Lost and Found

"Hey ladies!" Louis exclaimed as he opened the door for us. His cheeks were flushed, hair ruffled, and he had this goofy grin on his face. "Come on in." The girls and I obeyed. Before us the boys were sitting watching television. My friends instantly sat by their crushes, Harry and Niall, leaving the only one open space for me. Which was on the couch. Beside Louis. Did they plan this? Sometimes I hate them. Just get it over with, Andi.

Sighing, I went and sat by him. The moment my bum hit the seat, a chorus of awww's filled my ears. A blush colored my cheeks. Would they stop staring? Quickly, I hid my face in my hands. This is so embarrassing. Laughter surrounded me.

"Andi, what's the matter?" Harry's mocking voice asked. I shook my head. This must be a form of torture.

"It was just a little kiss." Niall teased. Oh my god. I officially hate my life. I really do.

"Are you," Zayn gasped dramatically, "embarrassed?" I peeked between my fingers to find every single one of them smiling and staring at me. I hid once again. I don't like all this attention.

"Stop teasing my girl!" Louis finally said, slinging an arm across my shoulders. My girl? Well, this is new. I moved my palms so I could see his face. His eyes were filled with questions, asking if that was okay. Was it? I do like him, but am I ready to take that big of a step? I...don't know yet. I don't want him to think I'm angry about what he said though. Cause I'm not. Not at all. I like being his girl. It makes my insides flutter and my skin feel all warm and tingling. It scares me to death too. So maybe being his girl is just a step I'm going to have to think about taking first. I gave him a small smile, but he still gave me a funny look after.

"So what's the plan guys?" Lyna asked loudly. She must of picked up on the awkwardness lurking between Lou and I at the moment. That girl is a lifesaver. Or at least my lifesaver.

"Yeah, what are we doing?" Belle inquired, a smirk on her lips.

"Maybe you girls could show us around the city." Niall suggested. That doesn't sound too bad actually. It'll give me time to think about Lou and our relationship. Hopefully, I get the opportunity to think alone.

"That sounds fun! Let's do it." I blurted, standing up quickly. The sooner I work this all out in my head, the sooner things will be okay. I want to give him an explanation tonight.

That's my goal.

***

"This is it!" I shouted over the roar of traffic. The boys were beside me, as well as Lyna and Belle. Each of the guys had this petrified look in their eye as they watched me. I think they're scared of good old Chicago. Don't laugh at them, Andi. That's mean. Oh, who am I trying to kid here? I burst out laughing, the boys all staring at me like I was insane.

Inbetween laughs, I managed to say, "Your guys' faces were...were so fu...funny!!" I giggled again and again until finally I snorted. Immediately, my chuckles stopped, but the boys took over and started laughing at me. A smile spread across my features. At least they don't look like lost puppies anymore.

"Your city's...intimidating." Liam whined. I pouted at him mockingly. "Oh, stop." I giggled again lightly, turning back to the amazing building.

"What is it?" Zayn asked the air. I shook my head sadly. How can they not know?

"It's the Willis Tower." Harry read the sign proudly. All three of us girls turned to glare at him. We placed our hands on our hips simultaneously. Geez, we spend way too much time together.

"It is not the Willis Tower! It is and forever will be the Sears Tower!" We yelled, the guys holding their hands up in defeat.

"Okay, okay. Our bad. Don't kill us." Louis teased. For a moment, our eyes locked. I averted my gaze instantly. I still haven't had a chance to figure everything out. Out of the corner of my eye, Louis frowned, a crease forming on his brow before the guys distracted him again.

"Next!!!" One Direction shouted at us. I glanced at my friends.

"Okay, okay, you whiny dorks." Belle rolled her eyes, beginning to walk again. Lyna and I quickly caught up to her, Lyna muttering about them not appreciating the beauty of this city. I just smirked and hid my laughter. The next stop on our list is my favorite anyway.

***
I've always loved the beach. I'm glad we came here.

And I can think here.

I stood silently, watching everyone interact. I would answer when spoken to, but I was really in my own little world right now. I could see Zayn looking at me concerned and Louis sending me confused glances, but none of it really hit me. Where I was, it was like nothing could touch me. It was my own place, that no one else can breach. I've only retreated to it a few times before, mostly when I was trying to remember my life. This is the first time I'm using it for a different reason. Through the fog, I managed to stay aware of what was occurring in reality.

"We have something to tell you." Niall whispered softly after arguing quietly with the boys for a few moments. The girls exchanged a look with each other. They're worried, I can tell.

"Okay..." Belle mumbled, waiting for the ball to drop.

"We leave tomorrow." They leave tomorrow? As in tomorrow? Why didn't they tell us? And Louis. He kissed me. He kissed me only to turn around and disappear. It's not like they'll ever come back for us or even remember us. The moment they step onto the plane, they'll step out of our lives.

"What?" The girls gasped and I heard my own voice join in. The boys stared at the ground. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah." Silence followed. I saw Lyna and Belle glance over at me and then at each other. They must be concerned about me. I wish I could tell them I was fine. I'm not. But I should at least tell them. Somehow, I got my head to shake up and down in an attempt to reassure them. They sent me a sympathetic look. Of course... The realization hit me hard. They knew this was coming. They knew the boys would leave eventually. That's why they aren't that upset about it. Surprised, but not torn apart with their heart in turmoil. I wish I had thought ahead. Maybe I could have saved myself from this mess.

"Well, let's get a picture to remember this adventure by!" Belle exclaimed. "Just you boys though." She smiled and I watched as the boys gather up against the wooden rail. She pulled out her phone and prepared to take a picture. I used that as my opportunity. I slipped away like a shadow. I headed down the boardwalk, watching my feet fall hard against the wood beneath my shoes. Stopping, I bent over to the ground, removing my socks and converse from my feet, letting them dangling from my fingertips. I used my momentary pause to look back. The boys were posing for probably their fifth picture.



Tears pricked my vision as I finally let myself slip back into reality and out of my little place. Louis's eyes met mine briefly before swinging back to the camera. But I saw him look at me with worry and question.

Stepping off the path, I let my toes sink into the sand for a bit. The warm grains felt good against my chilled skin. Breathing deeply, I let my feet carry me to where the water almost reached, but seemed to be unable. I sat down there, tossing my stuff behind me. My feet soaked in the occasional wave. It was refreshing. I watch the sun as it began to fade behind the horizon. Just like this adventure. Fading. Leaving. Disappearing. Just like Louis. Someone cleared their throat. I didn't have to look to know it was Louis that sat down beside me, staring at the sunset, mimicking my position.

"Andi." Just him saying my name made everything come rushing back. I closed my eyes to hide the water that made them shine so bright. His voice was hoarse as he said it again.

"Look at me please." He begged. I felt his gaze on me, just as I felt the simmering heat of the glowing sun. Despite my better judgement, I did as he asked, letting him see my tears that would not fall.

"Andi I-"

I could bear to hear his words, so I cut him off. "What? You what?" I turned my head away. I don't want to hear him speak, it just makes me more upset that he'll just forget that I exist in a day or two.

"I'm sorry. I was going to tell you, it just slipped my mind. I swear. I was." His words were like music. It's exactly what I should have wanted to hear. But it only succeeds in making me sadder.

"It's fine." I stated blankly. The only way to not get emotional is to cut myself. You can do this Andi. You can.

"Andi, I'm not dumb. I-"

"No, but I am." I interrupted. So much for staying emotionally disconnected. "I'm so stupid. I'm an idiot!" My voice raised a bit, but I didn't care. "I actually believed that we could be something together." My final part had to be choked off because my throat closed with raw emotion.

"Andi, wait. You changed your mind?" Lou asked, his tone hopeful. But I was beyond the point of being brought back to a state of calm. I was way past that point.

"But no, I was wrong. Actually, thank you! Thank you for not telling me this until now Lou. You wanna know why? Because it proved that we can never be anything. You're leaving for tour. You're a damn celebrity! How in the world would it ever work? So thank you Lou, thank you." Tears finally escaped me, pouring down my cheeks. I tried to ignore them as I stood hastily to my feet, beginning to sprint in the opposite direction that I came from. I'm not ready to face everyone yet.

"Andi!" Lou shouted from close behind. Before I knew it, he grabbed my elbow, pulling me back into his chest. I pushed away from him, whipping my eyes as I stared at anything but him.

"Look at me." He whispered. But I refused. "Look at me!" He grasped both sides of my head and forced me to observe him. His eyes searched mine.

"Tour? Being a celebrity? None of that means anything to me! You're what matters to me right now. You wanna know why I know we would work? Because I want it to. You want it to. The feelings I have for you aren't stupid and fleeting. I like you, Andi. I really really care about you and I know you feel the same. Don't run away from it, Andi." He breathed heavily as his hands slid down to hold my arms. I sniffled, shaking my head with tears streaming once again.

"But you're leaving, Louis. I can't be in a relationship like that. I won't be with you only over text and through the internet. I can't, I just can't. It doesn't matter how you or I feel. If we can't actually be together then how can things ever work?" My voice was coated in sadness. Louis...His name circled my mind. I don't want things to be this way. I want him to hold me tight and forever. I want to find out what the future holds for us. But things can never that way. I wish they could, but they can't. I felt my heart break just a little bit more. Felt it splinter into fragments, held together by some unknown force. Louis shook me gently.

"Come on tour with me."

"Wha-what?" I stuttered. How can he propose such a thing?

"Do it. Come on tour with me and the boys. We can be together. We can work on things and try out a relationship." He pleaded. His offer was tempting. I do want that chance with him. But...

"What if we don't work out?" I muttered. His gaze hardened.

"Won't know until we try." He whispered, looking at me warmly as he dragged a finger down my wet cheek. Goosebumps rose up on my skin.

"Say yes." He stated, leaning forward with his eyes shut. His lips brushed mine, but pulled away before they could truly touch. My own eyes fluttered until they closed out the world. This is my chance. It's a shot to try things out with him. It's an opportunity to make some memories and have a new adventure.

It's what I want.

"Yes." I breathed, smashing my lips onto his. He reacted instantly, picking me up so that my legs could wrap around his waist. He spun us around and around, all the while, our mouths worked against each other, sending tingles down to my core. It sent warmth straight through my body. Louis.... He held me up as he pulled away, my eyes even with his. He placed his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily. My legs slipped to the ground and he just held me close. I snuggled into his chest, watching my city turn into a light show. It's always beautiful at night. I felt his arms slid around me, pulling me that invisible inch closer. I sighed contently.

"The jewel of the midwest." Louis commented. I continued staring at Chicago.

"Yeah." I mumbled. "It's truly amazing." Louis coughed lightly, causing me to lift my head and stare at him. He grinned, even though I caught him staring at me.




"I'm not talking about Chicago."

Notes

Awww so Andi broke down! But Louis made it all better!!! And she's gonna go on tour with them???? Hmmmmm we shall see...... ;) Anyway tell me what y'all think. I gave you guys a super long chapter to try and make up for the wait and stuff. So hope you like.

1. Will she go on tour with them?
2. Will Lou and Andi work out okay?
3. What drama is there still to come? DUN DUN DUNNNN..............

Peace out ma bitches!

Izzy <3