My smile quickly faded when I remembered that since I was in the hospital and that my past had been revealed. Liam saw me on the phone and came in. “Niall?” He asked. I nodded and all at once he understood my downcast face. “You’ll have to tell him eventually.” “But, I’m not ready! I don’t want him to know what I’ve done and what’s happened to me.” He nodded, “Ok.” I flopped against the pillows and went to sleep. “ Oy, I didn’t come to watch you sleep.” I woke up to Niall poking my face. “Um, no one asked you to come, you chose to. So shh, if I wanna sleep, I’m darn well going to.” He laughed. “So, what happened?” I sighed, “I got into a fight with Taylor.” He shook his head, “No, I mean this.” He flipped my arms over so that the latticed scars were exposed. “Oh, that… Um…. Can we not talk about that?” He kissed every scar, “Will we ever?” I nodded and he kissed my head. “I’ll come back after rehearsal for homecoming.” I shook my head, “I’m going home. Can I text you later?” he nodded and walked out the door.

Niall’s POV
My mind was racing, why would an amazing girl like Aria have so many scars and bruises? Why would she hurt herself, didn’t she know how beautiful she was? “Niall, NIALL?!” Paul snapped me out of my mind. “What?” “That’s what I want to know, WHAT happened to your face?” “I got punched, for being friends with a girl.” “Idiot.” Paul murmured. I rolled my eyes, “Thanks chief.” I saluted him. “Sorry I’m late, I had to take Aria home.” Liam said after running in. “Doesn’t she have parents?” I said, annoyed. “They’re out of town, she’s all by herself there.” He countered. “Enough chitchat, get to work.” Paul ordered. We all nodded and started to sing.

After 3 hours of rehearsing the same things over and over and over, we were finally allowed to go home. I whipped my phone out to check on Aria.
Niall: You okay?
Aria: Yeah, just sort of lonely. :(
Niall: Can I come over and make you dinner? :)
Aria: I’d like that, have Liam bring you. :)
Niall: See you in 5.
“Liam, I need you to take me to Aria’s.” I said. He shrugged and started the car. “Call us if you need a ride home.” He said. I knocked once and heard some muffled curses before the door creaked open. “Oh, Niall. Sorry, I thought you were Taylor, he’s the only person who doesn’t use the doorbell.” “It’s ok. You hungry?” She laughed, “ Starving.” I went into the kitchen and started to make food. That’s when I realized I was being watched. “Did you want something?” I said, without turning around. “Yup, I wanna watch you cook.” She said. “If you’re going to stand there, you can at least help.” She looked at me, “Cook, you want me to cook? Nialler, I burn water.” I laughed, “You can’t burn water, it evaporates.” “Whatever. I still can’t do it.” I took her by the hand, “I’ll help you help me.” I guided her hands to make a simple pasta dinner.