*Colton’s POV*

Well damn, I wasn’t expecting the two of them to just leave me here. I watched from the stage line as Louis’ car burnt rubber trying to get away from the crowd and paparazzi. Within the week of knowing Louis, in this state of mind, my best bet was him heading straight home. I rubbed my cheek before running my fingers through my hair. “Better leave those two alone for now.” I muttered, taking a quick glance at the crowd before turning and walking in the opposite direction. “I’m pretty sure I'm the last person they want to see.”

I stuck my hands in my coat pockets, letting my breath fog up the air. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a day like this. Free to roam around, not having to worry about much. I knew I couldn’t make my next move until Michelle came out of hiding and went to seek out little Miss Lucy. Or Cat, as Louis would call her. It was a fitting nickname. She did remind me of a little feline, and that paw mark on her neck was an easy giveaway too.

“Sir! Sir!” My head turned toward the noise where an older lady sat in a chair surrounded by red roses.

I offered a smile before stepping toward her. “Good weather today, eh?” I asked, letting a British accent come through.

She didn’t catch the fakeness of it. “Yes. Yes. Tell me, son, are you heading to a date?”

“I just got through playing matchmaker.” I answered with a small chuckle. “To answer your question; no, I do not have a date.”

I saw her lip puck out slightly. I checked out the roses around her. “But even so, I’d like to buy a rose.”

The older lady smiled, letting me make my purchase. I left her, walking down the street, twirling the rose between my fingers. I scanned the crowds as I walked. Even if I was free to roam around, I couldn’t have the risk of someone following me. I heard a snap behind me. Curious, I turned and looked, seeing a young woman silently cursing as she stumbled over to a bench, sitting down. I stood, letting the people walk past me as I watched her. She held up a heel, making a face at the broken heel.

It never failed to amaze me why girls would wear such painful artifacts. I let my eyes settle on a small shoe store that was not far from her. I looked at her again, studying her some. I felt myself nod a little before walking into the store. I quickly scanned over the shoes, checking to see what was available. I knew girls were self-conscious about their sense of style and don’t like making a fool of themselves, or at least this girl did. Well, that’s what I got out of her nice outfit and heels. My eyes landed on a dark pair of flats, deciding on that.

I quickly checked out, walking outside into the cold again. She was still at the bench, feet drawn up and face buried in her knees. She may have been crying. I didn’t know. She wasn’t aware of her surroundings and I easily walked up behind her, silently placing the box beside her, gently placing the rose on top of it. I was pretty sure she would have better use of it than myself.

“Why does this always happen to me?” I heard her silently say. I pulled away from the bench, far enough not to be seen but close enough to hear. “Can a girl not get a break?”

I stuck my hands in my pockets, taking one more step back before heading down the street again. Those flats will do her better than the heels ever will. Strange, a weird sensation was coming over myself. I checked around me, making sure nobody suspicious was following me. No, nobody. I was completely on my own.

A snort escaped my system. “Look at me. First I play matchmaker, now I’m buying a stranger a pair of shoes and offering a rose. What’s next? Chasing chickens for an old Chinese man?”

Keep your mouth shut, Colton. Seriously. You were rarely ever wrong with what you say, so you better keep your fancy little ideas to yourself.

Then I heard it. The squawk. My eyes widened as I saw an old man drop a cage, a chicken running free. I groaned, making a sharp turn to hurry on walking away. “Screw this! I’m out of fucks to give.” I muttered.

I really did hate being right all the time.

Notes

Lol, was that title misleading or what? I just realized it after I finally came up with a name for this. So, Colton... hm, mystery girl. And a chicken. ha, i have no idea where that came from.

But. I. Digress.

Happy reading!