One Love

Chapter 1

"Your funny!" I giggled happily, gripping my sides as my face turned red from laughing so hard. He was laughing just as much as me, if not, then more. We sat on a park bench talking about random things that seemed to amuse us and for the first time ever I felt like I had actually made a friend, but my four year old self didn't seem to notice my frantic mother giving me angered glances as she watched me from across the park.

"Come on sweety, its time to go see your dad." My mom said as she rushed over to my side, pulling me from the little boy. I looked at him sadly as I was being dragged away, my moms grip tight as she raced down the street.

"Bye Bethie." He yelled after me.

"Bye Louis!" I yelled back, nearly tripping over my tiny little feet as I fought to keep up with my mother.

- 11 years later -

Without giving my actions a second thought I had already picked my bag up and tossed it over my shoulder, bolting down stairs and out the front door. The cold air rushed past me as I ran, my feet carrying me away from my so called parents. My lungs begged for air as I fought to keep running, my muscles ached for me to take a brake as a park bench came into view up ahead. I stumbled up to the bench and crashed down with heavy relief. I brought my knees up to my chest and pulled my sleeves further down my arms as I fought to hold back the tears that where pricking at my eyes.

"Excuse me. Are you alright?" A soft familiar voice asked. I looked up to find a tall brown haired boy standing in front of me with a worried look upon his face. "Wait, Bethany?!" The boy asked, surprise clear in his voice.

"Louis?" I looked at him again, taking in every inch of his face as I gawked in disbelief.

"The one and only! " He yelled, picking me up in a bone crushing hug as I hugged back just as fiercely. Man its been to long.... "What's wrong?" I pulled away to find him inspecting my face as if I might have a serious medical condition and needed help.

"Nothing, I'm fine..." I trailed , forcing myself to smile brightly.

"Don't give me that, I know your not fine. I got it out of you once, I can get it out of you again." He assured me. "Was it your dad again?" I flinched at the sound of his words and looked away. "I knew it! How could he ever lay his hands on you! I ought to go over and give him a piece of my mind!"

"No! Don't... please..." I whispered, giving him a pleading look. "Don't Lou.... that would just make things worse.."

"Well what am I supposed to do? I can't just let them hurt you!" His voice rose in anger and I shied away out of habit. "Sorry.." Louis muttered as he lowered his head, gazing down at his navy blue TOMS.

"Its alright." I silently sat back down on the park bench and took my bag off, placing it in my lap.

"What's with the bag?" Louis asked, snatching it up from my lap and opening it. I watched as he shuffled through my belongings and quietly looked up at me. "What's with all your stuff
being packed?"

"Well....." I began.

"Nooo.... You didn't..." Louis eyes grew big as the realization of what I did hit him. "Do you
have anywhere to go?" I shook my head and cast my gaze downward. "Well you can stay with me... " I quickly stood up, a look of surprise plastered on my face. Man I love this guy, I don't see why my mom wouldn't let us hang out when I was little, I mean sure he's 3, 4 years older than me but he's nice. He never hurt me or did anything to me like my father or mother did. He noticed me hesitate. "Erm.... I mean you don't have to if you don't want to." I watched as he scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Yes, I would love to Louis." I smiled, grabbing hold of my bag that was still in his grip.

"Perfect." He smiled. I quickly placed my bag back over my shoulder as I began to follow Louis down the side walk.

"So, what's been going on in your life?" My words hung in the air for a moment as his smile grew wider.

"Oh, you know.. the usual.." I glanced at him questioningly as he quietly chuckled under his breath.

"What's that supposed to mean!?" I giggled, shivering as a gust of cold wind blew my hair in my face and nipped at my cheeks.

"Are you cold?"

"Yeah, just a little." I Looked up at Louis as I felt him snake his arms around my waist and pull my body into his coat.

"There, that ought to keep you warm." He smiled.

"But, doesn't this just make it a little difficult to walk?" I giggled as he stopped in his tracks, pulling me to a stop with him. "WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" I squealed. I wrapped my legs around Louis waist as he picked me up and fully wrapped his coat around me, sort of like how a mother would pick up her kid after they fell asleep in the car or fell and got hurt. I wrapped my arms around his body and rested my head on his chest.

"All better now?" Louis asked.

"Yes, very." I smiled, enjoying the warmth. "Louis..."

"Yes?"

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Notes