Priceless: A Niall Fanfiction

Chapter 8

     “I beg to differ.” I gaped at him as he reached his finger up and snapped my jaw shut and smiled. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

      I tried to shake my head but he cocked his head to the side the way disappointed parents do at their children. I looked at him and leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder as he reached his arm around me.

      “I don’t know….” I stated but he quickly turned his head towards me.

      “So you’re telling me you and Niall aren’t…together?” I continued staring at the wall and squirming under the weight of his arm.

      “No, we’re not together,” I paused, “not again.” Mitch knew, and he didn’t much like Niall but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t support me with my choices.

      He grunted, “good.” I was still looking at the wall when he moved suddenly, “so what about Harry?” I laughed.

      I continued squirming under his arm. “I’m not sure about Harry, you know?”

      Mitch laughed, “You still love Niall….” He looked at me with those eyes of his, the ones that can make me tell him anything. I held myself closer to Mitch, snuggling my head deeper into his chest. His arms tightened, “I get it.” And he probably did get it.

      We stayed like that for a little, Mitch and I had a brother-sister relationship and he was always there for me. I could feel his heartbeat with my head against his chest.

      “Car, I don’t like Niall, and I know you know that,” he paused to take a breath, and I lifted my head off his chest, “but man I don’t like him one bit. I know he’s got millions captivated and fooled but you remember what he did to you. Harry knows what he did to you.” He looked at me with sad eyes, “Car I want you to be happy and I don’t want you to be scared anymore. It hurts me.” I forced myself to look up at Mitch with tears in my eyes. I felt one drop and his thumb wiped it away.

      “Mitch, I don’t know what to do,” I choked back the tears, “I don’t want to be scared anymore.” I looked up at him and he was blurry.

      I could see him begin to smile, “then don’t be.” He put his hand on my head and stroked my hair.

      “Harry makes me feel safe.” I whispered into his chest.

      “Then stop being scared of Niall, I know you love him but you have to let him go. He doesn’t even remember what he did to you. If you ever let me go near him I’d give him a piece of my mind.” I chuckled, that’s Mitch for you. “I don’t know if you’re choosing or not but if you are, follow your heart. I know you know what is right and what is wrong.”

      I smiled at him, sat up and I wiped away my tears. And we laughed. I love Mitch’s laugh, it was hearty, and it made me smile whenever I heard it. But suddenly he stopped and I was taken aback at how quickly his hand grabbed my wrist and pulled up my sleeve.

      “Nice bandages.” He was staring at me, his eyes piercing me, making my guilt more prominent. I tried to tug my arm away but he wouldn’t let me. “Let me take a look?” He was being aggressive, and I didn’t like it.

      “Mitch,” I whined, “you’re hurting my wrist.” I wriggled away but he pulled me back.

      “You hurt yourself, Carson. The only thing different now is I’m the one in control of your pain and you don’t like that.” My hand was beginning to go numb and not enough blood was flowing to it.  I looked at him and pleaded with him. But he just tugged me off the couch and pulled me towards the stairs.