Through The Dark COMPLETED

Chapter 13

**Sensitive Material

Later on that evening, they were all sitting around a bon fire at the beach. Except for Harry and Julie. They hadn't arrived yet. Amanda was starting to get impatient. Finally, she saw them walking towards them. "Niall, I'm going to go talk to JJ for a few minutes. I'll be right back."

"Alright, I will be waiting." He said and kissed her.

She got up and took JJ by the arm and walked her down the beach to a private spot so they could talk.

"What's going on?" Julie asked her.

"Niall asked if he could tell the next interviewer that asked him if he was single, no. He asked if he could say he had a girlfriend. Me! Can you believe it?" Amanda said to her.

"Of course, I can. He would be dumb not to want to call you that." She hugged her. "I'm so happy for you."

"Me too! It's so great." Amanda said excitedly.

"Ok, well then, let's get you back to him." Julie said as she started to walk back to everyone else.

"No wait." Amanda said as she grabbed her arm. "We need to talk about other things, JJ. It's past time. You're going to lose an amazing man if you don't tell someone what's really going on."

"Amanda, please, you just got some of the best news of your life. Why would you want to do this?" Julie said. "I really just wish you would let it go."

"I can't. I love you. If you don't think you can trust me, then tell Harry. You're going to lose him, JJ. He's patient and kind, but he can only take so much." Amanda knew she was walking a fine line, but she had to do it.

"I can't, Amanda. There are just some things that should remain in the past." Julie said.

"But it isn't remaining in the past. It's affecting your present and possibly your future. JJ, please. I thought you trusted me. Don't you know by now I will always stand by you? No matter what?" Amanda said.

"Of course, Amanda. I just. You just have no idea what you're asking me." Julie sat down in the sand. "Just stop pushing. You don't know what you're getting into."

Oh she's called me Amanda and twice, she thought. Can't be good. "Tell me or tell Harry. JJ, please." She sat down next to her.

Harry and Niall were both watching the girls. It looked pretty intense. They weren't sure what to do. Harry wished he knew what was being said. It was like Niall read his mind. "I really wish I could hear what they're saying."

"Yeah, me too; but we probably never will." Harry said. "Just hope it helps Julie or Amanda or both."

"Yeah, me too. Amanda agreed to let me, well basically, say she's my girlfriend tonight. I finally get to answer the 'Are you single' question with a no." Niall smiled.

"That's great, man! You're a lucky guy. She's a lucky girl. You guys are great for each other." Harry said. He meant it. He just wished he could figure out what his relationship status was.

"I can't tell Harry, Amanda. How can I?" Julie took a deep breath. "How can I tell him how much of a weak fool I was? How can I tell him that I thought I was in love once? How can I tell him I was so weak that I let a man make me believe I was worthless in every possible way? After you're told something for so long you just start to believe it. How can I tell him that I wasn't strong enough to leave for a long time? I believed him when he said no one else would ever want me. I still might. How can I tell him it took me moving to LA and changing everything known to me to get away? How can I tell him that I let someone put his hands on me and give me scars because I was too weak to walk away?" She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't that weak person anymore. She sure had been acting like it the past few days especially. It couldn't keep happening.