Stubborn Love.

Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Kelsey

The blood is pumping through my veins, my breathing is far away from being steady and me feet start to hurt. But I keep running and running. I don't want to go home. I needed to get out of that house and the sadness it is filled with. I simply can't bare it anymore. It's been six weeks. Six weeks since my father died and six weeks since Deb's world broke down. I have been trying to be there for her, to help her with Nate or with the household. I'm not going to bail on her. I know she needs me more than anything right now and I haven't thought about going back to living with my mother one single time. Simply because I don't want to. We're still not on speaking terms so nothing has changed when it comes to her.

The only one I still can count on is Jack. He's been there for me, has listened to my crying, has spent time with Nate and I. I can't thank him enough, ever.

"There you are." He waves at me once I reach "our place". I let me plop down next to him on the bench.

"Hi." I gasp, trying to catch my breath.

"Faster than yesterday." He chuckles and gives me a thumbs up.

"What was the time?" I ask curiously.

"29.45 minutes." He tells me and I nod. We sit there awkwardly for what feels like a lifetime. I have a feeling that something is up and I debate with myself whether to dare to ask Jack what's going on, or not.

"Tell me." I burst out.

"What do you mean?" He looks to the side, avoiding making eye-contact with me.

"I know you Jack. If you like it or not. I know when something is up and you, avoiding looking into my eyes, doesn't help you. So tell me." I huff.

"Liam called me." So he talked to Liam. I don't know what to think about it.

"Was it the first time you talked to him since..?" I ask him and he shakes his head. I should have known. Well at least one of us is still friends with the One Direction boys.

"I'm sorry. I know I should have told you earlier but.. I guess it didn't seem to be the right thing to do." He shrugs with shoulders.

"Have you been talking about me and you know what I mean." I still can't really talk about my father passing away. It's still so present and hurtful.

"No. I didn't. I know you wouldn't want them to know about your dad." Thank God, at least something.

"Thank you." I take a deep breath and look to the ground in front of me.

"Your welcome." He smiles and and wraps his arms around my shoulders, before leaning his head against mine. "But you should have told Niall." He says, judging me.

"I don't want his pity. He made it clear that he's done with me and I accept it." I sigh. And yes I think I made the right decision by not telling him. I know Niall good enough. He would have felt bad. He would have tried contacting me or would have stopped by at my place. But only out of pity and not because he really wanted to. I can't believe it's been three months since shit went down and he said to me to get lost. I used to be the one to push him away but back then it was the other way around. It would have never come that far if it weren't for that arsehole Tom. Jack warned me, even though he didn't know everything. He knew that Tom was trouble but I didn't really see it. How could I, though? It wasn't like he treated me in a bad way. But now I know better.

It happened all so fast. I can still remember the seconds before the New Year's Eve countdown and then when Niall cupped my face.

"Happy New Year's Eve, Kelsey." He said, smiling at me, and then placing a soft kiss on my mouth. His lips were so soft and I forgot everything around us. I didn't care if we were in public or not. I didn't care about the people around us. I didn't care if someone might take a picture and then upload it onto the internet. I didn't care if there would be consequences or not. All I cared about was Niall. And I.