Diana [Liam Payne Fan Fiction]

7: The Midnight Monster

"Megan!" A distant voice said. "Oh God, I think she's unconscious."

I'm not unconscious, I thought. Not yet. I could see the blurry form of Liam carrying me through the parking lot and wondered why I wasn't walking.
Then, everything came flooding back to me. I tried to move, but black spots danced in my vision and bile began to rise up in my throat. I tried to form coherent words, but everything I said came out as a moan or a strangled cry.

"Liam," I finally croaked.

I forced myself to sit up and look around, even though I still couldn't see that well and the effort gave me a huge headache. We were almost to the van. I frantically scanned the parking lot, searching for that familiar face that had sent me into this wave of vertigo.

But he was gone.

"Liam!" I repeated, this time with more strength.

"Don't worry, we're almost there," he said.

He hopped in the backseat with me as Niall started the car and drove off. My mind was beginning to clear, but I still had a massive headache.

"Sorry about all of that," I mumbled.

"Are you okay?" Niall asked. Liam looked at him like he was the dumbest human being in the world.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, wincing when we hit a bump in the road.

"What happened?" Liam said incredulously. "One second you were fine, and then BAM, you're face planting on the cement."

"Sorry," I said again, "It's just, well... I saw someone I didn't expect to see. Like, ever again."

"Who?" The boys said in unison.

I hesitated. Should I really divulge one of the most private secrets of my life to these guys whom I still didn't know very well?

"Um, well, it was this person who... bullied me a lot. After that person got in jail-for drugs, or something-, I didn't think I'd have to deal with them again for a long time." I said. Technically, I wasn't lying. I was just giving them the very watered-down version of the story. "So, uh, it just freaked me out a little, I guess."

I must've fooled them, or they were just to polite to prod on a sensitive subject, because both boys nodded in acceptance.

"Well, let's focus on getting you home alive for now," Liam said, more or less directing the sentence towards Niall, who was speeding tremendously and not paying attention to the road. Niall turned back to face the wheel and eased off the accelerator. We rode back in silence.

After what seemed like a lifetime, Niall whipped around the corner to the hotel parking lot. Despite my retorts that I was perfectly capable of walking, Liam scooped me up and carried me inside. He set me down at our door before opening it, probably to avoid unnecessary questions about why he was carrying me. The three of us were greeted by the shouts and laughter of Zayn, Louis, and Harry.

"We're back!" Liam called.

"Well it's about bloody time!" Louis exclaimed. "You could've at least brought back takeout or something!"

"Our dearest apologies," said Liam. "And I'm pretty sure you could just ask for room service."

The three lads looked at each other like they'd never considered this. Then they dove for the phone.

"Place your orders!" Harry said, already on the line with the service desk.

I almost excused myself from the scene, wanting to disappear into my bedroom again, but somehow Liam anticipated my move and grabbed my hand.