Humane (Liam Payne)

Chapter 14 ~ Parker

Chapter 14 ~ Parker

Things couldn't be worse. Liam was being way too polite, after I had been nothing but a bitch to him. It made my blood boil when he paid for my swim suit. That was a way of saying, "I know you don't have a lot of money, and you can't support yourself, so here, let me take something out of my giant pile of money to pay for you. It's really no big deal."

Why did he do that? He really shouldn't have. There was no better way to make me feel small, hopeless and meaningless, like I couldn't fend for myself. The whole way to the beach I listened to the radio and stared out the window.

"We're here." Liam said plainly when he parked the car. I sighed and got out, letting the sun warm my skin. I slung my bag over my shoulder.

"I'm going to change." I told Liam, and then turned on my heel and made a beeline for the bathroom. When Liam was helping me with my tangled suit in the store, my skin was warm but his felt hotter. It was like wherever he touched me was being licked by flames. Having him touching me-even if it wasn't anything more than it was-it was strange.

Once I got my suit on, I slipped my flip flops on my feet and went to where Liam and the boys were. I spotted a head of long blond hair, and I smiled slightly when I saw that Amabel was with them. That was great; I didn't want to spend the day alone with five boys that I didn't know that well, whether they're One Direction or not. "You're here!" Amabel cried when she saw me, running over and tackling me in a hug.

I laughed, and hugged her back. She was such a sweet person. She acted differently than what the magazines portrayed her. In real life she gave great advice and treated you like you had been friends for years. I really wanted to become friends, but I guess for her we were already on that page. "Hey." I smiled.

"What's up?" Harry asked, coming up beside the blonde girl and wrapping an arm around her waist. It was unbelievable how great they looked together.

"Hey, Harry." I waved, and went to say hi to the rest of the boys. They all waved and gave me hugs as well, which I wasn't expecting. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be at the beach with One Direction, with them shirtless and hugging me. It was unreal.

"You look great." Liam said suddenly from behind me.

I turned around quickly, a scowl on my face. "What?"

His brown eyes widened. "Umm... nothing. Never mind," He said, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

Heart racing, I turned back around and lay down next to Amabel. I felt multiple pairs of eyes on me but I just slipped on my sunglasses and ignored it. "Hey!" a deep voice next to me. I propped myself up on my elbows and lifted up my shades to see Harry lying next to me.

"Hi." I said, smiling.

"How are you?" He asked.

"I've been better." I told him honestly. All of these thoughts constantly running through my head were jumbled but it could be worse I guess.

Harry scooted closer. "You can talk to me, Parker."

I half-smiled. "Thanks, Harry, but I don't want to bother you like that."

"You wouldn't! I don't want to see you get hurt. You're part of the group now, I guess." He flashed me his swoon-worthy smile.

"The group?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. We're all best friends here." Harry said, motioning with one hand to everyone else, who was in the water already.

"I don't think so, Harry."

"Why not? We all like you. Amabel is grateful for another girl to be around." He chuckled.

I was difficult to explain. "I don't want to settle down." I admitted, and once I started, it was harder and harder not to tell him everything. "I don't want to get too comfortable. If I do, it'll be easier for someone to find me. I don't think my parents will give up."

"Why do you think that?"

"They care too much," I scowled, looking out at the water. "And they shouldn't."

"Parker, I care about you, and I want to help you. Whenever you're ready, you can tell me." Harry said, and I could tell how sincere he was. It made my heart melt knowing I had someone to count on. I knew just from this conversation that I could trust Harry.

I smiled. "Thanks, Harry. That means a lot."

He pushed my arm playfully. "No problem, partner!"

I laughed at loud. I was really going to enjoy being around these boys. A part of me told me it wasn't safe, that I should get a job and move out, but something was making me stay.

***

Once the sun was about to set, we were saying our goodbyes, and packing everything up. The six of them were talking, and I was standing a few feet away waiting for Liam to drive us back "home." I don't think I'll ever be able to call his apartment "home." You know that saying "home is where the heart is"? Well I don't really have a home, so I think my heart is just following me wherever I go, not knowing where I'm headed.

"Parker?" Harry asked me.

"Yeah?" I said, coming out of my thoughts.

"Have Liam give you my number. Call me anytime okay? Or Amabel." He smiled whole-heartedly.

I nodded, and let out a sigh. "Okay. Thanks, Harry."

"No problem," he replied, and gave me a bear hug. When he pulled away, he waved before jogging over to his car, giving Amabel a peck on the lips, and then getting his car and driving away. Louis, Zayn and Niall got in one car as well. Before long it was just Liam and I standing in the parking lot.

"Ready?"

"Yeah," I was eager to get back and shower. The car ride was a little awkward, so Liam turned on the radio and we just listened to the country station the whole way back. When we walked inside, Liam threw his keys down on the small table by the door.

"I'm going to grab a shower." He said, and then disappeared down the hall.

I sat down on the couch and curled up into a ball, turning on the TV and watched reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond. This was too much. How was this going to work? How was I supposed to sit on Liam's couch while he's in the shower and act like everything's normal? This was killing me.

Five minutes later I heard the water shut off and I slowly got up and took a shower of my own. I cleaned myself, but don't remember doing it. My body was on auto-pilot, and I did everything manually. Once I was dressed-I had no idea what I was wearing-I numbly walked to the couch, where Liam was already sitting in grey joggers and a white t-shirt. When he saw me, he gave a small smile and patted the spot next to him. I grimaced but took it anyways.

"Harry told me to give you the boys' numbers." Liam said after a minute.

I looked over at him. "Here," I handed him my phone and he entered their numbers. When I got it back, I saw I got a text from Harry already.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? -H

I smiled slightly. He was so sweet. I texted back:

I'VE BEEN BETTER. -PARKER

Soon, my eye lids were drooping, and I was falling asleep. It was difficult to do with Liam a foot from me. My head fell and landed on his shoulder, and once I realized what was happening, I sat up and scooted farther away.

"Sorry." Liam said, "I guess I'll go to bed, then. I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, sure," I replied, settling down and getting comfortable.

It felt like I was trapped here. Obviously I wasn't-I could walk out that door if I wanted-but it sure felt like it. Staying here was like just waiting for them to come and take me away from here. Nowhere seemed safe anymore. If I went back to my parents, I wouldn't be able to handle the guilt knowing what they did. I could picture them acting like everything was back to the way it was when I didn't know what they were doing when I was sleeping. Sometimes, I wasn't asleep; they did what they did in the middle of the day so I could hear. When I did, I just hid in my room with my face in my pillow not knowing what it all meant or what it was for. Now I know, and it makes me sick.



I turned off the TV and when to my room. Stomach churning and mind racing, I found sleep, but it sure wasn't peaceful.

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I hope you liked this chapter. I love Harry so much in this, he's so sweet.

Tomorrow (the 8th) is my birthday. Who knows? You might get a surprise update tomorrow. ;)

Alli, x