Eleanor Calder’s flat in London was dark and seemingly empty. There was nobody there to witness the strange appearance of her boyfriend in the middle of the night.

Stepping cautiously closer to the door, Louis ran his fingers over the polished frame. He wanted to take in everything about being on Earth, now that he knew he might not have very much time left alive.

Stooping down, he grabbed the spare key they’d always left under the front mat and softly turned it in the door before dropping it in his pocket. The door creaked as it opened and Louis hoped it didn’t wake Eleanor, who he assumed was inside.

Finding his way to her room in the dark proved to be a bit more difficult than expected. Louis had to run his hands along everything to know where he was, not the he minded. In the past short while since they’d received news from the Master of Fate, he had made a tough decision.

Fate had told the boys that their current girlfriends were not going to be the anchors they required to stay alive. That being said, either his girlfriend’s love for him wasn’t strong enough, or his love, or maybe just the way they fit together wasn’t exactly perfect. Maybe it was all the little things that had made her all the more perfect in the past, but really meant they didn’t match. Whatever the reason, Louis knew it would be unfair of him to lead Eleanor on.

His plan was to comfort her and hold her for just one more night, and maybe another day, before telling her the story of his survival. The story would include everything about the anchor situation, and he would let it sink in before telling her that it would be best if they split up. He didn’t want to leave her, especially not after she’d likely been devastated by the news of his ‘death’, but he had no choice.

If Louis wanted to find his true anchor and have a chance at keeping the rest of his life, he needed to let go of his past. That included Eleanor Jane Calder.

After a thorough search of her flat, it was apparent that Eleanor was not present. Louis flopped over on her bed, which had used to be their bed, to think. If she wasn’t at her flat, where could she be?

It only took a moment for him to come to the obvious conclusion. It was the start of the fall, and Eleanor wasn’t a famous singer like himself. She had to go to school. He sighed, not particularly wanting to make the drive to Manchester just to deliver bad news. Again, however, he saw no other option.

Shrugging on a warm coat he’d left the last time he visited, he left once again with hunched shoulders in hopes of nobody recognizing him. There were very few people wandering about this late at night, and he didn’t want the wrong kind of attention. The key was returned to its previously hidden location as he turned to leave.

Driving to Manchester, the couple of hours were silent. Louis found himself thinking about the exact words he would use to explain why they couldn’t be together, even though he wasn’t dead. By the time he was pulling into the dorm parking area, his eyes were watery thinking of breaking his girlfriend’s heart for the second time within a short period.

The path to her room had been memorized long ago, so Louis didn’t need to think about it as he stumbled along. It felt like mere seconds before his fist was at her door, and then the door was sliding open and a hand came into view.

Slowly, the hand revealed that it was connected to an arm, and a familiar arm it was. The door continued to swing open, and Louis thought excitedly, this is it. I’m seeing Eleanor again!

“Why are you talking like I’m not here? Who are you?” She rubbed at her eyes, with lids drooping from sleep.

“I didn’t say anything yet, love,” he spoke gently, trying not to startle her, but his voice still clicked instantly and her eyes flew open.

“LOUIS!” Eleanor screamed, flinging her body into his arms with a sob. “I missed you, oh God, how I missed you. You’ve got no idea what it’s like to be sitting here upset that I won’t be seeing you for a while; only to get a call that I should turn on my telly and there you are, and it’s saying you’re dead. You better not die on me; ever again, do you hear me? I can’t take it anymore. I need you.”

Louis sighed. “It’s nice to see you too, El. Can I come in?”

She pulled back just enough to yank his body inside, shutting and locking the door behind. “Where have you been? The whole world thinks you’re dead, Lou, but I couldn’t believe it.”

He gulped. “I was really hoping we could just spend some time together before we go over this. It’ll change everything, and I want to be able to hold you one last time in case you decide you want nothing to do with me, ever again.” Louis held his arms out and Eleanor cuddled up to his side, nuzzling her face into the base of his neck.

“I think whatever it is, I deserve to know,” she whispered.

Louis considered it. Maybe it would be better to explain while she was in an open mood and would be ready and able to listen. If only I could see the future like Fate. Then I would know the best time to tell her, and even how she’d react, he thought.

“The best time to tell me what? And who’s ‘Fate’? Louis William Tomlinson, what are you hiding from me?” Eleanor lifted her head from his shoulder.

And so, Louis was caught. He found the words spilling out of his mouth, Eleanor nodding her head every so often to show she was following along. By the time he finished talking about what an anchor was and how it was not she, the girl was a mess.

“But I’ve been there for you when you were crying because Harry wasn’t acting like your best mate anymore! I was there when you were scared to leave your family to go on tour for so long! I was there when you needed someone to hold, someone to take comfort in, someone to love… every time. Why am I never good enough for you, Louis? I can never be good enough,” she sobbed.

“Hey there, El, calm a bit. You know I love you. I love you so, so much that it’s hard to comprehend. I don’t know why you don’t count and to be honest, if it were up to me, I’d choose you in a heartbeat, with no ifs, ands, or buts. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Fate has decided that I must find someone new, which is why you know what I have to do.”

Eleanor’s body trembled violently. “No, please don’t! Don’t leave me all alone. I’ve been in such a terrible state ever since that plane crash; you have no idea. I just can’t handle you leaving again, Lou. Please, just tell me you’ll stay with me for however much time we have.”

He sighed deeply. Was he really going to be this selfish in his decision? “Yes, Eleanor. We’re over, and we can’t try again. I’m sorry, but it’s my only chance to live. I wish there was another way.”

“No, no, no…” she murmured. “Louis!” He gripped her tightly while she was still willing to be in his arms. “If I can’t have you, I have to go. I can’t be around you, helping you find someone new. It’ll hurt too much.”

Louis’ eyes widened. “Are you saying-“

“Yes. Goodbye, Louis Tomlinson, and good luck saving your life. I hope it’s worth it.”

Louis closed his eyes, feeling the pain rip through his chest. If this wasn’t losing his true love, his anchor, then what else could it possibly be? He felt like he was being torn to pieces in front of her eyes. Brushing away the first of the tears, he stood and rushed out, not bothering to respond.

It was only when he reached his car once more that he remembered he’d driven from London. Where could he go, now? The engine revved as he drove along, lazily making his way off the college campus.

While he’d been thinking exact thoughts, it was almost like Eleanor had been able to read his mind. He was nearly positive that he hadn’t spoken a single word aloud, yet she’d known exactly what his thoughts were and had even responded. It was unclear whether she heard anything else, but it was like she’d only heard him when he’d been thinking hard about a single thought. It was a bit odd, but not too unbelievable, considering the circumstances of the saving of his life.

He’d have to test his possible newfound mental abilities later. For now, Louis was simply focused on finding his way to the airport.