Young & Beautiful

Neither lets go. Louis doesn’t want to let go.
But still he says, “I should go,” and steps out of her embrace, face pinned together in a smile. “I’ll
let you know if anything happens.”
She nods.
“See you soon, love.”
He nods. His eyes are prickling. Fuck.
“Love you, Boo,” she adds.
He nods again, glancing away because his eyes are wet. He manages a wave, watches as she gets
back in the car and drives off, leaving him in his trackies and old jacket, his bare ankles bright cold
in the chilly air as he wipes the back of his hand against his eyes.
No crying. No crying.
He turns around and walks inside.
**
“Louis. You’re here,” Rory says in a relieved whoosh, almost as soon as Louis steps out of the
lift.
He must’ve been waiting, and that sends sharp jolts through him.
“Sorry, I had to have my mum drive me. Went home,” he says, his eyes searching the cluster of
chairs nearby, searching for a familiar face. The hospital is mostly empty.
“Nothing would have changed had you gotten here earlier,” Rory says, a little gruff. He claps him
on the back. “He’ll be glad you’re here.”
“Who?”
“Zayn.”
Louis takes a deep breath.
This is so, so out of his realm.
He nods, scanning the room again.
“Where is he?” he asks, breathless, steeling himself.
“With Liam.”
His head snaps to Rory, feeling the warm trickle of hope in his scalp.
“He’s awake?”
“No.”
And the trickle stops.
“But he’s going to be okay.”