Princess Clary (One Direction Fan Fiction)

3

AN - There is violence in this chapter. It doesn't go into great detail but I figured I'd warn you just in case. 

     Harry helped me carry the mugs back to the employee room and I squeezed between Toby and Niall. "So why are you and the boys in town?" I asked, letting my coffee warm my face. "Aren't you on some sort of break?"

     Niall nodded, sipping his coffee. "We're taking time off for a while," he explained. "We're spending some time all together instead of splitting up." Niall kept his eyes on Harry which I didn't understand. Awkward silence filled the air and I tapped Toby's leg with mine to get him to break the silence.

     "Why don't you all come by my place for dinner tonight?" he offered, sending me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure I can close up early and we can make an evening of it." The boys all looked at each other as if they were speaking without words and I laughed at their strange looks.

     "That sounds perfect," Niall said. "Clary do you mind if I stop by your house and say hello to your parents?" I felt my cheeks redden deeply and Niall and Toby caught on quickly. Toby took my hand, tracing circles with his thumb and I took a deep breath.

     "Let me talk to you for a moment before you go?" I asked Niall. He nodded and walked back out to the alley. "I left home today," I said, looking everywhere except Niall's eyes. "My dad bruised my arm," I said, looking at my arm. It had changed to a deep blue and purple. "I'm 19 years old and I don't need them anymore."

     Niall said nothing but he held me, kissing my forehead protectively. "You're a princess," he whispered to me. "Toby will take care of you. I'll take care of you." He looked at something behind me, probably the boys coming outside. "I'll see you soon," he said, giving me a reassuring squeeze before letting me go. 

     I smiled at the other boys before heading back inside to help Toby. "Is anyone else coming in to work today?" I asked, washing the mugs by hand rather than wasting an entire dish cycle. "I think Elle should be in soon?"

     "She's here from noon to close," Toby said, making another pot of coffee before organizing pastries in the display case. "We'll head home around 4," he said, leaving a kiss on my cheek. The large grandfather clock behind the register read 11:57 and I sighed, stacking the mugs back in the cabinet.

     Elle came through the front door, humming to some song that was playing through her headphones. "Hello lovelies!" she said, kissing Toby's cheek and giving me a hug. I laughed as she set her bag in the employee room, but even just her presence could make me feel better. She was an aspiring stage performer (like broadway) and I knew one day she'd get there without a doubt.

     "We're closing around 4 today," Theo said, stealing a muffin from the oven. "The shop is pretty dead today anyway." Elle nodded, getting to work on fresh cookies and muffins. I sighed and rested against the counter until the last person I wanted to see walked through the front door. 

     My father walked behind the counter, ignoring every employee's only sign, grabbing me and dragging me back towards the alley. Elle stood in complete shock but Toby followed us outside. He threw me to the ground and I scraped my hands on the gravel. I closed my eyes and felt my fathers foot connect with my ribs once, twice, three times before my arms gave out. 

     "Sir I suggest you leave before I call the police," I could hear Toby shout. I watched as he pushed my dad out into the alley until he gave up and walked away. "Don't move," Toby said, getting on his knees beside me. "I smelled alcohol on his breath." He cradled me in his arms and sat me on the ground beside Elle.

     "Just for you," Elle said, handing me a plate of cookies. She sat next to me, letting me rest my head on her shoulder. "I didn't realize it was that bad Clary," she said into my hair. "Toby will fix everything and I'll do everything I can. I promise." I closed my eyes and let the world fade away.

AN - So Clary's dad was way more violent than anticipated? This is not going to be a huge part of the story, but she needed a legitimate reason to want to leave home. Don't worry, the story is more about Clary building her relationship with all of the boys. I know this is chapter 3, but I think I want this to be a 2 book set or a trilogy, with the next part being Clary's relationship with one specific boy (I haven't decided) and then the third being Clary and Niall and Toby as kids. Also, if I write "Theo" at all, know that I mean Toby haha