I Understand. An AU/punk story.

I 'woke' more like just decided to stop laying there depressed.

Getting up I groan, my whole body rippled from pain from the mans kicks.

Stupid bastards.

I hear the girls talking in the living room. I feel bad about freaking out on them. I do. Really. It just pisses me off that they don't see I need my space? I want their help but I can't take it. Telling them would just put them in danger...

I get up and head to the corner of my room in my underwear and my jaw drops when I take in my body.

Dark and nasty bruise and welts cover my creamy skin. Mostly on my ribs, a few accommodate my thighs and arms, ever a few high on my chest. None on my face of hand, places people would see. People like Harry and Louis. I whimper in to the empty room and pull on yoga pants a tank top and a hoodie to hide the marks before hobbling out in to the main room. Every step felt like fire in my lungs and it took my breath away. They couldn't notice though; I couldn't let them.

Their heads snap up when they see me. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the tears and grimaces.

"Hey." I breathe, sitting in a chair.

"Hi.." Rae says guarded, Perri plays with her sleeve silently.

"Listen, I'm sorry about our fight. I didn't mean that stuff." I start off. My voice is hoarse and scratchy from crying and in my the middle of my apology I need to stop to take shallow breaths. Deep ones made my ribs ache. "But honestly nothing is wrong with me. I mean besides the fact I'm worried about Jake. I'm OK. Alright?"

They sneak glances at each other before nodding.

"We're sorry for being so crazy.. we just love you." Rae adds with a nod of her little pixie head. I smile. They were the greatest friends. When they wanted to be.

"Aw, I love you guys too. Whats your guys plans?"

"Harry wants to have a arty tonight I guess, we wants you to come." Perri interjects, worry in her eye. I groan, which hurts, as I lean back in to my chair.

"Why?"

"He just worries. And hes protective as fuck." She chuckles.

"I'm really not up for it." I grumble.

"It'll be fun!" Rae pouts, crossing her arms. I knew it would be fun if every inch of me didn't hurt. I groan and cover my face, rubbing roughly. "And besides if you don't go, Harry will probably just come get you." She snickers and I toss a pillow at her.

-

"Here, borrow this dress, you'll look smoking!" Perri giggles tossing me one of her favorite, blue, party dresses. Which happens to be strapless and stops right under her ass.

"Um, I have something picked out." I shrug with a small smile. She furrows her brows but nods as I go to my room to get dressed.


It covers all the marks but still sexy for a party. I make my way slowly to the door where the girls are waiting.

"Wow, you look great, but it'll be hot! Are you sure you don't want a dress?" Perri offers.

"No I'm good, thank you though." I smile and we make our way to her car. God I hurt. i just want to sleep this off.

Lowering myself in to the car nearly makes my cry. I bite my lip so hard I thought I would pierce the skin covered in nude lip gloss.

-

Once at the building it's packed full of the usual people and hot as hell when I get in. We make our way to the usual booth and it;s not long before Zayn, Liam, Lauren and Yes, Harry. Make their way to us.

Lauren squeals and wraps me in a tight hug when she sees me. I smile at her and make light conversation. Talking to much hurts and I hope to god it doesn't show on my face as Harry stares me down.

"I'm going to go get some water or something." I excuse myself and slide out of the booth. My feet hit the floor and pain ripples up my back. I yelp and clutch my side.

"Hey, you OK?" Liam, whom is across from me quickly gets up and comes in front of me as I try to breathe. Our group stops talking and I know they're watching us.

"Oh yeah. I'm a little sore." I lie smoothly, his big brown eyes peer in to mine before he nods.

"You sure?" I nod and smile and gingerly hobble to the bar. Taking a seat I order a water and lean my head in my hand until the stool next to me scrapes the floor.

I look up and am met by a pair of green orbs.

"Hey." I grumble and look to the bar top.

"Hi.." He says gently. I haven't seen him since his hospital trip when he thought we were getting back together.

"So you doing good? With your .. wounds.. and stuff?" I ask casually, not meeting his eyes.

"Pretty good, stitches all healed, got them taken out yesterday.'' He chuckles. "Are you OK? I haven't heard much from you?" He adds. I hate lying to him. I do. Habit I guess but it feels weird.

"Um, yeah, I'm pretty good. I mean as far as I can be with the situation I -" Before I can chuckle some drunk bimbo topples over and accidentally falls in to me, her elbow jamming in to me rib.

I yell out in pain, tears spring to my eyes instantly prick.

"What where your fucking going!" Harry booms at the drunk girl, she looks terrified as he steers her away and then turns to me, getting up and coming to stand between my knees as he begins to study my face. "Wait.. whats wrong? What happened?" His voice is high and tight as I swallow the tears.

"Nothing!" I snap, pain fueling my anger. he seems slightly taken back as he studies my rigid posture and my hand once again clutching my rib cage.


"Lilian..?" He presses, reaching for the hem of my T shirt.

Shit.

I shove his shoulders and barely manage to get off the stool.

He can Not find out about those guys.

He calls for me and I rush away. A soon as I believe I'm in the clear, his hand clamps my upper arm and rips me back.

Pain, more terrible pain brings tear to my eyes.

"STOP YOU'RE HURTING ME!" I shriek, as i claw at his hand, tears watering down my eyes. His hand quickly removed. I suck in air. He won't let me leave with figuring out whats going on.

"What the hell happened?" He exclaims, stepping closer to me. I bit e my cheek and turn my head to the side so he won't see the tears. "Lilian!" He pleads, stepping closer his hands very gently grip the bottom of my shirt.

I don't stop him this time.

My soft cotton is lifted just up to under my rib cage and he gasps.

"What the..?" He breathes, his cool fingers gently caress one of my purple marks. "Oh my god.." He stammers a few incoherent things. I turn my head and find a few punks smirking at me and Harry and y exposed stomach.

"Harry." I whimper, putting my hand on his shoulder, his fogged eyes meet mine and then follow my gazes.

"FUCK OFF!" He shouts, taking my wrist he gently pushes me through the crowd, making sure not to let anyone bump in to anyone.

"Harry.." I whimper again, I know what is coming as he leads me to the basement door. he shoots me a glare and I instantly shut up. Swinging open the door I slowly make my way down the stairs. His hands stay on my hips steadying me as I flinch down the steps.

Once at the bottom there a definitely tears staining my face, not from the pain, just from the fact that he is going to kill me. I'm somewhat embarrassed I couldn't handle this myself. I couldn't just take care of myself, I am once again back to square one of depending on the boys. Harry imp-articular.

As soon as we're in the room, the door gets locked and he turns to me.

"What the hell happened?!" He exclaims, coming to me he roughly takes the collar of my jacket and begins to rip it down my arms.

"Harry don't!" I cry, hiccuping. If he saw this. If he figured out he would lose it. He doesn't stop though. I slap at his hands and push him away but he regains and rips my jackets down my arms revealing the few bruises on my arms.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" He spits, taking my wrist and examining each swollen welt. A sob erupts my lips and he pulls up my shirt to my bra line. "OH MY GOD!" He yells, his face is wild and scared, mad and sad. A thin layer of sweat on his forehead.

"I'm sorry!" I sob, trying to pull my shirt down. He spins me around and pulls my shirt up inspecting my back, which is just as bad. He gaps and gargles at the same time.

"WHO DID THIS?!" He screams, whipping me back around. I jump and look down.

Do not tell him. He will just hurt you. Don't be stupid. Protect him like he would you.

I don't answer. Even when he takes my chin and jerks it up. I shut my damn mouth. He yells in frustration and turns from me, leaving me shaking in the corner of the room. His fist slams in to the wall and he leans on it as he tries to regulate his breath as he pulls out his cell and calls someone.

"Get everyone, meet me at my place. Now."

...

"Tell Perri to stop at her house and get clothes for Lilian."

...

"Alright." The phone is snapped shut and he turns to me, grabbing my jacket off the floor he tosses it at my chest, grabs my wrist and rips me from the room.

This was not good.

After we're ripped outside of the building, despite my pleas and sobs to my ex boyfriend. We near his black car and he opens the passenger seat, forcing me in. I sniffle and obey, covering my arms in the jacket again.

he slams the door and I jump as he crosses the hood and gets in, slamming that door he drives faster than I have ever seen him drive as he speeds towards his place.

"Harry?" I whimper, through my sobs. He glares ahead at the road, running red lights like a maniac. His chest heaves under his black T shirt. He looks so handsome tonight but those thoughts are obviously not acceptable for this part in time.

He doesn't answer me.

He parks with a huge screech of his tires outside of his flat building. I sniffle lightly as I follow him to the door. His strides long and powerful. He does not say a word all the way up to the apartment.

Once we reach his door, he swings it open and leads me in by my elbow. Liam, lauren, Niall and rae are already hear. they looks extremely confused as they take in my appearance.

My makeup running with my constant tears. my jacket clutched to my shaking body. harry paces in front of the couch after he forces me to sit on the couch. Lauren hurries to my side.

"What the hell did you do to her?" She spits at Harry before wrapping an arm around me.

Oh, Lauren. I don't deserve your pity.

I drop my head on my knees and cry as Lauren rubs my back.

"Woah, where did you get these?" Lauren gasps as she sees my beaten arms.

"Like you don't know?!" Harry roars at his cousin. Liam stiffens from his temper but doesn't speak.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" She snaps just as the door opens. A confused Perri comes in with one of my over night bags followed by Zayn.

harry rushes over, slams the door behind them, locks it, rips my bag from her arms and comes back to me. he tugs me up and I gab Lauren's hands. I am deathly afraid of him right now and I just want to be here with my friends.

"Whats going on?" Rae butts in. Everyone is just dazed.

Harry pries our hands a part and tows me to his bed room.

Slamming the door my bag is tossed on the bed. he unzips it and rummages around before pulling out shorts shorts and a tank top.

Oh no.

"Change in to these or I'll do it for you."

Notes