Three weeks has pasted since Niall ended things with me again, but this time it felt worse. I was barely going to class since I was afraid to see him there. Everyone was worried about me since I wasn't myself. To top it all off Perrie moved out of the apartment and into a dorm room, but she didn't leave without a fight. I nearly got in a punch up with her over something stupid. Zayn also broke it off with her which put her in a pissy mood.

Today was Saturday and Max came to visit me at the apartment. We sitting in my room while everyone else was in the lounge room watching a movie. I was just wearing pair of grey track pants and one of Niall's black t-shirts that he left one night. I didn't know why I was wearing it, but it made it hurt a little less. Max was telling me about a party he went too at the frat house. I wasn't really paying attention to him since I was thinking about Niall. I haven't stopped thinking about Niall. I came out of my thoughts when Max pulled on my chin roughly, so I would look at him. He looked angry and I didn't care. What he does to me don't feel as bad as what I'm feeling right now, “are you evening listening to me?” He snapped.

“No,” I whispered. I wanted him to hit, so I could feel something else. I got my wish when Max punched me hard in the side of my thigh. It hurt, but I didn't cry out in pain. Max just thought that I didn't want the others knowing what he just did to me. He stood up, “well I might as well talk to that chick at the party that I fucked,” he spat. I didn't really care that he was fucking another girl. It just meant that I didn't have to do it, “see you around Claire,” he smirked.

Ten minutes after Max left I decided to get up out of bed. When I stood up me leg hurt, “fuck,” I swore. I started to think of a plan, so the guys didn't know that Max hit me. I took a deep breath before I walked out of my room as normal as I could be.

When I walked out to the lounge room everyone was there, but my heart sank when I saw Niall. He was sitting in the arm chair that we sit in together. He looked like hell as he was dressed in shorts and a white long sleeve top. He quickly looked at me before looking back at the TV, “going to join us Claire?” Zayn asked. I shook my head, “just going to grab something,” I replied. I walked over to the dining room and purposely walked into the table. Everyone looked at me, but Niall was giving me a funny look, “you alright babe?” Louis wondered.

“I'm just a bit tired still,” I lied. They all watched me as I walked out and back to my bedroom. I laid down on my bed as I looked up to the ceiling. Why did he have to be here? He knows that I was just with Max and I know his thinking that we did something. I heard my bedroom door open then shut slowly. I shut my eyes tight, “it's only me Claire,” I heard Harry say. I opened my eyes as he sat down next to me, “I want to talk about the state you’re in,” he tells me.

“I don't want to talk to anyone,” I snapped. Harry laid down next to me, “Claire his the same. He also hasn't been showing up to lessons. Snapping at everyone. I had to make him come over today or he would have still been in his room,” Harry tells me. I felt tears in my eyes, “it's his own fault,” I say. Harry rolled over to look at me, “I'm worried about the both of you. I want my Claire and Niall to be normal again,” he admitted.

“Don't you think I want that? I'm in hell right now and when Max hits me it doesn’t hurt,” I confessed. I realized what I just said, “what!?” Harry yelled. I covered my face with my hands as I started to cry. I can't believe I just said that, “Claire he hits you? How many times has he hit you?” Harry asked in a much lower voice. Harry moved my hands from my face, “too many times,” I tell him. Harry pulled me to him, “his the one that messed up your face that time,” Harry says. I could hear hurt on Harry's voice, “you need to leave him Claire. I don't want you to get hurt,” he cried.

“I can't and it a stupid reason,” I say. I looked at Harry and he was crying, “what stupid reason is it for you to stay with him?” Harry wondered. I didn't like to see Harry like this, “his got naked pictures of me and he keeps telling me that if I leave him. He will post them online for everyone to see. I can't have my dad finding out about them,” I admitted. Harry kissed my forehead, “I understand, but you should have told me or someone else. We can help you Claire,” Harry reassured me. I hid my face into his chest and we didn't say anything more. Harry stayed with me as we both fell asleep together.

*****
A couple days later after Max hitting me and my confession to Harry. I made Harry promise not to tell anyone about Max hitting me, but he made me promise that I would let him help. I agreed to it since I know if I didn't he would tell everyone. I also know Niall would kill Max if he knew.

I was sitting in the apartment in shorts and a singlet since no one was home. I sat in the lounge room looking out the window drinking my cup of tea. I heard foot steps coming towards me, I look to see it was Niall. I didn’t know that he was here and it looked like he just got out of the shower. He just had on a pair of track pants with his hair still dripping. I noticed that her was wearing bracelets on both of his wrists, but I noticed the bracelet that I got him. He looked over me as I moved my hand to the bruise on my thigh. He didn’t say anything when he sat down next to my feet. He was looking down as he played with his fingers, “does he hit you?” Niall asked. I hate when he asks this question, “no,” I lied. Niall looked straight into my eyes, “you can tell me,” he says. I shook my head as I got up, “why would I tell you anything?” I snapped. I put my empty cup in the kitchen before I went into my room.

I sat on my bed as Niall came in, “Claire does he hit you?” Niall demanded. I knew Niall was getting angry, “you saw me walk into the table couple of days ago,” I reminded him. Niall sighed, “yeah to cover up the fact that he hit you,” he snapped. He came over to me, “your boyfriend got bigger hands then I do,” he started. Niall made a fist and gently puts it on the centre of my bruise, “Claire this isn’t you hitting a table. This is someone hitting you,” he pointed out. I pushed him away, “why do you care? Where not talking again,” I questioned. Niall looked down, “I may blame you for my problems, but I still care about you,” he admitted.

“That don't mean shit to me Niall,” I snapped. I saw hurt in his eyes, “I know Claire. Harry told me. Don't get mad at him. His just looking out for you,” Niall tells me. I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, “Harry can't do this on his own. It's driving him insane,” Niall continued. I didn't know Harry was feeling like this, “he came to me, cause he knows that I'm the only person that can talk to you. I want to help. If you told me the truth from the beginning. I wouldn't let him lay a finger on you. I know about the pictures too. I worked that out ages ago when you freak out about me taking pictures,” he finished.

“Then why didn't you say something back then?” I wondered. Niall sat down next to me, “cause you would have lied to me and I thought that it was in my head. I was looking for a reason why you wouldn't leave him. I didn't think I was right until Harry confirmed it,” he explained. Niall wrapped an arm around me and I moved away, “just don't,” I whispered. Niall looked down, “I have a plan, but we need Fred,” he tells me.

“Why do we need Fred?” I questioned. I didn't want anymore people finding out about this, “I'm going to get Fred to hack Max’s phone and computer. I won't let him look. I'll delete the pictures,” Niall replied. I shook my head, “I don't even want you seeing them,” I tell him. Niall moved closer to me, “I need you to get Max in the library, so we can do it. I promise you that he won't hurt you again and I promise that I won't look. We just need to log on and delete them,” he promised.

“Niall Max is not going to go to the library with me. He hardly sees me now since his fucking girls around campus,” I say. Niall laughed a little bit, “with his small dick. Oh my god I feel sorry for them girls,” Niall smiled. I smiled a little bit, “I'm just happy that it's not me anymore,” I admitted. Niall put his hand on my thigh, “so am I,” he whispered.

“how soon can we do it? Term finishes on Friday and then his going back to England,” I questioned. Niall seemed surprised, “we could do it tomorrow. I message Fred to meet me in the library at lunchtime. You just got to get Max there too with his computer,” Niall tells me. I started to think, “give me your phone,” I demand. Niall slowly got his phone out of his pocket as I grabbed mine, “what you going to do?” He asked.

“I'm going to message Max from your phone pretending to be another girl,” I smiled. Niall smiled back as he gave me his phone. I noticed his wallpaper was me sleeping and it made me have tears in my eyes. I quickly messaged Max about meeting this girl at the library at lunchtime. I also made sure to ask him to bring his computer. I straight away got a message back saying yes of course, “his a dick and his lucky I haven't killed him yet,” Niall mumbled.

“He has no dick,” I joked. Niall laughed a little, “but I can't have you going to jail for killing someone for me,” I admitted. Niall smiled at me before looking down, “I'll do anything to keep you safe,” Niall whispered. He was thinking about something, “Buttercup I know Max was the one that fucked your face up that time, but why did he do it?” Niall wondered.

“Because I looked like a slob and he thinks that I left him at the party. I told him that Perrie got drunk and I had to take her home. His was mad over the fact that I chose her over him,” I replied. He looked at me and I could tell he was thinking about something else, “I'm sorry,” he apologized. I knew he meant that apology, “what for?” I asked.

“If I didn't drug him or keep you in my bed that night. He wouldn't have hit you. I'm also sorry that I didn't go with you,” he tells me. I hugged him tight and he straight away hugged me back, “don't blame yourself and don't ever apologize for that night. I knew what was going to happen when I got there,” I reassured him. Niall dug his fingers into me, “how long has it been going for?” He questioned.

“Too long,” I say. Niall hid his face into my neck, “it's going to be all over,” he whispered. For some reason I let go of Niall when I really didn't want to. He just looked at me, “when Max is gone. What going to happen to us?” I wondered. Niall looked up, “I know I said I'll be back, but I need time still,” he replied. I grabbed his arm and he pulled it away from me, “why do you need time?” I asked. He looked at me, “I need to heal,” he tells me. Niall grabbed my hand, “myself,” he added.

We sat there for a bit as Niall held my hand. I didn’t want to move, but I wanted to be closer to him. I moved back to my window as I pulled Niall. He was confused as he followed me, “I like to look out onto the city,” I tell him. Niall got close to me as he looked out of the window, “it's different then home,” he says. I looked at him, “what would have happened if we never left Ireland?” I wondered.

“I don't know princess. We wouldn't have met the others. We wouldn't have got on with our lives after what happened. I think we would have been miserable,” he admitted. I gave him a small nod, “we’re miserable now,” I whispered. Niall pulled me closer to him, “just for a little bit. I know after this we can be happy again. I'll make sure that your happy again,” he promised.

“I want you happy too,” I tell him. Niall kissed my forehead, “I'm happy when your happy and it's the truth. I smile when you smile. You’re my light in my darkness. I never want you to lose it,” he confessed. I couldn’t help as some tears fell down my face. Niall quickly whipped them away, “hey don’t cry,” he cooed.

“there happy tears,” I tell him. I kissed him, “Buttercup,” he whispered. He kissed me this time, “you know what happens when we go down this road,” he continued. I kissed him to stop, “I know,” I tell him. Niall pulled me closer to him, “I don’t want to hurt you again. I hated how we both a mess this time. I know it’s my fault, but I know you need me right now,” he says.

“your worth all the hurt,” I admitted. Niall shook his head as he kissed me, “so are you,” he whispered on my lips. I placed my hands on his chest after Niall pulled me onto his lap. He looked at me, “what do you want?” he asked. I bit my bottom lip, “I want all of you,” I tell him. Niall looked down as he smiled, “even when we don’t know what’s going to happen after?” he questioned.

“even then,” I reassured him. I could tell by Niall’s eyes that he didn’t believe me. He kissed me deeply, “you don't have to tell me lies princess,” he says. I kissed his nose, “I'm not,” I tell him. I ran my hands down his chest to his hips, “I want you all the time,” I whispered. He placed his hand on my chest right above my heart. I knew it was beating fast, “so no turning back?” He asked.

“I don't want to,” I say. Niall kissed me as he moved his hand from my chest to my neck. I dug my fingers into his hips, “we should move away from the window,” he smiled against my lips. I nodded my head as Niall attached his lips to my neck. He pushed me down onto my back as he sucked my neck. I wrapped my legs around him, “Niall,” I moaned.

“I know no marks,” he groaned. I pulled on the back of his hair, so he would look at me, “mark me up,” I tell him. Niall smirked before he kissed me, “I'm yours now,” I whispered against his lips. Niall ran his hand up my side, “I just do one for now and in my favourite spot,” he tells me. He moved down the bed as he kissed down my chest. He lifted up my top to just under my boobs. He kissed me all over my stomach before attaching his lips to my hip. He sucked on it gently, but hard at the same time. When he was done he kissed the mark he left on me. Niall looked at me, “why is that your favourite spot?” I wondered.

“Cause only you can see that I want you. I don't care about anyone else seeing it,” he replied. Niall kissed under my belly button, “only we know what we do together and that's enough for me,” he added. He kept kissing down until he got to the tops of my shorts. He undid them slowly before he pulled them off gently. He hovered over me, “we’re still near the window,” he pointed out. I laughed a little bit, “so why don’t we move to the middle of the bed,” he suggested.

“don’t you want people staring at your little white arse,” I teased. Niall picked me up under my arms and moved me to the middle of the bed. I put my head on a pillow, “I don't want them staring at you and you love my arse,” he smiled. I grabbed his arse through his track pants, “it's enough for me,” I tell him. Niall kissed me, “your enough for me,” he whispered to himself. He moved down the bed to my thighs. He lightly kissed my bruise before kissing up my inner thigh on both sides. He kissed between my legs on top of my knickers all the way to my stomach. He pulled my knickers down and off onto the floor, “I’m going to love every inch of you,” he tells me.

“we have all the time in the world today,” I smiled. Niall moved my legs apart as he kissed me. He kissed down my body until he got between my legs. He looked at me as he started sucking on my clit. He pushed my top up, so he could see my boobs. I grabbed his hands before he moved them away. I squeezed them hard, “fuck Niall,” I moaned as he bit my clit gently. Niall got one of his hands out of my grip, so he could insert two fingers into me. He curled them and my legs shook, “please can we cum together Niall,” I begged.

“If you want princess,” he tells me. He moved away from me, so I took the opportunity to push him down onto the bed. I straddled him and I could feel his boner between my legs. How much I could feel I knew he wasn't wearing any boxers. I ran my hands down his chest before I took my top off. Niall licked his lips, “I don't think I will ever get used to this site,” he mumbled.

“I don't even think I will get use to this,” I admitted. I moved down Niall's legs as I pulled his track pants down a little. I ran my fingers up and down his member a couple of times. I moved further down his legs, so I could take his track pants off. Niall sat up and pulled me closer to him, “I don’t want that,” he tells me. He carefully pushed me down onto the bed, so my head would hit the pillow. Niall kissed down my chest, “hunny,” I whined.

“that’s one thing you need to work on,” he whispered. He grabbed a condom out of the draw. He put it on himself slowly and I watched him. He leaned over me as he moved my legs apart. He teased my entrance with the tip of his member, “hunny,” I groaned. Niall kissed me, “baby you need to learn patience’s,” he tells me.

“it’s just that I want you,” I say. Niall smiled as he kissed me, “just let me be in control,” he says. I nodded my head as Niall kissed my nose. He entered me slowly and I dug my fingers into his arms. I know it's only been three weeks, but I missed this feeling with him. He slowly moved in and out of me as he kissed me. I ran my hands down his back to his arse. I pushed him deeper into me and Niall moaned into my mouth. He hid his face into my chest before I ran my hand through his hair.

We kept going this pace until Niall looked at me. He thrust hard a couple of time in me and I threw my head back. Niall kissed up my neck to my chin. He placed his hand on the side of my neck before he moved my head down. As soon as I looked at him. He kissed me deeply. I ran my hands down his back, but when he thrust hard in me. I dug my fingers into his hips and Niall moaned deeply in my mouth. He hid his face into my neck as he got faster. I wrapped my arms around him to bring him closer to me. He thrust hard a couple of times in me and that sent us both over the edge.

After we came down from our highs. We decided to have a shower before laying down in bed. I laid there with my head on Niall’s chest as he wrapped his arms around me. All I had on was a pair of knickers and Niall was naked. He ran his hand up and down my bare back, “so I need to learn patience,” I remembered. Niall nodded his head, “but why do you want to rush it?” He wondered.

“The feeling overwhelms and I just want more. I really don’t know how to explain it, but I want that personal connection with you. And this is the only way I can get it,” I tell him. Niall shook his head, “what about now Buttercup? We’re not having sex, but it’s a personal connection. I think you wanted it rushed, so you could feel something different. You just told me that Max hits you and that’s a secret you’ve been hiding for awhile. You were so scared to tell me since you didn’t know how I would react. I bet you were thinking that I would kill him. To tell you the truth princess I do want to kill him, but I also want to have a screaming match with you,” he confessed.

“why do you want to have a screaming match with me?” I asked. Niall kissed the top of my head, “why didn’t you tell me? This is one of the dumbest things that you have ever done. You didn’t need to go through that shit. You should have just told me. It makes me wish we didn’t lose our baby, cause you would have stayed with me. Then you would have been safe,” he says. I noticed tears running down the side of his face. I kissed them away, “we’re going to be alright now,” I reassured him. Niall hugged me tight, “I hope so,” he whispered.

****
The next day was here and Niall told me to stay home. He didn't want me to go anywhere near Max. I should be happy this was going to be all over, but it felt like it wasn't. I was scared that Max was going to work out that I did this and he was going to come after me. Harry stayed with me in case Max showed up. I just sat on my bed looking out the window as Harry sat next to me. I wished my mind wasn't thinking about Niall and Max, “um Harry thank you for telling Niall and I'm sorry that I put you through this,” I tell him.

“I didn't tell Niall. I thought you did,” he says. I was confused as Harry was thinking. Harry raised his eyebrows all of a sudden, “He heard us talk. Louis told me after I yelled what that Niall got up. He ran to your door, but stopped. Louis told me he was there for a bit,” Harry explained. I gave him a small nod, “Niall told me that you told him since it was stressing you out,” I tell him.

“Well Niall lied for a good reason. I think he knew something was wrong, but he needed to hear you say it,” Harry says. I looked down, “well I told him,” I mumbled. Harry grabbed my hand and I looked at him “but once this is all over. You and Niall can be together,” he smiled. I shook my head, “Niall still needs time to heal himself,” I tell him. Harry looked disappointed, “and I need to work out what I want from him,” I added.

“Do you have any idea what you want from him? Cause when we got home and checked on you yesterday. You and him were asleep naked, so something happened yesterday,” Harry questioned. I shrugged my shoulders, “it felt like yesterday I used Niall to escape from everything, but at the same time. I just wanted him. I think I could put up with him leaving most of the time, cause I know he will be back,” I admitted.

“what would happen if he don’t come back?” Harry asked. I looked down, “I think it would kill me,” I whispered. Harry squeezed my hand, “then you got to make sure that he doesn’t run. I know that you so confused about your feelings towards him, but there has to be something there,” Harry tells me. I gave him a small nod before I looked out of the window.

We sat there for awhile as Harry still held my hand. I checked the time to see lunch finished half an hour ago. Harry squeezed my hand, “it be alright,” he reassured me. We heard the front door slam open, “Claire!” I heard Niall shout. I jumped a little bit before Niall came running in my room. Harry quickly moved in front of me, “Harry out now,” Niall demand. Harry shook his head, “please. I need to talk about Claire’s pictures with her,” Niall begged.

“You said you weren't going to look,” I snapped. Harry looked at me, “I lied. I had to look and I'm glad I did,” Niall tells me. I got up off the bed to stand in front of Niall, “did you have a good look?” I questioned. Niall nodded his head, “he had about thirty pictures of you like that,” Niall says. Harry stood between us, “calm down guys. You two need to talk about this calmly,” Harry says.

“Just leave Harry. Louis needs you. He got in a fight with Max,” Niall tells him. I was shocked as Harry ran out of there, “is he alright? Why did he get in a fight with Max?” I questioned. Niall hugged me tight, “his alright. He got in a fight with Max since we need Max there longer. Max flipped when he realized that his pictures where gone,” Niall explained. Niall held up a USB, “but I have them now,” he added.

“Why do you have them Niall?” I asked him angrily. Niall threw it onto the floor next to his feet, “cause I need to know what that sick fucker did to you,” he replied. Niall looked like he was about to cry, “I thought those pictures was you posing for him, but there not,” he started. Niall let a couple of tears fall, “those pictures were against your will. You looked so scared in them. Your body was cover in bruises,” he cried. I knew I was crying now, “where was I when this was happening?” He questioned.

“In England. It happened when I was in Australia. I was going to break up with him, but he had other plans,” I tell him. Niall placed his hand gently on my cheek, “why didn't you tell me?” Niall whispered. I closed my eyes, “cause that when you stopped talking to me. I was only getting messages about you being busy with school and family. I didn't want to make you worry,” I admitted. Niall kissed me lightly, “if I knew. I would have been there. I would have gotten the first flight to Australia,” he tells me.

“I thought I could do it myself,” I whispered. Niall kissed me again, “princess I was meant to go to Australia with you. I got in, but I just found out that Max was the reason I didn't go. There was a file on his computer about me rejecting going. I think that fucker had this planed all along. He knew he couldn't beat me, so he had to take you away from me,” he confessed. I just cried more since I really regretted going to Australia, “his gone now and he can’t hurt us anymore,” Niall whispered.

Niall and I ended up laying in bed together not saying a word. I laid on his chest as I stared out of my window. It was all over, but I think it was going to be awhile before Niall and I recover from it. Niall rubbed my back, “can I stay here with you?” He asked me. I nodded my head, “I need you to stay,” I admitted. Niall kissed the top of my head, “I meant for the summer,” he says. I nodded my head again, “I know,” I whispered.

Niall and I stayed there for hours not moving from each other. Everyone was home, but we didn't go see them. I knew Niall was thinking about what happened today, “Buttercup I want to ask you a question, but I'm scared that it might upset you,” he tells me. I looked at him, “just ask since I know if you don't ask it drive you mad,” I say. Niall kissed my forehead, “did he rape you?” Niall asked. I shook my head, “he says I wasn't worth that,” I replied.

“Did he force you to suck him off or give him a hand job?” Niall questioned. I nodded my head, “I'm going to kill him Buttercup,” Niall whispered. I ran my hand up his chest to his neck, “I can't lose you Niall. It's all over and we can move on,” I tell him. Niall kissed me, “only if you didn't get with him. Things would have been different. You wouldn't have to go through that crap,” Niall says. I knew Niall didn't want to get angry, but I also know that he had to get this off his chest. I kissed his chest, “and you wouldn't have been alone,” I whispered.

We stayed there even when Louis came in with Harry. Louis laid down next to me before he wrapped an arm around me. Harry also laid down next to Louis, “Soph and Liam want to know what's going on. They've seen Louis face,” Harry tells us. I turned my head to see Louis had a black eye and split lip. I wanted to cry again, but Louis just smiled at me, “it was worth it hunny,” he says. He kissed my forehead, “but no more crying over him. We are all done with him,” Louis added.

“We are?” I whispered. But it came out as more as a question for me, “so are we going to tell Soph and Liam? They have a right to know,” Niall asked. I looked at him as I bit my lip, “yeah we should,” I say. Niall kissed me, “Soph! Liam!” Harry shouted. They came running in, “so you going to tell us what happen?” Sophia wondered. Niall nodded his head, so Liam and Sophia sat on the bed next to Niall.

Niall explained everything to them part from my pictures as I just closed my eyes. When he was done I looked at them. Liam was pissed and Sophia was crying. Sophia laid down next to Niall, so she could put her head next to mine. Liam laid behind her and wrapped his arm around her, “I'm angry at you since you should have told me,” Sophia says. I shook my head, “I had to do it on my own,” I tell her.

“No you didn't,” Niall sighed. I looked at him, “there are something’s that you need help with and Max was one of them. This would have gone on forever if you didn't accidentally tell Harry,” Niall pointed out. Niall kissed my forehead, “I know Harry didn't tell you. I know that you listen to mine and Harry's conversation,” I tell him. Niall closed his eyes as he licked his lips, “I just had too,” he whispered.

We all stayed laying in my bed for awhile, “well I think we need to eat. So I'm going to order pizza. When it comes I want you all out of bed,” Sophia tells us. She got out of my bed after she kissed my cheek. Liam moved in closer to me and Niall as Sophia left the room, “are you alright?” Liam asked me. I shrugged my shoulders, “only time will tell,” I say. Liam kissed my forehead, “better check if the misses is alright,” he tells me. He got up and went to check on Sophia. Louis and Harry moved behind me, “we will leave you two alone,” Louis says.

“Thanks,” Niall whispered. Louis and Harry kissed both me and Niall's foreheads before leaving us. I just looked at Niall, “you going to school tomorrow?” He asked. I shrugged my shoulders, “I think I should since I haven't been going,” I tell him. Niall was surprised, “you would have known if you were going too,” I added. Niall kissed me, “well I just didn't feel like it,” he says. I played with his shirt, “I didn't want to go, cause of Mr Hall. I also didn't know if you were going to protect me,” I admitted.

“I would have still protected you if I was there,” Niall says. I could hear gilt on his voice, “so I'm glad that you haven't been going. I don't know if I could handle another guy with you just yet,” he added. He kissed me again, “you know his next on my list?” Niall wondered. I nodded my head, “I put my report in about him, but they said there's no evidence or witness. So it didn't get put through,” I tell him.

“What the fuck. So you have to have someone there when he touches you again. That's just fucken wrong and I won't let him touch you again,” Niall said angrily. I kissed his chest, “I don't think he will try anytime soon. I think he knows that I made a report on him,” I reassured him. Niall ran his hand down my back, “his not going to touch you again,” Niall whispered. He kissed me deeply, “you don't need this,” he says against my lips.

We kissed lazy until Liam called us for dinner, so we got up out of bed. We all sat around the dinning room table, “we leave in a couple of days,” Sophia started. I put some pizza on my plate, “she going to be alright. I'm going to stay with her until you guys get back,” Niall interrupted. They all smiled at him, “cause I need to make sure someone catches up in art,” he added. I started eating, “you going to paint Niall naked?” Harry joked.

“No. People don't need to see that,” I teased. Niall started pouting, “cause they already have,” Louis smiled. Niall stuck his rude finger up, “and everyone has seen you naked,” Niall says. I laughed a little bit as I remembered daring him to jump in the pool naked. Everyone looked at me, “what?” I questioned. They smiled at me, “just haven't heard you laugh for weeks,” Harry says.

“I missed it,” Sophia smiled. I smiled at her, “well I hope it stays,” Niall whispered. Harry changed the subject to going back home, “on that subject when we come back. Do you want to move in with me?” Louis asked Harry. We all looked at Harry as he smiled big, “yes!” He shouted. Louis hugged Harry as we all smiled at them, “oh god no,” Liam sighed.

****
The next day I got up and dressed for school with Niall. All my lesson went by quickly, but I got homework to do over the summer holidays. Niall ran off to training since I needed to get my camera out of his car. I got to his car I realized that I didn't get his keys off of him. When I turned around Max was standing there, “so I see you’ve been cheating on me with that tosser Niall,” he spat.

“Yep,” I smirked. I’m not afraid of Max anymore since I know he has nothing on me. Max fist came in contact with my stomach which winded me. As I was bent over he elbowed me in the back, so I would fall to the floor. He kept hitting me over and over again until he turned me over, “where your boyfriend Niall now,” he spat. He sat down on me, “was I not giving you enough attention?” He continued. Max punched me in the face and I felt sleepy, “what if I touch you now? Like he does. I know you’re not a virgin. I know you lost it to Niall,” he rambled. He ran his fingers along my throat, “please stop,” I begged. I could barely keep my eyes open, “why would I stop?” You’re my girlfriend,” he smirked.

“No she fucken not,” I heard Niall spat. Max got pulled off of me and Niall started hitting him. It looked like Niall wasn't going to stop. My eyes were getting heavy, but before I closed them. I saw Harry and Louis pull Niall off of Max and pin him to the floor.

When I opened my eyes everything was bright and white. I could hear a steady beeping of a machine and could hear two people talking. I slowly looked around to realize that I was in a hospital room. I noticed Niall asleep next to my bed with his head right next to my legs. I ran my fingers through his hair which made him move a little. I kept doing it, “Soph I'm alright,” he mumbled. I smiled at him, but my face hurt. I pulled on his hair slightly which made him look up, “Buttercup,” he whispered in shock.

“Hey,” I whispered back since I didn't have much of a voice. I saw tears in his eyes, “your awake,” he smiled. He went to hug me, but stopped, “what's wrong?” I wondered. Niall looked down, “if I hug you. I will hurt you,” he says. I opened my arms for him to hug me, “please,” I begged. I just wanted to feel Niall again. He hugged me carefully, but I hugged him back tight. I didn't care that I was in pain. Niall pulled back and I didn't want him too, “I better tell the doctor that your awake,” he says.

“Stay,” I tell him. Niall looked around, “I might as well I think Harry and Louis went to get him,” he smiled. He sat down on the bed next to my legs, “how long have I been out for?” I wondered. Niall grabbed my hand, “too long, but if your asking for actual time. Then about thirty-six hours,” he replied. I was shocked, “you also got a couple of ribs cracked and a lot of bruising,” he added. He looked upset, “hey I'm alright now. It's all over,” I reassured him.

“But I should have come with you. I knew he was pissed what we did to him and I knew he would take it out on you. I just didn't think he would do it at school in broad daylight. I'm so sorry Buttercup,” he cried. I pulled him down to me, so I could hug him. I kept repeating that I was alright and that it was over. I knew Niall was going to blame himself for what happened to me.

Niall moved away from me when the doctor came in. The doctor told me if I stay awake for a couple of hours I could go home. In those couple hours I found out that everyone stayed behind to make sure that I was alright. I told them they shouldn't have, but they said that I was more important then going home.

When I got back to the apartment I just wanted to lay down. I didn't want to go to sleep. I just wanted to stop hurting and be alone. However, Sophia made me sit on the lounge, so we could watch movies. Niall sat next to me as Sophia and Liam took there armchair. Louis and Harry laid on the floor since they couldn't fit in the other armchair. We watched Inside Out and I leaned into Niall.

When the movie was finished I went into the bathroom to have a shower. Niall joined me to help me get undressed and to make sure that I didn't collapse. After Niall helped me get undressed I looked at myself in the mirror. I was covered in dark purple bruises from my face to my thighs. I started crying, “hey it's alright now,” Niall cooed as he hugged me gently.

“Look at me Niall. I'm broken cause of him. No one going to want me,” I cried. I hid my face into his shoulder, “I will always want you,” he whispered. Niall lightly ran his fingers up and down my back, “let's get in the shower and forget everything,” he tells me. I nodded my head as Niall pulled me over to the shower. I noticed that he still had his boxers on, but he got in anyway. He pulled me close to him, “Ni your still in your boxers,” I say. Niall looked down at himself, “which might be a good thing. I've been wearing them for two days,” he smiled.

“Take them off,” I smiled back. Niall quickly took his boxers off, “Buttercup if you wanted to see me naked all you had to do was ask,” he smirked. I knew he was trying to cheer me up, “that's Lou line,” I pointed out. Niall raised an eyebrow at me, “Louis been calling you Buttercup?” Niall questioned. I shook my head and it hurt, “everyone knows your only allowed to call me that,” I say. Niall kissed me lightly, “cause you’re my Buttercup,” he whispered on my lips.

After Niall and I finished in the shower we got dressed and went in the kitchen to get something to eat. Everyone was still in the lounge room as we started looking through the cupboards, “ordered Chinese,” Liam tells us. We stopped looking, “it should be here any minute now,” he added. I got some plates out, but Niall took them straight off of me, “your meant to be resting,” he tells me.

“I can still do things,” I say. Niall shook his head as he smiled, “just rest up Buttercup. I don't want you hurting yourself more,” he begged. I don't know why, but I felt like crying again. Niall put the plates on the side before he hugged me gently, “hey don't cry. It's alright,” he cooed. I really don’t know why I was crying, “why you crying?” He wondered.

“I really don't know,” I admitted. Niall placed his hands on each side of my neck, “you must know you’ve cried twice since we been home,” he says. I shook my head, “I really don't know,” I repeated. Niall looked deep in thought, “well you cried when you looked yourself in the mirror. You also started crying when I told you that I don't want you to hurt yourself anymore,” he remembered. I hid my face into his neck, “hunny I don't think you like what he did to you since you can't do anything. You’re not actually sad your angry, but all you can do is cry,” Niall tells me.

“Why wouldn't I be angry? Look at me. I have bruises all over me again and you won't let me do stuff,” I snapped. Niall rubbed my back, “let it out baby,” he whispered. I dug my fingers into his sides, “why were we so stupid to think that it was all over? And now I'm scared to go anywhere alone. I know his not coming back, but I still feel like he is. I don't want him to ruining my life,” I cried.

“His not going to ruin your life. I'll make sure of that,” he promised. I looked at him, “how? You can't be with me twenty-four seven,” I wondered. Niall looked down, “I gave the cops your pictures,” he mumbled. I took a big step back from him, “you did what?” I whispered. I didn't believe Niall, “you heard me Buttercup. I had to make sure that he goes to jail. He was just going to get community service for bashing you up. Then I let it slip about your pictures, so I had to give them to them. I know it wasn't what you wanted, but his back in England and going to jail,” Niall explained.

“But Niall,” I started. He hugged me to stop, “I know you just wanted it to stop, but this way it is. I'll be with you the whole way,” he tells me. I hugged him tight, “you better be,” I whispered. I knew everyone was looking at us, “what pictures?” I heard Liam ask. I hid my face into Niall's shoulder, “not a good time mate,” Niall tells him. The apartment bell rang, “that would be dinner,” Louis says. I heard two people walk away, “I want to know about these pictures. I have a couple of ideas in my head and I don't like any of them,” Liam demand.

“Just tell him,” I whispered to Niall. I looked at Niall and he kissed my forehead. I zoned out when Niall was telling Liam about my photos until I felt a tear on my face. I looked at Niall and he was crying, “they will be permanently in my brain for the rest of my life,” he tells Liam. I hugged him as tight as I could, but I didn't say anything to him. Cause truth be told this part of my life will always be there. I just hope that I remember the good times with Niall and the others.

****
About five weeks has past and everyone went home for summer part from Niall and I. Niall moved in kind of. All his stuff is here, but he keeps telling me when school starts again. That his going back to the frat house. I've been enjoying Niall company since his been here. He cleans up after himself, cooks and goes to the shops for me. I haven't left the apartment since I got out of hospital. The only times that I have left was to go see the doctor and the police. I freaked out when I had to see the police. I had to tell them everything Max has done to me without Niall there for support. It was hard, but I got through it.

Today Niall went food shopping and left me home alone. I was drawing a picture as I waited for him to come home. I wanted a bath with him since he won't let me shower alone. My body was still healing, but most of my bruises were gone. I just had greenish yellow ones on my ribs. I knew I still had a little bit before I was fully healed.

I heard the front door open, “Buttercup I'm home!” Niall yelled. I didn't get up and go see him since I wanted to finish my drawing. Plus, he wouldn't let me help him anyway. I felt eyes on me after awhile, “rude to stare,” I say. I looked at my doorway to see Niall holding flowers, “well I've been standing there for awhile now,” he says. He walked over to me, “how long?” I asked. Niall gave me the flowers and kissed my forehead, “a bit. It's interesting watching you draw,” he tells me.

“Interesting?” I questioned. I smelt the flowers, “the concentration in your face and how you block the world out. I was standing there for five minutes before you noticed me,” he replied. I put the flowers down next to my drawing, “can we have a bath?” I asked. Niall wrapped his arm around me, “did you wait for me, so we can have a bath together?” He wondered. I nodded my head, “well since I can't shower without you. I thought the same goes for a bath,” I replied.

“If you wanted a bath with me all you have do was ask,” he smirked. I stood up and wrapped my arms around his waist, “I want a bath with you,” I smiled. Niall kissed me lightly, “I'll fill the bath up while you put the flowers in a vase,” he tells me. I kissed him, “ok,” I whispered on his lips. I kissed him again before I moved away from him.

After I cut the flowers and put them in a vase I went into the bathroom. Niall set the bathroom up with candles, “wow,” I say. Niall came over to me, “is it too much?” He asked. I shook my head, “I just didn't expect it,” I tell him. He wrapped his arms around me, “anything for my number one girl,” he smiled. He kissed the top of my head, “thank you,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around him.

We stayed there until the bath filled up. I sat in front of Niall when we got in the bath. He looked over my bruises, “I think your bruises be gone in another week,” he says.I stopped him touching one of my bruises, “they still hurt tho,” I tell him. Niall kissed the side of my head, “I can't wait for the day I can touch you again,” he mumbled. I know these past couple of weeks have been hard on Niall. But they have been hard on me too. I miss him touching me like he does, “so have you been doing your creative writing?” He asked.

“Yeah. It's just weird writing everyday of summer. I mean some days you do nothing or some days are personal. Like this right now. Today Niall and I had a romantic bath together. He lit the bathroom up with candles. All we did in the bath was talk,” I explained. Niall laughed as he kissed the side of my head, “I hope you write that better. Plus, it might be good for Mr Hall to read that you spent summer with me,” he teased.

“But we haven't done anything fun. All we have done is sit around and have showers together,” I pointed out. Niall ran his hand down my arm lightly, “but we have only just started summer. We still have plenty of time left,” he says. I looked at him, “I want to go on a road trip,” I admitted. Niall smiled big, “and where would you like to go?” He wondered.

“What about Los Angeles? It's only a forty-hour drive, but we can stop places and drag it out to a week or something,” I replied. Niall seemed to like my idea, “we also can spend a couple of nights there too. When do we leave princess?” He asked. I laughed a little bit, “we could leave in a couple of days if you really want to go,” I suggested. Niall kissed me, “sounds like a plan,” he smiled.

Notes