Shocking Secrets

Chapter 8

I stalked from the bathroom with nothing but a towel around my torso.

"Who is it!" I screamed once more, but the knocking continued.

*knock**knock*

Okay, whoever it was will just have to deal with me in my towel.

*knock**knock**knock**knock*

I was fed up, and on my last nerve. The warm tub had been my oasis for about 10 minutes before the incessant knocking had started and they wouldn't quit long enough for me to even think about putting clothes on!

*knock**knock*

"OKAY! OKAY! I'm coming. Sheesh!"

I rounded the corner towards the door, stomping along with my wet feet. I wrenched the door open and stared right into ocean blue eyes.

They literally sparkled. I had never seen anyone's eyes sparkle.

"Maddie!" A familiar Irish accent said.

Before I knew what was happening he was through my front door.

"Yeah sure, come in." I sighed under my breath. If one boy wasn't bothering me, then sure enough here's another.

I suddenly realized my lack of clothing and shuffled my way behind a big chair.

"I'll just.. Uh.. Go change."

Niall's cheeks turned fluorescent red and he quickly averted his eyes.

I fought myself as thoughts started creeping into my mind.

'He's kinda cute'

'Niall could be so much better than what you have.'

'just think about it...'

No.

No. No. No.

My issue with Steven right now was enough, an I didnt want to make my decision on marriage based on whether or not I was attracted to Niall.

There was no attraction. Point blank, period.

Blue jean shorts and a white tshirt were my choice of outfit, I was never one to go for anything girly, or anything that showed to much skin.

For one reason I was to big to consider looking decent in anything skimpy, and another was because I always had a bruise strewn here or there. And one to many bruises arouses some suspicions.

Steven was smart, he couldn't kill me. But he could hurt me. And he could find places to agonize me that no one else would see.

Why was Niall here? I had a lot on my plate, and I only had three days to sort it!

"Hello?"

When I walked back into the living room no one was there.

"Niall?" I called searching a couple other rooms. "Ni- OOMPH!"

I was tackled from behind and pinned on the floor by a giggling Niall.

"Got'cha!"

Yeah, he sure had. The only problem was that he was putting a lot of pressure on my bruised ribs which caused a lot of pain.

The pain was prominent across my face and Niall looked uneasy.

"I'm sorry." he said getting up "that was uncalled for. I just....Wanted to make you smile. "

I knew Niall was talking but I wasn't paying attention. I rolled onto my side and held my ribs in immense pain.

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

NIALL'S POV

I kneeled down beside her. Great.

I was here to make an impression, not kill her. How stupid could I be? I needed to go.

I needed to get away from her.

"Niall!" Her face was scrunched up in pain as she laid in front of me.

"oh my god, I'm so stupid!" I said. What in the actual HELL was I doing here? What did I think? That I could just waltz into her house, steal her heart, and ride away with her into the sunset?

I mean I had small, tiny, feelings for her.

But..

"Niall..." my thoughts were cut short by Maddie. "Please calm down. You look like your going completely bonkers. It's not like you killed me or anything."

I pulled her to my chest and stood up, walking her to the couch.

"I didn't know I tackled you that hard." I explained as I sat her down.

"You didn't." she said trying to force a smile.

Then, I got an uneasy feeling. If I hadn't tackled her that hard, why was she in this much pain? What was she hiding?

"Did you want me to take a look at that?" I asked pointing towards her ribs. " I'm not a doctor or anything but I'd like to make sure I didn't cause any real damaged."

I knew exactly what was wrong. Though I wanted to prove my suspicions.

"N-no!" she stuttered, leaning away from me. " it's fine"

"You sure?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Yeah." she squeaked.

Here she was. A beautiful, strong, girl scared out of her mind that I would find out what she was hiding. I don't know if it was whether she was embarrassed by it, maybe she thought she deserved it? Or whether if I found out, worse could happen.

But I was getting ahead if myself. I hadn't even seen anything to make me think she was being abused by Steven.

I just had a feeling.

Sitting in front of her now I could see just how much of a toll the relationship must take on her. She was super thin, and slight cirlcles where under her eyes.

"you should go." she spoke up. " But leave your number? Maybe we can go somewhere tomorrow. Just as friends."

She stretched out the last word, making sure I got the point.

I scribbled my number out on a leftover takeout menu and headed towards the door, her treading along behind me.

I turned to face her when I had made it out the door.

" I swear to God." I started. "If I find out that fucking bastard has laid a single finger on you, I'll kill him."

Then I turned and walked away.

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(A/N)

I know this chapter is sucky. I'm sorry.

But I want to thank you for all the votes and reads!

Xxxx