Niall's Point of View

I woke up when the sun came through my curtains and blasted me in the face.

"The hell," I grumbled, shielding my eyes with my hand. I tried to get up, but realized that Emma had thrown an arm over my stomach, and her head rested on my chest. I gently slid her arm down and shifted her head so it laid on a pillow instead. Quietly, I slipped off of the bed and closed the curtains tightly so the sun didn't wake Emma up as it did to me.

I went to the door and looked back at the sleeping beauty on my bed. She's so perfect. I think I love her. I smiled to myself and crept to the kitchen for breakfast.

Emma's Point of View

I was awake for a while. I was awake when Niall woke up and when he cursed. I was awake when he got out of bed and when he left.

When he finally escaped the room, I felt the burning tears roll down my face and my cheeks got red with embarrassment. I slept with a guy, I thought to myself miserably. I felt my shame wash over me as the teardrops kept on coming.

I sat up, covering my face with my hands, and felt the horrible pain in my stomach and sides. And arms. And head. I got up slowly and went into the bathroom. I gazed into the mirror, horrified at what I saw. "I look worse than usual," I gasped quietly.

My hair was matted and frizzy. My eyes were puffy and red from crying, and my cheeks were bright red from my realization of scandalous activity. My hands were shaking and I suddenly felt weak and feeble. I carefully lifted up the shirt and blinked back more tears, but of pain this time. The bruises on my stomach had deepened into a royal blue and purple. I quickly dropped the hem of the shirt when I heard a knock at the door.

I opened it to reveal Niall. He smiled softly and asked, "Do you want breakfast? Mum's making pancakes."

I forced a small smile and dipped my head in a nod. He dropped his smile and lifted a hand to my cheek. I stepped back, unsure of what to do.

"Hey," Niall said, concern filling his eyes. "You alright? What's wrong?"

I laughed wetly, wiping my eyes on the back of my hand. "No, I'm fine," I said ruefully. "I'm just a bit lost."

"Lost? Maybe I can help you out," Niall chuckled.

Niall took my hand and led me to the bed. I took my hand back immediately and shrank into myself, hoping he didn't want anything from me that I was unwilling to give. He slowly sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to him. I walked over to him and sat, but I shifted over so the space between us was wider. He placed an arm around my shoulders, but I jerked back and jumped from the bed, running out of the door.

I felt really stupid, but I wasn't about to step out of my comfort zone, my safety box.

As I walked into the kitchen, I spotted Maura flipping pancakes with a spatula and talking on the phone. She sounded disappointed. I waited until she was done before making my presence known.

"Mornin'!" She exclaimed, quickly putting on a smile.

"Morning," I responded, playing with a strand of my hair. "Maura, is everything okay?" I asked, trying to possibly divert a conversation I didn't want to have.

"Oh, yes," she answered cheerily, flipping a pancake over and pouring more batter.

"What was that call about?" I asked shyly, hoping I wasn't butting in on anything.

"Oh, Niall has to leave for the UK later tonight. The band has to rehearse and they only have a month left before they begin their tour," Maura said nonchalantly, attacking a pancake with her spatula when she turned around.

I stared at the ground. Leaving? Is he leaving me too? Where will I go? I don't have anywhere to go!

My thoughts were interrupted by Niall arriving and plopping down at the kitchen table. He looked at me, then glanced away. "Niall," Maura began. "You have a flight to catch at five. You're going back for rehearsal."

Niall nodded thoughtfully before finding a plate and stacking it high with pancakes. Five... Six... Seven... Eight pancakes? Sakes alive! I thought to myself. How much can he inhale? I remained standing awkwardly by the kitchen doorway.

"Emma, why don't you get some of these?" Maura suggested, pointing to the stack of cooked pancakes not being eaten by Niall. I looked at them before cautiously taking the top one off. I set it on a napkin and tore a small piece off. I stuck it in my mouth and looked up to see Niall and Maura staring at me expectantly. I swallowed quickly and ended up choking on my spit. Niall came over and thumped me on the back while I regained my breath.

"Very good!" I said, taking another piece off.

"Here, have another one," Niall said, grabbing another one and setting it in front of me.

"I haven't even finished this one," I said, confused.

"Well, finish it!" Niall said incredulously. I took a deep breath and ate another bite before slumping back into the chair. "I can't do it," I mumbled.

"Why not?" Niall asked, a strange expression coming over his face.

"I'm just not hungry!" I said, standing up quickly and storming back into Niall's room. Bad move, Emma, I thought. This is his room, after all.

I sat on the floor by the window and played with the hem of the shirt. Maybe I should leave. I'm probably getting in the way of their family time. I looked up quickly when the bedroom door opened. Niall came in, looking almost scared.

He sat down beside me and I found myself scooting away again. He touched my arm and whispered, "Please don't do that again. Please don't move. I won't touch you." I slowly nodded and moved back, mostly. He smiled a small smile of relief and let out a deep breath.

"Emma, do you not feel safe?" He asked suddenly.

"What kind of question is that?" I returned, trying to digress the subject.

"Do you not feel safe? Is that why you always move away, or run away?" Niall asked, pleading with his eyes.

"Every time someone touched me..." I began softly. "It usually meant they were going to hurt me." I said, starting to stand up. Niall reached his hand out and I stepped out of his reach. He sighed and stood up.

"Emma, I need to ask you something," he said, that strange look coming on his face again.

He's going to ask me to leave, I just know it, I silently assumed.

"Will you go out with me?" He blurted out, his face turning a bright red, his feet scuffing the floor.

"What?" I asked. Go out? What does that mean?

"What I meant was, will you be my girlfriend?"

Notes

Hey guys! Here is your chapter before I head off for camp on Monday! And then right after camp, I'm going to a family reunion. So, during these two things, I'm going to try and write at least two chapters, and as soon as I get home, I'll post. I love you guys so much, and I'm going to miss you while I'm gone! Feel free to pester me with questions or comments, btw. I'll answer every time I get to wifi. <3 you!

xx- PickNandos