Out Of The Shadows And Into The Spotlight

Chapter 15

Lauren POV

It had been a month since I had seen that dazzling smile from Camila.

It is your fault you fucking idiot.

I still regretted my decision of leaving the softball field that night. The hurt in Camila's eyes never left my mind. I never wanted to be the cause of her hurting but she saw what has changed me from that sweet girl to a rude badass bitch.

"Lauren? Are you in here?" And deep accented voice asked. My head moved up and I saw Zayn standing at the doorway. "What's the matter, Laur?" His voice was filled with concern as he sat down next to me.

Oh nothing out of the usual, just getting my ass kicked by my dad and leaving the girl I love at a softball field after she saw my scars. You know, normal stuff.

"Nothing, Zayn. I'm just a bit tired. My schoolwork has been keeping me up at night." That wasn't a total lie, the schoolwork I had was a pain in the ass.

He gave me a look and shook his head.

Dammit.

"Come on, what's the full truth as to why only half of your brain is here. I usually wouldn't mind it, but it's not your fighting half." He told me, putting a hand on my shoulder and giving me a smile. I took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes.

"A month ago, I left the girl I liked at the softball fields because she saw my back." He raised his eyebrows and looked puzzled, so I continued. "She saw the scars so I ran. When my siblings and I got home after dinner we walked in on my dad and one of his cheap whores. I pushed Chris and Taylor out of the house and slammed the door shut so they wouldn't have to see us fight. Let's just say he handed my ass to me on a sliver platter." Before I could keep going Zayn jumped out of his seat and hit his fist against a worn out locker.

"Why the hell do you keep letting him do that? I told you Perrie wouldn't mind if we took you and Chris and Taylor in... I can't have you dying on me, Laur. Not at the hands of that sick bastard." He snapped, it was hard to tell if he was mad at me for letting my father kick my ass or my father for kicking my ass.

"Zayn... You know I can't do that. You and Perrie don't have to worry about us. We'll be fine. Once my senior year is over I'm using my saved up money and getting out of that house with them." I told him, standing up and pulling him into a hug.

He was like an older brother to me. Ever since he found me fighting at the bus stop he took me in under his wing. And for that I will be forever grateful.

"Listen, Laur, it's Friday, take the week off. Come back Friday. But, that doesn't mean you can slack. I still want you ready for a fight. Just take a week."

...

"If I ever catch you laying a fucking finger on Taylor again I will rip your spine out and beat you with it!" I snarled. My father was currently laying on his back in the kitchen. I had come home from talking to Zayn and saw him slap Taylor. Which sent me into a frenzy.

"Why don't you go join your mother in hell?" He shot back as he got to his feet. My hands flew behind me and I pushed Taylor against the wall. My blood turned hot and I saw red.

My father took a step towards us and I glared at him, holding my hands up to punch.

"If you come any closer I will make you forget your own name." My time was deadly calm, and that seemed to scare him. He shot a glance at Taylor, who was cowering behind me, before swiping his arm across the counter which made a picture of my mom fall to the ground and crack. "Fuck you!" I snapped at him.