They Don't Know About Us

Unknown Secrets

"So, actually became friends with a girl today?" Louis asked me, as I sat at the counter, eating an after-school snack. I nodded, "Yeah, well, we were friends in preschool."

"You seem to meet a lot of people you already knew in college," Louis replied. I shrugged, "I guess so. So, what's up with Rachel?"

"We don't really know..." Liam replied, "He has been at Rachel's apartment all day yesterday, and we haven't been able to talk to him. We've tried calling, but he only texts back telling us he's busy. I have no idea what's going on over there..."

Louis noticed that I had Mom's diary in my hand, "So, what else did you find out about your Mum?" Louis asked.

"Well... I found out she was abused a lot more than I thought," I replied, "Father started to hit her constantly, usually at night when we were asleep. And, well, Mom took Josh and I out of school because then Father wouldn't beat her as often. If we were around, Father would beat her, so she home schooled us so the abuse was less frequent... How could I have not known?"

"Didn't you say you were home schooled, like most of your life?" Louis asked me. I nodded, and he continued, "Well, maybe you didn't know any better."

I frowned, "Huh?" I asked. Louis stood up straight, so his elbows weren't pressed against the counter, "Well, you didn't really know any other families, right? Maybe you thought it was normal for them to fight like that."

I thought about it for a moment. I searched my mind for a memory that proved what Louis said correct.

*


I heard a crash in the kitchen, then looked up at Josh, who was playing video games with Evan. Evan seemed startled by it, but continued on with the game, acting like nothing had happened.

"Josh, is Father hurting Mom?" I asked, quietly. Josh shrugged, acting like it was no big deal, "So what?" He replied, "It's normal. Evan says his parents fight, too."

"Well, everyone's parents fight," Evan replied, still concentrating on the game, "But, usually they don't hit each other..."

"Well, then that means our parents are just different," Josh replied. Josh was only twelve and I was ten. I used to think he knew everything, so I could always trust what he said.

"Is Mom okay?" I asked Josh. Josh nodded, "Yeah, she'll be fine, it can't hurt too bad."

"But, I think it would hurt...." I mumbled, under my breath. Josh frowned, "Well, if you're so concerned, then ask Dad."

I looked at the floor and shook my head. I know I shouldn't be so afraid to talk to my Father, but I am. Josh thinks it's no big deal when they fight and Mom gets hurt, but I think it's dangerous. And, talking to Father is scary. Father isn't exactly mean to me, but we were never close let's say.

"Don't worry about it, Nicole," Josh told me. I nodded, and then dropped the conversation.
*


"You're right, Louis," I mumbled. Louis grinned, "I am always right."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I need to go work on homework," I told them, before leaving for my room.
*


It was now around ten, so I decided to get ready for bed. I took a quick shower, then dried off when I finished. I dried my hair, and slipped on a sweatshirt and pair of polka-dot pajama pants. I walked out of the bathroom and downstairs. Niall was the only one downstairs, which was good. I walked over to him and joined him at the couch. I rested my head in his chest, while he wrapped his arms around me. We sat like that, while watching some TV show.

"Do you think my Grandfather is going to come back?" I asked quietly, hoping to finally get that question off of my chest. Niall sighed, "I wish I could just tell you that he's never going to come back, but I have a feeling that he isn't just going to disappear. But, I can tell you that I will always be there to protect you."

I smiled at Niall's words, knowing they were true. I wrapped my arms around his stomach, as we held each other close. I noticed it was getting late.

"Niall, I'm going to go to bed," I mumbled. I stood up and was about to leave, when I stopped. I bit my lips nervously, and turned back around, "U-Um, could you sleep with me tonight?" I asked my voice quiet. Niall looked up at me, "Of course, babe."

He stood up, and pecked me on the lips, before grabbing my hand. We walked upstairs, and I walked into my room.

"I'm going to go change, I'll be back in a second," Niall told me before leaving. I walked over to my bed, and pulled the covers up. I slipped into the bed, and sat up. I waited a few minutes, and Niall walked back in, wearing pajamas. He joined me in bed, and threw the blankets over us. Niall pulled me close to him, and wrapped his arms around my body. I nestled my head into his chest, and I could feel his heart beating.

"You don't have to be worried about him coming," Niall whispered, "I will always be there to protect you when anyone tries to hurt you. I will always be by your side."

I smiled at Niall's comforting words, "And, I will always stay with you."

I smiled at his simple words, "I love you," I whispered, my voice in his chest.

"I love you, too," Niall whispered. I felt my eyes growing heavy and I fell asleep.
*


I looked around at where I was. I was in a familiar backyard. I turned around and saw my old house. It was abandoned.

"Nicole..." I heard my voice being whispered, so I immediately turned around. I saw my Mom standing under the tree in our backyard.

"Mom...?" I whispered. She moved her hand in a way to motion for me to come over. I walked over to her, and she stared at me for a minute.

"W-What is it?" I asked, quietly. She pointed at the ground under her, "It is here."

"What?" I asked. She smiled sweetly, "The secrets... My secrets. You have to dig them up, because they have been hidden."

I reached down to touch the ground underneath her, she grabbed my arm, and gently pulled me back up, so I was standing.

"You have to find it in real life, not in your dreams," She whispered. I looked at her for a moment, then understood what she meant. I nodded, and felt white surrounding me, as Mom disappeared.
*


I immediately woke up, and looked around. I saw that Niall was beside me, in my bed. I carefully removed his arm from my body, to not wake him up. He stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. I could hear his snoring, as I stood up. I quickly grabbed some jeans and boots from my dresser and slipped into my bathroom. I quickly changed into jeans and left my sweatshirt on. I put on a pair of boots, and then grabbed my coat.

I have to go find out what Mom's talking about. I know that it will make everything fit together. If I tell Niall, he obviously won't let me go. I started to tiptoe towards the door, and slowly pulled it open.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" I heard Niall ask. I immediately turned around to see Niall sitting up.

"U-Uh, I-I was going to get some w-water," I stuttered out. Niall frowned, "In a coat?"

"Well.... It's cold downstairs," I answered.

"You were going to sneak out, weren't you?" Niall asked, I could sense anger in his voice. I shook my head, "No I wasn't."

"Now, you're lying!" Niall replied, his voice getting a little louder.

"I-I'm sorry, but I had to see what Mom was talking about in my dream," I replied, telling him the truth. Niall frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"Mom told me that all her secrets are hidden under the tree in the backyard of my old house!" I replied. Niall's eyes grew wide, "And you were going to go there in the middle of the night?!" Niall yelled. I cringed at his loud words.

"I-I just wanted to know what was there," I replied.

"So, you'd go in the middle of the night?!" Niall yelled, "You know how danger like attracts to you! Why would you risk it?!"

It felt like daggers were stabbing at me, whenever he yelled. I winced at his words. I could feel tears threatening to spill at the corners of my eyes, "I-I'm sorry..." I whispered, turning away from his gaze. I could tell that Niall knew that I was hurt by his yelling.

Niall pulled himself out of bed, and walked over to me, "I'm sorry, baby," He whispered. I nodded, weakly, "I-It's okay," I mumbled, avoided his gaze.

"No, it's not," Niall replied, "I know that I hurt you."

He turned me around, so he could see my teary eyes. He pulled me close to his body, wrapping his arms around my waist. I let a few tears slip from my eyes. I didn't care if Niall had scared me a few minutes before. I felt like I just needed that feeling of protection wrapped around me.

Niall's lips softly touched my head, "I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have yelled."

"N-No," I replied, through my tears, "You're right. I shouldn't have tried to run out of here."

"I just didn't want to lose you," Niall replied, "I remember that horrible feeling when I realized you had run away from us before. I remember that horrible feeling of loneliness when I didn't see you for months. I don't want to lose you ever again."

I felt my arms wrap around Niall, also, "I won't leave you," I whispered. I looked up, and saw him leaning towards me. Our lips touched, fitting together perfectly. We stayed like that for a few minutes, in each others arms, kissing. We finally parted, and Niall let go.

"I'll let you go change back into your pajamas," Niall said. I nodded, and left for the bathroom. I heard Niall climbing back into the bed, as I closed the bathroom door behind me. I washed away my tears and changed back in pajama pants. I left my clothes on the ground, not bothering to put them away. I walked out of the bathroom, and saw Niall back in my bed. I climbed in, right beside him. I nestled my head against his chest as his arms snaked around me. He held me close to him, as I slowly fell asleep.


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Sorry, filler chapter. But it doesn't matter because i'll be updating all night(: YAAAY

Okay, well, comment, follow, and fave! Bye lovelies!
~Madison