Their Saving Grace {One Direction AU}

Chapter 12

**Niall** 

"What do you two want to do today? Liam doesn't come home for another few hours." I asked the girls, as they picked at the remainder of their food.  

"I-I do not know." Alice replied, shrugging her shoulders. Thanks to Eleanor, the girls can talk in first person now. They still have a bit of a stutter and they occasionally talk in third person, but they catch themselves.  

I looked at Riley, waiting for some sort of response, but she stayed silent. She's been quiet lately - too quiet really. No matter how hard I try to get her to talk, she would just shrug her shoulders. I don't understand what's going on. Liam can't even get a word out of her. She must have something on her mind; something she doesn't want us to know.  

"Ri, are you okay? You know you can talk to me." I told her. She looked up at me, shook her head, set her fork down on the table, and left to the bedroom. I looked at her sister, hoping she would know what's going on with her.  

"Do not know. Will not talk to m-me."  

You know if Riley isn't talking to Alice, something is definitely wrong.  

I sighed, leaning against the counter in frustration. This wasn't like Riley. I grabbed my phone, dialing El's number, having her answer the first ring.  

"Hello." She answered, her voice sweet sounding to my ears.  

"Hey, beautiful," I said, causing El to giggle. "I gotta question for you. It's about Riley." I replied.  

"What's wrong with Riley? She okay?" Eleanor said, worry in her voice. I explained to her everything that was going on with the red head, not leaving anything out. I even told her that Riley hardly touched her food the last few days. I also said that it's scaring me a bit, and Liam a lot. "Hmm, 'm going to stop by. Maybe I can talk to her. I'm not promising anything, though."  

"Thank you. See you in a bit." If Eleanor can't help, I don't know what I'm going to do.  

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**Eleanor** 

As I pulled up to Niall and Liam's flat, I sat in my car, trying to think of a few reasons behind her behavior. This wasn't like Riley. The Riley I know is talkative and happy. Not in some sort of depressed state. Once I got out of the car and made it up to the door, Alice opened it, greeting me with a small smiled.  

"Hi, Ali." I said, nicely.  

"Hi.. Here to help Riley? Ali-" She stopped and scrunched her nose up, catching herself from talking in third person. "I-I miss Ri-Riley." She whispered, before allowing me inside. I opened my arms, causing her to hug me. She broke my heart. 

"I'm going to try, okay?" I promised, causing Alice to nod her head. She told me Riley was in the bedroom, before pulling away from me and sitting on the window seat, staring out at the cars zipping by. I sighed, walking into the bedroom, closing the door behind me and locking it.  

"Riley?" I asked, only to find her sitting in the middle of the bed, knees hugged close to her chest. "Are you okay?" I whispered, only to have her shrug her shoulders. She didn't even bother looking up at me. She just kept her gaze on the floor. "You know you can talk to me. I won't tell Liam, or Niall." I promised, causing her to look up at me. Her eyes were a dark shade of gray, whereas they're naturally green.  

"Promise?" She whispered quietly, her voice cracked and hoarse, as if she's been crying for hours. I nodded, my heart breaking at how upset she looks. How do those boys not notice she's sad? It's obviously clear she's upset. She sighed, pulling her knees closer to her chest.