Concealed

thirteen

*Noelle's POV*

"Fuck off you're hurting me!" I shouted, as my father continued to kick me over and over again. I was down on the ground, holding my arms in front on my face, trying to curl up as small as I could to prevent any injuries.

I guess it's not working.

"This is what you get for skipping work you little bitch," and he kicked me so hard I coughed up blood. I spit it all over the tile floor, trying to press my weight into my elbows and onto the floor, but I cracked and laid there again.

"Fucking get up bitch!" He shouted. I tried again, rising to my feet this time, leaning against the pale yellow wall now splattered with my blood for support.

"Miss work one more time Noelle, and see if I don't give you another damn chance. I've been more than nice to you, letting you skip to hangout with your "friends". Well not anymore, I'm fucking fed up and if it happens again, have fun being homeless again. I don't give a fuck, nor will I ever. So start showing up to work, or you won't be receiving any income," he spat, getting in my face so his breath fanned out on to my body. "Oh and let me find out you're hanging out with that boy." He laughed, venom searing his sarcastic statement. He punched me in the gut, and walked away, as I clutched my stomach and sunk with my back against the wall.

I shot up in bed, gasping for air. My forehead was glazed in a sticky sweat, and my clothes stuck to me. I pushed the comforter off of me, and peeled my top off, leaving me in a sports bra and shorts. I laid back down, letting the cool air chill my body temperature. My mind was spinning. I checked my arms and stomach for any signs of abuse, but I was fine.

I wasn't marked at all.

It was just a dream.

"It was just a dream," I told myself, pulling my hair into a bun, and wiping the sweat off of my forehead.

I looked at my phone that sat on my nightstand, and the time read three forty-seven am.

I wonder if Harry is awake.

***

*Harrys POV*

I woke up to find three text messages from Noelle. She said she couldn't sleep and she had a nightmare. I was half tempted to just walk over there but again, she told me it was unsafe.

I wish she would just stop caring about my safety for once, so I could be there for her.

***

*Noelle's POV*

Sunday past swiftly, and I texted Harry every now and then. We didn't hangout because I had work all day. He asked about my nightmares which I told him they were just about the supernatural trying to attack me. I couldn't let him know that my father not only beats me physically but mentally too, coming and haunting my dreams.

It's now Monday, and my father is allowing me to attend school since I haven't been in a few days and he doesn't want to have to deal with truancy because it'll make my home life too suspicious.

I rolled out of bed, dressing myself in my normal attire of distressed jeans and a flannel. I tied my hair into a bun, and slipped my rings on my slim fingers before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth and apply some makeup. When I was all finished, I went down stairs to greet my grandmother.

"Morning sweetie," she smiled warmly, looking up from her full sink of dishes to look at me.

I walked over to the cabinet to grab a bowl, and I retrieved a maple, brown sugar oatmeal packet from the pantry. I ripped the top open, and pour some milk into the bowl before popping it in the microwave for two and a half minutes, stirring it every minute or so.

"Morning gram," I simply stated, taking a seat at the bar, near the sink to wait for my oatmeal to finish cooking.

"Dads letting you go to school today huh?"

"He's not my dad," I said coldly. Shivers were sent down my spine as she said "dad", like he and I possessed a good relationship. I refer to him as my father, or Steve. Not my dad.

"I know, sorry," she apologized before the beeper on the microwave signaled my ready breakfast. The smell of maple filled the kitchen, as I opened the small little black door and steam rose from the bowl. I took it out, and scooped a table spoon of honey infused peanut butter in for some extra flavor. I poured myself a glass of orange juice, and returned to my spot at the bar.

"Noelle, you're going to get sick if you continue eating all that peanut butter,"

"Gram, I'm fine, you know how much I love it. I'll never stop eating it, ever."

She rolled her gray eyes and smiled at me, before cleaning the surface of a white plate.

"How's that Harry boy?"

"Oh um," I shoved some food in my mouth purposely to relieve my embarrassment. Gram never talks about my friends. Probably because I don't have many. I finished chewing, and answered. "Oh he's good," was all I came up with.

"Noelle," she said looking up at me, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" I put my hands up in defense.

"I know you like him,"

"No I don't," I said, sipping the acidic citrus juice.

"Yes you do, I see the way you look at him. It's the way I used to look at Gramps when he was around." And her facial expression dropped. I hadn't really thought about Gramps lately. It's been so long since he hasn't been around.

"Well I don't grandma, and even if I did I can't. It's not safe for him, and hell get hurt, I know he will. If, dad, finds out he'll hurt me and kill him, he already told me. I can't have that happen."

"Well, all I can say is sometimes you have to just trust, and let go. He could be good for you, yanno. Maybe he'll bring some joy back in your life, God knows you need some, you work so hard to provide for us,"

"It's nothing grandma, really," I said shoving another creamy spoonful in my mouth.

"You're only eighteen, you should be enjoying your life, not living in hell," she said finishing up the last plate. She wiped her hands on a dish towel, and walked to the counter so she stood across from me. She leaned her weight on the granite countertop, and looked at me. "I can't thank you enough No, for everything." A tear slipping down her cheek.

"Don't cry, it's nothing. I love you gram, it's the least I can do." I said walking with my empty glass and bowl in hand, kissing her cheek on the way to the sink. "I have to go, I'll be home later."

"Noelle,"

"Yeah?"

"You'll tell me what you do one of these days, right?"

"Yeah," I whimpered, lying as best as I could. If only she knew, if only someone knew.

AUTHORS NOTE- I'm sosososo sorry I've taken so long to update! I've been so busy with school and cheer it's unreal. But, enough with excuses. I hope this chapter didn't suck, I really didn't know what to write. I don't want to drag the story but then again, I want to make it long enough to write a real story... If that makes sense.

GUYS MIDNIGHT MEMORIES MUSIC VIDEO COMES OUT FRIDAY AND HARRYS (my boyfriends) BIRTHDAY IS SATURDAY AND THIS WEEKEND ISNT A GOOD WEEKend bECAUSE ILL PROBABLY BE SO EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE AND I JUST CANT OKAY.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to vote and comment! (I update faster that way) xx

-Shelby