Mistreated

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

So I got a lot of hate on the recent chapters, and I don't mean to sound rude when I say this, but this is MY story and I accept criticism (much needed), but if you hate on the story, I want to know WHY. So maybe we can talk about why you hate a character or why you hate ME. I got called a bitch or bitch girl & ugly these past few days.. And I want to know why I'm a bitch. As for the ugly part, no need to explain that. I know I am.




Niall's POV:
Why am I this stupid? Everything was going perfectly and then Becca had to come along and ruin everything. Or was it me? Could I have done something to prevent this from happening? I should've really told Avalon my secret in the beginning. I really should've.

I trudged to my car, not feeling happy about our victory on the football field at all. After half-time, I hadn't played as I usually did. The expression on Avalon's face just played in my mind repeatedly and I honestly wanted to punch myself. How could've I been this foolish?

My secret was pretty bad but what I did to Avalon seemed pretty self-conceited to me now. I just didn't want her to find out. She just couldn't.

I drove towards Avalon's house to try to explain, or convince her that it was just a mistake. I couldn't tell her the reason why though.

I drove into Avalon's driveway and got out. I ran to her porch, due to the cold, pouring rain. I rung the bell and Mrs. Evans came to the door. Avalon's foster mom. She loved me.

"Hey Niall!" She exclaimed and gave me a quick hug. I returned a smile.

"Where's Avalon?" She asked, looking around behind me.

"I was actually going to ask you the same question." I trailed off, growing worried by the second.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes narrowing.

"She ran away from the football game... Because... Nevermind," I said shaking my head. I didn't want to explain all that right now. "I thought she came home?" I stated, it coming out more as a question.

"No she didn't. Where else could she be?" Mrs. Evans asked, rubbing her forehead in worry.

"She may be with Chrissy, hold on let me call her." I quickly thought and pulled out my phone. I dialed Chrissy's number and she answered after two beeps.

"Chrissy is Avalon with you?" I asked all in one breath.

"No she isn't," She answered. "She just ran away."

"Why didn't you follow her?" I almost shouted.

"I did for half a block but she was running so fast and it was raining, I didn't know where she went." Chrissy explained.

"You still could've followed her." I groaned, massaging my forehead with my fingers.

"And you could've stayed away from Becca!" She practically shouted at me.

"I know," I sighed. "But I had a reason." I answered sheepishly. I was such a fool. Chrissy knew the secret and she was very ashamed of me for it.

"And what reason was that Niall?" She interrogated.

"I'll explain later. I need to find Avalon right now." I concluded.

"You better. And keep me updated." She said.

"Okay." I answered and ended the call.

"Should I call the police?" A worried Mrs. Evans asked.

"No I think I know where she is." I answered and waved bye to Mrs. Evans. I had a feeling, an inkling inside of me that she might have gone to see her mother. She wouldn't have gone to the center. She would have too much pride to go there because of a heartbreak. I know my Avalon. I scoffed to myself as I exited their driveway. She probably wouldn't be my Avalon anymore. She was so stubborn, I doubt she would forgive me. And honestly, I didn't deserve forgiveness.

In the darkness, I searched for the shabby house Avalon had pointed out to me one day. Using the headlights of my car, I found the house. I pulled over to the side of it, not wanting to bring attention to my car by driving it into the driveway.

I ran to the porch, running up the steps. I hesitated before knocking, my hand hovering over the door. I was nervous because of her step father. Of course I could over power him, his drunken state being a bonus. When you're drunk, you have poor judgement.

I suddenly heard a piercing wail, that I knew was Avalon. I kicked open the door, which was surprisingly open. My eyes widened when I saw Avalon lying on the floor unclothed as a man was taking off his pants in front of her. Tears were strewn down her cheeks and she struggled with all her might. She started kicking him at this point. Her stepfather sat on the couch watching. Sick. When they noticed I was there, their eyes turned towards me. Avalon whimpered, trying to cover herself.

"Who are you?" The man sneered at me. "Bill I thought you said no one was coming?" The man asked Avalon's stepfather.

"Get away from her." I shouted at him.

"Hey calm down kid, I just wanted to have some fun tonight." The man slurred.

"I said get fucking away from her." I shouted again and this time launched myself on top of him, tackling him to the floor. He threw a punch but I easily missed it. Like I said, drunk people have poor coordination. I punched him this time, hitting him squarely in the jaw.

"Damn!" He shouted, trying to get me off of him. He was in his late 30's. This time, I hit him hard on his forehead, leaving a mark from my class ring on his forehead, as he slumped on the floor indicating that he was passed out. I kicked him in the stomach once or twice for extra measure.

"Now do you want the same thing to happen to you?" I asked Avalon's stepfather. He shook his head in fear. He grabbed his drink and ran to the next room. He thought he was strong. Maybe against Avalon, but not against me.

I ran to Avalon's side and took her in my arms. She sobbed in my shoulder, temporarily forgetting the events of before. She was almost raped. What if I hadn't been here in time? What if.. No Niall don't think like that. At least you saved her.

"It's okay baby. I'm here." I whispered in her ear, leaving a soft kiss on her forehead. As I got up to find her clothes, she huddled with her knees up to her chin. She was in shock.

I saw her sweater lying on the ground, ripped in places. Her bra and underwear weren't in much better shape. Her jeans were okay though. I grabbed them and she stared at me as I grabbed her feet and pulled her legs up halfway up the jeans. I didn't want to pull them all the way up because she could do that herself and I respected her. She pulled them up and I saw more tears spill on her cheeks.

"Please don't cry Av. It's okay." I said rubbing her cheek.

I didn't have another option so I took off my varsity jacket and wrapped that around her. I noticed a big bruise on the side of her stomach. He did that to her. I leaned down and slowly kissed it. She still didn't react. It was like she was frozen in time.

I pulled her arms into the sleeves of my varsity jacket and buttoned the front for her.

Her brown, almond shaped eyes were still wide from the shock. Her cheeks were now puffy and eyes red from crying.

"Avalon speak to me." I whispered, lacing my fingers with her, staring at her while standing directly in front of her. She looked over my shoulder somewhere, her fingers limp and not fitting in with mine like they used to.

"He won't touch you again." I whispered again, this time a breath coming from her mouth. Another tear slipped down her cheek.

"I promise." I said and wrapped my arms around her. She touched my arm with her nimble fingers and I let go of her.

"Let's go?" I asked her. She stood still, not moving.

"Avalon?" I asked again. She didn't react much but blink, so I went to her and put my arms under her bottom, carrying her bridal style. I walked out of the house and stood on the porch examining the rain. If I ran, hopefully none of us would get that wet.

When I stepped onto the earth, I felt cold rain drops falling on us. Avalon felt it too and wrapped her arms around my neck and put her face on my shoulder, as if the rain had woken her from the shock.

I put her down and opened the door for her. She got in, not uttering a word and I went into the other side.

I pulled out my phone, so that I could inform her foster parents and Chrissy.

"Did you find her?" Mrs. Evans asked immediately after answering the call.

"Yes she is with me now. She's not in.. Um.. Good shape.." I trailed off.

"What? Is she hurt? What happened?" Mrs. Evans asked frantically.

"No she isn't hurt, I'll explain later." I briefly explained. "But she is okay." I reassured her.

"Okay." Mrs. Evans said, letting go of a breath she had been holding in.

"Is it okay if she stays the night with me?" I asked her.

"Niall.." She trailed off, an uneasy tone in her voice.

"Please? She needs me." I told her. I heard a small noise come from Avalon and I saw her frowning.

"I need her." I whispered back to Mrs. Evans. I saw Avalon turn her head so she was looking out of the window.

"Fine. But she should be at our house at 6 am." Mrs. Evans agreed.

"Okay thank you." I nodded, even though she couldn't see me.

I started the engine as I hung up the phone. I turned the heat up that I had forgotten to do earlier. Avalon must be freezing by now.

"Are you cold?" I asked her. She just looked at me for a few seconds and then turned away. I didn't know what her answer was so I just kept the heat at normal. I drove towards my house and then remembered to call Chrissy. I told her the same thing that I had told Mrs. Evans, that Av was alright and with me and that I would explain tomorrow.

I parked the car in my garage when we reached my house. I went into my house and explained to mom and dad that Avalon needed to stay the night and they understood. I confirmed to them that she would stay in the guest room and wouldn't be sleeping with me. My parents were pretty chill about that because they trusted me.

"So you can sleep in here." I told Avalon as I opened the guest room. She nodded and looked around.

"The bathroom's at the end of the hallway," I said. I got a nod as a reply. "Let me know if you need anything else."

I closed the door and let out a sigh as I leaned against it. She wasn't talking to me at all.

I walked to my room, pulling off all of my clothes except my jeans. Then I realized Avalon must be uncomfortable in those clothes. I grabbed a shirt of mine and boxers, hoping that would be good enough for her. I grabbed a hoodie of mine and slid it on as I trudged down the hallway.

I knocked at her door and a minute went by before she opened it. She was still wearing the same things and her eyes were still red.

"Um these are for you." I offered her. She stared blankly at the clothes in my head. To my surprise, she didn't decline. She grabbed them and slowly closed the door, not uttering a word.

I walked back to my room, thinking about why in the world I kissed Becca. I could've threatened her with something. But being the stupid person I was, I had to agree with what she said. I wanted to slap myself right now. The kiss is what led up to Avalon almost being raped. This is all my fault. Now she's going to be scarred for life. All because of me.

I fell on my bed and stared at the ceiling fan going round and round. I had messed up really bad.

I finally decided to get in bed.

An hour of tossing and turning went by. I couldn't sleep tonight.

All of a sudden, I heard a shrieking scream. I hopped out of bed. It was Avalon. I heard another one. Was someone in there? What was happening? I ran to her door and when I opened it, I saw Avalon thrashing in her bed, letting out screams. She must be having a nightmare.

I instantly went to her side and climbed into the bed with her. I rubbed her back trying to soothe her. There was a pained expression on her face while she thrashed around. I grabbed her arms and held them together. I shook her shoulder gently, trying to wake her up. Slowly, after much soothing and assuring, due to my efforts, the expression faded away to a peaceful one as she opened her eyes.

"Niall?" She squeaked out, trying to squint to see me in the darkness.

"Yes. You're not going to get hurt," I whispered, cooing into her ear. I grabbed her waist and pulled her towards me, noticing she was wearing my shirt and boxers. She put her head in the crook of my neck and started sobbing. "It's okay baby." I felt the wetness of her tears soak into my skin.

"I love you." I whispered.

"No you don't." She croaked.

"Shh. Don't worry about that right now. We'll talk about it in the morning," I told her, rubbing her back. "Just sleep." I cooed.

I felt her head nodding as her eyes closed. I kissed her on top of her forehead and murmured I love you one more time. I knew how much those three words meant to her. Only a few people had ever loved her and I was, truthfully, one of them.






Note: so there you go! Comment what you think Avalon's going to do in the morning. Comment what you think Niall's secret might be. ily all so much- stargurl<3