Humane (Liam Payne)

Chapter 8 ~ Parker

Chapter 8 ~ Parker

Who the hell does Liam think he is? He just came up to me and started asking me all these questions about my life and what I was telling Niall. He has no right to know! That’s personal and I had never told anyone. Even if I had a best friend—I know, sad, right?—I wouldn’t tell him/her. It’s something that’s deep inside me, but it kills me every day, and every day is a struggle.

That’s why I’m so angry at Liam. He has no idea what happened and he acts like it’s no big deal if I tell him. He doesn’t know anything! Unless I’m drunk or on drugs or something, he never will. However, I do feel kind of bad though, for yelling at him. It’s not my fault he looked so attractive in that tank top he was wearing. I’m just like other girls; I love them as a band. I had them on loop when things were…happening. One Direction and their music kept me sane and grounded, something I will never be able to repay them for. They have no idea how much they mean to me. I know it’s pretty lame for a 19 year old to love a boy band so much. But their music reaches so many levels—levels that some people can’t see. But that doesn’t change the fact that Liam is a nosy and annoying person.

Going out into the public eye with Niall —swoon— made me a little more confident. Now, I don’t spend 24 hours a day under my tarp. As long as my face is hidden, I go anywhere I want. Yes, this could be dangerous, but there’s only so much I can handle in the alley. The constant lack of sun, the rodents, the smell; it isn’t the ideal place to go when you “move out” as I like to call it.

I had been thinking a lot about Liam’s offer, the one he made twice already, and the one I declined twice. It would be nice to have someplace to stay, even if it was with someone I didn’t particularly like. But then, a smile formed on my face when I really thought about it. I would be staying in Liam Payne’s house. Maybe I would be able to see the rest of the boys too. I didn’t admit this to anyone—let alone myself—but I was so scared. I was scared that the cops would find me here when I was sleeping and take me to my parents. That could not happen. The guilt would kill me.

The street I had been walking down was empty. My mind was wondering now, so I didn’t notice anyone or anything around me, until I heard a car come rumbling down the street. My head snapped up and my heart stopped beating. I knew that sound, I knew that car. No. God, please no. I turned sharply around, and like I expected, it was them. With adrenaline pulsing through my veins, I began sprinting down the street, away from the car. This cannot be happening. Keep running. Don’t stop. Faster.

Fear consumed me as I pumped my legs faster, the only thing running through my mind was that I had to hide, I had to get away. But my plan was soon paused when I crashed into someone, knocking them and myself to the ground—hard.

“Ouch! Parker, are you okay? What’s happening?” a familiar voice said. Liam. I scrambled to my hands and knees, pulling him with me behind a truck that was halfway parked inside an alley. My back was pressed tightly against the truck as I held my breath in my lungs. I shut my eyes so tight I saw spots. Liam kept asking me what was wrong and what was happening, but I blocked out his voice, wishing he would shut up. All I focused on was the sound of the car as it faded away, and only then did I begin breathing again; deep breaths to calm myself down. Only I couldn’t. It was impossible; it was too close of a call. My shoulders shook, tears rolling down my cheeks. I didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if they saw me.

“Parker?” Liam asked softly, one of his hands rubbing my back. I couldn’t answer. He brought me closer to him, pulling me to his chest, but I pushed him away.

“Get away!” I screamed, hiding my face in my hands. It was too much. Liam backed up, and didn’t make a sound until I was silent.

“Who was that, Parker?” He whispered, looking at me.