as i stepped into imogen's cottage, the first thing that hit me was the unmistakable scent of paint and creativity. it felt like walking into an art supply store that had exploded, but in the best possible way. bright colors splashed across the walls, and the cozy, intimate space was filled with a warmth that instantly put me at ease.

"welcome to my chaotic world," imogen said with a nervous smile, and i could tell she was a little anxious about how i'd react to her art. her excitement was contagious, though, and i found myself grinning back at her.

"chaotic? more like beautiful chaos," i teased, glancing around the room. "are you sure you didn't accidentally summon a rainbow?"

"shut up!" she laughed, and the sound was so genuine it made my heart do a little flip. "let me show you my stuff."

she led me over to a wall that showcased a few of her pieces, and i had to admit, i was impressed. each painting had its own vibe, bursting with colors and emotions that practically jumped off the canvas. one in particular caught my eye—a swirling sunset scene that seemed to have been painted straight from a dream. "this is amazing," i said, gesturing toward it. "you've got some serious talent, imogen."

"thanks," she said, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "that one's inspired by the sunset at the beach. it was a perfect evening."

"i can see that," i replied, trying to suppress a grin. "it's almost as beautiful as you."

she shot me a look that said she was trying to hide her embarrassment, and it was adorable. "stop," she muttered, rolling her eyes, but i could see the smile tugging at her lips.

i moved to another painting, a wild abstract piece filled with sharp lines and explosive colors. "what's the story behind this one?" i asked, genuinely curious.

"that was a bit of a meltdown, to be honest," she admitted with a sheepish laugh. "i was having a rough day, and the paint just... exploded onto the canvas. it felt good to let it out."

"so it's like your emotional outlet?" i quipped. "maybe i should start painting my problems too. i could create a masterpiece called 'my band is driving me nuts.'"

"i'd definitely pay to see that," she said, laughing again. god, her laughter was infectious. "it might even make me feel better about my own issues."

i shook my head, still trying to process how fucking talented she was. "seriously, though, you have a gift. i mean, you're an artist. that's not just a title; it's a whole lifestyle. what do you do when you're not busy being a genius?"

"mostly just this," she said, motioning around the room. "and working at the café down the street. i also dabble in photography sometimes, but painting is where my heart is."

"what a multitasker," i said, raising an eyebrow. "so when do you find time to sleep? or have a social life? or hang out with super famous guys?" i smirked, nudging her playfully. "you know, like me."

"oh please, you're not that famous," she said, crossing her arms and feigning indifference. but i could see the flicker of amusement in her eyes. "just a guy who sings some catchy tunes and somehow gets girls to swoon."

"oh, is that all it takes?" i grinned, taking a step closer to her. "maybe you should give it a shot. i'll be your manager, and we'll take the world by storm."

she rolled her eyes again, but i could tell she was enjoying our banter. "right. that's exactly what i need—louis tomlinson managing my nonexistent music career."

"hey, i'd do it well," i declared, putting a hand on my chest in mock offense. "you have no idea how many times i've saved the day with my stellar management skills."

as we continued to wander around her cottage, admiring her work, i found myself increasingly impressed. the way she described her pieces, the passion in her voice—it all made me realize just how much she cared about her art. i felt lucky to be here, witnessing this side of her.

"you really put your heart into this," i said sincerely, stopping in front of a striking portrait of a girl standing by the ocean, her hair blowing in the wind. "who is she?"

"that's a representation of me, actually," imogen said, her voice softening. "it's about finding peace in chaos, about embracing the things that scare you and turning them into something beautiful."

i took a step back, the weight of her words sinking in. "damn, imogen. that's deep."

"i try," she replied with a shy smile, clearly touched by my compliment. "art has always been my way of processing everything. it's how i cope with the world."

"well, you're doing a hell of a job," i said, feeling a surge of admiration. "it's inspiring as fuck."

just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. i pulled it out, glancing at the screen. a message from my sister, phoebe, popped up: hey, we're planning to come over in a bit!

"shit," i muttered, looking back at imogen. "i forgot my sisters were coming over."

"oh no, is that a bad thing?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern.

"nah, they're probably just going to steal some snacks and make fun of me for being a softie," i replied with a grin. "but you should definitely stick around. i think they like you more than me . at this point."

"are you sure?" she hesitated, glancing around as if contemplating whether to hide in the nearest closet.

"absolutely," i insisted, feeling an overwhelming urge to share this part of my life with her. "they love you. plus, it'll be fun. i promise not to let them embarrass you too much."

she bit her lip, a mix of excitement and nerves flashing across her face. "okay, then. let's do it!"

as soon as we walked through my the door of my house, the doorbell rang, i felt a rush of anticipation. opening the door to my sisters, i immediately saw their excited faces. "surprise!" they squealed, barging in with an energy that was completely contagious.

"and look who we found!" i announced, gesturing toward imogen, who was standing beside me, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"i think i missed a few chapters, but im here for it." phoebe exclaimed, bouncing on her toes. "i knew it! HA HA, louis has gone soft. how'd you manage to bag such a beautiful gir-"

"calm down, fangirl," i teased, shooting her a playful glare.

"sorry, not sorry!" she shot back with a grin.

as we all settled in, the playful banter continued, and imogen fit right in. it felt like the perfect ending to a wonderful day, and as i watched her laugh and interact with my sisters, i couldn't help but feel incredibly lucky. somehow, this girl had entered my life and turned it upside down in the best way possible. and as the evening wore on, i knew one thing for sure—i wanted her to stick around for a long time.