My Memorable Summer

Chapter twelve

Natalie's POV

I woke up, my room alight only by the lamp beside me. I look around and see Liam, asleep on the floor with his head on the bed and his hand holding mine. I extended my arm to touch his dark hair but I noticed the trail of bruises, throughout my body. Memories of last night rushed back as tears starts to stream down my face.

I wanted to bathe. Get the sickening essence of Joshua off of me. I tried to sit up but my entire body protested. I fell back onto the bed which I guess, woke up Liam because he raised his head.

"Natalie." his eyes flew open. "What happened? are you okay?" he said, alerted all of a sudden.

"Liam, I'm okay. If I am alive that means I'm fucking fine." I snapped. I didn't want Liam to see me like this. I hated this. I hated everyone right now.

"You don't have to be fine all the time Natalie." He said, barely a whisper.

Maybe I didn't hate him right now, maybe I just hated me. Tears continued to roll down my face. Liam looked at me and didn't say anything else. He just came closer to me and wrapped his hands around me, embracing me, gently. I curled up against his body, feeling the warmth. I put my head on his chest and cried. I think I cried for hours and hours and he just sat there, comforting me. I felt safe in his arms, like nothing in this world could ever hurt me. I drifted to sleep.

I woke up a few hour later, still in Liam's arms. I looked up to see that he was awake. Did he not sleep the entire night?

"Hey." I whispered. He looked down at me. I could feel his breath on my forehead.

"Hey. You're awake." he whispered back. I slightly nodded, burying my head back into his chest.

"Are you hungry?'' he asked me. I shook my head, I don't feel like eating anything.

"Do want me to bring you coffee?" he asked and I shook my head. His voice was calm and comforting.

"Do you want anything else?' he asked me again. I looked up at him and nodded.

"I want to shower." I said. He let go of me as I tried to stand up but instantly fell back because my entire bottom half had given up. He caught me before I hit the bed.

"I'll help you." He said and then picked me up and walked into the bathroom. He kept me onto the counter and took off the t-shirt I was wearing, throwing it onto the ground, revealing my torn dress. I looked at him, trying to read his face but damn he is good at not revealing his emotions. He walked out of the bathroom closing the door behind him, giving me privacy. I held onto the counter and shifted to its end, moving towards the bathtub. I managed to strip the rest of my clothes off and bathe in the bathtub. I drained all the water after I was done cleaning myself up and wrapped myself in a towel, still sitting in the, now empty, bathtub. I tried to stand up but it hurt too much to even move.

"Liam?" I yelled for him to help me. Seconds later I heard a knock at the bathroom door. "Yes Natalie?" Liam said without opening the door. "Could you grab me some clothes from my cupboard and if you don't mind undergarments as well." There was a pause before Liam spoke, "Okay. Do you want anything in particular?" he asked me. "Just anything full sleeved." I yelled as I looked at my body and the black-purple marks on it. A couple minutes later, Liam walked into the bathroom, holding my clothes in one hand and covering his eyes with the other hand. I laughed as he stumbled forward walking into the mirror. A grin appeared on his face as he heard me laugh. "Just keep them near the basin." I instructed Liam as he kept the clothes there and walked back out. I half walked and half crawled my way to the clothes and put them on. Liam had picked a plain white full sleeved t-shirt and light blue sweatpants for me. I put them on which at least took me twenty minutes as I struggled to get them on. I called for Liam when I was dressed and he came into the bathroom, picked me up and set me back onto my bed.

Liam sat next to me, facing me. He said. He didn't make eye contact with me, he just stared at his hand. I reached my hand and held his. He looked at the bruise on my hand and gently rubbed his thumb over it.

"Does it hurt?" he asked me, his voice dropping.

"A little." I said. "Liam what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry Natalie. I hate myself for letting this happen to you-" he started speaking.

"Liam." I cut him off and he looked at me. I sat up straight and cupped his face with both my hands. I leaned in as our foreheads touched. "You saved me. If it weren't for you, I would've been dead. Don't hate yourself please." I inhaled sharply. "Thank you for saving me Liam." I said. I slightly leaned in forward to give him a small kiss. A gentle smile appeared on his face. He wrapped one of his arms around my shoulder and kissed my forehead, embracing me.

We went downstairs for breakfast even though I didn't want to but Liam promised that he'll make pancakes for me, so I agreed. I tried to stand up but it was way too painful. My legs felt so sore and my butt felt almost numb. Liam carried me downstairs and set me onto the couch but no one was there.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked Liam as he brought me a cup of coffee from the kitchen.

"At the station." he replied, taking a sip from the cup before handing it to me.

"What station?" I asked, with a doubt in my mind.

"Police station." I almost choked on my coffee when Liam said that.

"What the fuck?" I shrieked.

"They were detained for violence, someone called the cops last night. Don't worry, its all sorted out now. Isabel's bringing them back. They should be here any moment." Liam said and then disappeared into the kitchen. I sipped my coffee as I looked out the window. Liam came out with fresh-made pancakes on a tray and set it onto my lap. I hissed in pain as it hit one of the bruises on my thigh and Liam instantly picked up the tray again. He set the tray between us and ate breakfast with me. After finishing breakfast I saw Isabel's vehicle approach the front of our house. I yelled for Liam to open the door as he had gone inside the kitchen to keep the dishes. He rushed out and opened the door as The guys and Isabel walked in. Isabel rushed towards me, sitting next to me. She asked me how I was and I replied, "Okay as always."

Jeremy walked towards me, pity and guilt in his eyes. "Natalie, do you wanna go home? You have to call mom. You should go back." he said.

"Jere, I don't know." I spoke, my voice low, "I will be fine...eventually, I guess. I don't wanna go home right now." I looked at Liam as he silently stood at the kitchen entrance. I didn't want to leave yet. I love this place and these people. It feels homely here.

"Natalie!" I heard Jay's british voice form the back. He came rushing towards me and slowly pulled me into a hug. I hissed as the pain in my body increased but Jay's warm hug made it worth it. He apologized for leaving me alone, everyone did. They pitied me and felt bad, I didn't like that, it felt extremely awkward.

"Guys I will be fine." I said. I wasn't sure if that was true or not, though.

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author's note//

another chapter done. i'm having a writers block tbh, ive run out of ideas for the story. I'm thinking way too ahead rn. I have other stories planned out-fanfics. but I haven't even finished this one story and am planning the next....HELP.

anyhow, hope y'all are doing amazing. ty for tuning into my story love y'all sm. eat well and drink water<3