Second Chance - Chapter 7

THE IDIOT

LOUIS...

I was such an idiot! A fool. A nitwit. An imbecile. Call it what you would, that was what I was. If there was an award for ‘The Biggest Idiot of the Year’, I would have won it! Hands down.

Good God! What the heck was I thinking? Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Going to The Lotus after declining Liam’s invitation to go with them was foolish, but giving in to the impulse to kiss Holly was pure STUPIDITY! Okay, the actual lips contact was brief but it was positively thrilling and absolutely addictive. If I was having dinner, that was just an immensely mouth-watering appetizer. Once I had the taste of it, it left me craving for more.

The incident in the dressing room was another proof of how much of a blockhead I was. She did not see the wet floor, when she stepped on it; she slipped and started falling down. I quickly grabbed her around the waist to prevent her from falling. Her arms went around my neck and she gasped as her body slammed into mine.

“Careful there.” I said and she looked up into my eyes. I was hypnotised when I realised how beautiful she was. When she looked up to my face, it brought her lips nearer. My gaze went to her enticing lips. Soft, sexy pink lips. So, so kissable!

I stood there aghast, when I realised how much I wanted to kiss that luscious pink lips of hers. Okay! I needed to control my unruly body. ASAP. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down, but every time I inhaled, I could smell her very subtle scent, which only added to my discomfort. When she drew in a deep breath, I became aware of the feel of her body pressed against mine. I could not take my eyes of her lips. When she licked them nervously, I lost it.  

Had Zayn and Vicky not come through the door, I would have kissed Holly again. And that would not be a brief peck on the lips either. It would, without doubt, involve some definite tongue action! Just thinking of the ‘almost kiss’ makes me hot all over. Man! It was a mess! The plan was I was supposed to be angry at her, not thinking of kissing her which was pretty much all the time.

I did not mean to let her go like that, but I was surprised. She pretty much fell on the floor on her curvy backside. She stayed there, unmoving watching Vicky kissing me and the stupid me watching her while being kissed by Vicky. Zayn went to her and picked her up. He whispered something to her and she buried her face in his chest.

Something stirred in me. It irritated the hell out of me how Zayn was always putting his arm around her, whispering in her ears, touching her smooth cheeks and kissing her forehead and the top of her head. I knew that they were childhood friends but... jeez... Lay off with the PDA.

I was disgusted! But probably more at myself for sounding like a jealous boyfriend than at them and their PDA.

I was really lucky that Vicky did not see me embracing Holly. That would cause endless problems with her. I didn’t feel like explaining myself to her. I started dating Vicky about five months ago. She was fun. I liked her but that was all. No strong feelings. If she’s there, okay. If she’s not, that was fine too. Then, she started coming around more frequently, and started telling others that she was my girlfriend. I did not say anything, or clarify the misconception because... I just don’t care. Maybe it was better if she was my girlfriend. I don’t have real feelings for her so I would not get too attached to her. If she eventually leaves, I would not be too affected. I thought that was a good plan.

         Unfortunately, I think Zayn saw us. He had been glaring at me ever since. The two of us were good mates but Holly was his princess. No one was allowed to hurt his princess. He was really protective of her. He protected Holly like he did his sisters. I couldn’t really blame him for being more than a trifle miffed at me. If some boy hurt any of my sisters, I would probably do more than glare at the offending boy.

          The show that night was a bit strained, with me trying to avoid confrontation with Zayn. I can read the obvious intention in his eyes. If we were not on stage, he probably would take me by the collar of my tee and shook the foolhardiness out of me. Yeah, I probably deserved that!

Walking into the messy dressing room that night, with her friend and the friend’s niece, Holly was dressed in a TIGHT little white tube and TIGHT black skinny jeans that accentuated her curves to perfection. The curves were going to be a distraction. They already disturbed my peace of mind the minute she walked into the room.

The moment Louis saw Holly walking into the room

That added to the issue of Zayn affected my performance that night. I tried to be my usual merry self but it was difficult, especially when I could see Holly among the fans in the front row. I hoped I did not hurt her badly when she fell. I need to apologize to her which I would do right after the show. No matter how angry I was at her, she deserved an apology for what I did.

Deciding on that course of action uplifted my mood. I actually felt much better. I waved and smiled at the fans. I owed it to them to give my best. I was where I was right now because of them. So, the rest of the evening I gave everything I had. This was for the fans.

When the show ended, I went in search of Holly but Vicky stopped me on my way.

“Baby, let’s go and have some fun. My friends are waiting.” She mentioned the name of a well-known club but I was not in the mood to party.

“I am so sorry, babe. I’m not in the mood tonight. I’m tired. I think I’ll go straight back to the hotel. I’m sorry.” I declined. “You go ahead and have fun with your friends.”

She pouted. “It won’t be that much fun without you.”

“I’m sorry, babe.” I said regretfully. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“Okay. You promise?” She asked coquettishly.

“I promise.” I said giving her the three-finger salute used by scouts. She gave me a kiss which I returned only half-heartedly. She waved me goodbye cheerfully and went on her merry way.

Now back to business of finding Holly and apologising. I started to head for the dressing room, where I bet she would be with Zayn, when I saw her standing alone staring at me from the west wing exit door. She must have been standing there the whole time when I was with Vicky.

I approached her and she started to walk away.

“Holly. Please, I need to talk to you.” I implored. She stopped and turned around to look at me. Her stunning brown eyes were uncertain.

“I need to apologise for what happened just now. I didn’t mean to drop you. I was surprised by Zayn walking in.” I explained hoping for her forgiveness.

Surprisingly, she smiled. “You don’t have to apologise for that, Louis. I know that you didn’t mean to let me fall. And I also would like to apologise for everything that I did that hurt you. I am really, really sorry.”

It was really difficult to be angry at her when she apologised so sweetly. I sighed. “Look, why don’t we just start from the beginning. Forget the past. Start anew.”

She nodded and smiled. “That sounds like a good idea.”

I hold out my hands and said. “Hi, my name is Louis Tomlinson. And you?”

“I’m Holly Adams. Nice to meet you.” She shook my hands.

“Nice to meet you too.” We stared at each other and broke into grins and then laughter.

“So, you two kissed and made up?” We turned and saw Zayn. Holly blushed when she heard the word ‘kiss’. She must be thinking the ‘almost’ kiss we had in the dressing room. Strangely, that made me felt... good.