I'm Broken {Harry Styles}

Chapter 31

| Lacey's POV |

"Are you sure about this?" Harry asked for the hundredth time as I gathered the few things I had at his house.

After we got back from the lovely dinner last night, we decided to watch a movie. We-I-decided on watching Oculus. That was the first movie in a while that I had found to be actually scary. Harry ended up turning on an episode of friends before we went to bed.

"Yes, Harry I'm sure. I need to do this," I spoke. He was really against me going back. I've lived there for the past 17 years, this is no different.

"You need to call me everyday," he says once again. "Call me if he hurts you or even just says something rude. I don't fucking care if you call every five minutes. I need you to stay in touch." I nod and walk out to his truck, waiting for him to open the door since my hands are full. He forcefully pulls open the door, muttering how it's a "shitty-ass hunk of metal."

The car ride is silent, not even the radio to occupy our ears. We were both in our heads. Me, thinking about what it will be like once I get there. If it will go back to the way it was or if it will be worse. It'll most likely be worse. I was once in the hospital for two days after I cut too deep, and just for being gone that short amount of time he banged my head against the wall until I passed out. This time I have been gone for over a week; I don't want to think about what it'll be like when I finally see him.

Harry slowly pulls up in front of my junky, old house. It's quite embarrassing to live here, but it's "convenient" to Dylan because all of the neighbors are drunks, like him.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry snaps me out of my thoughts and back to reality.

I sigh. "We've been over this, Harry. I don't have a choice."

"Yes you do! You could stay with me until we find you somewhere better, farther away!" He exclaimed.

I shook my head. "It won't work, trust me. There's no going back now." With that I open my door and exit the house. There's no way to tell if he is in there until getting inside, being as he sold the car for £1,000 (A/N I have no idea what that actually is... I'm just writing it like american money just with £ in front idk).

I take a deep breath before walking up to the door. I told Harry to wait in the car, knowing if he didn't he would drag me back to his house. I silently twisted the door handle and gently pushed it in, not wanting to make a sound. I waited, listening for any signs of life within the building. Once I didn't hear anything I peeked my head in, not seeing a breathing lump on the couch, and finally entered. I turned around to Harry, giving him a thumbs up to signal him that all is well, before closing the door behind me.

I fully enter the house, expecting violent yelling even though I know no one is in my presence. I walk to my room to drop off my bags before entering the bathroom to take a quick shower before I have to head off to work at noon, it was already past eleven. I remember to lock the door behind me, not wanting to risk anything even though he isn't here. I take a fast shower, trying not to think of the blades I have stashed just a few feet away. I didn't do anything like that for the entire time I was at Harry's.

I quickly got dressed and was at work with seven minutes to spare.

"Hey Bella, hey Mark," I greeted as I entered the restaurant.

"Hey Lacey, how are you? You're family all good?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, we got it mostly sorted out. I just needed a little break from it all," I let out a small laugh.

"Don't we all?" She then laughed again and turned back to the cash register.

Some more than others, I thought to myself. I walked back into the kitchen to get my apron and pen and pad. I saw Mark lightly jog up to me.

"Hey, so I heard Bella say your family was having some trouble?" He questioned, obviously curious.

"Yeah, but it's not big deal. Everyone has a little drama in their lives," I said, trying to subtly change the topic.

He didn't get the hint. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what was your 'trouble in paradise'," he made small air quotes with his hands to emphasize his words.

"Ah, nothing really important that I'd like to talk about right now, but thanks for the concern." I cringed at my awkward dismissal of the subject.

"Oh, right sorry. If you ever do want to talk about anything, don't hesitate to talk to me. I have very good ears," he joked and walked away.

I walked up to the stand in the front to bring the group that just came in to their table. After they were seated, I heard the door open again and went to greet the next group of customers. Only when I turned around, I was not met with the face of hungry college students on a break from their classes, instead it was the face of my coworker and best friend, Meg.

"Meg!" I ran up and hugged her. She seemed to be doing much better. She was even walking without needing the assistance of crutches.

"Lacey!" She exclaimed and hugged me back.

"I didn't know you were coming back to work? Shouldn't you still be resting?" I asked, worrying about her wellbeing.

"First off, I came back to work yesterday, you bitch, and you weren't here," she playfully slapped me.

"Ow! Jerk, sorry I had a day off," I quickly retorted.

"You had a week off and don't try to deny it," she mildly scolded. "Bella said something about family issues? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. He just got a bit rough and Harry was over so I was staying with him for a little bit," I briefly explain.

"Wait so Harry knows?" She asks, sounding surprised.

"Unfortunately, yes. I had to call him one night back when I was still with Zayn. I don't want to get into it."

"So you tell me after knowing me for years and he knows after meeting you twice? I feel good about myself," she comments sarcastically.

"Trust me, I wish I didn't tell him. Like yeah, he's being nice and stuff but I just can't help but think it's because he pities me," I sigh.

"I'm sure he's being there for you out of the goodness of his heart, there's nothing to worry about as long as you have me." She playfully winks and walks to the kitchen to get back to work.

~

This chapter was going to be longer but everything with Zayn is just too much :(

I feel like he is getting a lot of hate and people are making him feel bad for this. Zayn is a grown man and can make his own decisions. He has spent the last five years of his life with this band and obviously it means something to him. People should not be making him feel bad for trying to be happy. I think most people could tell he wasn't the same "fun loving" guy he was when he was a teenager. As he matured he started to want different things with his life and that is totally normal. I think that we should all show him that we respect his decision and try to make this as easy for him as possible. I understand that so many people look up to him and owe him their lives and they can be sad. Everyone can be sad. It's the end of an era and we don't know what will happen next. We just need to be here for the boys and each other.

With that being said who wants to hear a dead baby joke?

How many babies does it take to paint a house?

It depends on how hard you throw them

((I'm so sorry if that is offensive I just cry omg I'm such a terrible person))