~Louis~

Hazel. That's the only color my mind could seem to conjure up. It was no longer a color to me. It was a sign, a reminder. It was also a nightmare, but all at once a dream. Maybe it was beautiful nightmare.

My stiff legs wandered the streets and my restless mind wandered my memories, scrolling through them like a photo album. Lights flashed and words were exchanged, but I never stopped for them. Not tonight.

I spotted a quiet pub nearby, and bustled my way over. When I opened the door, I was welcomed by the smell of pine and the warmth of a fire. I eyed my company and gratefully saw that there weren't many. I sat down carefully at the bar, and the bar tender made his way over to me. I simply had to direct him a look and he nodded his head in understanding. I turned my attention to watch as an older couple sang softly and awkwardly on the stage. My lips curled into a smile regretfully as I watched the man grab his partner and kiss her sweetly. The adoration in his eyes was very much evident and the love in their touch could even be seen by a blind man.

I hear a glass plop down beside me. I redirect my focus to the drink sloshing next to my arm. I down the drink in one sip, and savor the burning sensation it brings with it. Before I can even glance up, the bartender has provided another. I nod my head in appreciation, but it's more of a dismissal. He sticks around, however, and eyes me carefully. I let my gaze meet his, and arched my brow in question.

"It's a girl," I note that his voice is accusing, but at the same time is making a statement. "You've resulted to a heavy method of drinking. Only a man struggling to come to terms with the loss of a girl would come to a bar on a Saturday night, and down the first thing he can get his hands on, without even the slightest bit of wondering as to what it is."

I am impressed by his reasoning, but am not amused by it. Couldn't a man come to a bar and drink to his heart's content? Did there have to be a reason?

The man leaves me, but I see an apologizing smile transform onto his face before he turns away. Without sparing another thought on the matter, I quietly toy with my glass and get lost into the soft music playing behind me.

When I close my eyes, I see another's. And they're hazel. They smile at me welcomingly, and I reach out to them. But just like all the other times, they slip from my grasp and disappear from sight.

I flutter my lids open in frustration and catch a few girls eyeing me from across the way. They seem to bear no interest in my fame, but simply an interest in what I could be to them. They flock like pigeons around each other - except pigeons are harmless. These resemble hawks, looking for the kill. I tilt my head and wonder how at one time in my life they could've been attractive to me. Their anatomy used to be so attractive to me, and now it's merely amusing how they pounce on anything relative to attractive.

I hear the bell ring behind me, signaling that someone has entered. And along with it comes a booming laugh. I rub my temples and try not to focus on it. But that orchestrated plan is quickly demolished when I hear a giggle.

And not just any giggle. Hers.

Against my will, a smirk grows onto my face. What are the odds of running into her? I swivel around, a little too eagerly, and watch in awe as she sashays her way over to the couches. And on her arm, a lanky boy who's expression matches mine. He does not remove his hold on her and never looks away.

And she is completely oblivious to his obvious adoration of her. Her eyes wander around the small pub drinking up the scenery.

Hazel eyes. The ones that have haunted me every night causing me to lie awake reminiscing them.

The boy who walked in with her muttered something and she threw her head back in laughter. Her laughter rings in my ears like bells. She places her small hands on his arm, an intimate gesture suggesting that they are more than one would guess. I felt the embers in me burst to flames igniting every part of me on fire. It spreads through me viciously.

A green monster I have come to name as Envy perched his head up and growled menacingly. I snapped him down, desperate not to lose my composure. Instead, I keep a protective watch on her throughout the long night, and refuse to leave my post.

Into the night, the one accompanying her has become piss drunk, and her strong walls have only become stronger. She refuses to give into the aurora of the night and remains classy as ever.

It still amazes me how she has not yet discovered me, but I do not dare test her further.

"Oh c'mon, Mac! Live a little. I know you can sing," I heard him screech. Her face remains stone cold but that familiar blush made its way to her cheeks. Her pink lips turned into a smile and she nodded her head.

She could sing? Well this is news.

Somehow, the bloke manages to get her up onto the stage and now my body has been completely shifted to her. Her features contort, and she looks down at her feet.

She looks up, and for a split second, her eyes meet mine. I freeze in place like a deer in headlights. Our locked gaze lasts for three beautiful seconds and then is broken.

That's when I knew.

She has known I was here all along, but has not even bothered to show an interest. This confuses me, and she senses it. So when the soft melody begins to play, and her perfect lips prepare to sing the words, she looks at me.

"You're fingertips across my skin, the palm trees swaying in the wind. Images. You sang me Spanish lullabies, the sweetest sadness in your eyes. Clever trick. I'd never want to see you unhappy, I thought you'd want the same for me." Never mind the fact that her voice is beautiful, her words reach out to me and I lean forward, desperate to not miss a syllable. I know that she is telling me everything she wishes to say. And though I fear for what it is, I do not wish to miss it.

"Goodbye, my almost lover. Goodbye, my hopeless dream. I'm trying not to think about you, can't you just let me be? So long, my luckless romance. My back is turned on you. I should've known you'd bring me heartache. Almost lovers always do," she finishes the chorus and her eyes glaze over. I note that tears are threatening to fall, but she doesn't back down from me.

I slump back, and finally understand what she is telling me. I want to know more, so I await the coming lyrics.

"We walked along a crowded street, you took my hand and danced with me. Images. And when you left you kissed my lips, you told me you'd never forget these images, no. I never want to see you unhappy, I thought you'd want the same for me. Goodbye, my almost lover. Goodbye, my hopeless dream. I'm trying not to think about you, can't you just let me be?" Maci pleaded. Her voice sang the words perfectly, and her facade crumbled with each one.

"So long, my luckless lover. My back is turned on you. I should've known you'd bring me heartache, almost lovers always do. I cannot go to the ocean. I cannot drive the streets at night. I cannot wake up in the morning without you on my mind. So you're gone and I'm haunted! And I bet you're just fine. Did I really make it that easy to walk in and out of my life?

"Goodbye, my almost lover. Goodbye, my hopeless dream. I'm trying no to think about you, can't you just let me be? So long, my luckless lover. My back is turned on you. I should've known you's bring me heartache, almost lovers always do," She finished the song, and I saw one glistening tear stream down her face.

Her date seemed oblivious to the tension, and the emotion that was surrounding her, because no man in their right mind would embrace her like he did. They would've comforted her, and given her space. But she is far too nice for her own good, so she returned his gesture.

Her words bounced around in my brain, but could not come up with anything to retaliate with.

She wanted me to disappear. Leave her life for good. But I could not find it in me to allow that to happen.

I watched as she gathered up her things and support the man to help him walk. "Go outside and call a cab. I'm going to pay," she cooed. He went along with it, and stumbled out the door pathetically. She strode up to the counter, standing closely to me.

When she had finished, she finally met my eyes. They looked at me regretfully, but were so full of confidence. "Goodbye, Louis." And with that, she walked out of the door, and in her mind, out of my life.

But truthfully, there was no way I was going to let that happen. I couldn't let her get away from me this time. It didn't take me long to realize how terrible I had been to her that fateful night. And not a day goes by that I regret it.

So no, this is not goodbye. It was really a hello to our new beginning.

Notes

Hello, people! Sorry if that was crap. Let me start by saying that your comments have made my day. You continue to surprise me with every chapter. Who knew that you would enjoy my writing as much as I enjoy providing it?! You really are marvelous, and don't ever change :)

Now that my sappy intro has been taken care of, here's your Louis chapter! Many of you wanted to know how Lou was doing, and I hope this answers your question! I will do more of these kinds of chapters, but if you have a preference as to what you want to see, just comment below and let me know!

Guys that rhymed.

Anyways, the song for the chapter is "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy. It's quite touching, really.

I will try to update another chapter soon, most likely I'll do it after a few pieces of feedback. That just lets me know how you guys are feeling.

Thanks again, loves!

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