An Angel Named Niall

Chapter 3

NIALLS POV

Good 'ole, California. The sun is high in the sky making my skin warm up instantly. It's unbelievable that I bought my own place. I am the least person to have ever thought that. My whole family is in Ireland, but I just love it here. Maybe it's how easy I can get a tan.

But the lads and I have a month break with a couple of meetings in between before we begin the tour. 

A few fans stop me to snap pictures as I walk with Doug on a leash down this residential street. Houses built with wonderful architecture sit on each corner of the streets. Almost to entail hopeful home buyers that this are is made of beautiful houses. My place isn't close to these enormous homes. 

It'll just be my, and occasionally the lads and family when on break. 

From the distance I can see a jogger come my way. When she gets close to me, I move to my right. She trips and falls to her knees. 

I bring Doug to a halt and I turn around to face her. 

"Woah, you okay?" I crouch to her level and that's when I realize she isn't a jogger. Her palms are over her eyes and a sob leaves her mouth. I move my face to get a better view of hers. 

"Are you okay?" My hand floats above her shoulder, tempting to rest on it. She seems completely oblivious to my presence. Doug gets near her and begins sniffing her. I pull him away, and it causes her to look up at me. 

She looks afraid as she glances at Doug. Her eyes are filled with tears, and her nose is a shade of pink. Behind those eyes are something deeper than I cannot fathom. 

She snaps out of our stare and attempts to get up. A wince leaves her and she gets on her feet. 

"You alright?" I watch her wipe her hands on her shirt and quickly nod. "Yeah, I'm fine." Her hands go up to her cheeks to wipe, but when she sees the scrapes on it, she makes a fist and brings it to her chest. 

She walks away, no longer running. I stand still and watch her continue. Something inside me tells me to stop her and offer my help. She might be lost. LA is a huge city. Before I can even think about it again, my feet start moving towards her. 

I begin to sprint, as well does Doug. 

"Hey, wait up!" I call for her. When I reach her, she stops and slowly looks up at me. Her hazel colored eyes are still teary. 

"Let me help you get that cleaned up. I don't live too far from here." My finger points the way she's facing and she follows it. Her eyes cast down to the ground and then up at me. She shakes her head and slowly begins to walk away. 

"I can help you. Your cut could get infected." We both look at her hand, but she doesn't say anything. I have no idea why I continue to insist, but something tells me that I just need to offer her help. 

She bites her lip, and looks at me through the corner of her eyes. 

"Okay," I faintly hear her say. 

I smile at her and we begin walking. My eyes scan my surroundings, hoping not to see a lurking pap, taking snaps of us. 

The whole walk to my house is completely silent. The only noise is coming from Doug's breathing and the passing cars. 

When we turn on my street, I decide to introduce myself. 

"I'm Niall," I say. Her hair curtains the side of her face so i'm unable to see her reaction. "What's your name?" She still holds her fisted hand close to her chest. 

"Juliet." The tone in her voice is quiet, holding a string of sadness. For some reason I want to comfort her, but I decide against it. She might be very uncomfortable about it. 

Her tears have stopped falling and she sniffs occasionally. The breeze of the wind sways her hair, blowing a scent of strawberry. 

I open my wooded fence, and move to the side to let her in. She hesitates but I assure her it's all okay. With her head down, she takes a step onto the walkway. She waits for me to close it and she follows behind. 

I know she wants to lift her head up and take in her surroundings, but maybe the unfamiliarity isn't letting her. 

Once I open up my front door, I gesture my hands towards it, so she can walk in. 

The house looks bare and boring. Some boxes still lie around. Pins of paint sit at the bottom of the stairs. THe walls are empty, except for the living room. 

"Come on," I tell her. We walk into the living room. It's the only room that looks done. 

"Take a seat," I say. I unleash Doug and he runs to his water bowl. Her movements are so careful, like she could break something or reak herself. 

"I'll go get the first aid kit. Do you want something to drink? Water? Juice?" SHe shakes her head no, avoiding eye contact. 

I walk into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. 

There is a hurt girl out in the living room. I offered her my help and that's exactly what I'm doing. Is it crazy? No. I've had plenty of random girls over back in London. This is slightly different. 

Grabbing the kit, I walk back into the living room to find her petting Doug. His tail is wagging viciously. I take a moment to take in the view. She's finally making a movement. 

"I got the kit," I announce. Her hand quickly removes from Doug's head, almost like she was doing something wrong. "I think he likes you." Her eyes meet mine for a brief second. 

Taking a seat next to her, I open up the box. I open a packet of antibiotic wipes and say, "May I?" She slowly unfists her hand, and moves it towards me.