It was late, I was cold. I made my way through the streets of London. I wrapped myself in a hug, trying to keep the cold air from blowing me away. I didn't know where I was going, I just knew that I had to get away. I couldn't take it anymore. “I didn't sign up for a no good piece of crap kid!” He screamed at me as his hand came down, knocking me to the ground. My mum's new husband drank too much, taking his anger out on me.

“Another battle scar...” I thought to myself, touching my cheek. His ring had cut me this time, a gash going down my face. I turned the corner and saw the neon lights flashing “open”. Thank goodness, somewhere to go warm up. I pushed the door open and walked into the bar. It was dark, smelled of smoke and there were maybe four people total, all sat at the bar.

An older man with a long gray beard looked me up and down. “Now what's a pretty young lady like yourself doing in a place like this?”

My eyes fell to the ground, and then back at him. “I just...can I use your toilet?” I gave him a soft smile, hoping he would just leave it at that. He lifted his arm and pointed towards the dark hallway to my left. I gave him a nod and found my way to the ladies room.

It was dark, like the rest of the bar. There were only two stalls, one sink and a very dirty mirror. I pulled some paper towels out of the dispenser and got them wet. I wiped the mirror clean so I could see my face. My lip was swollen, my eye was puffy and turning purple. I got another paper towel to clean the cut on my cheek.

How was I going to explain this? This wasn't the first time he had hurt me, but he was smart about it. He chose to hit and kick me in places I could easily hide. My ribs, mostly. I lifted my shirt to check on the bruises from the last fight. They were yellowish, healing finally. They had been a dark purple for weeks.

I was almost finished cleaning my face up when my phone started to ring. I fumbled through my bag and pulled my phone from the zipper pocket. The screen flashed with a picture of me and my best friend. I smiled a bit, answering. “Hello?”

“Hey!” Niall cheered. He sounded happy, as usual.

“Hey Nialler, what's up?” I smiled being able to say his name. It had been 3 months since I had gotten to talk to him face to face. To hug him. I missed him so much.

“Just waiting to go play a show, the usual. I just wanted to check in with my favorite girl. How are you doing Teag?”

My favorite girl, he always knew how to make me smile. “I'm fine, Niall.” I lied.

“You don't sound fine..” He sounded concerned. I couldn't tell him what was going on at home. He would rush home to be with me, and I just couldn't do that to him, or the rest of One Direction. They needed him in, wherever the hell they were. I didn't need him running to my rescue.

“Well I am.” I tried to make it sound as believable as possible.

I failed. “Why are you lying to me Teagan? What's going on?”
I bit my lip, immediately regretting my decision and wincing in pain. I was quiet, thinking of whether or not to tell Niall the truth, or to keep pushing that it was nothing. “It's just...things at home aren't going so great...you know with my mum's new husband.”

“Like what? Are you just not getting along or is it weird? I know you miss your dad Teagan but you should give this guy a shot. I mean he makes your mum happy, right?” My dad. I wish he wouldn't of brought him into things.

To say I was a daddy's girl would be a huge understatement. My dad was my best friend(other than Niall, of course.) We did everything together, we didn't hold anything back. When he got sick, my whole world flipped upside down. I wouldn't of been able to handle his death if it wasn't for Niall. Sometimes I still don't think I can handle it, and now that Niall is away, the hurt is even worse.

“It's not about my dad.” I sighed, this was it. I could either tell Niall the truth, or continue living in hell. “He hits me, Niall.”

“He does what?!” Niall screamed on the other end of the phone. I knew he would flip his lid. “I'm getting on the next flight back to London. I'm getting you out of there.”

“No!” I yelled. “You can't do that Niall. You need to stay with your band. I'll be fine...I can deal with it.”

“Teagan, you cannot stay there. Not if he's hurting you. What does your mum say? Does she know? Does he hit her too?” He just kept firing the questions at me.

“No, no.” I sighed. “He doesn't hurt her. She does know...she just says I should stop doing things to piss him off and be grateful that he provides for us.” I ran my fingers through my long blonde hair as the tears started to sting my eyes. Niall was right, I couldn't stay here anymore.

Niall was quiet for awhile and then he spoke. “Can you get to the airport?”

“What?” I asked, caught off guard by the question.

“Can you get to the airport? If I can't come to you, you're going to come to me.” How could I refuse a chance to get away from all of this?

“I uh, yeah.” I opened the door, exiting the bathroom I was in. “I can get to the airport.”

“Good. I will figure everything out and text you the information. I'll see you soon, Teagan.” He hung up and I made my way into a taxi and to the airport.

Notes

I got this idea a few days ago. I'm not sure if I'll continue or not...
Let me know what you think/if you want me to keep writing.