Trust { Niall Horan }

Chapter 3

Finally after what seems like forever class is dismissed for the day, I was more than ready to leave but that just meant going back home to my father who was more than likely drunk again.

I gathered all of my things, throwing my book bag over my shoulder and go to leave the room when I notice a group of people standing by watching me. I get an uneasy feeling from them as I pass by them but I try to ignore it. Maybe if I act like I don't see them they'll leave me alone, I say this to myself as I hear them all start to follow me.

There's a few loud laughs behind me and then I hear my name being called, "Hey yo Riley wait up!" A guy I'm assuming calls out to me but I ignore him and keep walking. I knew nothing good was going to come from this so I was trying my best to get out the way.

"Hey Ri I know you hear us!" A girl snaps close behind me and before I know it I'm being yanked back by my hair into the middle of the group. I yelp out in pain, "Ouch!" I say as I grab my head rubbing the spot that was pulled. I wasn't comfortable with any of this and I wished I could just disappear.

A boy from my class named Todd looks at me and smirks before he speaks, "So Ri, we all saw you staring at Niall today. Wanna tell us what's up with that when you can't even speak to anyone, let alone look at us." He had stepped directly in front of me now and was standing over me. My thoughts automatically go back to my father who always stands like this when he's about to beat me, I start to shake slightly not sure what to do.

From somewhere in the group of people I hear laughter and then someone puts their arm around me causing me to freeze in fear. "Awe Todd, seems like our little friend here doesn't know how to speak." It was another guy from my class and I think his name was Liam, he had a British accent so I'm pretty sure it was him.

I try to wiggle away from all of them but Liam just tightens his grip on me and pulls me closer to him so I can't leave. "You're not going anywhere just yet princess." He breaths in my ear and I can feel his smile grow.

His grip was so tight that my bruises started to ache again causing me to whine slightly but enough for every one to hear and start laughing at me again. Why was this happening to me. What had I done wrong? I always kept to myself so I shouldn't of done anything to upset anyone.

I look up at Liam with tears in my eyes as I try to speak, "please...please let me go..." I squeak out as my body begins to shake. I was going to have a panic attack if this kept on.

Everyone just kept getting closer and closer to me and Liam's grip got even tighter. At this point I was crying out in pain trying to hold back my tears and that's when it happened.

Everyone started to beat up on me, calling me harsh names and shoving me around the group. I was thrown on the ground a few times and kicked in the sides causing me to cry out for them to stop considering my current condition.

All I heard was laughter and pictures being taken of me. This is just great I thought to myself as I curled up into a ball hoping to protect my face at least from all the blows. What did I do to deserve all of this? I just went to school everyday and minded my own business. I never did anything to upset anyone but apparently everyone was always mad at me.

"What the fuck is going on here?!" I hear an Irish accent growl from a distance. Oh great someone else is going to join in on this. Just when I thought things were about to get even worse I hear Liam grunt in pain and a few girls scream out telling someone to stop.

When I open my eyes I'm shocked at who I see standing between me and the others while also twisting Liam's arm behind his back making him cry out in pain. "Niall let him go!" Todd yells trying to help Liam out but quickly stops when another guy comes into focus standing beside Niall.

The guy scoffs looking at Niall, "Seems to me everyone wants to pick a fight with a defenseless girl even though she's never done a damn thing to anyone." I could tell that this guy was furious by the way his face scrunched together glaring at everyone around us. "Jase, help Riley up and take her somewhere else while I teach these pathetic low life's a lesson." Niall growls tightening his grip on Liam who was still trying to get free.

Jase shakes his head at Niall and smiles, "Let me take care of these idiots and you take her somewhere safe. I'd love to let out some of my anger on them." Niall nods and let's Liam go who instantly starts rubbing his injured arm.

Within the next moment I'm gently lifted up and carried off away from everyone that was just beating me up. It was then that I started crying and couldn't stop. I didn't care if Niall saw me crying, I just didn't want anyone else to see. They would definitely call me weak and pathetic then for crying.

-

After what seems like forever I'm set down on a bench and Niall starts to speak, "Are you okay? Oh my god your bleeding." Before I'm able to register what's happening Niall was kneeling down in front of me cleaning the blood up from my face.

I never noticed I was bleeding but that's probably because I had become numb to the pain. I just stared at him blankly not saying a word, I was still in shock at what had happened and wasn't sure what to say or do.

Apparently I had zoned out for a bit because Niall was gently shaking me trying to get my attention, "Ri, hey Riley. Answer me please." He says slightly raising his voice which causes me to flinch out of habit. Niall notices this and frowns slightly gently letting me go. "At least say something so I know you're okay." He says to me softly sitting beside me now.

I muster up my strength to speak and squeak out the words, "Th...thank you." That's all I'm able to say but I sigh slightly to myself when I see Niall smile some at my response.

Suddenly I'm aware of my surroundings and I notice how late it is. The sun had started to set and the moon was becoming more visible with a slight chill starting to set in. I was supposed to be home hours ago and this causes me to quickly stand up startling Niall, "I...uh..I have to go. It's late and...uh...bye." I stumble over my words as I speak quickly to him and before he has the chance to say or do anything I take off running for my house. I just knew I was in for it tonight but I was hoping I could sneak in this time and just lock myself away in my room.

As I was racing home all I could think about was the tall blonde boy who saved me. He was the first person to ever treat me so kindly and he didn't even know me. I didn't understand it at all, I've never had someone voluntarily be nice to me.

I was caught up in my thoughts and didn't even realize I was already home. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw who was waiting outside for me, my father. What was he doing? Was he going to beat me in my front yard? Had I really upset him so much this time that he had decided to wait for me to do what he wanted. I was terrified and shaking as I walked up to him, I couldn't speak.

I watch my fathers facial expressions and I can tell something was upsetting him but I wasn't sure what it is. Before I'm able to speak he beats me to it, "your mother left us, she came while you were in class and packed all of her things." He was slurring his words which indicated he had been drinking.

I look at the man before me and I can see that he's crying which tells me mom had really left for good this time. "Dad...I..." But before I can speak my father interrupts me and his words shock me, "go lock yourself in your room before I do something stupid." He says angrily. I nod automatically and take off for my room locking it as soon as I enter.

Once I'm in my room and I know I'm alone i take a quick shower. After I'm done I look at myself in the mirror and flinch at all of the new bruises and cuts I've received today. I do my best to patch myself up and then slip into my pajamas. If it wasn't for Niall it could've been worse I think sighing. "Well my life just got more interesting." I grumble to myself plopping down onto my bed and soon I'm fast asleep.

A/N: I might post another chapter tonight if I'm able to but I hope you guys enjoy this one (: