Just the Two of Us [Niall Horan fanfic]

Chapter 15: It's easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult.

Jarred POV

The constant fear in her bright green eyes worried me; it hadn't been my intention to hurt her. I only wanted to show her that we were meant to be, that she was my soulmate just like I was hers. I knew she had always judged me based on my appearance but I couldn't blame her for that. I knew my appearance was shocking to some people, I wasn't stupid. Of course I felt the stares of elderly women, of course I noticed their gasps every time I walked by. But no one knew how soft I was on the inside. Emma didn't know how I thought of her, she didn't know how I could describe every beautiful feature of her body. Emma didn't know how I adored her cute freckles, and how I adored her cute little fingers and how I wanted to wrap my big hands around them. I would never tell her that, I would never show her my weak side. My dad had always taught me to never show your weakness, never. And when you're just a harmless child, you listen to that, you listen to what you father says. He yelled to me that I was weak every time he beat me up. He always told me I was stupid, I was useless and that no one loved me. With every punch that hit my jaw, he screamed how worthless I was. He screamed how weak I was. And I said nothing. I just looked at him, pure hatred evident in my eyes. Thanks to him I was the person who I was now. Thanks to him I only used violence to solve my problems and that wasn't because I wanted to, but because no one ever taught me any different. Thanks to him I didn't know what love was.

I clenched my fists and jaw tighter, intensively looking at the ground as I tried my best to stay calm. I glanced at my right, a small smile started to form. There she was, asleep, under a thin sheet. I heard her calm breath, and that calmed me also down a little. She was so cute when she slept. Her brown curls fell loose around her head. I walked over to her, brushing a stray hair from her face as I knelt down. My vision fell to her lips which were slightly parted and I softly caressed her left cheek. I wished her to be on my couch forever. Just me and her, just the two of us. She coughed softly before her eyes fluttered open and they immediately grew wide. She shrieked as she flinched back, roughly bumping into the back of the couch.. She groaned, carefully rubbing her back in an attempt to reduce the pain.

" Fuck, Sorry!" I cursed and I stood up, making me even more taller compared to her.

"It's okay,'' she said with a husky morning voice. Damn, she was so sexy in the morning. I gave her a small smile before I held out my left hand to help her up but she refused it.

"Did I sleep long?" she carefully asked. Leaning on her elbows, she reached out and took the glass of water from the coffee table.

"A couple of hours, I guess.'' I shrugged. She pushed herself up from the couch and sat up. I noticed her slightly swollen cheek which I knew I had caused and I looked away.

"You know I can't stay here any longer, right?'' she whispered, making anger boil up inside me. Why did she always disagree with me? Why didn't she see I was good for her and that she needed me?

"No,'' I grumbled and I walked in a steady pace towards the kitchen. I didn't want to fight with her right now. I grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with water, trying to relax as I leaned on the kitchen counter. I finally calmed down as I waited for my tea but I was brutally disturbed by the sound of Emma's phone ringing. I walked over to her to make sure it wasn't him calling her. He needed to back off immediately. I gave her a quick glance but the panic in her eyes said it all. It was Niall again.

"Give me the phone,'' I demanded and I reached out to grab it but she shook her head.

"No, you'll only make it worse,'' she refused and now it was my turn to shake my head.

"Give it now,'' I said through gritted teeth as I snatched it out of her hand. She gasped but remained silent as I saw fear flashing through her eyes.