Between us ~ Martin Garrix

chapter ten - night changes

(Martins POV)

"Amsterdam i fucking love you! See you soon!" My voice echoed around the filled arena as I finished my set. I raised my hand in the air, the other shaking against my microphone as the lights went down into crowds of screams. Every hair on my body raised; I was so lucky, so grateful.

"You absolutely crushed that, man!" Gabe pulled me in to a hug as I grabbed for a bottle of water in the dressing room. We were both about as sweaty as eachother, but I didn't care as I embraced him.
"Love you so much, brother," I smiled, letting him ruffle my soaking hair. I always had such a rush after shows. After thanking and hugging my whole crew, we ordered some pizza and I went for a shower in my dressing room. Stepping back into the room, I scruffed my hair with a towel and draped another around my dripping waist, reaching for my phone. It was around 3am, and of course I was on a huge high without an ounce of tiredness. I flicked through social media, my mind sieving every image or message I saw to think of her. I'd escaped the thoughts for a while, but as usual once I stopped and sat down, those chocolate eyes locked on my brain. I noticed she was online and without hesitation sent her a message. After all, it was odd for her to be up at this time.

Twenty minutes had passed and I was sat in the back of a blacked out taxi, the rain pelting the outer shell. I tapped my foot against the floor, just wanting the journey to be over. Admittedly I was anxious. I cared a lot for Lily, and although she clearly didn't want me to know, I could hear her panic the other night. I could see her tears and red eyes in the morning light. And now she was facing that alone.

The canopy of trees sheltered me as I creeped through the garden that was becoming increasingly familiar. Gently, I tapped on the wooden door and within seconds, it slowly opened. The innocent girl stepped aside with a smile, allowing me into her cosy home.
"I recognise that hoodie," I smirked, looking down at her. She looked adorable - her long brunette locks naturally wavy to her waist, my black hoodie swamping her and a pair of matching black and white fluffy socks. She almost blushed slightly.
"It's my comfort hoodie," she shrugged, hiding her face which was glowing crimson gold.
"I'm glad you're comfortable," I smirked, opening my arms. The innocent girl sniffed, her eyes glistening as she latched herself into me. I held her tight in my embrace, playing with her long hair as I did so.
"Do you want to get some sleep? I bet you're exhausted," she sweetly spoke, her eyes gazing up into my own as she remained in my arms.
"Don't worry about me, I'm here to make you feel better," I placed a delicate kiss on her head, feeling her once tense shoulders relax slightly against my body.

(Lily's POV)

I pulled the cosy hoody sleeves over my fingers, shivering slightly against the night air. Droplets of white snowflakes twinkled across the black sky, occasionally becoming apparent when hovering infront of beautiful festive lights swamping tiny green houses.
"This place is beautiful," I quietly spoke in the early morning hours, my eyes flicking across the cobbled paving. A tiny walk from my own home, just over the other side of the river, Martin had assured me the beauty would help me relax. Plus, he had every ounce of energy left after his show. As expected, the streets were deserted in the super early hours, the river to the left of us still as possible as the bitter winds embraced us. Our feet crunched under the thin layer of snow.
"I thought it might help distract you, I used to come here with my grandmother when I was little," he paused, pulling his hand out of his pocket and enclosing his fingers around mine. "My grandparents used to fight a lot. Sometimes, she would pick me up from school if my parents were working and take me back to her house. It was great when it was just me and her, but as soon as grandad got home everything would change. She'd tense up and so would I. He'd start moaning about me being there, about the mess I'd make and that she'd let me. It confused me a lot, I was only little. So she'd bring me to the windmills and we'd sit and watch them together. It always helped."
He led me to a small wooden bench directly behind a beautiful large windmill just on the side of the river. The blades spun in what seemed like slow motion as the snowflakes whirled around them. Martin took a seat on the bench, gently leading me with him. I felt so grateful he had opened up to me about his childhood, yet so sad with what he had said. I looked to him as we sat together, his usually bright grey eyes darkened under the winter sky as they followed the arms of the mill religiously. I smiled to myself, stroking his warm hand with the thumb of mine that was gently resting on top. As I did so, his eyes flicked from the view in front to me. He continued to make eye contact for minutes, before smirking slightly and refocusing his gaze on the mill. I did the same.

For what felt like hours, we sat alone in the blackness and the snow.
"Are you not tired yet?" I asked through a yawn.
"I have too much adrenaline. Plus I couldn't sleep incase you had another nightmare," he shrugged.
"Don't worry about me, I'm used to them by now. Since he left, he's come back to me most nights," I sighed, my stomach dropping at the thought.
"He?" Martin questioned concerned, an eyebrow raised.
"My stepdad. Well, he likes to think he's my real dad, but he couldn't be more wrong," I took a deep breath closing my eyes. "He's the reason I had to move. He was horrible, Martin. He would shout, and threaten for tiny insignificant details. He would lash out in anger, he'd kick, he'd hurt me. And one day, my mum got a new boyfriend. He was lovely and so kind and caring. I thought so anyway, her now ex-husband didn't though. And of course, it was all my fault. So he took me. He trapped me where I wasn't safe and had no chance of anyone hearing my cries for help. I didn't think I'd ever escape, but here I am. And now, he is in prison back in England. But he still holds my mind in a prison of fear. Especially at night."
I finally stopped to breathe, terrified I had opened up too much and left Martin startled. The silence for moments was not assuring.
"I'm so sorry, Lils. You don't deserve any of that, how could he?!" Martin begin, shaking his head in upset as he squeezed my hand ever tighter. He slightly changed his position on the bench so he was facing me, and took my other hand too.
"I promise you, you are safe now. And I will do everything in my power to prove that to you."