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"Has it occurred to you that I know where you're coming from? I know that when you're an orphan in places like this you learn to push everyone away. I know that when you tell someone to leave you alone you actually mean stay with me. But of course you can't say that."
Her face turned even more white than it already was. "You don't know what you're talking about."
He shrugged. "My mistake. That must just be me."
Emma would have looked like a marble statue, had it not been for the heavy breathing. “Why did you have to stay?”
"I swore I'd find out why you were crying, and I'm really not someone to break my word."
"Well, for once, you should break your word."
"I'm afraid I won't just do that for anyone. Especially not strange crying girls who haven't exactly been friendly."
Emma rolled her eyes. "YOu're a stubborn one. Alright, stay and eat your heart out. You'lll never know the real reason I was crying."
"At least let me get to know other things about you. Come on, it's not as if I'm going to have any other friends after that whole incident earlier."
"Very sly, but I don't make or keep friends."
"You don't have to keep me and I come ready made!" Louis grinned cheesily.
Emma gave him a look. “It’s not funny,” she warned, but her lips were twitching slightly.
"Come on, it's alright to laugh. You can't let these places get you down," Louis said seriously.
Quickly, Emma frowned. “Please-and I’m begging you-just leave like you planned to and forget all about me or this place. If you stay….” She shrugged. “It’s your neck.”
"I'm staying. I never liked my neck much anyway, much too soft. It's just not manly." He never could take anything seriously.
That was it. She couldn’t help it. Emma burst out laughing. Her laugh was like silver bells tinkling as she leaned against him for support as she laughed.
Declan grinned proudly, secretly over the moon that he'd made her laugh. Her laughter was so pretty he couldn't help but want to join in.
Finally, she got a grip and wiped the smile off her face. Emma felt embarrassed. She had a terrible laugh (or so she thought). “Look, please just go. I don’t want anybody here who knows my secrets about crying and music, okay?”
Louis placed a hand on her arm, looking at her intently. "You know I'm not going to tell anyone, don't you? You can trust me, I promise."
Emma looked into his eyes and tried to read a hint of falseness. She failed and couldn’t help leaning in.