Effie's destiny

“He doesn’t need to forgive you, he isn’t mad at you. He just misses you. We all miss you, the old you” replied Ella making Effie realise that Louis had not been the only one suffering from that situation. How selfish could she be thought Effie as she could see the familiar houses in her street.

“We are here. I’ll get everything up. See you upstairs” Liam said helping Effie out and suddenly pulled her closer to hug her putting his face in the crook of her neck. “I miss you too princess. Get back to me…” he said in a whisper sending shivers down her spine.

“He’s got it bad. What a lover!” teased Ella as she got near Effie once Liam got back in the car to park it. The brunette simply laughed a little linking arms with her friend.

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10th December 2011
Earl’s Court Road, London
Effie’s loft


As Effie opened her door she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive to go back to her flat after spending more than 2 months in the hospital. But what she saw made her feel instantly better.

“You thought we wouldn’t look after your flat? I told you I would be there often” said Liam in her ear as he was up with her stuff.

Indeed, there were several bunches of flowers all around the lounge area, she could also smell her favourite candle and there were cupcakes on her kitchen table.

“How?” asked Effie completely shocked by what she was seeing.

“I borrowed your keys and made a copy of them. I hope you don’t mind princess” replied the young man as he was making his way to her bedroom. Effie shook her head looking at her friend bringing her stuff in her loft as if he was living there. She couldn’t help but smile at how adorable he was.

“He was here almost every day for the last few weeks. He bought the flowers but I gave him the ideas for the candles and cupcakes. Let’s not forget he is a man and a boxer on top of that” said Ella as she helped Effie to the kitchen bar. She took her coat and went to put it to the closet near the entrance. “They are vanilla cupcakes. Niall has provided smoothies, they are in the fridge. What flavour do you want? Red berries, mango or peach and raspberry?”

“Peach and raspberry but I’m not really hungry though” lied Effie. She still wasn’t eating much persuaded she would put on weight if she started to indulge a little bit. She wasn’t exercising because of the operation so she had become a control freak when it comes to food.

“You better eat these cupcakes. I went all the way down to that flipping Hummingbird bakery for them. I queued 45 minutes for 10 cupcakes and you know I don’t deal well with long waits” said Liam as he was coming back from her bedroom and pressed a kiss on her cheek. He was playing the guilty card on Effie.

“Just one then. The others will be here soon anyways” she finally gave up to emotional blackmail picking up one cupcake.

“I need to go back to the studio and check on Louis. I’ll be back in an hour” Liam said with a smile starting to make his way to the door.

“Wait… Tell him to… Tell him to come tonight if he is free” stuttered Effie. Liam didn’t reply but smiled before kissing both girls’ cheeks on his way out. He is in a good mood today thought Ella who smiled and joined her friend grabbing a cupcake.

“So… what are we drinking tonight?” asked Ella munching on her cupcake.

“I have all kinds of liquors but I don’t have any juices to go with though.”

“You do babe. Like I said, Liam was here a lot lately.”

“Is there anything this boy ever does wrong?” wondered Effie out loud.

“Love. He is not good with love, not since Caitlin…” Realising she might have said too much Ella looked down and finished her cupcake while drinking her smoothie. She was glad Effie didn’t answer that. For once she was glad her friend had become quieter. She looked at her , she had lost too much weight for her liking but seeing her sipping her smoothie and nibbling her cupcake made her smile. She cared about this girl a lot and the whole group cared about her too, some more than others. They hated to see so closed and secretive. That night in would be perfect to show her that they love her and want to be here for her.

After less than an hour the girls were chatting about some new people at the studio. They were laughing about some girls who had joined the gym only to chat up boys and more particularly our lovely instructors. Ella, as usual, wasn’t tender with them and that brought hilarity to Effie. The girls snapped their heads when they heard the key in the lock of the front door soon opening to reveal Liam carrying pizzas, crisps and drinks.

“Please be my guest Liam. Don’t you worry, I don’t mind if you think it’s now your flat” said Effie her voice full of mocked shock. She didn’t really mind, she was just surprise by Liam.

“Cool. I’ll leave my pants in your second drawer next to your bras and knickers” joked Liam making Effie’s jaw drop.

“Who do you think was bringing you clothes for the past 2 months? He would not let any of us in your flat. Good thing you are not dating otherwise he would probably sleep in your bed” said Ella with a laugh.

“Oh my…” could only articulate Effie before she heard someone clear his throat at the door.

“Hi” said Louis looking down.

“We… Liam, let’s go and empty Effie’s bag now you know where Effie’s clothes go” said Ella dragging the boy with the buzz cut away from the main room.

“You look… thinner” tempted Louis getting closer to the kitchen bar where Effie was still sat. She didn’t move not trusting her legs and the surprise he had brought by coming made her knees weak.

“And you look more muscly” simply replied Effie realising his jumper was quite tight around his arms. She knew this jumper, she bought it for him last Christmas. Before she could add anything Louis engulfed her in a bone crushing hug putting his head in her neck.

“I missed you so much baby girl. I’m so sorry for everything I said and did. I can’t not have you in my life, you are my rock, my everything. Ever since I met you you made me stronger, you kept me settled down no matter what I did. I would probably work in a café still in Doncaster if it wasn’t for you. Ever since you lost all this weight you showed me that nothing is impossible and you led me to the best thing I could ever do. If it wasn’t for you this group of nutcases wouldn’t be my friends, I wouldn’t be doing my dream job and I wouldn’t have had the best sex of my life.”

Effie who hadn’t shed a single tear since that night could feel them slip on her cheeks. Louis’ words meant so much to her, she couldn’t help but smile at his last words and without saying anything she stood up slowly and hugged him with force.

“I love you Lou, my best friend, my brother from another mother. I’m sorry I shot you down, you didn’t deserve that.”

“You had the best to look after you! I love you too and I don’t want us to fight anymore. Friends?”

“Best of friends!” she said kissing him on the cheek.

“Now my dear, you need to eat, I like my friends healthy and if you want to kick Liam’s ass one day you will need strength because he is the best I know.” Here we go, the sassiness is back but this time she wouldn’t roll her eyes, she would just agree.

“Yeah! Mama and papa are friends again!” Ella who had clearly listened to their conversation came running in the kitchen hugging them both at the same time.

“Didn’t mummy ever told you it’s not good to eavesdrop?” said Liam coming behind her.

“Oh shut it Payne, first who said I’m a good girl and second you were listening too” shot back the blond girl with a wink.

Effie looked at her friends with a smile. She walked slowly to Liam and hugged him tightly putting her nose in the crook of his neck.

“Thank you Liam. I owe you so much… so so much.” First taken by surprise he slid his arms around her frail body and kissed her head.

“Let me take you out for dinner. You’ll pay me back there” he simply said hoping she would agree and when she nodded enthusiastically he hugged her once more but tighter this time.

Notes