The Boy Who Saved Me

Chapter four

"Derek? My boyfriend?" I asked, crossing my arms. "No. He wouldn't do that." I rolled my eyes at this kid's stupidity. What the actual hell? Why would Niall Horan want to help me?

"Well then who did, Ellen?" Niall asked, annoyed with me as well.

"You know what? I'm nearly eighteen. I can take care of myself. You should have just left me in the park, okay?" I got up from the hospital bed.

"Where are you going?" He asked, running his hand through his hair. "You can't just leave."

"Watch me." I whispered, walking into the hallway. I plopped down on a bench, leaned back and shut my eyes. I swear I've never been so tired in my life. I felt someone sit next to me, and like I had guessed, it was Niall.

"C'mon Ellen. Don't you want to get out of here?" Niall asked. I hate to admit it, be he looked pretty cute in his blue sweatshirt. But I blocked his cuteness out of my mind. Because of Derek.

"Not with you, if that's what you were thinking."

"Then if not with me, how about your parents?" Niall asked.

"They're in the Bahamas because frankly, they don't give a shit about their own daughter." I had my arms crossed and was avoiding eye contact with Niall, though he was looking at me the entire time. "I'll call Derek." But I couldn't call Derek. Derek is waiting to beat the shit out of me. But you know what? I don't care. He loves me. That's all that really matters.

"No you won't. It's four a.m. C'mon." Niall stood up, and grabbed my hand. I took it because at that point in time, it was the only hand that was outreached towards me.

We walked silently, still holding hands. It was awkward, but I didn't care. I felt protected. I felt safe.

"I'll walk from here." I told him, letting go of his hand as we exited the hospital.

"No you won't. If you're parents aren't home, you're staying with me. The doctor even said I needed to take care of you." Niall grabbed my hand again and I didn't argue.

•••

"Welcome to my apartment. Make yourself at home." Niall guided me through the door.

"Um. Thanks, Niall. It's nice of you to let me stay here." I told him, forcing a smile.

He walked me to a room beyond the living room, that was painted blue. It had Irish flags all over it.

"This your room?" I asked, looking around. He chuckled.

"Yeah. Well, it's yours now." He said. For a minute it made me sad. I wanted him to stay with me. I felt so safe with him. It was weird. "So I'm gonna call the boys and let them know you're okay, and you can change into this." He threw me a pair of his sweatpants and Ralph Lauren Polo t-shirt.

"The boys?" I asked.

"Of the band. One Direction?" He asked, laughing a little.

"Oh, right. Okay."

"Please get some rest, Ellen, okay? I know it's been a rough day for you." I nodded. "I'll be sleeping on the couch, if you need me, call me. Okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, again Niall."

~Niall's POV~

I walked back into the living room and grabbed my iPhone that was on the couch. I dialed Zayn's number.

"Hello?" A groggy deep voice greeted me.

"Zayn?"

"No, it's your mother. Yes it's Zayn. What do you want?" He asked, obviously pissed.

"Sorry, Zayn. I just wanted to let you know she's okay and safe with me." I said quietly, looking back at the hall that lead to my bedroom. I didn't want to wake Ellen.

"She?" He mumbled.

"Ellen. The girl we found." I reminded him.

"Oh. You actually took her to the hospital?" Zayn asked.

"Yeah. The doctor checked her out and now she's at my apartment." I told him.

"Seriously? You're letting some random girl sleep at your apartment? Are you at least going to sleep with her?"

"Zayn, she's not some random girl. Well, in a sense she is, but I like her. She's gorgeous and funny and I don't know..." My voice trailed off.

"So you are going to sleep with her?" Zayn inquired.

"No, Zayn. I'm looking after her. She's hurt right now. And it's all because of her douchebag boyfriend." I clenched my jaw thinking about this idiot who layed hands on Ellen.

"Tell me the story later, bro? I'm kinda tired."

"Yeah. Bye, Zayn." I hung up, throwing my phone on the table and laying on the couch. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, but I needed to lay down and think.

~Ellen's POV~

I couldn't sleep. As hard as I tried, I would think of Derek and awake. Why am I so stupid? Why did I run away from him? I must of hurt him, and now he's gonna hurt me. This time I don't know if he'll be able to forgive me. Derek is right. I'm a worthless, slutty, ugly whore. I deserve to be punched and kicked. I deserve to die.

Hot tears started to pour down my cheeks. Why can't I just be someone else? Why can't I be good enough for Niall or Derek? Why?

I heard footsteps coming down the hall. Oh shit. Derek was coming for me.