CHANGE

THIRTY SEVEN

LOUIS

"Good job Louis, great vocals on that last line" one of the producers, Danny, praises Louis.

He's wrapping up a session in the recording booth in the studio, the other lads went home a while ago, just as Louis arrived.

"Sick" Louis mutters.

"I'll give you a lift back to the villa?" Danny offers.

Louis shakes his head, smiling gratefully.

"Nah that's alright, I've got a meeting with Simon in a bit, he's just upstairs".

Danny nods and packs up, leaving after a few minutes.

Louis pulls out his phone and checks the time, it's twenty past four in the afternoon, his meeting with Simon is at half four. That leaves him ten minutes to hydrate himself and prepare for what's to come.

He takes the elevator up to the sixth floor, that's three floors above the studio. This whole building belongs to Simon, it seems like he owns property everywhere.

The rest of the band haven't been anywhere except the studio, but Louis has his meetings with Simon and Martin upstairs, whilst the other boys are working. Then Louis goes downstairs to record later, when everyone else has gone.

Except today, Simon has given the rest of the band the afternoon off. Not Louis though, it's time for another session.

Louis takes a seat in a plush armchair outside Simon's office, waiting for the man to call him in.

He focuses on his breathing, and unlocks his phone, opening a recent message from Eleanor.

El: Hey you! How are you holding up? x

Louis is quite relieved to see a message from a clear ally, but he feels guilty as he types his response. He doesn't want to be a burden on El, she has her own life to live.

Reply - El: Alright thanks! How are you? Dogs? Can't wait to be back if I'm honest...

A few moments pass and then Simon pops his head out of his luxurious office, beckoning Louis in with his finger.

A cold sense of dread fills Louis to his core as he enters the room, knowing exactly what is to come.

Martin and his assistant are sat in two chairs near Simons large oak desk, and a chair is also set aside for Louis.

"Sit, sit" Simon commands, pointing towards the empty chair. "Now unfortunately I can't stay and watch today, but behave, and remember, this is going to cure you of your...disease" he says the last part with a tone of disgust, and wrinkles his nose.

Simon leaves the room, and Louis is once again, left alone with these 'therapists' who might as well be torturers.

"Good afternoon, Louis" Martin speaks.

Louis only nods in response.

"How are you feeling today? Any inclinations?".

Louis shakes his head silently.

"Good, good, that shows this is working" the man smiles and jots something down in the notebook in his hand.

"We're going to try a new treatment today, Louis" he pauses. "Well, not new exactly, it has been used before, many years ago, but some still use the practice today, and it has proven itself to be effective in getting rid of...urges".

Louis looks at Martin with a blank expression. It can't be any worse than what he is already enduring, so he nods.

Martin nods at his assistant who slides an official looking document over in front of Louis. "We're going to need another signature for this one".

Louis carefully reads over the papers in front of him, gulping as he takes in the information. He gives Martin a fearful look, but the man only nods firmly and glances at the papers, prompting Louis to sign.

Louis shakes away any emotion before squiggling his name messily on the dotted line. He needs this, he needs to be fixed.

Martin smiles and hands the signed papers over to his assistant, who pops them into a file and hides this away into a briefcase.

"Good man" Martin comments, slapping his knees and standing up. "Lets get cracking then shall we".