piper [n.h.] -Discontinued.

Chapter Thirteen

"Hey! There he is." Sara tells the others, who turn their attention to the front door. I grab Piper's hand and hide her behind my back.

"And who's this?" She smiles, looking over at Derrick, who silently sips on his beer.

"Piper. It's nice to meet you." Piper sticks her hand out for Sara to shake.

"Oh no. In this group, we hug." She pulls Piper in and wraps her arms around her. She gently squeezes and Piper squeaks. I glance over at Derrick, who's now shaking his head.

"She's a hugger. Sorry Pip." He pulls up a chair for her to sit.

"Do you want something to drink?" I whisper in her ear, over the loud music. She shakes her head.

"You can have one if you want. Don't let me stop you."

"No I'm good." I stand next to her, looking around for Will. He's not here, so there's a plus.

"No alcohol for the Irish man? That's odd." Ian says, checking out Piper. I wonder if he can feel my eyes glaring at him. He must, because his head whips around to me.

"Hey can I speak to you real quick?" Ian asks. I nod and he pulls me over to the side. At least he isn't mentally undressing Piper now.

"Who's she, man?"

"Piper? She's my friend."

"Just a friend?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Why?"

"So you wouldn't mind if I took her home right now and fucked her senseless, right?"

I feel my whole body stiffen. "You won't fucking touch her, got it?" I want to bash my fist into the side of his skull right now.

"Oh but she's just your friend. It doesn't matter. I'm gonna enjoy pounding her tonight."

"Listen here, you fucking asshole. You won't lay a god damn finger on her or I will beat the shit out of you. And if I ever hear you talk about her that way, I'll rip your fucking tongue out so you don't speak ever again." I didn't realize I was grabbing him by his shirt. I let him go before I decide to kill him.

"I knew she wasn't just your friend. I know you better than that, Niall. So what then? Are you banging her?"

"No!" That came out louder than expected. Piper glances over with a worried look on her face. I manage to give a little smile and she turns around.

"You're not? Wow..."

"Not everything is about sex, Ian."

"But to you, everything is. What's gotten into you? Well I know what's not gotten into Piper..."

"Stop! I'm not going to take advantage of her. You don't even know what she's been through."

"Are you going to tell me then?"

"It's none of your god damn business." I return to Piper and the others before he can say anything else.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing. We should leave."

"Oh. Okay." She stands up and faces me. She knows something's wrong, but doesn't ask.

"I'm fine. But lets go back to my place now."

As I say goodbye to my friends, except Ian, I notice Piper's expression change. She grips on to my shoulders.

"Hide me." She mumbles.

"What?" I turn around to where she's looking and see him. Will. With another girl in his arms.

"He's cheating on me. Again."

"How many times has he cheated on you exactly?"

"I lost count. But if he sees me here.."

"He won't see you. We're leaving. Keep your head down and stay close to me."

She follows my instructions, and we are almost outside until she stops.

"C'mon Piper we have to go." I whisper, trying not to get anyone's attention. She's looking at him. He's all over this new girl. Kissing her neck, making her giggle. Why didn't he do that with Piper? Instead, he beat her and treated her like shit.

"I..."

"No, Piper. We have to go." I repeat, dragging her away from this heartbreaking scene.

When we get in the car, she doesn't speak. She doesn't move. She just stares ahead the whole ride home.

I turn into the apartment parking lot and shut off the car. We just sit in there, both of us afraid to move.

"He doesn't even care that I'm gone." She whispers, her tears falling silently.

"Fuck him. I care. I care that you're here right now with me. I care that you're still alive. I care, Piper."