Shocking Secrets

Chapter 4

Steven put his arm around my shoulder as he sat down.

"Long time, no see. Niall. " he said through gritted teeth.

Niall only nodded in response, glancing at me.

Steven leaned into me, I could feel his breath in my ear. He made it look like he was kissing my cheek while he quickly growled in my ear.

" I can track your phone, even when its off.

My breath hitched, I was sure I'di be able to avoid him with my phone off.

If making a conversation between Niall an myself had been hard before. It was even harder with Steven here.

" How'd you find us?" Niall got straight to the point.

" I know my girl." his arm constricted around my waist. " Why are you worried about it? Trying to hide her? "

There was a moment of awkward silence as he stared at Niall. Then he chuckled.

"Just kidding." his eyes still boring into Niall.

Steven ordered his plate while me and Niall talked about different sites around the city.

" There is this art museum on main. Oh my goodness!" I said. " I absolutely love it. It mixes modern, contemporary, old. It's great."

Without noticing I picked up a small fry from my plate and popped it into my mouth.

Steven glared at me and I picked up another.

" Seriously, " he said lowly. " do you look like you need fries? I'd stop if I were you."

I nervously glanced at Niall who I guessed was pretending he hadn't heard anything. Tears stung my eyes. I was completely embarrassed.

NIALL'S POV

I turned my head away hoping to look like I hadn't heard anything.

When I looked back Maddie looked awful. She was staring at her stomach and shifting trying to find a position that made it look smaller. Tears formed in her eyes.

The worst part was Steven. As his girlfriend sat there hating herself, he looked accomplished. He'd wanted her to feel like this. He wanted control.

I felt my anger boil inside of me. She was beautiful, and here she sat looking like she wanted to disappear. She looked around at everyone judging their facing, wanting to know if they had seen her eat, wondering if the though the same as Steven.

I was furious.

" I have to go, " I lied.

I was torn, I didn't want to leave her alone with him. But the outcome would be worse if I stayed here any longer to watch him treat her like this.

" We should go to that art museum, Maddie. " I said

A small smile creeped onto her face.

"Yeah."

Her body jerked slightly as Steven's elbow caught her side. She quickly realized her mistake

" You, Steven, and I. Maybe.." she trailed off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MADDIE'S POV

I came down the stairs to face Steven in the living room. The fresh bruise still stung on my stomach.

"Apology?" he asked. "Where's my apology!"

He stood, advancing toward me.

" I'm sorry!" I weeped, shoving my arms out trying to keep the distance between us.

"That's better." he said

Now coming towards me slowly Steven took my arms in his hands and enveloped me in a hug.

"I'm sorry." I repeated in a crying whisper.

I knew that I drove him to his anger. If I had just listened none of this would have happened. But there was that part of me that wanted to challenge him.

I got a thrill from it.

But he scared the shit out of me. That I can confess.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

(A/N)

What do you think? I'm pretty sure there's only one person reading this. So thank you.