The Dancer's Daughter (1D)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Haley's POV

I tried to sleep, I really did. But you know, I just couldn't. So I went to make myself some hot cocoa, and found Harry awake in the kitchen. I checked my phone and made sure to text Beth back, not sure if I wanted to talk to Harry or not... he made the decision for me.

"So you couldn't sleep either? Is it jetlag or the cancer thing?" he asked, obviously concerned.

"Just jetlag. I'm not feeling sick tonight. But thanks for the concern, Haz. Why are you up?" I asked, sitting down with my finished cocoa. He smiled, amused.

"Jetlag. You'd think we'd all be used to it by now, but no. I'm glad you're feeling better. Who are you texting?" he asked me. I looked down at my phone and saw the waiting message.

"It's just Beth. She flew out to surprise me, but when I told her about the... illness... she had to ruin her surprise. She's staying in this hotel though, so I think I might go down to see her," I replied, smiling at her last message.

"Can I come? I'm not going to be able to sleep, so maybe a walk will help me," he asked, looking hopeful. How could I say no to that? Besides, he'd finally stopped clinging like crazy, and it made him a better friend to be around. I really didn't want to walk through a strange hotel by myself, so I agreed. He smiled.

The hall was empty, and so was the elevator. Harry kept me entertained by talking. "Zayn is the worst when it comes to the tattoo parlors here, though. I love stopping to look, but I think it physically hurts him to not get one done every time we stop at or pass one. Niall is the only one left who hasn't gotten one. Well, and you. Right?" he was asking when the doors to the elevator opened again on the tenth floor.

"No, Jeremy, I said no!" a girl was shouting. The girl looked close to Harry's age, with blonde curly hair and green eyes open wide. She was very clearly angry and a bit afraid, which was explained as the boy- Jeremy?- raised his arm and slapped her across the face. I gasped, and both Harry and I sprang into action. I went straight for the girl, pulling her out of harm's way and checking her face. I realized with a jolt that I knew this girl.

Behind us, Harry threw a punch, hitting the guy across the face at least twice as hard as he'd hit her. The guy went down, and didn't move again. I could see him breathing, so I wasn't worried. I turned back to the girl and grabbed her arms, keeping her upright. She was crying silently, and I could tell she was in shock.

"Skylar, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in New York?!" I exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

"S-surprise," she said weakly, before she passed out.

Harry helped me get her back up to our room, and I made sure she'd be comfortable on the couch. Then I woke up the other boys and sent Paul down to get rid of the Jeremy-person downstairs. Sky hadn't woken up yet, but I knew she would soon. I decided to take pity on her and explain how I knew her to everyone.

"Guys... meet Mica's cousin, Skylar. I don't know why she's here. She lives in New York with her parents, and to my knowledge, this is her first time traveling on her own. I haven't seen her in over a year now though, which is weird. She was almost as close to me as Mica is. She goes by Sky mostly, and she's just now eighteen. Like, her birthday was a few weeks ago at most," I explained.

"What was she doing here with an abusive boyfriend?" Liam asked, concerned. I shrugged. "I mean, she's just barely legal... she should be out on her own!"

"I don't know, I haven't seen her in nearly two years... until today. So here are the rules! Nobody dates her. I mean that, nobody. Don't even try it. And for goodness sake, try to be nice and not curse or anything!" I told them all, glaring extra hard at Harry and Louis. I knew they were the most likely to upset her. I remembered her as very reserved and propper.