Taken by One Direction

Chapter 30: Freedom

I woke a few hours later. The bus was completely dark and all the bunks were occupied, so I assumed it was night. Zayn lay next to me, but above the blankets. His torso was bare and sweatpants lay low on his hip. I sighed and rested my head back on the pillow. I just wanted to leave.

Slowly I sat up and crawled to the end of the bed, by Zayn's feet. I did my best to crawl over his feet without touching them and then hopped down from the bunk, quietly. I tiptoed to the kitchenette and plopped down in the booth.

It was 4 a.m. Great.

I buried my head in my hands and cried the few tears that I had left in my body. I couldn't do this. I didn't think I could bear the physical and emotional turmoil that these boys were putting me through, intentional or not.

I just sat there, by myself, until Liam woke up. Two hours. I sat by myself for two hours just doing nothing.

"Are you alright, love?" He asked me cautiously. I flinched at his voice, the bruise on my face throbbed at the sound of his voice; a painful reminder.

Liam winced once he saw my reaction to his presence.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied as I wiped the dried tears from my face. His face took on a sympathetic appeal.

"Well, is it alright if I go for a run? The other boys will be up soon. Well, not Harry or Zayn; they sleep until noon. But, Niall and-" He stopped abruptly, not willing to say his name.

"Niall will be up soon." He finished awkwardly. He spun around and headed for the door. The feeling of guilt consumed me, so I acted without thinking.

"Liam, wait!" I called as I stood up and rushed to him. He turned to face me cautiously.

"I forgive you. I mean, it was, er, an accident, right?" I muttered. I didn't look up, but I knew that a grin had spread across his face. His whole attitude shifted. His posture straightened and his aura brightened.

"Really, Katie?" He gasped and rushed forward to me. His thick, muscular arms engulfed me into a hug. Although I got a strange sense of joy from his happiness, I felt uncomfortable in his arms.

"Er, Liam..."

"Right, sorry." He released me and backed away, blushing.

"Thanks, Katie." He nodded towards me as he unlocked the bus door and stepped out. I heard him lock the door again and then watched as he jogged down the road. I was left alone for another hour or so before Niall appeared.

In this hour, I didn't just sit there like I had before. At least I was sane enough to turn on the TV.

"Good morning, Katie!" Niall chirped happily as he pulled out a new box of cereal and plopped down across from me.

"Morning," I grunted without looking up from the TV. He watched with me while he shoveled down the entirety of the cereal box. It wasn't long until Louis was up. He didn't look at me, speak to me or even acknowledge me. He walked straight passed me and sat on top of the kitchenette counter while he gulped down the orange juice.

"Hi Louis," I smiled at him warmly. He took a wary glance in my direction before looking away again.

"Hello." He muttered coldly and curtly. What was up with him? Harry and Zayn came in not five minutes later and shot dirty looks between me and Lou. Whatever.

"Good morning," Zayn muttered in his sleepy voice before scooting in next to me. I slid over to make room, wanting to be as far away as possible.

"We have another gig here before we go on the road again." Niall informed me between handfuls of food.