*Holly's P.O.V*
There were a few footsteps that stopped right in front of me, and I kept my head down.
"Holls?" Louis asked, worry laced in his voice. I didn't move.
"We're really sorry. We didn't know. Can you please forgive us?" he asked. I finally looked up to see all the boys were crowded around me, and they all had worried and angry expressions on their faces. I nodded.
"Ok, now you're going to tell us all about this. . . boyfriend," Liam practically spat. He was so protective of me, he was like a father. But that's what made me mix in with all these crazy boys– I can relate to all of them in one way. Without saying anything, I got up and silently padded over to the couch.

*Niall's P.O.V*
We all surrounded her, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath.
"Ok guys, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anybody," she verified. We nodded, glancing at each other. Was it really that bad? I thought. "Well, when I was still in California, I used to live across this boy, Dylan. We'd known each for about ten years, and we were best friends. When I was a freshman, I started dating him, and he was really sweet. He'd always take me out to romantic dates, watch movies with me, and make me feel loved. Our relationship was purely platonic." All of us except for Liam all ignored the big word and assumed it meant perfect.
"Then, one night, we went to a party for a friend, and it was at a bar. I warned him to not drink anything, because it gets addicting. And no, I never have nor ever will drink. So, we went, and he did drink. A lot. I had to drive him home, and he was getting all. . . touchy," she said, wincing at the memory. I balled my hands into fists, just thinking of someone doing that to her.

"During the party, I was just waiting around for him to get tired and go home, so I didn't really watch him that much. The next day, I was on Twitter, and there was a picture of him kissing another girl. Of course, I confronted him about it, and he cried and said it was a drunk accident, so I forgave him. Then the parties became a regular habit. We'd never spend time together anymore. It was always "I'm going out right now. I'll text you later". I felt like the third wheel, and I was getting pretty sick of him asking me to come over and help him deal with his stupid hangovers. So after about the eighth picture, we did the same routine. Except this time, he was blaming me. He said I was so up tight and he asked what happened to the fun Holly," she said, glancing at Louis and Harry. They hung their heads in shame, but she gave them forgiving smiles. They brightened up at that; I mean, who wouldn't? Her smile is just so pretty.
"Then he, um. . . hit me," she mumbled. Liam's face was turning red with rage, Zayn was death-glaring, Harry was muttering some choice words that Holly luckily didn't hear, and Louis and I were curling our hands into fists. We all were getting in protective mode over her, but who could blame us? We'd only known her for one day, and we all loved her. She was so smart, funny, caring, charming, and beautiful. I couldn't imagine anyone getting mad at her. Unless they were a blind idiot. She was just. . . it's impossible to get mad at her, period.

"So I left his place, and the next day, I told him it was over. Apparently, he didn't like being told that while he was with his friends, so he slapped me right in front of them. They did nothing, and my "friends" did the same. During the whole week, he beat me up, and it continued for the next month. Then my mom told me we'd be moving to England, and I was overjoyed. Ever since I'd broken up with Dylan, nobody would hang out with me– I was only noticed because of my jock boyfriend. He would always try to contact me, but I just ignored him and got a new phone as soon as I came here. I never told anyone about him hitting me– I would tell my mom and Whitney that I'd tripped and fallen. And now y'all know," she finished, staring at the ground. I went over and hugged her, burying my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her chamomile scent.
"If that. . . Dylan bloke ever lays a finger on you, I will personally kill him," I said, pulling away and looking her straight in the eye.
"Better yet, why don't we just call him right now?" Harry suggested. We all nodded, and Holly was shaking her head.
"You guys can't be serious! I never want to talk to him," she exclaimed. Zayn pulled out his iPhone and opened up the keypad.
"What's his number?" He asked her. She instinctively rattled it off.
"How do I. . ." she mumbled to herself. Putting it on speaker, Zayn dialed his number, and it rang, once, twice, then someone picked it up.

"Hello?" A raspy voice asked. Holly cringed at the sound of his voice.
"Yes, is there a Dylan there?" Liam politely asked.
"You got him right here," he replied. We all rolled our eyes.
"Yeah, do you know a Holly?" Louis asked.
"Of course I do. She was such a prude. Worst mistake ever, but still hot. She was an ex, but I'm thinking I want her back. Why?" Holly's eyes widened at his second-to-last sentence. I balled my hands into fists again by hearing his cocky tone.
"Well, we know one, and she's right here," Zayn said. A throaty chuckle sounded.
"Why hello baby cakes. I knew you'd want me back," He said. Holly scoffed.
"No, what I want is to kick you where the sun doesn't shine," she retorted.
"Didn't seem like that when you were telling me you loved me," he replied.
"Did it ever occur to you that people can actually lie?" She sassed.
"Still witty as ever. But, I was thinking that I come over and visit you in England, and we can continue where we left off."
"If you ever come near me, I will kick you off the face of the Earth," she spat.
"C'mon, don't be that way Holls." I winced at the nickname we'd given her.

"We all know you'd eventually want me back. And guess, what? Your wish will be granted very shortly," he darkly said.
"If you want to die, then I dare you to come." Another eerie chuckle rang out.
"Oh, baby cakes, don't play so hard to get. Just remember all the fun times we had together."
"Like when you beat me up? No thanks. If I see you here, just a heads up, I have some friends here, and they aren't afraid to beat you up. They're less of a wimp than you." He laughed.
"Oh, Holly. No need for that. I'll just get what I want, then I'll be on my way."
"If you want a black eye and some broken bones, be my guest. And if what you want is me, then you'll be waiting for the rest of eternity."
"We'll see about that," he said, then hung up. All of us were fuming, and Holly was looking a little traumatized.
"Don't worry. If he ever comes near you, we all will kill him," Louis comforted her. She subconsciously nodded. I wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"Why don't we watch a movie?" I suggested, guiding her to the couch and sitting down next to her.
"Good idea. Our usual?" Harry asked. I nodded. I made sure Holly was all settled on the couch before going to the kitchen and preparing a bowl of popcorn while they put in the movie. Before long, the buttery smell of popcorn filled the kitchen, and I carried the bowl back to the living room and set it on the coffee table. She smiled at me as I sat down next to her. Liam and Zayn settled down in front of the couch, and Harry went to the recliner while Louis decided to plop on the ground right in front of the TV. When the title ran across the screen, I felt Holly tense up. I silently chuckled to myself, but I turned my head and whispered close to her ear.
"Don't like scary movies, eh? I asked. She nodded, snuggling in closer to me. I was kinda surprised that she was so comfortable with us since we'd only known her for one day, but I wrapped an arm around her while reaching for the popcorn. She was curled up into my side, and she was intently watching the screen.

Notes

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