Deception

Chapter 11: Demons

I am sitting here in my dorm room icing Niall's cheek. I know he can ice it him damn self but I figure I owe it to him, considering if I had told Harry not to come in the shop, Niall's face wouldn't be completely smashed in. I feel bad for Mary Kall, she had to call the police, just to get Harry to leave, though he refused to leave me with Niall. If he hadn't noticed, HE was the one who threw a punch. I don't care if he has anger problems or Niall pissed him off, it was uncalled for.

"Does it still hurt?" I ask. He shakes his head no but when I press down harder with the ice, he winces.

"I shouldn't have said those things to him, I was just mad." Niall mutters as I stare down at him, his head in my lap.

"No, you most definitely shouldn't have. But I am glad you didn't fight back, it would have been way worse." I frown.

"I know, it's happened before." Niall laughs. My eyes widen at him and curiosity plays at my mind.

Suddenly, I can't help myself. "Who is Julia, Niall?" I ask, biting my lip. Niall sighs heavily, shutting his eyes. We sit in silence for a few moments until Niall sits up.

"Julia was Harry's girlfriend, about a year ago." He whispers.

"And...?" I push.

"She's dead."

Oh.

I now feel futile, like a despicable person for ever even asking. I can tell Niall sees it in my eyes because he says something before I get the chance to apologize. "I loved her, Charlie. God, I loved her so much." Tears are crowding the corners of his eyes. I want to know everything, I want to comfort him but I keep my questions away from my curiosity and lean my head on Niall's shoulder.

"Charlotte is a pretty name." Niall changes the subject after a minute of silence. My eyes squint a bit as he says it, and finally I realize that he knows.

"You can't hide forever, Charlie." Niall mutters, his words sinking deep into my skin, so I press the ice down harder on his cheek.

"I can try."

Niall smiles and shakes his head. He lifts his hand from his stomach places it over mine, squeezing it. "I would have done the same thing." He says, his crystal eyes meeting mine.

"There's only one question I have for you." He whispers. I fear his question immediately. I somehow already know it; know that it is going to make me want to stand and throw a lamp at the wall. But after all that has happened this morning, I nod to Niall, ready to answer.

"How did you escape?" he whispers and I feel my heart turn to ice.

I can't.

I just, can't.

"It's okay Charlie, you don't have to answer. I understand." Niall says immediately at the realization of my hesitancy. I nod at him gratefully and lean over to rest my head on my pillow.

To think of all that has happened, and classes haven't even begun. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

~

At around 12, Jo and I head to the cafeteria because she is convinced that I am anorexic. I am not of course, I just haven't had the time or energy to eat.

"Nice thing about Marson is the food isn't shit." Jo smiles as we enter through the cafeteria doors. I would have expected it to be empty but each table is completely full.

We wait in the back of the line, behind the rest of the people getting served their food. Jo explains to me all the different selections but I am not really paying attention. I can't tell if it is my head or if everyone around me is truly staring at me.