*Karissa's P.O.V*
*BEEP BEEP BEEP* I moaned slamming my hand on the alarm clock. I rolled out of bed and got ready for work. "Karissa!" Jade gleamed as I walked into the small diner. "Hey" I said trying to act excited. "are you alright?" She looked concerned. "Yeah I'm fine just tired that's it" I lied.I was far from okay. "alright well better get to work" she said not looking convinced. It was 7:00 close to closing time and we had our last costumers. I was washing a table when a girl complained "Hello I need service" . I sighed walking slowly over to her. "Hi I'm your waitress today can I get you anything to drink?" I put on a fake smile. "we would like water" She demanded. The boy sitting next to her sighed. "Okay I'll be right back to get your orders" I turned walking to the kitchen. I got their waters and returned to the table. "Here's your waters" I said handing the girl her water. "Oops" she said spilling the water all over me clearly on purpose. "Better clean that up" she laughed. I took a deep breath holding back my frustration. I quickly walked into the break room rubbing my head letting out small whimpers from all the stress . "You need to go home" I heard Jade say behind me. "No I'm fine" I turned forcing a smile on my face. "don't lie ..as your boss I'm telling you to take a few days off" She started pushing me out the door. I turned back saying "Thank you" before walking out the restaurant door.
I pulled up to my apartment sighing before climbing out of the car into the pouring rain. I ran to my door noticing something on the doorstep. As I got closer I realized it was Niall sitting on the step. As I approached him he stood up soaking wet his arms were shaking. I ignored him walking to my door and unlocking it. He stood there looking at me "well are you coming in?" I asked. He smiled stepping into the house. I threw my things on the table and headed to my room digging through my closet. "Here" I said throwing a pair of sweatpants and a shirt at him. "you wear guy's clothes? " he asked. "No they were Shane's he left them here a long time ago" I explained. He nodded before going to the bathroom to change. I got myself a cup of tea and sat in a chair. Niall walked into the living room sitting on the couch. "About last night I didn't mean to yell at you I just was angry but uh Lucy told me everything and I take it back" He rain his fingers through his hair. "no it was my fault you were trying to help I guess I just don't understand why you would stand up like that for me" I shrugged. "I promised not to hurt you right? well that implies protecting you from others". "I don't want you to protect me" I protested. "But you need me to protect you" he said looking serious. "why do you care so much about what I need?" I asked curious. "well I don't exactly know I guess I just do" He shrugged. "I'm going to get more tea want some?" I asked getting out of my seat. "yeah" He answered following behind me. I set my cup on the counter and Niall grabbed my wrist. "What's this?" His eyes widened as he studied the cuts on my wrist. "Nothing" I tried to pull my arm away but his grip was to tight. "That's not nothing" He protested. "Niall they are like from a few months ago leave me alone about it" I begged. "I have to protect you from that creep and now yourself?" he questioned raising an eyebrow. "You don't have to protect me from anything" I said exaggerating the "have". "You are exactly right but I want to so don't be doing that anymore I'm not stupid they are obviously recent" He lectured me. "okay I won't" I tugged my arm away from him. I stood there a minute before he pulled me into a hug. "what is this for?" I asked looking up at him. "Everyone needs a hug sometimes and I've been told I give a hell of a hug". I laughed "I don't know I've gotten better hugs" I laughed. "Liar" He said pouting as he pulled away from the hug. "you big baby" I Iaughed poking his stomach. "I'm starving" I complained. "me too let's order a pizza?" He suggested. I nodded reaching for the phone.
we sat on the opposite ends of the couch facing each other our feet stretched out in the middle. "what do you want to watch?" I asked scrolling through the channels. "ooh grease?" he asked. "sure I love that movie" I said grabbing a slice of greasy cheese pizza from the box on the coffee table. "can I ask you something?" Niall asked . "yeah?" I responded. "Have you seen or heard from your dad since he left?" I winced at the memories of my dad. "No I haven't heard a word from him in 9 years" I bit another piece off my pizza. "my turn what about your parents? what are they like?" I was curious. He smiled "we are like any Irish family my parents are really cool". "Do you have any siblings?" I asked. "Yeah my brother Greg he's pretty cool too" he sipped his drink. "I assume you don't have any siblings?" he tilted his head in curiosity. "Nope" I said popping the "p". We continued going back and fourth asking questions until we eventually fell asleep.
"Niall" I complained throwing a pillow at his face. "ah what" he groaned as he woke up. "you snore really loud!". He crossed his arms "oh well get over it"
I stretched pulling myself off the couch. "I was planning on going shopping today I need some more clothes you can come if you want" I informed him. "yeah I could use a trip to the mall myself could we stop by my flat first so I can change?" He asked. "Yeah just give me a minute to get ready and we can go" I said stepping into the bathroom closing the door behind me.
We arrived at the mall around 3:00 pm. "This is cute" Niall smirked pulling a dress from the racks of clothes. "Niall that is the shortest dress I've ever seen in my life it wouldn't even cover half my bum" I said shaking my head. He chuckled placing it back from where he got it. "I'm kind of hungry" Niall said as we walked out of the 8th store. "there's a pretzel place" I pointed to the left. He nodded continuing to walk towards it. "I'm surprised you are actually shopping with me most of my guy friends won't come within miles of a mall" I giggled. He shrugged his broad muscular shoulders "I don't really mind it". I took my last bite left of my pretzel and stood up ready to leave. We were about halfway to the entrance when I felt a hand fall on my shoulder. I immediately spun around to see Shane standing in front of me. "Touch me or Niall once there are witnesses" I threatened looking around at the busy mall. "I wasn't going to start anything" He rolled his eyes. "what do you want?" Niall questioned him. "I wanted to see if maybe you wanted to hang out" He asked looking at me and ignoring Niall's glares. "yeah how about no" I said harshly. Niall must have seen His jaw tighten for he grabbed my arm pulling me into his side."One day you will be mine again" he looked at Niall as if warning him. "as if I would make that mistake again" I scoffed making him even more angry. Niall continued walking tugging me along. As soon as we got in the car Niall looked irritated at me. "what?" I asked. "Don't be such a smart ass next time he was about to hit you" Niall sighed. "Wouldn't be the first time" I shrugged my shoulders looking out the window. "he's hit you before?" Niall sounded bothered by it. "Yeah quite a bit he's got anger issues I guess". Niall exhaled angrily "Why does he want you so bad if all you are to him is a human punching bag?". "I guess it's a game for him or something" I Said. "Well he won't be alive he tries to lay a finger on you again" Niall said grasping the steering wheel tighter.
We arrived at my flat Niall rushed to my door opening it for me. I smiled at him "thank you". Niall walked close to my side as we made our way to the front door. "Thank you for going to the mall with me today" I thanked him as we stood outside the flat. "anything for you" He said grinning. "goodnight" I said opening my door. "sweet dreams" he said waving as he walked back to the car.
