Hidden (UN-EDITED; on hiatus indefinitely, sorry)

Chapter Fourteen

I woke up with Zayn's arms protectively around me. I turned towards him. He was still asleep. I slid out from under his grip and looked at him. He looked so... peaceful. I smiled.

I definately felt better than I did the day before. No headaches or sore throughts... I was still very sore though. I walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. I walked towards the shower and breifly looked at the mirror. I had to do a double take because of what I saw.

My hair was tangled and, in some spots, had dried blood in it. My face was bruised and cut. (I remember him hitting my there a couple of times when he was beating me.) And they were right when they said I needed to eat. As I was undressing, I realized you could easily count each of my ribs.

There was already a clean towel on the counter waiting for me. I guess they knew I would want to clean myself up. I opened up the shower door and turned on the water. It was cold at first, but it warmed up, running down my back, slowly relaxing each of my muscles.

I had to laugh when I looked around. Most of the stuff in there was for Zayn. There was just a shampoo, body wash,  and conditioner at the corner of the shower floor. I smiled, picking up the body wash and... one of those thingies you wash yourself with... (I can't think of the word) and began to wash myself.

Appearently, my face wasn't the only thing that was hurt. I had big buises all over my legs, the worst on being about the size of the bottom of a tea cup on my right hip. I touched it gently, but is very tender and even the softest touch hurt me. I looked at my arm and saw that there, I also had scrapes, cuts, and yes, more bruises.

I began to wash my hair when I heard the t.v. turn on in the living room. The boys were awake, but very... quiet. It was too quiet for me. I began to sing.

"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose

fire away, fire away

ricochet, you take your aim

fire away, fire away

you shoot me down, but I won't fall

I am titanium

you shoot me down, but I won't fall

I am titanium..."

I turned off the water and got out, wraping my towel arount me. I looked down at the clothes I was wearing before. A blue tanktop that was ripped in several places, a pair of shorts so dirty they looked like they had always been grimey, and, well, my under-clothing. I sighed. No use wearing those again. I grabbed a clean robe from under the sink and put it on, then walked back into Zayn's room. He was still asleep. I looked around and spotted a couple of outfits with a sticky note on them. I picked it up and read it.

Didn't know what size you were or what you wore... If you need anything, just tell us.

-Louis

I smiled, then picked the first one up. It had a black and white striped  tanktop, jean vest, light blue jeans (with pre-made rips and tears down the legs), a black fedora, and some black ballet flats. I picked up the next one. It had a pink tube-top with orange lace on the top and LOVE in big, bold letters spelled out on the front, a leather jacket, some dark blue (almost grey) jeans, and a pair of black wedges with buckles on the black straps. (Of coarse, both had under-clothing with them.)

I grabbed them both and went back into the bathroom. I was happy to see that all of the stuff they picked out fit me. But I decided to mix and match. I put un the black and white tanktop with the black leather jacket, the dark jeans, black fedora, and flats. I have to admit, it looked pretty cute together.

I walked back into Zayn's room and sat on his bed. He was still asleep, so I shook his shoulder.

"Zayn..." I said. He yawned and slowly opened his eyes.

"Good morning." I said cheerfully.

"Hey..." he said, "how are you feeling?" I smiled.

"Better than I was. thanks for taking care of me." He sat up.

"Anytime."

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He had gone into the bathroom to fix his hair (he handed me a brush and I took maybe 10 minutes), so I decided to wait for him in the livingroom.

"Hey Brooke!" Louis shouted at me as I walked in. I smiled and waved.

"Wow," Harry said, "you clean up nicely." I laughed.

"Thanks?" I sat down on the couch next to Liam, who was still waking up.

Finally, Zayn walked in. I swear, he takes longer getting ready than anyone else I know.

He was wearing a black t-shirt, some jeans, converse, and a smile. I scooted over so he could sit next to me. Everyone just stared at us.

"... What?" I asked. They looked at eachother and smiled.

"Brooke and Zayn, sitting in a tree. K.I.S.S.I.N.G." I blushed, but Zayn just laughed.

"Joke all you want, but someday, I'm going to have a girl and you all are going to be 'forever alone.'"

They all laughed and put on the t.v., going on with their daily routine, but what Zayn said kinda hurt me. I think I did like him, and the way he said it made it sound like he didn't like me like that. But really, who knows... right? I mean, could it be my imagination, or did it sound like he was trying to convince himself that he didn't like me.

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They put on a movie and brought out some pancakes with blueberries. I took a few (my appetite was definintely back) and watched it with them. It was a horror movie, so everytime something popped up, I screamed, and Zayn laughed, putting his arms around me. I hugged him back, terrified. His arms relaxed me a bit, and I leaned against him, my head on his shoulder. Once the movie was over, it was time for them to practice.

I was about to leave when Liam said, "Zayn said you were a good singer... Would you mind singing for us?" I froze.

"Uhmmm... Sure." Think of a song, Brooke. Don't blow it. What song can you sing...

"Come on now, don't be shy." Harry said. I took a deep breath and sang a song I had written while I was in a relationship with Xavier.

"Your eyes were once so... full of joy.

but now they're cold... where is the boy

That I-I used to know

Why wo-o-on't he show

his face... anymore...

He used to laugh with a warm smile.

I wish the old him... would stay with me a while.

Why is it he can't see

He's hu-u-urting me

And yet... I still sta-ay here..."

They all stared at me, shocked. I grimaced.

"Was it that bad?" I asked. They still just stared.

"No, that was amazing." Louis said, breaking the silence. I smiled.

"Thanks, I guess, but I-"

"You have to open at our concert tonight." Liam said.

"I... No, I couldn't."

"You have to!" Niall said. I stood there, staring at them.

"I... just can't. I can't get up on stage in front of a crowd all by myself. I'll freeze!" I said.

Zayn came up next to me and held my hand.

"I'll be with you the whole time." he said.

I thought for a minute, and then decided.

"Okay, I'll do it."