Andrea's POV:

The rain drizzled down as I sat on the park bench with my guitar case wide open at my feet. My fingers were numb from playing guitar all day and my throat ached from singing all day. One more song... I can do it! I started playing my guitar again and sang my last song. Someone dropped two coins into my guitar case. Ok I'm done now.

I put my guitar down to check how much I had earned today. $8.75. No wait... two more pennies. $8.77. This was the most I'd earned all week. I happily pocketed the money and decided to pack up and head back home, if you can call it that. I lived in the abandoned shed beside the children's play area at the park. It was quite roomy in there and seemed like a good place to stay without being seen out in public, especially since no one ever comes around here.

I zipped up my guitar case and swung it around my neck. My clothes were damp with rain water. My hair stuck to my face as I made my way to the shed.

Louis's POV:

"Louis, think we should head back home. It's raining," Harry said.
"Oh come on, Harry! Football in the rain if FUN! And besides, we should use up all our free time, don't you think? We've got continuous concerts to give from tomorrow. And travelling is too stressful, especially in the US!" I complained.
"But what if we get sick?" he asked.
"Harry, you're such a worry wart. Come on!"
"How 'bout we go out for dinner instead? I'll call the boys," Harry proposed.
"Fine. But give me one last kick," I said.
Harry nodded. He placed the ball on the grass and took a few steps back. "Ready?" he called, "this one's going to be huge!"
"Show me what you got!" I called.
He held up his hand and sprinted towards the ball. He swung his left leg back and kicked it with all his might. The ball went flying through the air, way above our heads. It flew over the central fountain and above the children's play area, all the way to the other side of the park. I ran after it, cursing Harry's dominant left foot.

Andrea's POV:
I was almost at my shed-home when it started raining soccer balls. A blue and red soccer ball with a UK symbol came hurtling towards me. I did the first thing that came to my mind. I threw my guitar case on the floor and gave the ball a hard kick and sent it flying in the opposite direction to its place of origin. I smiled to myself as I watched it fly over the children's play area and above the central fountain, towards a distant figure waving his hands at me.

Louis's POV:
She was beautiful. Gorgeous. No. She was a goddess, from head to toe. Her copper hair flowed gently gown her shoulders, cleanly cut mid-back. Her grey beanie was soaked with water, exactly like mine. Her skin tone, slightly tanned from the sun glittered in the setting sun. Her perfect legs caught my attention. I couldn't believe those slip and smooth feet of hers could hold so much power. That kick of hers! I couldn't look away from her.

I have Eleanor! I reminded myself. Stop it Lou! Look away!
But I couldn't. I had to talk to her.

"Hey!" I called.
She looked at me. I was expecting some dramatic reaction, like for her to scream or faint or something. But she just stood there looking confused as if she didn't think I was talking to her. She turned behind to check if there was someone behind her.
"Yea, you." I assured her, jogging the distance between us.
"Hello," she said, formally. Her voice was heavenly. The perfect pitch, the perfect tone. Smooth and delicate. I had to hear more.
"That was quite a kick you got there!" I complimented her.
"Oh, thank you," she replied. Did she not know who I was? Why was she so reserved?
"I'm Louis Tomlinson," I said, extending my hand for her to shake.
"Nice to meet you," she said. I waited for her to tell me her name. One... Two... Three... I don't think she was going to tell me. It would be rude to ask. No I had to ask.
"What's your name?" I asked.
She hesitated. A puzzled look formed on her face.

Andrea's POV:
Why was he asking for my name? Nobody ever talks to me. Who was this guy? Louis Tomlinson? Sounds familiar... I've heard girls talking about a lot of famous people at the park. He didn't look famous. Famous people don't wear shorts and flip-flops. Do they? He had the same beanie as me. I don't think famous people shop at Target. That's for losers, like me. Maybe I'm imagining things. Oh yea! He wants to know my name. My name... what is it again? Um... Andy? No. Adre? No. Andrea? Yes. That's it.

"It's Andrea," I said. Wow. It's been so long since I've said my name. So long since I've even heard my name. How long again? Oh yea. It was the last thing my mother said before she... I won't think about it now.

"Andrea. That's a pretty name," he said, smiling.
I blushed. Why was he complimenting me so much?
"So Andrea. You play football?" he asked.
"No," I said.
"Oh. You should. You've got a powerful kick," he said.
"Hm? I play soccer though," I said.
"Oh right! It's called soccer here! I forgot," he said.
"Where are you from?" I asked him. His accent was strong. Australian? Irish?
"I'm British," he said. Oh... British.
"What about you? Where do you live?" he asked.
What should I say? I can't say 'oh that shed over there. That's home!'
"I, uh... I - I live in..." I hesitated for just the right amount of time for him to understand I didn't want to tell him.
He took a deep breath, "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be asking," he said.
He seemed disappointed. If there was something I hated, it was making people disappointed by something I do. I had to tell him.
"No, no. It's ok. I live... um... there," I whispered, pointing at my home.

Louis's POV:

Woah... wait a second. Was she pointing at... the shed? I really shouldn't have asked! I felt horrible now.
"You want to come inside?" she asked.
"No I really shouldn't," I said.
"No, it's totally fine. Come on," Andrea urged.
I turned around and saw Harry was on the phone, probably informing the boys about dinner plans. I guess I could spare a minute or two.
"Sure," I said.

She took me into her shed and hung her guitar case on a hook behind the door.
"You play guitar?" I asked her.
"That's how I make my money," she said.
I keep asking the wrong questions!
"Mmm..." I comprehended.
"Do your parents live here with you?" I asked.
She turned around to face me. Andrea looked intently into my eyes. After several silent seconds, she finally sighed.
"No. My father and sister died in a car accident seven years ago and my mother passed away a year after from depression. I had to give up our home in San Francisco, since I wasn't old enough to live alone. Then I ran away. I didn't want to go to an orphanage so I spent my days living under park benches and behind bushes for years. All I had with me was my guitar, my soccer ball and two pairs of clothes. Oh yea, and a 10 dollar bill. I found some cash on the floor once in awhile and I saved up to buy myself a train ticket to move down south to Colorado. I found this park and this shed here and decided to make it my home. The only money I make now is by playing my guitar and singing around the park here. $5 a day, if I'm lucky a few dollars more. That's good enough for me. I've been living on that for two years now," she told me.

Andrea's POV:
I just told my life story to a complete stranger. Wow. And all he asked was if my parents lived with me. What had gotten into me? Why did I trust him so much? I didn't even know the answer to that.

Louis's POV:
"I'm so sorry," I said. I could sense she was at the verge of tears. Her voice quivered as she spoke.
"Yea. No. It's fine." she said.
"You are a very strong girl, Andrea. You've been through a lot more than most people ever go through in their whole lives," I said.
"Well, what can I say? Life's not fair," she said.
"Andrea, can I ask you something?" I said.
"Sure," she said.
"If you were given the option to go and live in a proper home with a proper family, well, not really proper, but a family, would you take the offer?" I asked.
"Well, of course. But I'm never going to be getting that offer, so why think about it?" she replied.
"Andrea," I said. I couldn't believe I was doing this. She was a complete stranger. Why did I trust her so much? I didn't even know the answer to that.
"Hm?" she asked.
"Would you like to... be offered that option? To come and live with us? Me and the boys," I asked her.
She stared at me like I just spoke the impossible. Like I was superman or something.
"We are on tour right now. But you could come with us. We'll treat you like a sister, I promise. You'll love it with us. I mean, Harry is hilarious. Niall's a sweetie. He eats a lot, though, so might want to guard your food. Zayn'll also love you. He's awfully quiet around new people though, but he'll adjust. Liam's, well, he'll be like the father you never had. Oh no! I'm sorry! I didn't mean that!" I said.
"No no! It's absolutely fine! Are you serious?!?" she asked.
"Really serious," I replied.
"Oh! I love you so much!" she said, squeezing me into a hug. My skin tingled at her touch.
"So that's a yes?" I asked.
"No! It's a YESYESYES!" she said.
"Well, then. Today is your last day od despair!" I told her.

Notes

Hey Andrea! This is yours! Hope you like it. It is a bit longer than the rest but I think I owed it to you. I made you wait like half a month... Sorry :)

~ Lily <3