Half Bad //l.s

Chapter 18

♡ chapter 18 - Harry ♡

             Something flickered behind Louis' eyes, giving me the impression he wasn't being truthful. But there was more to it than that, the harder I looked at his nervous complexion. Not only was he avoiding eye contact, but he was gradually scooting away from me. The Louis I know would bite my head off in a heartbeat, not flinch away with the slightest movement I made. Not only was it strange, but it was alarming.             

Before I could question his eerie behavior, Liam called from the kitchen that dinner was ready. I tried to mask the hurt on my face from his rejection, but it pained me a lot more than it should have. Not only did he flat out deny any feelings he might've had towards me, but he won't even touch me. Not even without his bracelet. He hasn't hugged me to show he missed me, or even a sign that he was scared and now I was here to comfort him. He's  kept his distance, and that hurt like a bitch.             

This was precisely the reason I tried so desperately to push Louis away by being a jerk to him. It might've seemed idiotic, but it kept me from thinking about my inevitable feelings for him. Feelings makes you weak, and when you're weak, you're vulnerable. Living in my shoes you have to stay alert, and I clearly couldn't do that when Louis was kissing me. I lost him because of that. Because I got so caught in loving him that I completely dismissed the fact that I had to protect him. But it was difficult to hold him for the first time, to contain each emotion when his lips locked with mine. I wasn't thinking about the dangers that clearly follow my every move; I only thought of us.             

God, when did I get so damn cliché?             

It's a load of shit.             

Using my power to put a little fire in my hand, I slapped the opposite wrist with it. The scorching fire pierced my skin, but it also drug me from my irritable haze Louis had captured me in. Hurting myself probably sounds stupid and maybe I did just leave a mark, but it'll fade whereas my love for Louis will not. I need a way to block it out until I configure everything occurring at the moment. Marcus could be listening in, watching, or even stalking in the backyard and waiting for the precise moment to ambush us. I need to stay cautious instead of engrossing myself in thoughts of Louis.             

Still, I studied his movements. Maybe it sounded creepy, but he usually walks with his hands in front of him, not behind. My eyebrows pinched together, watching the way he pushed his hair to the side , when usually he used his fingers to brush and push it upwards. God, it sounds so stalker-ish of me, but even these small gestures are giving me doubts that he came back as my Louis. If Marcus fried his brain, I swear to all that is holy I'll—

             "Hungry?" Zayn asked as we entered the kitchen as he helped Liam carve what seemed to be a turkey.             

"Hmm... Looks like a few boys were out playing with their knives again, eh?" Max joked as he walked into the room.             

Liam rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "Damn straight. Zayn, Ryan, and I thought it was getting too ordinary having the same menu every day. So, we found this little baby out near the river."             

Again, I watched Louis' expression but it didn't budge. Considering my Louis is an animal lover, I assumed he  might've at least scolded them for killing an animal before he ate it, but he said nothing as he was one of the first to reach for a plate. Licking my lips before pressing them together, I gradually followed suit and tried to depict a logical explanation for his off behavior.             

Each of us sat at the table, but I made sure to sit by Louis this time so Jessie's ass wouldn't get too touchy-feely. I was really on the verge of beating him to a pulp last time, but of course we got interrupted by Marcus' stupid war chants, and then we found out Louis is a damn White Witch, of all things, and then I admitted to loving him, he kissed me, then he got taken from me. Fuck, a lot happens in one day, huh?