorry I took so long! Uni started two weeks ago and they're giving us so much work already (And also I was in a short phase of sulking because of my insecurities before that lol). Writing this chapter was a struggle, I didn't know what I wanted to happen but today just idk, the words just came out.

So how are you? Did y'all miss me? I still love you, don't worry. Yet I won't be posting chapters fast. Just know that I'm still here, and I'd love for all of you to stay with me till this story ends, and you're all beautiful and I care for all of you. Are we okay with that? :)

Hey to all these peeps: @karab19 @elounor_01 @slayerstyles @Mae1629 @aamna573 @midnightmemories2019 @Niallator_17 @eleanorxjanexcalder @LovetheDirectionnn @ImYours5875. Thank you! I love you! :)

So I want to know where are you from? Comment! I'm from Philippines! Filo here y'all! <3

Edited: 06|24|16