Paper Houses **N.H**

Chapter 24

Evelyn's POV-

Early the next morning, I woke up in a panic as my dad ripped the sleeping bag off Niall and I. My heart was pounding, grabbing ahold of the man next to me and digging my nails into his arm. He was awake, too at the sudden cold air rushing against us-a drastic change from the warm, thick fabric of the sleeping bag.

"Get up!" he yelled.

Tiredly, I sat up, looking down and being relieved that I had at least put my sweatpants and tank back on. At least he didn't find me in my underwear.

"Who told you two you could sleep together?" he demanded.

"I'm sorry, Sir" Niall mumbled, also sitting upright. "It was my fault"

"I don't care whose fault it is" he shook his head, taking my arm and yanking me out of the tent.

Stumbling, I tried to catch my balance, now standing in the chilly woods.

"Evelyn" he placed his hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eye. "I didn't have a problem with you two dating, but sleeping together before you're married is another story"

"I'm sorry, Dad" I stuttered, hugging my arms to my chest to keep in warmth. "we didn't do anything, I swear!"

"Honey, it leads to temptation" he sighed, letting me go and raking his hands through his hair. "I just...I don't want you to get knocked up before you're ready, or married"

I was too tired to even process his words, so I simply just nodded, glancing over to the side and seeing Mr. Horan looking over a little upset. I wasn't sure if he was upset at Niall and I for spending the night in the same tent, or if he was mad at my dad for fussing at me about it. He was looking at my dad, though, so I assumed the second one.

"Jeff" he called over, his voice sounding cold.

My dad's eyes flicked over to him, but he turned back to me. "Go ahead and pack up, we'll talk more about this later"

He then walked away, leaving me standing barefoot in the leaves, shivering in the chilly morning air.

I felt a hand on my waist, making me jump.

"What did he say?" Niall whispered into my ear.

"He doesn't want us sleeping together" I rolled my eyes.

Shrugging, he pulled my hair behind my back. 

Shaking my head, I pulled away and went back to my own tent to pack up all my stuff before we tore down the campsite. Once everything was back in the car, we headed back towards home. We hadn't had breakfast, so we went through a drive-thru, but the actual drive was super awkward. My dad wasn't talking, leading me to think he was more mad at me then he had acted, but was just playing nice in front of the Horan's to put on a fake show.

I'd never seen my dad act like this toward me, only to Bethany. However, she had pretty much lowered all expectation so my dad had started to become more chill about her going to raves. I'm pretty sure he knew she was drinking, doing drugs, and sleeping around, but I was the oldest-the first born "angel"-and that was the last thing he expected from me. I think he was just determined I live the straight and narrow and not end up like my sister, who had taken more of the path my mom had.

When we got home, Niall got my bags from the trunk and began to carry them in for me, but my dad stopped when he saw it.

"Niall, why don't you let us get back settled in home, alright?" he raised an eyebrow at him.

For a second, Niall stood in confusion, but didn't reply. Instead, he shrugged and handed my duffel bag to me.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ev" he wrapped his arms around me, swallowing me inside of his chest.