You and me are bumper cars. The more I try to get to you, the more we crash.

H.P.O.V

My mum says being angry is the worst thing you can do to yourself. And maybe she's right. Maybe this is my punishment for being selfish. For trying to ruin someone who is already in pieces.

"Why are you so quiet? Niall said she--"

"Isn't doing this because she wants to fix it. I know."

"So she'll come talk with us? How did you pull that off?"

Louis shouldn't be so excited. Niall's news seem way too good to be true. "Just talked to her." Niall says shrugging. "Found out about her brother," his focus is on me now and it's making me squirm. He's figured it out. "It makes sense and you're an idiot."

With a shrug I sigh and rub my eyes. "Everything's different now."

"Because you're an idiot. Because you proposed to that--"

"Watch it," it's so ridiculous I don't even feel like correcting them anymore. They all do the same. Even Mum.

"S'your life," Niall says carefully. "Told her I'd get you pricks civil. So be civil."

"Always am," Louis grins. "So we're fixing things then. Good."

"Not the way you're thinking, Lou." Niall deflates and places a hand on Louis' shoulders. Louis looks confused and flat. "I think she's going to tell you to go on with your life without her. Ben seems to have brainwashed her or something. Like, it's not even Pj anymore." Niall shudders and looks at me again. "You fucked her up ya twitt."

"There's no reason I have to be nervous," I say rubbing my hands on my knees. "She's going to tell us to fuck off. We deserve it." In a way I do more than Louis, but taking responsibility and having things go my way isn't me.

"I hate you," Louis says with no heat. "Maybe if we told her why we're back early--"

"No," I interrupt. "No."

"Harry it could help."

"It could," I consider, "or it could take it all to Hell. There's no hope for Presley and me. Not since I proposed."

"I told you not to." Louis says fierce and annoyed. "Told you, you'd regret it. And you didn't fucking listen. You never listen."

"I've made my choice."

"And it's wrong."

Deep down I know it's wrong. But it's so deep it's almost silent. "It's my choice. You don't have to like it, but you do have to respect it."

"Why don't you just admit you're still in love with Presley. Do us all a favor, cut Jasmine out and beg Presley to take you back."

"You're a shit, you know that?"

"I'm also fucking right."

****
Presley's been here for twenty minuets now. She's been quiet and her eyes seem to meet anyone's that aren't mine.

It's infuriating.

Also, Ben Mathews is second on my list. Right after his brother.

He likes to talk over or for Presley, while stroking her hand and kissing her head. He also thinks it's okay for him to decide everything. If Niall were here he'd have hollered and demanded high fives for being right about the twitt. We weren't going to get anywhere with him here.

Luckily we were prepared.

"Ben," Eleanor walks in and Ben goes rigid in his seat. That's something I've noticed. I know they used to be friends. And then something happened and Ben was fired. "Will you walk with me to the market? I'm in dear need of snacks."

"I--"

"It's fine. Go," those are the most words Presley had spoken since they arrived.

"Are you sure?" Ben asks doubtful.

What did he think was going to happen? We were going to eat her? Force her to join a cult?
Presley nods and squeezes his hand, leaning up to his ear and mouthing a few words. Ben looks back down unsure, before he sighs and walks out with Eleanor.

So now. Now it's okay. Well, it's not okay-- okay. But it's a bit better.

"You planned that," Presley mumbles. "You're smart fucks." She chuckles.

"He's demanding," Louis breathes amazed. "You used to get pissed if we answered anything for you."

At that Presley shrugs and leans back.

She looks calm. In control. The total opposite of what Louis and I are feeling.

"Louis," Presley sighs, "I didn't say anything to try and hurt you. That wasn't my goal. I just wanted to be honest with you." She says, playing with her fingers.

Louis is stiff, and judging by his expression he is completely out of his element. "I know you're mad, and I don't want to make excuses for what we did but we used to be best friends and--"

"Louis that's just it. We used to be best friends. That was a year ago."

"Presley, if this is about me--"

Presley whips her head in my direction and narrows her eyes. "It's not. You and I are a completely different catastrophe." I wince and nod. "I'm going to be completely honest with both of you." I don't I want her to be. I think I'll take false hope and Louis' moping over the inevitable truth. "You both are fucks. You're dicks, and you don't deserve to have me explain why I don't want to peruse any sort of communication with you. I think it's obvious." This is the old Presley I remember. The 'I don't care if I hurt your feelings by telling you the truth' Presley. The girl who used to defend us, even when we're wrong. The most loyal, understanding, kindest girl I've ever been involved with.

And I've ruined her. Not just for me, but for Louis and most importantly for herself.

"Look, you both were fine before. Touring and living the grand life. Go back to that. Pretend I'm not here. Matter of fact, pretend you don't know me. It's easier."

"Presley, give Louis a chance. Let him try and fix things." I'd beg just to keep her around. Even if it's for someone else. I'd rather see her a few minuets a year then to pretend I've never met her. I'd rather eat puppies than do that.

"There is nothing to fix," Presley says, voice hard and adamant. "Louis, I'm not mad at you. I don't hold anything against you." At this point both Louis and I are confused. She's not mad? "You're still a wonderful person and I'll always say the same if I ever get asked. But I don't think it's possible to go back to how it used to be. It's not-- I'm not the same person I was. I'm messy and I don't think I'll try as hard as I used to. I just don't have it in me."

"Then let me try," Louis says, standing and waving his arms around. "Just let me try."

"Try what?" Presley cries.

"To fix it... I don't know, I want to go back to how it used to be. Like, when we laughed at your parents for naming you after Elvis. I want that back."

"Why is your name Presley? Do your parents hate you?"

She laughs at that, shaking her head and running her fingers through her hair. "You should hear my full name." She mumbles, giggling at Louis' wide eyes.

"What is it?" Louis ask furiously.

"Presley Jude Summers," I say, squeezing her waist. "Her brothers' name is better."

"Oh my-- what is it?!"

"Caleb Cash Summers." Presley replies laughing at Louis astonished face.

"Why? Oh my God your parents are total pro-weed, honk if you love peace freaks aren't they!?"

Presley tilts her head back, slightly leaning against me. She shakes her head, "no my mom always wanted to name one of her kids after Elvis. But she got unlucky, said Caleb didn't really 'feel' like an Elvis. So she let my dad choose. My dads' favorite song is Ring of Fire, but he disliked the name Johnny, and he knew Caleb would get bullied if his first name was Cash, so he settled and made it a middle name. Caleb is my grandpas' name."

"And Presley Jude?" I personally feel like that name is inventive and perfect for my girlfriend. It was the first thing I noticed about her.

"Mom decided I was good enough for the name. Didn't think I could pull off the name Elvis, so I got Presley instead. Jude is her favorite song. Says it makes her happy and sad. I'm quiet fond of the name. As for my parents, they're normal, boring citizens who enjoy embarrassing my brother and I. Oh and they enjoy weekly game nights."

"It's not that simple Louis." Presley sighs.

"But I can try can't I? Or would Ben not like that?" Louis' is playing a very dangerous game right now. I can feel it.

"Ben is my friend Louis. Don't insult him when he's not here to defend himself."

"Admit it," Louis pushes. "Admit you only do what he thinks is best. What he wants. Admit it. You're like his bitch."

Presley's mouth opens and then closes. She looks startled and amused. "Think what you will." She shrugs.

"I am," Louis says. "Two weeks. Spend time with us for two weeks and if you still hate us, then we'll leave you alone." I look at Louis surprised. He didn't have to include me. There's a greater chance Presley will say yes if it's just him, but I can see the way Louis' eyes are shinning and the way his grin is eating up his face.

Louis has a plan. A very good one to.

"One: I don't hate you," Presley mutters. "Two: you're busy and I know for a fact Jasmine will stab me with her nails." She doesn't know what to say. She finally looks nervous and alarmed at being put on the spot. I feel guilty, but I'm selfish enough to let Louis continue.

"She's out of town," I smirk, half surprised Presley isn't vetoing Louis' idea completely. Louis is full of great ideas. Louis should be president. "For two weeks, actually."

"No excuses now." I look over at Louis and smirk. "We can wait and you can ask Ben for permission?"

Presley scowls and rolls her eyes. "Fuck you."

"Well?"

"Fine," Presley says tiredly. This was the old Presley. The one who wanted to prove you wrong. But before Louis and I can celebrate her hand is up in the air. "But I get to leave whenever I want. You never ask me anything personal and we never go out where we can be seen."

"That's fair," I tut.

"And you never ask me about Caleb. If you do, I swear I'll leave so fast your head will spin."
I frown and nod. We have no choice but to follow her guidelines. The only other option is to leave her alone. And I don't like that. I don't want to do that. I don't think I can.

"Okay, but for the next two weeks you'll move in here," Presley's mouth opens to protest, when Louis' hand shakes keeping her quiet. "You'll stay in the guest room. I'll even let Ben stay too."

"Fine, but we come and go as we please. And this little game ends when Ben wants it to."

"This isn't about Ben--"

"No, but he is my friend and he's trying to look out for me. It's nonnegotiable." Ben really has done a number on her. Molded her into a shell of what she used to be.

"Alright," I feel lucky right now. Like, this is a game changer. "Do we have a deal?" I hold my hand out. Presley looks at it, mumbles something I can't comprehend and takes my hand, shaking it.

It feels like I'm almost home. Her hand is familiar and warm.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Presley says, with serious eyes.

The thing is, I don't know what I'm doing. I lost all sense of reality when I left Presley, lost my mind when I saw her again. I stopped making sense when I kissed her.

"I'm reckless, what can I say." I shrug.

Notes

You're all my sponge cakes.Xx