Don't Think, Just Jump

Let Me Help You

"D-Do you want me to drive?" She offered, looking over the boy wincing in the driver's seat. The blood was now beginning to dry on the crest of his lip and he looked like he could barely move.

"No, I've got this." Niall straightened up and shoved the key into the ignition. When the engine roared to life, a tentative smile danced on his lips. "By the way, not to be nosey, but do you live with that guy?"

There was a still silence in the car while the motor hummed quietly. He pulled away from the curb, but drove slowly as he wasn't sure where he was going yet. Surely he couldn't take her home to that horrid man... No, not man. No man would ever do that to a woman. He thought. Evan was a monster.

"Sorry." He sighed. "It's not my place to ask... I just figured that if you lived with him, now would not be a good time to go home..."

"No... It's okay. I get it." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes... I live with him..."

"Well then... This may seem quite weird of me to say this, but you can stay with me if you have nowhere else to go..." He sat there for a moment, gaging her reaction.

"Y-You don't have to worry about me... And anyway, if I don't get home tonight, it will only make Evan even more furious with me..."

"He can get angrier than that?!" Niall's jaw dropped almost to the floor. "That bloke damn near broke my face! I mean... It's not much to look at, but come on!"

"...I think you have a nice face..." They stared at each other for what seemed like years before they both erupted with laughter. The blonde boy reached over the armrest and placed his hand onto the girl's. He frowned slightly at the small red marks on her wrist.

"Please," He became serious. "Just let me protect you. Just for tonight."

"I-I don't know... Evan will be-"

"Forget about Evan. He doesn't deserve a girl like you."

"You're wrong." She moved her hand out of the boy's grip and tugged her sleeve over her palm.

"How am I wrong?"

"I don't deserve him... He took me in when no one else would. I'm good for nothing."

Niall hit the brakes hard, swerving to the side of the road.

"Don't ever say that. No human being alive should ever think that about themselves. Especially a girl as special as you."

"We just met tonight. You don't even know me."

"I think I know you better than you know yourself." Another long silence ensued.

"Okay." She looked at the carpeted floor and Niall could swear that he saw tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry... Please just, will you consider letting me take you in at least for tonight?"

"I... Yes. Okay." The young girl nodded weakly.

"Aright then. You can have my bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

"No, It's okay. I'll take the couch. I can't just intrude like that..."

"You're my guest. You'll have the bed." He smiled warmly. "I don't mind."

"Thanks." The rest of the car ride was spent in yet another awkward silence. When they arrived in the diveway of Niall's small bungalow, he removed the keys from the ignition and reclined in his Seat with a groan.

"Are you okay?" Michelle worried.

"Yea, I'm fine. That Evan bloke sure did a number on me though..."