Hey guys! Here's the second part of the date :) Oh and just like in the last chapter, to see Charlotte's outfit, click on the external link button ----------------->

The car is Rodney's Bugatti :)

And this chapter is written in a few different point of views. Hope that's not too confusing... Enjoy! x

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*Danielle's POV*

I slid open the umbrella, allowing the cloth to shelter us from the rain. It was a feeble attempt really. Because against the howling wind and relentless rain, the the umbrella proved to be of little use. I shivered and pulled the over sized jacket, which Liam had draped onto my shoulders, tighter around myself. I felt an arm snake around my waist and leaned my head on Liam's shoulder, playing with the buttons that lined his coat.

"Danielle, you never told me why you were so eager to come to this restaurant," Liam said. I felt him shiver slightly from the descending temperatures and glanced up at him. It would be fair to say Liam was confused. We were both planning a dinner tonight, since we hadn't been able to go out much lately. My sudden change of plans surprised him, but he agreed without hesitation.

"Charlotte's parents are making her go out with his guy, and from what I've heard, he's a total tool!" I saw Liam's expression change from one of confusion to realization as he chuckled. 

"And I'm guessing they're here tonight?" He questioned, already knowing the answer. I nodded and Liam's lips pecked my forehead.

"I don't think it's fair. She doesn't like this guy, but she's forced to do things she doesn't like by her parents. I want her to know that it's not always going to be like that, not if we can help it," I fiddled shyly with Liam's fingers as I spoke. His hand was a lot larger than mine, engulfing my small one as he wrapped his long fingers around it. He tilted my chin up and smiled warmly.

Liam was understanding and reasonable, so I wasn't worried about sounding ridiculous. What I thought would seem a bit suspicious to him was just how much I was willing to help someone I had only met less than a month ago. Charlotte reminded me too much of myself. Not everyone was supportive of my dream to become a dancer. They didn't trust me to make my own decisions, just as Charlotte's family didn't give her trust. And knowing that I could help Charlotte gain control of her life just like how my older sister helped me was a chance I didn't want to give up.

"And I think it's incredible that you're doing this. Now let's go, we've got a date to crash," Liam replied. I let out a laugh, grateful for having him with me. If there was no one else there to support me, I knew that I always had Liam. 

*Charlotte's POV*

"Charlotte? Is that you?!"

My eyes wide, I turned in my chair to see the last person I was expecting. A smile broke out onto my face. It was crazy, but certainly was not a coincidence.

"Danielle?" My smile widened and I slightly shook my head at her, somehow knowing that she had this whole thing planned. I watched her and Liam walk closer to our table. They looked adorable, as usual. Danielle was wearing a beautiful yet simple light purple dress and Liam's tie was a matching color. At the sight of Rodney, Liam's hand, which was already wrapped around Danielle's, tugged her closer to his side. He wrapped a protective arm around her, but didn't let his polite expression falter.

I got up from my seat and ignored Rodney's questioning glares. Instead, I hugged Danielle. 

"You thought I would let you suffer through this?" She whispered before I let go and shot her the biggest smile I could muster up. 

"Oh, nice to see you again too, Charlotte," Liam said sarcastically. He sniffed and glanced around, as if trying to look anywhere but at me. I laughed and greeted him as well. A loud and seemingly artificial cough broke the three of us out of our conversation and brought our attention to the man now standing behind us. Rodney was clearly angry that our "date" had been disrupted. His right hand was clutching the table, and his lips tugged upwards into a forced smile when he saw that Liam was looking at him.

Liam took a step forward and stood protectively in front of Danielle and I. I watched as he offered his hand to Rodney.

"I'm Liam," he smiled and Rodney studied him carefully, his narrowing eyes not fazing Liam's statute posture. I saw recognition wash over Rodney's features as he leaned closer to get a better look at him.

Rodney reluctantly shook Liam's hand, his eyes widening greatly when realization hit him. "You're that kid! The one from One Direction?" I furrowed my eyebrows. Kid? Liam's naturally kind personality caused him to laugh heartily and confirm Rodney's assumption.

The couple sat down across from Rodney and I, asking if they could join our dinner. I agreed without hesitation, unlike Rodney, who was clearly very comfortable in showing his despise towards the two. Rodney and Liam got talking, about what, I didn't really pay attention. All I knew is that whenever Rodney tried to make a snide comment towards Liam, Liam brushed it off smoothly and started on a new topic. I didn't think anybody could actually hate Liam, not even Rodney. A few minutes into the dinner, Danielle and I excused ourselves to the restroom.

"You were right, he's an absolute prick!" Danielle yelled once we were out of earshot. 

I laughed, agreeing, and said, "Thank you, this night was headed down the worst road possible if you two hadn't shown up." 

Danielle smiled, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Which basically means you would be on trial for murder," she laughed.

I was going to deny it at first, but anyone would agree that Danielle was right.

Danielle and I braced ourselves for the rest of the, now, double date. She followed me out of the restroom and we walked together down the fancy restaurant. I frowned in confusion when I saw that Rodney was no longer in his seat. His head of sleek, gelled back blond hair was replaced by one with brown, wispy strands. I couldn't see anything besides his back, so the curiosity made my legs move faster towards the table.

My heart lurched into my throat when I saw that it was Louis in Rodney's seat. He hadn't noticed my presence and was chatting away with Liam. His eyes were wide as he spoke, which usually happened when he was excited about something. Both boys were too engaged in the conversation to greet us. Not sure what to say, I slid into the seat next to him Louis and Danielle took her seat next to her boyfriend. She was clearly just as surprised as I was at Louis' arrival.

"Hey," Louis smiled once he noticed my presence. I greeted him with a quiet "hello," before him and Liam erupted into a conversation yet again. I wanted to smack myself for being so shy. Every time I talked to Louis felt like the first. Feeling super self-conscious, I would become a shy school girl with a hopeless crush. And now that I considered the two of us as pretty close friends, the shyness only confused me further. 

The dreadful, painful night had transformed into one of jokes and laughter with the presence of Louis. Dinner was served and once everyone was done eating, I asked the question that haunted Danielle's mind along with mine.

"How did you guys get rid of him?" 

What I didn't expect as a response was the outbreak of laughter from the two guys. They slapped each other's hands as high-fives and continued laughing.

I could tell there was a confused look on my face because Danielle's look mirrored mine. Both of us were completely lost. 

"I don't understand how that was funny," I said. Instead of replying, Louis pulled out his cell phone and pressed a few buttons before eagerly shoving it in front of my face. I took the phone from him and immediately started laughing when I saw the picture in front of me. It was a picture of Rodney's red Bugatti. And it was getting towed. My laughter only increased when I spotted Louis sitting on the hood of the car, with two thumbs pointing up. I passed the phone to an eager Danielle.

I somehow spoke between my laughter.

"How did you manage to do that?!" I exclaimed. 

Louis leaned back into the wooden chair and pushed back his sleeves. "I've got connections," he explained. That was enough of an explanation. Louis was part of a world famous band, so when he said that he had connections, I believed him. 

The rest of the night was spent in laughter and pure fun. I realized that I had made new friends, ones that would actually stick by my side, and had a feeling that things would be different now. When the dinner was over, the four of us carefully avoided the cameramen crowding the front entrance and headed out the back doors of the restaurant. Louis was driving all three of us home, since Rodney had left without me and Liam and Danielle had taken a taxi. 

"Thanks, guys. I really do owe you. You have no idea how much I was loathing this night..." I trailed off, wrapping my arms around myself. The wool coat that was hugging my body wasn't a sufficient shield from the biting cold. We were all standing before the front door of my house and I looked down at my feet, feeling Louis' gaze on me. My stomach churned with uneasiness.

"Hey, you don't have to thank us. Nobody should have to go out with someone they don't like," Louis pointed out. Liam and Danielle bobbed their heads in agreement. I chuckled and bid the trio a goodnight, before spinning on my heel and heading towards the door. I didn't want to go home because it felt like it would all be over. Even though I knew it sounded ridiculous, the night and many others spent with them felt like dreams -- so unreal. And every time I entered my home, it was as if I was thrown back into my boring life.

It seemed like the more time I spent with these people, the less I wanted to be at home. The less I wanted to live life as I had  been living the past eighteen years. 

I had only placed my hand on the doorknob when Louis' clear voice rang out in the cold night.

"Hey Charlotte, wait up!" he had yelled, causing me to turn around. I peered through the night to see Louis stumbling out of the car with my clutch in his hand. Of course I had forgotten something!

"You forgot your purse," he said once he had caught up to me. I smiled gratefully and took it from him, my cheeks flushed.

"Oh, and these were laying next to it," Louis added and brought a pack of cigarettes into my view. My mouth was agape and forming words had become a difficult task. I was embarrassed. Louis had seen me smoke before, but that was when he was a complete stranger. When I thought of him as a nuisance. But now? Now he was my friend. And the look that flashed across his features was one of warning, accompanied by eyes filled with hope.

He held the case out for me to take, taking me by surprise once again. Why was he giving it to me?

"It's not my choice to make," he licked his lips in thought before meeting my eyes, "but I trust you to make the right one. See you soon, Char."  

A smiling Louis retreated into the darkness, leaving me speechless. Every conversation I had with Louis left me wondering; questioning. He was so serious one minute when it came to my health and the other: he was the silly Louis I had come to know. 

I waved to the car that was backing up from my driveway before stepping foot into the comfort of my home, Louis' words ringing through my mind. I was greeted by an empty living room and walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water. It had been a long night and I was exhausted. 

 I jumped when I saw our cleaning lady, Rose, standing before the sink with a towel in her hand. I brought a hand to my pounding head and smiled at the startled lady. 

Rose was one of the reasons I didn't consider running away. She was one of the people that made life bearable. Ever since I could remember, Rose had been our cleaning lady, but she was much more than that. She was the closest thing I had to a mother when my real one was too wrapped up in her own world. 

"My dear, you need to get some rest! Leave this here, I'll pick it up. You seem exhausted..." She exclaimed while picking up my coat from where I had laid it on the counter. Her forehead was creased with worry and her blue eyes wide. Rose wasn't old, only middle aged and had neither a husband nor children. I had always wanted to set her up with someone, just to see her happy. But I didn't know who. All of the men at my parents' parties were too busy with work and I wanted Rose to be with someone who could give her attention and actually care for her, just as she did for everyone else.

"No, it's okay. I got it. Thanks Rose," I reassured her. I took my coat from her hands and hung it on the coat rack. Rose was still working on washing the dishes when I walked past the kitchen. I frowned. 

"Rose, leave it, you must be tired, too. It's midnight and you're still working!" 

Her shoulders shook with laughter. "It's my job, dear. You go now, get some sleep, and that's an order," she said without turning around, her voice firm.

I shook my head and sighed. "Well, when you're done, there's a bed waiting for you upstairs in the guest room. You're crashing here tonight."

Her living conditions weren't what you would call great. Because of shortages in rent of her previous apartment, Rose lived with her uptight step-sister a few cities away. Linda, her step-sister, acted welcoming, but never did skip out on a chance to make Rose feel like a burden to her and her family. Soon enough, Rose would be able to buy her own house. But until then, I felt responsible for helping her whenever I could.

Rose turned off the faucet with a heavy sigh and turned to face me. She didn't meet my eyes when she said, "I don't think that's a good idea, Charlotte." She knew that my parents wouldn't approve. But it wasn't like they would find out.

"Mother and Father aren't coming back until a few days. No buts, no arguing. I'll set out some fresh clothes for you. Goodnight," I smiled, my stern tone vanishing with the last word. Rose, knowing she wouldn't have her way this time, wiped her hands with a towel and walked over to me. 

She kissed my forehead lightly, her frail arms shaking, and smiled down at me through glazed eyes. 

"Thank you," she whispered, the magnitude of her words warming my heart. I bid Rose a goodnight and barely made it alive up the stairs, before quickly and carelessly changing out of my dress and brushing my teeth. I sat down on my heavenly bed and dumped the items from my fancy clutch onto the mattress. I assembled everything into its place and stared at the one thing left sitting on my bed. It was a taunting box of cigarettes that made my fingers itch with desire. 

"It's not my choice to make, but I hope you make the right one."

WIthout further thought, I picked up the full box and held it above the bin. With Louis' words not ceasing to leave my mind, my fingers loosened around the case, allowing it to fall into the empty bin with a satisfying thud.

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Thank you tons for reading. You all deserve all the funnel cakes in the world <3