broken strings. ➳ payne. [slow updates]

Chapter Eight. - A Friend Amongst Strangers.

“I didn’t ask for your help.” I rebutted, giving him a look.

His hair was styled messily, but it suited his boyish charm. His eyes were mesmerizing; two pools of blue that could hypnotize you to spill your deepest secrets. I found I had to pull myself to look at my feet, or I might have told him what happened to me.

“Liam said you would go for a walk. He knew you would kick him out right away, but it would be enough to shock you into clearing your head.” Louis replied, his tone appeared to have concern in it, but I decided to ignore that.

“If he knew that, then why are you here?” I asked him, glancing at him quickly. His eyes matched Liam’s, pain was visible, but I didn’t know why he felt that way.

“He knew you wouldn’t want to speak to him, you wouldn’t even go to where ever this leads. That’s why I’m here.” He said, his voice increasing in volume, along with happiness.

I chuckled at his demeanor. “Well I hate to burst your bubble, but this is where I leave you.” I stopped to turn around to face him, the barrier of trees brushing against my back.

“Why am I being left?” Louis asked quizzically.

“Because this walk was meant to clear my head and I cannot do it with you here.” I replied like his question was silly.

“But that is what I’m here for. Do you understand why I’m the one Liam sent here?” He asked.

“Uh, no?” I replied, questioningly.

“Because if he sent Harry or Niall, we may never see them again, because we were certain you would kill either one of them. Zayn isn’t here because he likes to get people to open up. He has this way about him and Liam didn’t want him to know anything about your past before he did. So I’m here because I can keep things upbeat without being annoying.” He smiled proudly.

I snorted at his last sentence. While I did not closely follow the band, I did know a couple of things about them, and one of them was that Louis could very easily be annoying. But when I thought about his explanation, it did make the most sense.

I rolled my eyes while I grumbled a “fine” before I was embraced in an otherwise awkward hug. It was almost like he knew that I would give in to him. Once I was released from his strong grip, I started walking to the tree line I had set in my mind earlier.

“So where are we going?” He inquired, sounding like a small child learning he was going on an adventure.

“Just follow me.” I said, with a small amount of amusement in my voice. I was actually really excited to go to my secret place; it always made me feel young and full of life again.

I walked in between the tree trunks that sat just behind the row of stores on the main street. I heard my feet crunch on the leaves below, an echoing sound of Louis doing the same thing. Despite my better judgment, I had hoped Louis would be a good distraction from everything that had happened, and it would be good to have an actual conversation with someone who wasn’t Austin.

I walked a few more feet before I stopped to admire the view before me. It seemed to take my breath away every time I came, like it was my first time seeing it. I heard a small “Whoa” escape Louis’ mouth and I turned my head to look at him. He seemed to be entranced with the beauty nature had created behind the busy city life.

I turned to look at what he was admiring; a towering sky line of trees that were changing their color. Hues of red, orange, and yellow encased every tree, the river following the trees reflecting their brilliant color. No matter when I came to the spot, I was at peace with myself, but I found the season of fall to be my favorite to visit. The colors were always bright, full of life, and they would lend some of that to me.