Second Chances

Chapter 14

"Where is this automobile place?" I questioned Harry as I slid off of his back and onto the road. He let go of my legs and turned towards me.

"Huh?" he looked confused.

"You said you were renting motorcycles." his confused nature is actually quite cute. Wait, no. No it's not. Keep telling yourself that.

"You thought I was serious?" he smirked that famous smirk of his. "We're in the middle of nowhere. There isn't a business that could possibly be down here." he turned around next to Niall and they continued to walk. I dragged on behind them, unsure of whether or not I should take him seriously anymore. I wish I could let all my feelings out, scream at him, beg him to take me home. But at the same time, I wanted to hug him, tell Harry that he was so much better than my mom. But I couldn't, and I sure as hell was not letting him see me so broken down. I will not let myself be vulnerable like that. Not again, at least.

"Grace?" I snapped out of my thoughts and turned my attention to Niall's voice.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"Um," my mouth went dry when Harry turned around, looking at our exchange like Niall had asked asked me some personal question. I nodded instead, dismissing his question. Niall's inhaled deeply. They continued to walk but I didn't. I can't do this anymore. I can't not know where I am all the time. I am not wasting days of my life just trying to find out what I have to do and who I have to trust just to stay alive. There's only one thing, I thought, one thing that could be my last hope to get away from this mess.
That's when I called Zayn.

***

"Hello?" his voice was messy and sleepy, sounding like I had woken him.

"Zayn, it's Grace." I spoke quietly.

"Grace? What's wrong? Where are you?" I heard rustling behind him. He was getting up.

"I don't know where I am, I was just in a car accident-"

"What!?" he yelled. I threw my hand over the speaker but it was too late, Harry turned around. He stormed towards me.

"Who is that?" he snapped. I shoved the phone in my pocket.

"Uhm, nothing. Nobody." I lied. He stared at me, the green jealousy seeping through his expression. His teeth were holding the tip of his tongue, I could tell he was trying to stay calm. I put my hand on his arm, immediately his eyes fell down to my wrist, forgetting everything I'd said.

"It's Zayn." I said, trying to remain calm myself, not cry, scream, or do God knows what. His eyes shot back up, much to quickly for my comfort. I flinched back a little, taken aback by his sudden anger. He saw, quickly, his eyes turned soft again and the Harry I much rather preferred came back.

"Okay," he said. "I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine, I'll be quick." I said, trembling surprisingly noticeably. Whatever I was about Harry made me feel every emotion at once, an illusion of his I feared was only valid against me.

"Hello?" Zayn said again. I pulled the phone out, forgetting that I hadn't hung up.

"Sorry," was my first reaction.

"What did he do? I heard him, he didn't hurt you, right?" his voice was so desperate.

"I'm okay, Zayn. I just feel afraid." I couldn't believe I was doing this, on the verge of pouring my heart out to a stranger. Even though those feelings were also caused by a stranger.

"Why?" his voice was lower now, serious, but not nervous.

I hesitated.

"Grace," he said. I felt tears prick my eyelids, but I refused to blink and let them out. "Please don't cry." he said throughout the phone. I turned away from where Harry and Niall stood, waiting for me. I wasn't letting them see me. It was back enough that Zayn heard me.

"I'm so pathetic. What am I doing? I knew my life was pointless but I didn't..." I couldn't finish, I was not going to have a pity party in a deserted road, ranting to a person I don't know.

"No it's not. He's just manipulating you, don't you see?" he said.

"What?"

"Nothing. Where are you? Tell Harry I'm coming to get you."

I hesitated.

"Okay." my voice shook. I looked over to the boys, who were looking at me.
"Zayn wants to know where we are so he can come get me."

Harry's shoulders tensed and Niall sighed in relief.
"I don't know," Harry spoke. "I don't know where we are." he finished.

I quickly hung up rudely before he could respond and tell me not to. I walked over to them, slipping my almost-dead phone back into the cloth of my pants.

"I think we all need to talk," No all said. I nodded, trying to keep calm.

Okay, Your whole life is falling apart and you think talking will fix it?

I pushed my slightly relevant thoughts away. I was about to talk when I noticed Harry was missing.

"Where's Harry?" I asked. Niall pointed across the empty street. I walked over to him. His head was down, his curls flopped around his face, and his long fingers rubbed his temple.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Much and placed itself in his shoulder. He looked over to me with stress, anger, and guilt in his face. He looked away and shrugged.

"This is uhm," he rubbed the back of his neck. "This is obviously happening really fast... And it's my fault." he whispered. I didn't object, because he was right. I instead nodded, taking it in.

"I want to go home." is blurted. I didn't realize I said it until it came out.

Where is your home?

"I thought you-"
"Yes, I hate my mom."
"Then why leave? Stay with me."
"It's not that simple, Harry."
"Yes, it is."
"I'm not your girlfriend and I'm not your family. Therefor, I can't, and won't, live with you."