The Difference [Ziall Fanfiction]

His Savior

Niall went straight home after remembering the horrible events that took place over three months ago. His parents, Bobby and Maura immediately grew worried when they saw his red, swollen eyes and unruly appearance.  They comforted him when they finally go him to tell them what happened.

Bobby even suggested that they report to the school's principal about the jocks behavior. But Niall refused. He said he didn't want to start 'unnecessary trouble'.  "Are you sure, honey?" Maura asked, a worried look on her face. She didn't understand why Niall didn't want to ask for help from the school's principal.

Niall nodded.  Bobby shook his head.  "I won't take no for an answer, son." He said, arms folded. He was tired of seeing and hearing about his son getting bullied and hurt. He hated to see his son being treated like garbage for being who he was, for who himself. It hurt him and his wife to see their son come home everyday with a frown on his face, or with a bruise on his arm.

"This needs to end... Now."

 Niall shook his head. "J-just forget i-it, dad. I'll be fine."

"I won't... And we all know you won't be fine." Bobby said heatedly. "Look at you!!! You come home everyday covered in bruises and small cuts,  you come home depressed and unhappy. Me and your mom don't want you to see you that way. We want you to be happy and safe." Bobby shook his head.  "No one treats my son like dirt."

"W-well, they d-do!!! T-the whole s-school hates m-me." Niall said sadly, clenching his fists as his cheeks turned red. "You can't stop the whole school from hurting me." Niall said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "W-what are you g-gonna do, r-report the w-whole school to the p-principal?" Niall laughed coldly. "E-even the p-principal h-hates me, d-dad."

"Then we should pull you out of that goddamn-"

"J-just forget i-it!!!" Niall yelled, and his father grew silent.  "Niall, honey..." Maura said gently. "We're only trying to help and protect you, sweetheart." Niall looked away. "W-well, you can h-help m-me by d-doing n-nothing." He sighed. "T-telling on t-them w-will only make t-things w-worse for me."

"Then we'll transfer you to another school." Maura said.

"N-no..."

"Okay, sweetie. If that's what makes you happy." Bobby sighed, staring at his son with pity and anguish in his eyes. "If that's what helps you, then fine. We'll help you by doing nothing."

"T-thanks..." Niall said softly, then began slowly walking up the stairs to his room. His parents watched him leave with sad eyes. 

Niall threw himslef onto his bed as soon as he got inside his room. What the hell was wrong with him, yelling at his parents like that? Niall clutched his panda stuffed toy to his chest. They were only trying to help him, but he pushed them away with. Tears began to run down his cheeks. 'I'm such an idiot, a stupid idiot...'

Why didn't he just accept their offer of transferring him to a new school, a new life? He buried his face in his stuffed toy, sobbing softly. 

'Fool, fool, fool, fool...'

"Honey, wake up..."

 Niall's eyes fluttered open to the sound of his mother soft, sweet voice. She was sitting beside him, stroking his hair. "You fell asleep, honey." She said, smiling. "It's dinner time. I made fried chicken." She said, knowing that her son loved all types of chicken. Roasted, fried, baked, barbecued. 

Niall managed a small smile. "Thanks, m-mom. I'll be d-down in a f-few." Maura nodded, and left the room. Niall sat up and rubbed his temples. His head hurt. 'Well, at least mom made fried chicken. Comfort food.' He thought, heading downstairs with a faint smile on his face.

Niall sighed as he lay down on his bed. Dinner had been great, he was stuffed. He felt happy for the first time in months.  His mom and dad never mentioned the bullies or his school once during dinner. All they talked about was the latest episodes on Degrassi, the show Niall liked so much, and cars, a topic his dad liked to talk about.

Worry and fear suddenly took over him.

What would happen tomorrow?

He wasn't sure if he wanted to got to school, he didn't want to face his cruel peers and his careless teachers. He didn't want to be slammed against a locker or thrown into a garbage can. He didn't want to eat lunch alone in the restroom. He sighed. He should go, and face it. He'd get through it, like he did everyday.

He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Niall quietly walked through the halls, trying no to do anything that would attract attention to him. He wore a black jacket, the hood pulled over his head. He hoped that no one would notice him. He sighed in relief as he reached his locker.

"O-ow!!!"

He groaned in surprise as he was pushed against the locker. Tears filled his eyes as he realized who was holding him and what was going to happen. "Hey, gay boy." Darren said harshly, shovingNiall's frail body against the locker. Niall whimpered. "P-please, l-let me g-go..."

"Now, why would I-"

"He said to leave him alone." A smooth, deep, velvety voice interrupted. Darren growled and let Niall go. He faced the intruder, and smirked. "Who the fuck are you?"

The stranger ignored his question, and said "Leave him alone, or else." 

"Or else?"

"Or else I rip you apart."

Darren laughed. "Bring it on, emo."  Niall closed his eyes. He didn't want to turn around. His heart raced. Was someone actually saving him? He'd have to thank his savior later. Niall winced as he heard a scream and the sickening sound of a bone cracking. The person who tired to save him must have been beaten for sure.

He turned around, and gasped as he saw Darren on the floor, writhing in pain. He was clutching his arm. He struggled to stand up. He finally did after a few moments, and he ran as fast as he could. Niall kept his eyes to the floor. He didn't want to look at the guy who just broke Darren's arm. Fear took over him. He felt bad for Darren.

Even if the guy bullied him, he didn't deserve to have his arm broken for it.

He froze as a hand titled his head upwards. His eyes widened, and his heart almost stopped beating.

Because, right in front of him, stood the most handsome guy he's ever seen.

He looked the rebel type, with spiky black hair and multiple earrings on his ears. He wore all black, and there was a small knife tattoo on the side of his face. Two piercings each on his nose and lower lip. He wore eyeliner, and a bit of eye shadow. He was frowning, his expression dark and almost mean.

What dazzled Niall the most was his eyes. They were beautiful, hazel. But they were cold and lifeless.

Niall gulped. This guy would probably hurt him too if he found who he was. He licked his dry lips, nervous. Niall guessed he was expecting a thanks. "U-um..." Niall cleared his throat. "T-thanks.." He searched for the words to say to the dark, mysterious stranger. "Y-you, c-could get in t-trouble for w-what you d-did, s-so I-I'll tell the p-principal I-I did i-it."

The stranger didn't respond, just stared at him. Niall could feel his face turn red. Suddenly, he hated his stuttering problem more then ever at the moment. "A-are you new h-here?"

Still no response.

"W-what's your n-name?"

The stranger just walked away, leaving Niall flustered and bothered. Niall watched him leave. What was the matter with the guy? More importantly, what was the matter with him?  The guy just saved his life, but didn't even talk to him or give him his name. Just stared at him. What was wrong with him?

Why did he feel... like he had butterflies in his stomach?

The guy made him extremely nervous, and they just met. Niall hoped he would see him again. He hoped that he was new at St.Peter. He wanted to know more about his savior. The guy who broke Darren's arm for him, his safety.

He sighed as he went to his next class. 'I hope he doesn't find out that I'm... Different.'