Chapter 8:

Melissa woke Saturday morning to the vibrations of her phone; she quickly dashed out of the dorm, where most girls were asleep, and into the bathroom.

"Hello?" her groggy voice answered.

"Melissa? It's Louis, I was wondering if you were up for a quick chat this morning?" he sounded very much so awake, typical Louis…

"Now?" Melissa whined, "But it's like… six in the morning, and I'm technically not allowed out right now."

"Just a quick chat! Besides, who's going to notice you're missing at this time?"

I sighed, "Fine."

"Great, I'll pick you up at the pet store in half an hour?" how can someone be so happy, so early?

"Fine…"

I didn't bother getting dressed; Louis would have to deal with my bed head and old baggy sweater. I did however, brush my teeth, but that was about it… I snuck out, and made it to the pet store, just as Louis parked his car.

"Good morning, babe! Fancy getting some breakfast?" He motioned for me to get in his car, which I obeyed.

Louis wasted no time getting to the point, "So Liam was upset yesterday." He began.

"Oh… why's that?" I knew why, but I decided to play dumb instead.

Louis raised an eyebrow, "You really have no idea what could have made Liam upset yesterday?"

I didn't respond for a minute, then finally, "What do you want from me Louis?"

He just smiled and drove to a nearby coffee shop, making sure he used the drive through incase anyone saw us.

After we got breakfast, he finally responded, "I just want to make sure you aren't hurting Liam."

My hands clenched into fists, the tears from last night were threatening to leak again, but I wouldn't cry, not here, not now. I had far too much pride for that. Louis noticed something was wrong, because he parked his car in a nearby parking lot and looked at me. I kept my eyes concentrated on my lap, hoping this would end.

After a long moment, he finally asked, "Do you want to hurt him?" There was no malice, no anger… just a simple question.

"No."

"So why are you?" again, just a simple question.

I finally looked up, my eyes brimmed with tears, "It's inevitable." I whispered.

"How so?" he seemed genuinely concerned right now, maybe it was just for Liam's sake, but he seemed to actually care about me.

I took a deep breath; I was about to spill my secret, to my boyfriend's friend, "because I lied to him. I wish I hadn't. But I did, and once he finds out, he'll hate me." Tears were spilling down my cheeks, as I fought for control.

"What did you lie about?"

I couldn't answer that, not with words anyways, so I gave Louis my phone, "Look through it. You'll see." I said.

Louis obeyed, I wasn't sure what he looked at, but he certainly got the idea pretty quick…

"So everything Liam thinks you are, is a lie?" finally, his smile had disappeared; his voice was perfectly kind still, but I could tell… I'd hit a nerve.

"I'm sorry."

"He deserves the truth."

"I know."

"And if you don't tell him, I will."

My body froze. He couldn't! He wouldn't! Fuck, I was screwed.

"No!" pride forgotten, my tears poured out, and I completely broke down, "Please don't tell him! Please! He can't know! Please don't Louis!"

"Look, I don't want to hurt you, but Liam's my mate, and I owe him that. Either you tell him, or I will." His voice wasn't harsh, rather honest.

Louis didn't need to yell, I got the message loud and clear: Liam and I were going to break up.