I smiled up at Liam, “I know,” I nodded towards Ella, “She tells me ALL about you guys.”

“I DO NOT,” Ella exclaimed.

Her face became bright red but Liam just smiled, “This may sting a little, babe.”

Liam gently wiped around the wound, causing Ella to grimace. I took her hand and squeezed. Liam began wrapping her leg and soon she was done. He stood up and looked down at us, “We are extremely sorry about what happened… It got a bit out of control.”

I chuckled little, “Yeah, just a bit.”

Liam raised his lips in a half smile. I looked over at Ella but she was looking around Liam. Liam noticed and moved to the side. Ella’s eyes widened again. I looked in the direction of her gaze. Niall and Zayn started their way over to us and Ella became visibly nervous. I stood up and patted her hand, “Breathe,” I whispered.

Liam chuckled and I moved to stand by him. Niall and Zayn had concerned looks on their faces. Niall awkwardly sat down by Ella and Zayn just stood. “Are you alright,” Niall asked.

Ella nodded a little and Liam spoke up, “She’s going to need stitches.”

Zayn’s eyes bugged out a little, “What the hell happened out there?"

It was clear Ella was still in too much shock to speak, so I did it for her, “Those girls were pushing her up against the metal bars. There was a screw sticking out and they just kept pushing…”

Niall shook his head, “We are so sorry…”

His sentenced trailed off, waiting for her to tell him her name. “Ella,” she said with a shy smile.

Niall spoke softly, “Ella. What can we do to make it up to you?”

Ella began to shake her head, “No no. Don’t worry about it.”

Zayn spoke this time, “The only reason you were here was because of us, and now you’re hurt. At least let us do something.” L

iam spoke beside me, “How about tickets for tomorrow night’s concert?”

Ella’s face brightened and then she looked at me. I just looked back and began to shake my head, “You guys don’t need to do that. Meeting you is all and more for her."

Ella’s face fell a little but she nodded her head in agreement. All the boys turned to look at me. Liam was the only one that spoke, “Please. I think we would all feel a little better.”

I looked into his brown eyes and finally gave in to the British charm, “Okay.”

Ella squealed with excitement, “Thank you all so much! Oh my goodness! This is so amazing!”

Niall put his arm around her shoulders in a half hug, “Don’t worry about.”

Ella’s eyes widened at the contact and it looked like she was about to pass out. I couldn’t help but snicker at my kid sister. One of the security guards approached the five of us and cleared his throat, “The van is up front to take these two ladies to the hospital. Also, all the girls out front were sent home by the police. They said it was becoming too dangerous.”

All of the boys nodded in agreement. I walked over to where Ella was seated by Niall and looked down at her, “Are you ready?”

Her face scrunched up, “To get stitches? NO. Are you crazy?”

I knelt beside her, “Let’s just get it over with okay? It isn’t that bad, I promise.”

She sighed and put her arm around my neck. Niall stood and grabbed her hand which made her freeze for a split second. I stood up and helped her on her feet so we could make it to the van. I put my arm around her waist and we started towards the doors. Once outside, we noticed all the fans were nowhere in sight. The security guard slid the door open and I helped Ella in. I slid in beside her and waited for the door to slide shut. Niall and Zayn climbed into the van and I shot Ella a confused look, who returned it. Niall must have seen it because he awkwardly coughed, “Is it okay if we come along? We just want to make sure everything is okay.”

Ella grinned at the blonde Irish boy, “Of course,” she squeaked a little too enthusiastically.

I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my jacket and my hand touched something part metal and part plastic. I pulled the keys out to my mom’s, erm, I mean my, car and shot a panicked look towards Ella, “Oh shit.”

Zayn’s voice shot up, “What? What’s wrong?”

“I have to get my car. Shit, I hope it didn’t get towed,” My voice was laced with panic.

I could NOT afford that bill right now. Why didn’t I think about it earlier? “Do you just want to meet us there?” Zayn asked.

I looked between Niall and Zayn, “Are you sure that would be alright… I mean, I don’t want to bother you more than we already have.”

Niall smiled, “Nah, it’s fine. We’ll watch out for her,” he ruffled Ella’s hair.

She gave me a reassuring look and I got the vibe she was telling me to get the hell out of the van… Oh god, I hope she behaves herself. I kissed Ella on the cheek, happy to see the red creep across her cheeks in embarrassment. That was exactly what I was looking for. I muttered one last thanks to Niall and Zayn before stepping out of the van. As soon as I did so, I slammed into a tall body. His hands reached out to steady me, “You alright?”

I tried to laugh off my embarrassment as I looked up at Liam, “Yeah, I’m good.”

He smiled a little and his hands dropped to his sides, “Where are you going?”

I pointed down the street, “My car is parked down there, if it hasn’t been towed. I’m just going to meet them at the hospital.”

Liam’s eyes squinted as he looked down the dark street, barely lit by street lights, “I’ll go with you.”

I began to shake my head, “You don’t have to.”

Liam looked down at me and smiled, “I insist. Besides, it’s dark and I don’t really like the idea of a pretty girl walking down a dark street by herself.”

I looked away, my cheeks heating up slightly, “Okay.”

Liam popped his head in the van and told the boys and the security guard, Paul, what he was doing. Paul was reluctant but Liam, once again, insisted. Liam finally shut the van door and we began walking down the sidewalk. Liam immediately started making conversation, “You are very protective over your sister,” he glanced at me sideways.

I laughed slightly, “Yeah, I am. It’s my job.”

Liam nodded, “I’m surprised your parents let you two come down here this late. They must be worried.”

I began to spin my ring, which has become some sort of habit of mine, and cleared my throat, “Our parents aren’t alive…” I said quietly.

Liam looked at me with shock and sympathy, “I am so sorry… Now I feel like a total ass.”

I laughed lightly, “Don’t. It’s alright. You didn’t know.”

Liam got quiet and then proceeded to talk again, “That explains why you’re so protective.”

I looked down at the sidewalk as we walked in unison, “Well, she’s all I have anymore.”

“That must be really hard... You know, taking care of a child when you are so young… How old are you to be exact?”

I looked up and I could see the shiny red paint of my car in the distance and relief flooded through me. I was so glad it hadn’t been towed. I remembered Liam’s question and quickly replied, “I’m 19.” I

could feel him looking at me from the corner of his eye, “If you don’t mind my asking, how long have they been gone?”

I remained quiet a second, then gathered my strength to speak, “About five or six months,” my voice cracked slightly.

Liam looked at me fully this time, “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

I began to shake my head, “No, it’s fine… I just haven’t really talked to anyone about it before, no one actually.”

I snuck a glance at him and he was looking at me intently with his eyebrows raised, “Why not?”

“I have no one to talk about it with, and even if I did, I wouldn’t.”

“Why?” Liam simply asked.

“Because I feel like people try to tip-toe around you and treat you different.”

He stayed quiet for a second and then asked another question, “You don’t even talk to Ella about it?”

I shook my head, “No. Never. If anything, she is the one person I need to be strongest for.”

We reached my car and I unlocked the doors. Liam slid in the passenger side as I slid in the driver’s seat. I put the key in the ignition and put my seatbelt on before turning to Liam, “Do you want to go with me or do you want me to take you back to the hotel?”

Liam barely paused to think, “I’ll go with you.”

I smiled slightly and nodded before starting the car. I glanced over at Liam one more time, “Put your seat belt on please.”

Liam looked at me slightly but nodded his head. He reached around, grabbing the seat belt and bringing it around it. When I heard the satisfying click, I mumbled thanks. I had become OCD about anyone wearing seatbelts since the death of my parents. Images flooded through my head of blood and twisted metal and the smell of fire and melting metal taking over my senses. I felt Liam’s hand touch my arm. I instantly snapped out of my own disturbed thoughts and back to reality. Liam was staring at me with a concerned expression, “Victoria, are you okay?”

I glanced at his hand that was still touching my arm, “Yeah, I’m fine. You ready?”

He withdrew his hand, “Yeah.”

I started to the car and pulled out on the semi-busy street. The car was silent and I decided to break it, “Thank you.”

Liam looked at me and I dragged my eyes from the road to meet his gaze. He looked a little confused, so I tried to explain, “For helping us. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t helped.”

I stared into the back end of the car ahead of me but I saw him smile from the corner of my eye, “You’re welcome.”

A small spark went through my body at those two little words. I shook it off, not letting it show how much it really affected me, and when I say affected, I’m not sure if it’s in a good way, or a very bad way. Only time will tell…