A Second Chance - A Larry Stylinson Fanfiction

Chapter 21

Sorry again for the late update everyone, but trust me when I say I have my reasons. Reason number one: this is the longest chapter yet. Reason number two: this and the previous chapter were supposed to be the same chapter but it just got too long and I still had a lot to do. Reason number three: life got in the way. If you care to know, inbox me, but we all know where your minds really are, so let's get this chapter going.

Enjoy(:

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Chapter 21

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It's noon by the time Zayn finally shows up with a change of clothes so I don't have to return to uni in a hospital gown or my ripped, bloody clothes that Zayn threw straight in the garbage upon seeing them, disposing of the evidence, trying to erase that terrible night.

The nurses leave the room as Zayn helps me dress, wary of broken bones, sore limbs, bruised skin, and tender everything. There was swearing, there were gasps, and there were sobs, but the task was eventually accomplished, leaving me leaning heavily against Zayn, out of breath and tears stinging my eyes. His arm is wrapped gently around me, barely touching but present enough that I know he's there and I'm not going down. At least not alone.

I'm set in a wheelchair when the nurses return and despite my half-assed protests, I'm thankful I'll be able to stay off my feet even for only a couple minutes.

Liam's got the van ready for us at the entrance of the hospital and as soon as he sees us, he all but flies over to us, quick to help me out of the wheelchair for Zayn to return it. His strong arm is familiar around me and I relax a bit, feeling safe as I recall the arms now practically carrying me to Harry's van in a similar position when he found me on the street after the attack.

Zayn gets the door for us and climbs in the back with me, allowing me to collapse against him as exhaustion and pain pull on my consciousness. I'm only partially aware of the ache in my jaw when I yawn.

Liam and Zayn make small talk as we drive about Niall's lack of subtlety, Zayn's hand rubbing my arm in comfort, lulling me to sleep. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of minutes before Liam's parking the van and I dread what's coming next. Zayn unbuckles himself and opens the van door as Liam hops out of the driver's seat and stands beside Zayn, hands on his hips as he readily waits to be needed.

Zayn reaches around me to unbuckle my seat belt but I wave him off, determined to do what I can on my own. Zayn takes the cue and steps out of the van to stand beside Liam. I take a deep breath to steel myself then I drag myself as gently as I can across the seats toward Zayn and Liam, biting my lip at the breathtaking pain it causes in my ribs. I slowly, so slowly step out of the van, using the car door as leverage to keep me on my feet. I stand to my full height despite the pain it brings and take a step. It's too much too soon and the pain in my ribs is so unbearable that my legs give out beneath me and I'm glad Zayn and Liam are there to catch me under my arms, saving me from meeting the pavement again.

"Come on, mate," Zayn says quietly, wrapping his arm around my hips to avoid my ribs and swinging my arm around his shoulders. "It's all right. We'll make it." I'm not sure if he meant make it to the dorm or through this whole thing. Either way, it's nice to know he'll be there for me the whole way. But beneath that gratefulness is self loathing, anger at myself for not even being able to walk. It kills me inside to be so pathetic.

The stairs are the hardest part. Liam and Zayn can't carry me because they can't put any pressure on my torso. Even if they could, my pride wouldn't allow them to. So we take it one step at a time. Zayn puts one of his feet on the next step when I do and as I lift myself onto that stop, he gently nudges his shoulder into mine to give me that extra push. Liam stays right behind us, there to catch me if I fall or can't make it up the next step, stopping me from falling down the stairs to my ultimate death a couple times. We have to take a break after each step but we do, eventually, make it to the top.