The Challenge [One Direction: Louis Tomlinson Romance]

              I woke  up to a “good morning” text from Louis and already found myself smiling only seconds after I had woken up. Quickly, I composed myself and chanted in my head what had happened between us. If we were to pursue this date, I wanted to make sure I was still conscious of what he did to me.

             He broke my heart. It sucks, but it’s true. But, with that being said, he’s trying his hardest to mend the damage he had done, and I guess that counts for something. Groaning at the fact I was over-thinking this all so early, I just slid out of bed and went over to my closet, picking out a pair of clothing for the day.

            Somehow I had a free schedule today. No work, no daycare duty – I had a free day to do whatever I wanted to… and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. So, dressing myself in a long sleeved grey off-the-shoulder top and a pair of shorts, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the door humming a One Direction song.

            “Morning, Melanie.” A gruff voice said from behind me.

            I turned around to see Grady clad in pajamas with the morning paper in his hands. “Morning, Grady.”

            He nodded. “Have a good one.”

            I winced. “You too.”

            It was weird to see him trying so hard to be friendly and make an effort towards having a neutral friendship with me – and it was even weirder for me to return the effort. So, turning around, I continued walking down the apartment building hallway until I reached the elevator and slipped right inside.

            After I got to the parking lot, I got my car and drove straight to a place that made me smile fade and stomach clench. Was I ready for this? I have no idea, but I knew it was what I needed to do. Everything would get easier, and I needed to take it one step at a time – which is exactly what I’m doing.

            I reached the graveyard twenty minutes later, and walked straight to Jimmy’s grave once another few minutes had passed. Nobody was around when I sat in front of it, my hands shaking as they traced his full name across the rough cement headstone.

            “Hey, Jimmy,” I breathed out nervously, biting my lip. “I don’t…”

            Cautiously, I looked around. Nobody was in sight, so would it be so crazy of me to start talking to a headstone? I paused. What did I have to loose?

            “I don’t know if you can hear me or see me, but I hope you can. I hope you’re looking down at me from heaven and kind of smiling, like you’re all excited… like how you get during snack time.” I stopped, hesitantly letting myself smile as I said quietly, “I hope you’re okay, wherever you are.”

            Talking. I was talking to Jimmy as I felt a breeze brush by, tickling my bare legs and ruffling my hair slightly.

            “You’re a good kid. You always were, and I hope you know that. Even though you’re young, you helped me through a lot, and I love you like you’re my own little brother.” I admitted quietly, my smile unwavering. “I think you think of me as an older sister, so that’s good too. We were basically as close as family, anyway.”

            A soft whistle hummed from another breeze passing by.

            “I miss you,” I told the headstone. “But I know you’re in a better place now, and that’s all that matters.”

            A slightly cold feeling wrapped around me, and it felt like the wind was hugging me. I smiled, wondering if I was just crazy or not, but I just sat there as the wind quickly continued breezing past me and through the trees. Sighing, I looked at the headstone again before standing back up, wiping off any dirt that made its’ way onto my shorts.