Run Away

I climbed off my bed and looked up at Avery’s angry face. I’d never seen him this mad. “What’s wrong Ave?” I asked.

“What do you mean what’s wrong? That wood was obviously nailed up for a reason and you took it down! I don’t ever want you to do that again. I thought I could trust you at home alone, but I guess I can’t.”

“I didn’t know! I’m sorry Avery, I won’t do it again!” I lied on that last part though. I was so going to see what was behind that wood now.

“Ugh, it’s okay. Sorry I flipped out, it’s just I don’t want that wood down. I’m going to go make dinner now. See you in a bit.” He said and left me. I looked around for the hammer and then realized he still had it.

“Damnit.” I muttered and looked back up at the wood. That nail was loose, maybe I can get it out on my own. My arms reached up to the piece of metal and began pulling at it, and amazingly it came off. I pulled that corner back and peered over it, only to see a window. My room was on the opposite side of the parking lot, so this was a new view for me. The only thing I could see from this little corner was a brick wall with an alley type thing in the middle of it. There were a few people walking into it, talking together in a secretive way, constantly glancing around. That’s really odd. I looked closer at them and realized one of them was Zayn. No way. Is he cheating on Perrie? There is another girl with him who has long brown hair and seems to be very comfortable around him. This is not my type of situation to get mixed up in, but I like Perrie. Maybe I’ll do some snooping on my own before telling anyone. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Zayn and the girl disappeared in the darkness of the alley and at the same time, Avery called me in for dinner.

“Lexi! Dinner is ready!”

“Coming,” I replied and quickly put the nail back in the wood loose enough for me to be able to take it back out. Once I got to the kitchen, I sat down across from Avery and we ate in silence. Finally, after a few awkward minutes, he cleared his throat.

“Look, I’m really sorry about earlier, it’s just that Doncaster isn’t the safest place for girls like you, or for anyone really, so if that window was uncovered people would see you and want you.” he told me.

“Okay.” I hated lying to him about not opening the window again, but he’s obviously hiding something from me too.

“I’m really glad you’re here. Also, since tomorrow is Friday, how does meeting the rest of my friends sound?”

“That sounds great!”

“Cool, we’ll probably end up at a bar so I’m going to have to hope you don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

“Well geez, Ave, glad to know you have faith in me.”

“You’re lucky I’m even taking you to a bar!” we both ended up laughing after that. Once our meals were finished, I offered to do the dishes and clean up, sending him to get some sleep. I scrubbed all of the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, then wiped the table down, finally finishing my chore. I turned all of the lights off and then returned to my room. I took my shirt and shorts off and then stepped into the bathroom. I warmed the shower and got in, quickly cleaning myself before bed. After brushing my teeth and getting new clothes to sleep in, I drifted off to a dreamless slumber.

* * * * *

When I woke up, it was already 12:00. Good lord I slept late today. On my door was a note from Avery saying the same thing as yesterday’s. My pajamas consisted of baggy sweatpants and a big t-shirt that I found in my brother’s room back at our old house. I pulled the pants up a little and tied my hair up in a high ponytail. When I left my room, I remembered we were going out tonight. Yes! I can’t wait. Even though it’s only been 3 days here, I do want to get out and have fun, plus I can make friends. I prepared some cereal for myself and was sitting down when I heard a knock on the door. Whoever is here has to know that I’m here because Avery is at work. I jumped up and approached the door, then turned the doorknob. There was no one outside when I opened the door though, only an envelope. I picked it up and closed the door, being sure to lock it also. I re-entered the kitchen and sat down. I fiddled with the corners of the envelope, and soon enough I had opened it and I was unfolding the piece of paper that was in it. There was a note on it that said:

Hey man, just found out that Josh is back in town. You know what that means. We gotta keep watch out more here, and rumor has it he knows your little sister is in town. If that’s true, you sure as hell better hide her because we all know what happened with Felicite and I haven’t forgiven myself for that. Call me ASAP and we can work out a plan of some sort to help you out. Stay safe and see you tonight. -Tommo

Who the heck is Josh and why was I talked about in that? My palms were sweaty after reading that and all I could think about was how weird this all was. What do they need to plan and who the heck is ‘Tommo’? My heart was racing now and I don’t even know if all of this is true yet. I folded the paper back up and slid it back in the envelope for Avery to find because I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to read that. I looked at the time and it was only 1:00, so I decided to watch some TV for a little bit, which resulted in me sitting on the couch for a few hours.

After about five episodes of some sitcom, I got up and decided to start getting ready for tonight. First, I got in the shower and rinsed off any grime that I’d picked up today. Once I had cleaned myself, I dried my body, put a robe on, and wrapped my hair in a towel. I went into my closet and sorted through all of my dresses, passing on all of them until I came across a black dress with silver lining at the top and bottom and along the zipper. I removed the dress from my closet and laid it out on my bed, then putting a pair of silver heels next to it. Back in the bathroom, I let my hair down out of the towel and pulled out the hair dryer to style it. After I had combed and dried my hair, It was ready to be finished. I pulled out my curling iron and lightly curled the ends, adding only a little hairspray to hold it still. When I looked to see the time, it was almost five, so I had to hurry my makeup and get dressed. I put a little mascara and eyeliner on, then glazed my lips with clear lipgloss, finishing the look. Quickly, I took my robe off and replaced it with my dress. I took my shoes and grabbed my purse, running out into the living room to show that I was ready.

“Well you sure do clean up well.” I heard someone say and it was definitely not Avery. I turned my head to see Harry sitting in the kitchen. He had his curls pushed up out of his face and he was wearing black jeans and a blazer with a white t-shirt underneath. Woah. I slid my shoes on before replying, and then I walked over to him.

“You do too.” I said and winked. I might as well get a love life around here, right?

Harry opened his mouth to say something back to me but Avery interrupted. “You guys ready?”

“Yes indeed.” Harry said and looked at me up and down. Well I could get used to this kind of attention from guys, it may seem bad, but honestly if you’ve never had a relationship, it is GREAT.

* * * * *

“Slow down the so-o-o-o-oh-oh-ohng.” I yelled and danced in the crowded room. I don’t know where Avery went and honestly, I don’t care. My arms were wrapped around some guy’s neck and we were just having so much fun. He laughed at me while I sang in my tipsy state and I couldn’t help but laugh along.

“What’s your name?” He leant into my ear and asked.

“Lexi,” I said and giggled. He was really cute and really close to my face.

“Well Lexi, it’s nice to meet you.” He said and leaned towards me. Was he going to kiss me? I was about to lean back into him when I remembered I didn’t know his name. I pulled my head back and he looked at me confusedly.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I just don’t know your name,” I said and smiled at him reassuringly.

“Of course, how could I forget to tell you, I’m--” but before I could hear it, I was grabbed around the waist and pulled out of the crowd and outside the bar.

“What the hell?” I turned around and saw an angry Harry.

“Do not go near that guy. Ever.” he demanded.

“Why not? You aren’t in charge of me, in fact I barely know you, Mr. Curly Hair Know It All.” I was definitely a little intoxicated.

“Shut up and listen to me. Wait right here.” he told me.

“I have nowhere else to go because I can’t get back in without my fake ID.” I said and crossed my arms. He was a party pooper for sure. Harry left me and went back into the building, but shortly after he left, the guy I was dancing with came outside.

“There you are, lovely.” He said and smiled at me, causing my heart to beat faster.

“I would love to know your name now,” I said and stepped closer to him.

“Anything for you. My name is Josh.” Shit shit shit. This is definitely the Josh I’m supposed to stay away from. I took a step back and then kept going until I hit the wall.

“I-I uh have to go, bye Josh.” I said and tried walking back into the bar.

“No you don’t.” He said and stepped in my way, grabbing my wrist along the way. He used his control over my arm to push me all the way against the wall. He moved forward and pressed himself against me.

“Harry!” I shouted and struggled in Josh’s grip. He was just looking at me and smiling, leaving me clueless as to what he was thinking. “Help!” I cried again with tears burning in my eyes. I didn’t want to cry but I was terrified and the realness of the situation sobered me up. Why did Harry have to choose a hidden spot for me to wait? “Someone?!” I was about to give up and stop resisting when I felt Josh get pushed off of me.

“Don’t touch her, douchebag!” an unfamiliar voice said. I stepped away from the wall and further away from the fight. There was a guy with light brown hair on top of Josh, pinning him down and yelling. Once he finished yelling, he came up to me and started talking, but I couldn’t really hear him. My thoughts were spinning and so was the room, soon enough, I felt myself fall into the guy’s arms and everything went black.

* * * * *

“I’ve got her with me, she’s okay I think.” a voice said. He paused for a moment and then continued talking. “Avery, man, don’t worry. I’ll make sure she’s okay. She can stay here while you’re at work tomorrow also. I got your back. See you later. Bye.” I heard him sigh and then I decided to open my eyes and see where I was. I looked around and realized I was in a bedroom. When I sat up, I saw the owner of the voice sitting on the foot of the bed with his head in his hands.

“Hello?” I said.

“Oh sorry, did I wake you?” the boy asked.

“No, no. Where am I and where’s Avery and who are you?” I asked all at once and made him laugh.

“First of all, I’m Louis Tomlinson, but most of the guys know me as Tommo. Also, you’re at my house because it’s four in the morning and your brother has work tomorrow and someone needs to watch you every day from now on.” So he’s Tommo, that makes sense.

“Well, Louis, thanks for helping me out with that Josh guy, but that was a one time mistake. I don’t really need to be watched.” I told him and started to leave the bed, but he stood up and gently pushed me back onto the bed.

“Yes you do, because now that Josh knows you exist and that you’re Avery’s little sister, you’re in danger. Welcome to Doncaster my friend."

Notes

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ILY all!

xo Kat and Carissa xo

p.s.: Josh is pictured as Josh Devine (no hate to him lol it's just a story)