The Promise

Chapter 4

Couldn't leave you hanging, so here's the X-Factor results! Drum roll please!

-Harry-

She looked more than nervous, she looked terrified. She looked like the vulnerable little girl I found in a shed about a month ago. I gently patted her back, and held her hand. She squeezed mine the instant I put it on hers.

"It's gonna be ok Mel, and if neither of us make it, at least we tried." She gave me a small smile and went back to chewing her nails, a bad habit she had when she was nervous.

"Hi!" said a cheerful voice behind me. I turned and saw a pretty girl with long black waves.

"Hello!" I said politely.

"I'm Izabel Portman, but please, call me Izzy," she said extending her hand to shake. I shook her hand and introduced Mel and myself.

"I'm Harry, and this is my friend, Melody." Mel looked over and smiled shyly.

"Hi there," she practically whispered. Izzy smiled, and made small talk as we waited.

"Alright everyone! When you hear your name come collect your results!" a man shouted. Everyone stopped talking and paid attention to the names the man was calling out.

"Melody Griffin!" Melody jumped at the man calling her name, but I pushed her toward him to collect her results.

"Are you in?" I asked.

"Let's open them together, the three of us." I nodded and so did Izzy.

"Harry Styles!" I collected my results, and Izzy soon after.

"Ok guys, on the count of 3. 1...2...3!" We tore open our envelopes and read the letters.

"I'm in! I can't believe I got in!" I cheered, jumping up and down.

"I didn't make it," Izzy pouted. I patted her back and looked at Melody. She was holding her piece of paper, and it didn't look like she was breathing.

"Mel? Are you alright love?" I waved my hand in front of her eyes and she didn't blink. She always blinks, something's wrong. I took her paper and read it.

"Mel? Did you even read it?" I asked, handing Izzy the paper.

"Melody, you got in!" she squealed. That seemed to make her snap out of her trance.

"What? Wait what? (A/N: Just open the cell doors? xD AAoOD) I got in?" She took the letter back and actually read it. "Oh my gosh! I'm in!" she squealed.

"We're gonna stay in contact right? I live in Cheshire, how about you guys?" Izzy asked.

"We share a flat in Cheshire. Maybe we could get together some time," I said. I ripped a piece of paper off, and wrote our phone numbers down. I handed them to Izzy, who put the paper in her pocket, waved goodbye, and left.

"Alright! Those of you who get to stay, follow me!" the man from earlier called. We followed him down a hall to a room where the three judges sat.

"Congratulations to you bunch, we look forward to having you on the show this season," Simon said. Melody and I were going to be on the X-Factor.

*Weeks later*

"Louis! Don't do that!" I shouted. Louis had sprayed silly string in my hair, and it was going to be impossible to get out. During these last few weeks, Simon put Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and I in a group to compete in the X-Factor together. Melody was put in a group as well, but not ours. I thought that part was a little depressing. I had to be separated from her most of the competition, and it sucked.

"I'm sorry boo bear! I just wanted to see what it would look like!" Louis pouted.

"It actually looks hilarious," Niall laughed. I gave him a glare and he stopped, but he was still giggling. Stupid leprechaun.

"You know what else looks hilarious, your shampoo being replaced with pink hair dye!" I snapped. He put his hands up in surrender and walked away.

"Dude, are you PMSing or something?" Zayn asked, walking in as Niall left.

"No, he's just upset because he hasn't seen Melody in a while," Louis said before I could speak. The man gets me, you have to admit.

"Who's she, your girlfriend or something?" Liam cooed.

"No, she's my best friend," I murmured.

"I thought I was your best friend!" Louis whined.

"You are, but you're more of a very good friend. I've known Melody for years, and I've been through more with her," I said, cringing at the memory of the first time she lied about her bruises.

"Like what? Did you two go through the X-Factor together?" he sassed.

"No, but I saved her life." Louis froze, and gave me a questioning look.

"Saved her life? When was she in a life threatening situation?" Zayn asked.

"It's a long story."

"We're listening." Niall and Liam entered the room and sat down. I sighed.

"Alright. One night I was strolling through her neighborhood, and I heard screaming from her yard. I ran back there and into this shed, where I saw her uncle hitting her with a wine bottle. I ran in there and took him down, and gave her my favorite necklace to protect her. I also made an important promise that night. I promised that I would never let anyone hurt her again." I looked around and saw tears streaming down Louis' face, Niall's, and Liam's. Zayn's face only hardened, and he stared at the wall.

"I'm so sorry Harry," Louis murmured. He tried to give me a hug, but I shrugged him off.

"It's ok, it's in the past. Ryan won't hurt her again."

Hope you're enjoying! Please comment on how I'm doing or what I can do to be better. I'll update again soon!

niallerloverx