Rachel's P.O.V.

Louis and the Eleanor went and sat at a table on the other side of the café.

He still hadn't even noticed I was there.

Finally our pancakes got brought to our table and we began eating in silence.

"Rachel, are you sure you're okay?" Ashton asked, eyeing me nervously.

I nodded.

"Of course. Like I said, Louis can date whoever he wants" I muttered.

Ashton rolled his eyes.

"Rachel, its kinda obvious there's something going on with you and Louis. It's just a wonder Harry hasn't realised and kicked his ass" he told me, making me chuckle slightly.

He wasn't wrong though.

Thinking about it, ever since I got here me and Louis had been spending time together.

Even though I hadn't really admitted it out loud, I was somewhat hoping that maybe he did think of me as more that just a friend.

And to be honest he was leading me on, texting me and taking me out late at night playing piano for me.

We finished off our pancakes and split the bill.

It was only as we were leaving that Louis finally turned around and noticed we were there.

He caught my eye and I gave him a sarcastic smile before marching out the door.

"So what do you want to do now?" I asked Ashton once we were outside.

He shrugged.

"If you want you can come see our room? Do you play any instruments? We've got drums and some guitars-" he began rambling on but I cut him off.

"I can't play anything to save my life. I'm insanely untalented when it comes to music" I told him, grinning slightly.

"I'm guessing you do, though?" I added.

He nodded.

"I play the drums" he told me grinning.

I smiled.

"Wow, a drummer! You must have girls falling all over you" I winked, nudging him.

He chuckled.

"I'm serious though. Anyone in particular you like?" I continued.

And so he began telling me about some blonde girl that was in his psychology class that he had a thing for.

We chatted about her the whole way back to his room, with me encouraging him to ask her out.

"Don't mind the mess" he said suddenly as we stopped outside a door.

"Okay" I replied.

"And if the boys are here, it might be pretty loud" he continued.

"Okay" I repeated.

"And-"

"Ashton!" I laughed, cutting him off.

He nodded, turning the key in the door and opening it.

I walked in, glancing around as I did.

It was quite messy. Though I hadn't really expected less.

There was a large red couch that the other three boys were sprawled across.

"Ooh! Drums!" I yelled, pointing to the large drumset in the corner.

The boys turned quickly to face me.

"Sorry.." I mumbled, awkwardly.

Michael hopped up off of the couch.

"Hey Rachel" he gave me a wave.

The other two smiled in agreement.

We spent the next couple of hours messing around and watching movies.

I was feeling a lot better by the time I headed back to my room that night.

I had a missed call from Louis and one from Harry but I ignored them both and checked my messages.

Still nothing from Skylar.

I sighed as I got to the door, searching my pocket for the key.

When eventually I opened the door and walked in, I gasped.

Skylar was there, just sitting on her bed.

"Hey Sky. Where were you? I've been worried" I told her, closing the door softly behind me.
She snorted.

"Sure you were" she muttered sarcastically.

I frowned but decided to ignore it.

"So where were you? Did you go home for the weekend?" I continued.

"That's none of your business!" she snapped back.

My eyes widened slightly.

What the hell was her problem.

"Right, whatever, I'm going to get a shower" I told her, heading towards the bathroom .

I got a quick shower that took less than 15 minutes. I decided to brush my hair in the bathroom though, to give Skylar a bit of time alone.

When eventually I was in my pyjamas and ready for bed I came out of the bathroom.

Tricia was back and lying in her bed. She gave me small smile and then pulled a face, obviously referring to Skylars behaviour. Skylar was sitting on her bed, still fully dressed just staring at the wall.

I sighed, not saying anything.

I slipped into my bed and picked my phone up off of the small dresser I had left it on before going into the bathroom.

I had three new messages.


Louis: Hey, I think we need to talk about earlier. Give me a call?

Harry: Rach, I heard Skylar went home for the weekend, is she back?

Ashton: The boys loved having you over today. Hope you're okay after seeing Louis with Eleanor today. We should hang out again soon


I ignored Louis' text and skipped on to Harry's.

"Hey Skylar Harry just text wondering if your back" I mumbled, confused. How did he know Skylar was gone? And why would it matter to him? I didn't even know they were friends..
She looked at me quickly.

"Really?" her voice was a lot softer than before.

I was confused but grinned slightly.

"Emm yeah.. I didn't know ye were friends" I replied honestly.

She shrugged.

"W-We're not. Not really. I mean we've spoken once or twice.. But really? He was asking about me?" she smiled a little as she finished.

I nodded, confused by her reaction. She seemed a lot more herself.

"I think I'm gonna go take a walk, okay? I'm sorry I'm being weird. I just- I'll be back later" she gave me a genuine smile and with that hopped up off of her bed and left the room.

I sighed once she were gone.

"Is she okay?" Tricia asked in a hushed tone.

I decided to reply honestly.

"I have no idea"

Notes