Harry's POV:

''And why are you looking for Alice?''

''I want her back.''

''Back where?''

''Back to me, home, where we used to be.''

''What if she doesn't want to..?''

''She will come back whether she likes it or not.''

This guy was out of his mind. He can't just force her to go back. Her mom is here, her new life is here.

''Yeah... You're delirious.'' I tried closing the door but he wouldn't stop pushing it open again.

''Seriously dude, leave.''

''Who are you and what are you doing at her house?''

''I said wrong house!''

''Then how do you know Alice.'' he said, more like a statement than a question.

Fuck. What am I supposed to do now...?

''I'm her.. cousin. So before this gets any more awkward for the both of us I suggest you to leave.''

He stayed silent before answering.

''Oh, sorry.. Can you tell her to give me a call when she comes back?''

''Yeah, yeah whatever.''

'If she hasn't deleted your number until now, psycho.' I said to myself.

I tried closing the door once again when he pushed it open.

''Wait..''

''Okay, seriously mate this is becoming annoying.''

''Alice never told me she had a cousin. And where is she by the way?''

''I'm her fucking cousin and she is out on a date now get the hell away from here.'' I almost yelled and shut the door with full force.

Are American dudes that annoying? I get it now, why she broke up with him.

---

Alice's POV:

Our date is fun, mostly awkward at some times but it was fun..

Niall was being his cute self, while we were watching a movie he pretended to yawn and he put his arm around me. He thought I was oblivious to this, but I wasn't. In fact I leaned into him more, placing my head on his shoulder. His arm that was around me tightened, and his head rested on to mine. This was such a cute gesture. His hugs were so comfortable and warm. I could stay in there forever.

When the movie ended we went straight to Nandos.

''I can't believe you don't know what Nandos is.''

''Why? It's just a restaurant..'' I giggled.

''Not just any restaurant. Don't you have Nandos in America?''

''Well, we do. I've seen a restaurant or two, but I've never tried their food before..'' I smiled.

''Well, I guess I'm lucky.''

''And why is that?''

''Because I get to take you to the food paradise for your first time!'' He smiled and cheered.

I laughed at his cuteness. We continued walking together when I felt his hand on my hand. I looked at a blushing Niall and he nervously asked.

''May I?''

I smiled.

''Yeah, sure.''

He smiled and grabbed my hand in his.

I kept smiling and squeezed his hand to stop him from getting all nervous. We finally reached this so called 'Nandos' and got in. Niall ordered and we sat down at a booth. We talked about a lot of topics I must say. He is such a gentleman, so caring and humorous. I'm surprised he hasn't got a girlfriend already.

''Hey Niall?''

He hummed in response.

''How come you don't have girlfriend?''

''Umm, I don't know.. Girls don't find me attractive enough?''

''Are you kidding me? You are like the most handsome and funniest guy I have ever met.''

He blushed and I blushed too. I didn't realize I complimented him like that.

''Thanks, it must be my lucky charms.'' I laughed at him, he was trying to show his muscles.

''Yeah, must be it.'' I said and our food arrived.

---

We had a lot of fun tonight. We finished with our food and Niall payed for it. He was bringing me home and when he parked he looked at me.

''I had fun tonight.''

''Me too.'' I smiled.

''Not that much of a friendly date huh?'' He joked. I giggled.

''Nope..''

Silence took over and I turned to say good night to Niall.

''Good night Niall.'' He smiled and opened his door making his way to mine and opening it.

''That wasn't really necessary.'' I chuckled.

''For a pretty girl like you it was.'' He smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

''See you tomorrow love.''

''Okay, bye Niall.''

''Bye.'' I opened my door and got in.

''Well, that was kind of a long date, wasn't it?'' A voice startled me.

I turn around to see Harry sitting on the couch with his arms crossed and his back leaning against it.

''Jesus, Harry you scared the shit out of me!'' I rolled my eyes although a smile crept on my face.

''The question is.. If you had fun.'' He said, ignoring my statement.

He got up from the couch the made his way to me. I kept walking backwards unconsciously, until I hit the wall behind me. Harry was now in front of me his hands on either side of me, leaning closer to me.

''Yes, as a matter of fact I had plenty of fun.''

''Really.'' He stated again, his face was blank although I did see hurt flashing through his eyes.

''Yes, really.''

''Well, I also enjoyed my conversation with what's his face.. Jake?''

I stiffened. How did Jake get here?

''Jake? Jake as in.. Jake Houston?''

''Yes.''

''How did he find me..?''

My eyes started tearing up. My breathing quickened. Harry saw this and placed his hands on other sides of my face now. I put my hands on his, I kept trying to calm down but it was impossible.

''Harry, he found me. He isn't gonna leave until I do what he wants.''

Harry brought me in a hug and I cried. He stroked my back and shushed me.

''Go change and if you want we can talk about this okay?''

''Okay..'' I said and went to my room.

---

I changed into my pjs and I wore my pink toms. When I got to the kitchen Harry had already made some tea for the both of us and nodded to the living room. We sat on the couch and he gave me my tea.

''Thanks..'' I half smiled.

He nodded and sat next to me, I put my legs over his lap and drank my tea.

''So, why is he here?''

I sighed.

''We used to be together back in the States. We started from science partners and we became more..''

He nodded in understanding and I continued.

''We were a couple for about six months until that incident.''

''What incident?''

''Well, he... he cheated on me..''

''Wh-what?''

He placed his hand on my knee, his face full of surprise and anger.

''That's not all..''

''It's alright, if you don't feel comfortable saying it I won't pressure you.''

''No. No, I want you to know. I want you to know me Harry, so I can get to know you too.''

He nodded looking down, I continued.

''When I found out, I decided to confront him about it. And he hit me.''

His eyes widened and he looked at me.

''Are you serious?'' he asked, his voice breaking.

I nodded, my eyes welling up with tears.

''That son of a bitch..''

I sighed and sat straight to put my cup of tea on the table. I leaned back on the couch, with my knees pulled up in my chest and my hands covering my face. I didn't want Harry to see me like this again.

''I was terrified.. He was drunk and he started hitting me. I was humiliated. And the fact that his friends didn't do anything about it, hurt me even more. They were right there! They were watching him hitting me. They used to be my friends too, I used to hang out with them when we were together.''

I felt Harry wrap his arms around me, lifting me up bridal style and taking me to my room.

He placed me on the bed. He got in and covered us, pulling me close to him, my head laying on his chest.

He stroked my hair and pressed his lips on my forehead for a few seconds before whispering.

''I'm not going to let him get anywhere near you. You're safe, okay?''

I nodded, unable to make a sound.

''Go to sleep love.'' He pat my arm and his head touched mine.

Harry's body warmth was so comforting I quickly fell asleep.

Notes

Hey guys!

So Chapter 18 is done.
I'm not quite sure when I'll update but I hope it's soon! I have about 5 tests at school and I need to study hard.. yayy..(not)

That's it for today! Any kind of feedback would be appreciated on this story.

Please Comment/Subscribe/Vote peace out!