Liam’s POV

“Please, Liam… I just need someone to talk to… Chasity isn’t responding and you said if I ever needed to chat with someone to let you know.” She pleaded over the phone. That is true.

“Alright, I will be on my way.” I agree, starting to walk back to the group.

“Thank you, Liam. Please hurry though. Promise you won’t tell the others?” She says seriously.

“Promise. See you soon, Amber.” I said, hanging up. I threw the phone back to Harry for him to catch. I then go into my duffle bag to find my phone to call Paul. I dialed his number and brought the phone to my ear, listening to it ring. As he does not pick up, I look down at my watch to see how much time I have.

“Mate, what she say?” Zayn asks, as Louis un-mutes the TV.

“She says that if you guys want to go by her workplace when she gets there you’re welcome to visit. She is going to be there at 9:30 pm, so in about twenty or so minutes.” I said, looking down at my watch. Paul answered as I spoke to them, and he was confused for a moment.

“Liam?” Paul asks me.

“Sorry, yes, hello Paul.” I said, beginning to apologize. I grab a coat and my key to the hotel room and left the room.

“Hello Liam. What’s going on?” He asks me groggily.

“Nothing much, I just need a ride to Amber’s house.” I said, as I walk down the corridor, finding the elevator, and stuffing the key in my pocket.

“May I ask why? Especially at a time like now?” He questions me.

“I will explain later on, but can you drive me there? I would get a cab but I don’t know her address…” I mumbled.

“Of course. I’m leaving now. Did you leave your room?” He asks, as I heard shuffling going on before the sound of a door shutting, followed by heavy footsteps.

“Yes, I did. I’m now heading into the elevator.” I said, just as it dings, signaling its arrival and the doors open. A couple of people were inside, and were stepping off the elevator, none of them seemed to recognize me, which is a relief.

“Alright, I’ll be in the lobby. Meet me there.” He said.

“Thank you Paul. See you.” I said, hanging up. I made it to the lobby, and a few girls saw me, instantly recognizing me.

“OMG, Liam!” One of them called out, running in my direction, her friends close behind. The one slightly curled brunette locks bouncing behind her head got to me first. I smiled politely.

“Hello loves.” I greeted them as they squealed.

“Can we have a picture, please?” The brunette asks me kindly, making me smile.

“Of course.” She smiles widely as her blonde friend takes her phone and snaps a few pictures. They switch places and do the same thing. Once they felt like they got enough pictures I gave them both hugs just as Paul arrives. Of course, these girls wanted to take pictures with Paul as well.

“I don’t know girls, I’m not one for pictures-” But I cut him off.

“Nonsense Paul. Go on ladies, I’ll take the picture.” I said, taking one of their phones, and snapping a couple more pictures. A few pictures won’t hurt. It went by pretty quick, to be honest. Once we were finished we left the hotel and the entire time Paul was giving me playful glares as we made our way to the car, staying silent.

“They wanted pictures with their favorite bodyguard, why not?” I ask as we got into the vehicle and Paul turned on the car, making it comes alive. “Besides, you are part of the family Paul. It’s not easy to take care of us 5 crazy guys.” I said, smirking at him as we pulled out of the parking lot. He smiled widely, and even laughing.

“True.” He said to me, and that was all we said the rest of the ride.

-Skip car ride-

“The other guys will need a ride to the café, for a bit, they should leave in about five minutes, so when you get there they should be ready.” I informed Paul, after thanking him. He nodded and drove away from me, leaving me at the front door of Amber’s house.

Moving one foot in front of the other as I walked down their pathway to the door, hearing the gravel crunch underneath my feet. The moonlight casted my shadow on the ground behind me, giving me chills. The wind was slowly picking up, so I pulled on my jacket tighter, shielding me from the cold summer night.

Once I reached the door, I gave it a couple gentle knocks with my fist, before patiently waiting for someone to answer the door. Within seconds the door quickly swung open, revealing an older male. He had a half-full beer bottle in one hand, the door knob in the other. He was a bit taller than me, but not as built, not trying to brag or anything... He had slight grey hairs poking through his black hair, and his face was plastered with pure confusion as he scanned me from head to toe.

“Who are you?” he finally asks me after a moment of silence between us.

“Hello sir, umm, I’m Liam Pa-“ I started introducing myself to the man in front of me, until I saw Amber behind him, making weird gestures with her hands, signaling me to stop talking. So I closed my mouth as she sighs in relief.

“My ride to work. No time to chat, I’m going to be late. Bye dad.” Amber said quickly as she came to the door, not really acknowledging the man that stood before me, other than letting me know indirectly that he was her father. She took a tight hold on my wrist, and dragged me to her car. We hopped in, put on our seat belts and began to back out of the driveway and onto the quiet road. The silence over took the first part of the car, ride, filling it with awkward glances and silence, until she cut it with her words.

“So… What’s up?” Amber said, as we came to a slow halt, stopping at a red light.

“I should be asking you that…” I answered her, watching her stiffen as she drove.

“Liam… ”

“Amber, what happened? You can tell me, I won’t tell anyone.” I assured her calmly.

“It’s nothing major, Liam. My parents just tend to push me to cross my line often, and I just needed to get out of there.” She started, facing me smiling slightly. A car horn honks behind us, jolting her slightly, before pressing her small foot on the gas, making the car move again.

“What do you mean?” I ask her curiously.

“Well, ever since you guys left, my parents have not been so incredibly nice around me, lately.” She starts sadly, making me bad.

“Awe, I’m sorry Amber. I knew it was wrong to come by.” I said, ashamed that I let this happen.

“No, I was more than happy to have you guys there, don’t get me wrong, it’s just that my parents don’t let me ‘have fun’, you know what I mean?” She asks me, keeping her eyes on the road.

“Yeah, I do.” I paused for a moment, wondering if I should even ask my question or not, but I proceeded either way, just in case. “Is that why you don’t celebrate your birthday…?” I asked, cautiously.

I saw her stiffen completely, hearing a gasp from her mouth as she turned the steering wheel tightly, making the tires screech along the pavement as we swerved down to the road. Multiple cars honked from the other lane that traveled the opposite direction, mixed with yelling and cuss words.

I held on to the handle on top of the door for dear life, instantly regretting asking her. I should have asked her when we were there. Amber slowly straightened out the car on the street. Once we were straight, we both simultaneously let out a breath of relief, glad were traveling safely again.

“Ohmygosh, I’m so sorry, Liam…” She frantically apologizes while looking in the rear view mirror. A car drove beside us, looking over to Amber, cussing out at her a thousand words a second before driving off ahead of us quickly.

“No, don’t be, it’s mine. I shouldn’t have asked. I understand that it is a sensitive topic.” I assure her while catching my breath. She shakes her head.

“I almost got us killed!!” She says shaking.

“Amber, don’t worry about it. We are okay, so there’s nothing to worry about.” I said, putting my hand on her shoulder, seeing her relax.

“Alright… Alright, I'm good. We're alive, that's all that matters." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "Also, I’m glad you asked, because another thing that has been bothering me lately…” She slumps down in her seat.

“What?” I ask. She stays silent for a moment.

“Promise you won’t tell the others?” She quietly asks of me.

“My lips are sealed.” I tell her, pretending to zip my lips shut, locking them, before rolling the window down and throwing the imaginary key out, earning a small chuckle from Amber.

“Alright, well, you know how I usually, like, faint?” She questions me. I nod my head. “Well, the reason why I do, is because I see visions…” She says slowly.

“Of?” I press on.

“Me. From my past. I see visions of myself in my house, but much younger, as in, at least five years old. I grew older within every vision, I think.” She says, seeming shocked herself, as me. What does she see? She sees herself, playing with her dolls, getting fed, learning to walk. Were they bad? Unless…

“I have a feeling that those visions weren’t to your liking…” I said quietly.

“Not intentionally. But it is what made me who I am today. I just didn’t have a great time, growing up, per say.” She shrugs.

“What do you mean?” I ask her, not understanding what she means. I mean, I do have an idea, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions.

“Like, I was constantly beaten, whenever I did something wrong or whenever I didn’t do something right. That may sound like whining, but I am being serious when I say that they beat me, if I do anything that they don’t like. To spilling drinks on the floor, to accidentally scaring my mother in the kitchen…” She explains. I don’t even know how to respond. I am genuinely shocked out of my mind at the moment.

“Do they still do that, now?” I ask carefully. She shakes her head.

“They stopped, probably because they were bored of it.” She says calmly.

“Do they hurt your sisters, too?” I continue my questioning. She shakes her head vigorously.

“God, no! This entire time though, I thought that it was one of them, because the girl I see, in the same house, I thought that was something that they do to them when I am at work, or just out. It makes me sick to my stomach, thinking, why would they want to do so to such young children? They shouldn’t do so at such a young age… They were still learning what life is… They should know what is right from wrong when they start school, or something… But… As it turns out, I was just seeing myself. Now I just wonder why they did so to me…” She says. I nod my head in understanding, grasping everything that she just told me, and choosing my words carefully.

“Does anyone else know?” I ask her.

“Well, Chasity knows that I have visions, but she doesn’t know that I found out that it is me. I just found out today! But, I will tell her soon. I texted her before you got to my house to come to work, as I had to tell her in person.” She explains to me. I nod my head.

“Would you tell Harry?” I question. She looks at me in confusion.

“Why tell Harry?” She asks me.

“Well, you guys are going out, right?” I ask, now genuinely confused. She looks at me wide eyed.

“No… We aren’t. I don’t know who told you that, but he and I are just friends… He said that he wanted to start over as friends but-”

“You do know he does like you, right?” I ask her, cutting her off. She shrugs.

“It’s Harry. You should know how he is out of anyone.” She responds.

“Yeah, and he does like you. I haven’t seen him care about anyone this much that isn’t related to him since, his last girlfriend.” I said slowly.

“Liam, what was her name?” She asks me. I stayed silent for a moment.

“Jessica.” I answer her. “She is long gone now, and Harry is okay, if that’s what you’re wondering. He's moved on.” I said.

“Alright, well… We’re here.” She says, slowing the car down.

“Alright…” I said as I looked outside, noting that we were parked in the café’s parking lot. We removed the seat belts, making the click noise before stepping out of the parked vehicle. I opened the front door for Amber, and stepped in behind her. The café did not have many customers, since it is only 9:30 pm. A few teens around our age were scattered here and there, but none seemed notice my presence.

“I’m going to go clock in and get my apron in the back room. I’ll be back. Want anything in the meantime?” She asks as she slowly makes her way to the back room she mentioned while walking backwards. I looked up at the menu.

“Give me a minute. I’ll think about it. Go ahead and do what you have to do.” I said, smiling. She sent one back, and made her way to the back room. I stood at the counter, browsing the menu that hung from the ceiling, as well looking at the pastries that were in the display cases. A man came out of a room on the other side of the dining area, and walking into the same room as Amber entered just now.

I took this as my opportunity to think of what Amber had told me on the ride here, and fully process what she said. Her parents hit her constantly, she sees visions of herself from the past, and I have to keep this a secret. Including from Harry, who adores her the most out of the group. Great. Amber then popped back out, now dressed in her apron around her waist, taking her place behind the register across from me.

“Did you decide yet?” She asks me.

“Yeah, just give me a latte.” I ordered. She nodded and got to work on my latte. When she returned with the latte in her hand, I reached behind me and pulled out my wallet.

“How much?” I asked her, pulling out a ten.

“$4.50.” she replied. I handed her the ten, and she gave me back my change, only for me to put in the tip jar.

The door chimed behind me signaling more customers, as well as bringing in a breeze from the outside. Just as a precaution, I pulled up my hoodie to cover my face as I leaned on the counter with my elbows, taking a sip from the latte. Amber looked behind me, her face looking puzzled. I was about what was wrong until I heard familiar voices coming through the door, instantly letting me relax a bit, before I felt one of them tap my shoulder. I turned around to see the other lads standing there, looking at me confused, excluding Paul.

“Liam? Mate, what are you doing here? How did you get here first? Why did you leave us in such a rush back at the room?” Louis fired his questions at me, joining me at the counter. He looked up to Amber.

“Greetings, Bambi!” he said happily, with a wave of his hand, before focusing back on me. The other men behind us greeted her with their usual hello’s, except Harry, who just stayed silent, giving a nod with a half-smile. She waved back to all of them.

“Liam?” Louis asked again.

“I’ll be right back…” She excused herself from me. As she went to the back room, she turned in her spot, looking back at me. You promised… Amber looked at me pleadingly before disappearing behind the door, leaving me to myself with the rest of my mates.

“I just, needed some air… I was feeling a bit cramped back at the hotel room. I had Paul bring me here, and I was in the mood for a latte.” I said, displaying my latte. “I didn’t really like the items to eat back at the hotel.” I said casually. They all looked at me, nodding their heads in understanding and especially agreement, except for Harry, who just kept his eyes on the door Amber went through moments earlier.

“Without me, really?” Niall said, looking like a sad puppy dog.

“Sorry, Niall. Next time, I promise.” I said, hoping that would cheer him up.

“Alright.” He said while pouting for only a quick second before he started to chuckle. Harry gave me a glare, as if he could see right through me and my cover up.

I was about to ask him what was wrong until the same door opened, and the man came walking straight past us. Harry’s focus was now on him, sending death glares to him as his back was to us as he kept walking away. If looks could kill, he would be brutally murdered in an instant. The man walked into the same room that he came out from.

There was a small silver plaque that had ‘MANAGER’S OFFICE.’ engraved in it in the center of the windowed door. Suddenly my mind just clicked everything together, and the next thing I knew I was standing next to Harry, whose fists and jaw were now clenched. I placed my hand on his tense shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze, only making him relax slightly.

“Well, now that we are all here, let’s get some good food, yeah?” Zayn says, breaking the silence and walking up to the counter, Louis right behind him.

“Hello??? May we get some service, Bambi???” Louis calls out quite loudly for Amber, unaware of the stares of the other customers glaring at him. Even the manager came out and looked straight at him. Paul shakes his head before stepping up next to Louis. Amber quickly appears with her brown hair cascading down on one shoulder as usual as she reaches the register. Once she looks up and sees the other lads, she smiles kindly. She quickly looks back and forth between me and them, as if asking me quietly if I had told them or not. I smile at her, mentally telling her I didn’t, so she relaxes.

“May I take your order?” She asks, with an even bigger smile, making it obviously fake. We all stared at her for a moment, knowing something is wrong but shrugging it off. The other guys placed their orders, except for Harry who didn’t want anything... He kept staring at Amber, probably from being in a trance, or because he can tell that something isn’t right. We slid into an empty booth after we finished paying for it and then she disappeared again, making our orders.

The front door dings again and this time, Chasity enters the café. She doesn’t see us, and makes her way to the same room that Amber is now continuously walking in and out of, before joining her making our coffees. Everyone got into a conversation, except Harry, who was on his phone. Two more girls around our age were sat a couple booths down from us. I noticed that they have been staring for quite a while, which was beginning to make me feel uncomfortable as I take a sip from my latte. They eventually got up and walked over to our booth, one of them were brunette and the other was blond.

“Ladies.” I addressed them, the other guys giving kind nods and waves. Zayn, who was sitting next to Harry, elbowed him in the gut slightly, telling him to say hello. Once Harry looked up at them, he froze.

“Hey, Harry. Funny running into you here.” The brunette greeted him, going for a hug. We all looked at him in confusion, waiting for him to respond. Does he know her?

Notes

Hey guys, Im back!! :) Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Amber finally opened up to Liam, woo! :) Who do you think is talking to the group? Please comment/vote/subscribe Love you guys though! xxx