Chapter 10: Standing Up

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Natalie

I woke up lying on my stomach sprawled across my couch. A yawn escaped from my lips as I pushed myself up into a seated position, stretching my stiff arms upwards. I looked around the room with tired eyes. Harry was snoring lightly as he lay asleep on the floor, Louis stirring at his feet. Zayn was out like a light in my oversized chair. I lazily got up and walked into my kitchen, carefully stepping over Harry and Louis. Another yawn escaped from my chapped lips as I poured myself a cup of coffee. Wait a second... who made the coffee?

"Good morning sleeping beauty," I heard a distinct Irish accent say.

"There is nothing good about mornings," I grumbled.

"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the couch this morning," I heard Emma say.

"Well yeah, it's a fucking couch," I said turning to see Niall, Liam, and Emma sitting at my small kitchen table eating large bowls of cereal.

"I hope you don't mind that we helped ourselves. I didn't want to wake you," Niall apologized.

"It's fine. I hardly eat breakfast so you're actually doing me a favor," I stated truthfully. "What time is it?"

"A little after nine," Liam answered.

As they finished breakfast I decided on taking a shower. I had just started shampooing my hair when I heard a loud crashing sound coming from my living room. I figured someone had just fallen over so I remained where I was. Letting the steamy water relax my tensed muscles, I stood there for a while trying to clear my mind of its jumbled thoughts.

When I finally walked out of the bathroom dressed for the day, I saw a group of somber looking people. At their feet laid a broken lamp. As I looked closer at it I realized it was the one my mom had made me when I was eight before she had...

"Shh, Natalie, don't cry. Please don't cry."

I felt Niall's strong arms wrap around me. He held onto me as I wept into his chest. Angry whispers could be heard from behind him but I didn't listen. I concentrated on pulling myself together. I hated crying in front of people. Niall especially, but that's all I seem to be capable of doing when I am around him.

"How about we go and do something fun to cheer you up?" Niall asked sweetly.

"Like w-what?" I stuttered.

"We could all go shopping," he suggested.

"O-okay I guess," I said pulling away from his comforting grasp. He reached up and wiped away the tear streaks that covered my cheeks.

As we roamed through the shops I began to feel better. The boys would try on girly dresses to make me laugh, Anna and Emma secretly taking pictures for us to laugh at on a rainy day. We were currently searching in Topshop for our next photo shoot. I was holding a dress up in front of Niall trying to convince him to try it on.

"Please Nialler! For me?" I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.

"No Natalie. I've already tried on three different dresses! Go ask Zayn," he suggested.

"But I think-"

I was cut off by someone saying my name sharply across the store. I felt myself cringe when I recognized his voice.

"Natalie! What the fuck?" Andrew yelled as he stormed over to Niall and I.

"Andrew its nothing-" I began.

"Shut up," he said grabbing my wrist. Andrew pulled me away from Niall and across the store. I resisted, finally getting him to stop near the entrance. He shoved me towards a display on the nearest wall.

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