No Strings Attached

Chapter 13

I crumpled the note and threw it in the trash but something pulled me back and before I knew it I was on my knees reaching for the note I just threw away. I retrieved it and tried my best to smooth out the creases. Once that was done I turned my laptop on and googled how to make a swan out of paper.

I watched this American girl do it but it seemed hard and then I watched a French boy master it but he used origami paper. Soon I was researching all these origami how-to and what they meant.

I clicked on a website linked titled: “Origami animals and their meanings.” Because well it seemed blunt and to the point. The page was blue at it had a small three by two chart and of course the first animal plastered on there was the swan which meant prosperity, good luck, and true love.

After reading that I got dizzy as if I had just taken ten shots repeatedly, I shut the laptop and fetched the plastic bag from underneath the bed. I held the bag from the corners and let the swans spew out. I picked them up with such carefulness as to not bend their dainty wings. Their soft paper body felt secure in my shaking hands.

Love? Louis Tomlinson can’t love. The only thing he loves is the band and Eleanor. He never cared about me, I was just a stupid spawn in his pretty little band boy game and I fell for it, all of it. I thought he cared, I thought he liked me, but most of all I thought he could love me.

It wasn’t long before the tears began to form and fall from my eyes and the dampened the poor swans and then I began to hum the sweet song, Hush Little Baby. I felt like a vulnerable child who need to be soothed by my mother’s voice but in reality it wasn’t my mother who I needed to hear. It was Louis.

I pick up my phone from my bed side table and punch in star sixty seven before dialing the number I knew by heart. What time is it where they are? Is it late? Early? Would he curse me out thinking I’m a crazy lunatic? Would I have the courage to speak? Wo-

“Hello?”

I shook. This was a terrible idea! His voice is melted sugar and by the sound of it its either really early or really late but that’s when his voice is at its perfection and OMG-

“Louis? I-I-”

“Jaime? Is that really you? Oh my gosh Jaime I can’t believe you called! Do you know how much I’ve been dying to hear y-”

He grew silent and I said nothing, just knowing he was on the other end of that phone line gave me some sort of comfort. “Jaime are you still there?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“Yes.”

“I’ve missed you.”

“Liar.”

“What why?” I could faintly hear him shift around and the groaning of bed springs. They were probably sleeping and I had woken him up, “Jaime I really have listen I need you to know something.”

“Yes?”

“I like you.”

“Liar.” I bit my lip and almost clicked but I couldn’t the asshole’s declaration made me linger on. “I do! I really do and its time you know that I’m back with Eleanor because of Management okay?”

I felt my cheeks burn with anger, “Louis you can’t blame Management for how you feel! It’s just not right!”

“I don’t blame them! Just listen okay? Don’t interrupt or talk just listen.” And so I did, something in his voice seemed sincere enough for me to obey, “I was introduced to her through Management and we dated but that was all real until she became clingy and obsessive and spiteful okay? We broke up and I was devastated okay? She was the longest relationship I ever had and I met you! I kissed you and the numbing pain went away slowly and we became whatever the fuck we were before and then Management ordered for me and Eleanor to meet, I thought maybe we could patch things up and be friends. I waited at the coffee shop and the head of management showed up telling me what a mess El was! She rarely ate and she never went out of her room and they made me a deal. A deal I couldn’t refuse. Date Eleanor and make her happy or else they rid us of our contract! Jaime I know it sounds pathetic but you have to hear me out! I can’t stop thinking about you and I know you’re with Niall but I need to know if he wasn’t in the picture and if El wasn’t either would there be an us?” His voice was raspy and his words cut me like a cheese grater. I clutched the phone until I felt like I had lost all the circulation in my hand.

“Louis you honestly except me to believe that Management forced you? I know you better than anyone and I know you’d never let anyone else boss you around into something you do not want to do.”

I heard his sigh travel at the speed of sound, “I know Jaime but listen I’m in a band. If I fuck up it doesn’t only mess up my contract. It messes with Niall, Zayn, Liam, and Harry’s as well and we’ve all worked too hard for it to go up in smokes now!”

I gnawed the inside of my cheek in angst. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why tell me all this? Everything just why?”

There was a silent moment before his voice echoed in my ears yet again, “Because I can’t just be friends with you anymore Jaime.”

I dedicate this to Hannah because she is one of the best people on here and she's sooo flawless and her story Fallen is pure perfection so please check it out because you won't be disappointed ;) <3