Walking in the Wind One Direction EDITING

8. Save You Tonight

Once we were back home, my mother eagerly recounted the day's events to our stepfather. Tomorrow was another audition day for the contestants, and bootcamp would start the day after. Jade and I had plenty of time to start packing, so we decided to relax for the evening. We ordered pizza and watched a movie together. Afterward, I had some tea with honey before heading to bed early.

The next morning, Jade and I took a break from packing to lounge on the couch. There was no rush; we had the whole afternoon. She was sprawled on the other side of the couch, scrolling on her phone and sending me memes. Our cat lay curled up on my lap, purring softly.

*Ping* Another notification from Jade.

"Jesus Jade I'm right here just show me your phone." I joke.

"Nah, then I'd have to get up and see your disgusting face," she fires back with a grin.

*Ding Dong* The doorbell rings, and the cat bolts off my lap. Jade doesn't even glance up.

"Alright, I'll get it," I mutter, annoyed, as I stand. "It's probably for you anyway." She mumbles, sinking deeper into the couch.

As I walk to the hallway, my stomach twists when I see who's at the door through the small window. It's John.

I freeze. Okay breathe in breathe out.

John is my ex boyfriend. Or maybe in this timeframe he's my boyfriend still. He's 3 years older than me. And has, last time I checked, 27 tattoos. He also drives a beat up Honda civic. And did I mention he's a dick?

I open the door, and he smirks. "Hey, babe." The way he says it makes my skin crawl.

It disgusts me, the way he calls me 'babe'.

"Hey," I say flatly, standing in the doorway to block him from coming in.

In my timeline we've already broken up, but I guess in this one we just started dating.

"Can't I come in?" he asks, looking confused. "How was the audition?"

"It went great. Jade and I leave for bootcamp tomorrow," I reply, my tone firm.

I don't know how he knows about the audition, but frankly I don't care. This relationship ends today. I won't let him treat me like he did before again. Last time it took me years to figure out he's a narcissist, but this time round I already know.

"Is that John? Hi, John!" my mother calls cheerfully from the stairs.

I roll my eyes. "I'm grabbing my coat. We're going for a walk," I say, snatching my coat from the hanger.

We walk side by side through the neighborhood while I'm trying to figure out a way to break up with him.

Can't really blame it on the things he hasn't done yet.

"So, both you and Jade made it to bootcamp, huh?" John finally breaks the silence.

"Yeah," I say, taking a deep breath. "John, listen. I can't do this. I think we need to break up."

"What?" His voice sharpens. "Why would you say that? We're great. I'm great."

Sure, great enough to lie, cheat, and gaslight me—but not anymore.

"John, I mean it. We're over." I look him straight in the eyes. "I'm not feeling it, I'm not feeling the love."

"What do you mean, 'not feeling it'? Last week, I bought you flowers and dinner!" His tone grows angrier.

Ah the love bombing stage. Can't believe I ever fell for that.

"There must be someone else." He shrugs, "I don't see any other reason why you'd break up with me."

"Trust me John there's not. I'm just not feeling it. And with bootcamp coming up, I might actually make it as a singer. I don't want to be tied down." I cross my arms.

*Ping*

"Who's that then?" His eyes narrow as he grabs my phone from my hand.

"That's probably Jade sending another meme. Why can't you just accept that sometimes it's just you. No excuses no one else. It's just that I don't want to be with you." I start to get angry.

Who does he think he is grabbing my phone from me like that.

"Yes does this sound like Jade? "'Hey Teacup, had so much fun with you yesterday. You're the cutest snack thief I've ever met. X, Liam.' Oh, and look—a picture of you two together!" His voice drips with venom, his grip tightening on my phone.

"Give that back!" I shout. "I literally just met the guy. Jades also in that picture. He's not the reason we're breaking up right now." Before I can grab my phone, his hand shoots to my throat, slamming me against the wall.

I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

I struggle to get out of his grip but to no avail. "You're just a disgusting little slut!" he spits, his face inches from mine. His grip tightens, and my vision blurs.

A man walking his dog turns into the alleyway. He must've heard John screaming because he stops and stares.

The distraction makes John loosen his grip. I collapse to the ground, gasping for air, as my phone clatters beside me.

"Where do you think you're going?" the stranger says, grabbing John by the shirt.

I look up, still coughing, as John stammers, "I—I—" The strangers back is turned to me and his dog starts barking loudly.

"I said where do you think you're going." The stranger calmly repeats himself. "I uh I.." John stammers. Without warning, the stranger slams his fist into John's nose. Blood pours as John staggers back.

John almost collapses as I see the blood gushing from his nose. "Ah man I think you broke it." He reaches for his nose, snorts, and starts running.

"Too bad actions have consequences." The stranger yells after him.

The man turns to me and kneels down. Finally, I see the face of my savior.

Louis Tomlinson.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice soft with concern.