My eyes slowly open, adjusting to the dimly lit room. I allow myself to stretch in the comfort of Niall's bed before removing myself from it forever. I roll over onto my aching stomach and dig my face into his pillows, they smelt of cologne and Niall, it was a captivating combination.
I sigh before finally detaching from the fluffy white heaven, my hands coming up to instantly flatten my hair. What time was it anyways? I look under the bed sheets for my cell phone but quickly spot it on his nightstand, he must've brought it for me when I was passed out. Reaching for it, I check the timeand my messages. 8:48pm. No messages.
That's weird... I usually would have some from Eli or dad... I try not to overthink it and lock my phone, I stand quickly from the bed and make my way to Niall's bathroom.
My eyes squint when I flick the light on, and I can't help but groan at what a mess I look like. I lean over the sink to take a closer look, wiping my under eyes of smeared mascara. I gulp, leaning back. The pain was still their in my abdomen... and I was starting to worry.
My fingers slowly slide the bottom of my sweater up, slowly showcasing the mass of bruises I have sheltered on my skin. I cringe, tracing the dark purple stains trailing the side of my ribs and down my stomach.
"Holy shit." I hear from the door and instantly drop my sweater down, my heart beating in my throat when I notice Niall with wide worried eyes.
"It's noth-"
"Noelle, cut the crap." Niall interrupts me and I suck in a breath, a hand running through my hair when I notice him walk closer.
"I got it in the ring, no biggie." I lie, shrugging, hoping he believes it. His eyebrows furrow once he's directly in front of me and I can't help but gulp.
"Why haven't you got it checked out? Looks pretty bad." He says, his voice almost mysteriously nonchalant.
I shrug, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. "Doesn't hurt that bad."
"Bullshit." He adds and I roll my eyes.
"Whatever, it's nothing-"
"Let me see it again." Niall says his eyebrows pulled tight in seriousness. I scoff, my eyes wide in horror.
"What? No, Niall, it's none of your business." I argue, my eyes worriedly trying to not break.
"Let me see. I just want to look, then I'll stop bugging you about it, okay?" Niall pleads, his hands in mock surrender.
I let out a breath, my eyes looking anywhere but his. "Fine." I mutter quietly, my heart in my throat.
He nods subtly and I take that as a cue to show him. My hand shakily move to the bottom of my sweater, slowly lifting the fabric. I look away from Niall when I fully expose the bruises, I even hold my breath with clenched eyes. Niall is probably disgusted.
I flinch when I feel the tip of his fingers softly against my skin, against the sore tender bruises. I suck in a breath when I hear Niall sigh.
"This isn't from the ring." Niall whispers, I can't help but look at him, his eyes locked on my abdomen. His big blue eyes are filled with worry and frustration.
"Yes it is-"
"I know Noelle, okay? I know. About everything." Niall confesses, his eyes finally meeting mines. I gulp, my breath gets caught in my throat.
"W-what do you mean 'you know'?" I ask, my heartbeat accelerates and my face feels warmer with every second I wait for Niall's response.
"The abuse..." Niall mumbles so quietly that I can barely hear it over the ringing in my ears.
I take a step backward and Niall takes a step forward, his eyes showing pity and I feel betrayed.
"How? Who... who told you?" I question, tears burning the rim of my eyes. I want nothing to do with Niall, especially since he knows. How long has he known?
"Does it matter? I care about you- I want to help you." Niall pleads and I shake my head, scurrying from the bathroom. I needed to leave, now.
"Noelle, stop." Niall begs from behind me as I grab my phone, my keys and my purse from around his room.
"I have to go." I mutter, unwanted tears escaping my eyes and falling onto my cheeks as I walk out his room and towards the door.
"Noelle, stop pushing me away." Niall says, stepping in-front of me, his eyes big and pitying.
I look away, my head shaking in disbelief. "I don't need help. I don't need a superhero to save the day and I don't need your pity." I tell him, as I slip my shoes on.
"Pity? Noelle, I like you, a lot. I just want to help because I care, for you and for Eli." Niall tells me and I shake my head at him.
"Who told you?" I ask him, my arms crossed against my chest. Niall scratches at the back of his neck and shrugs.
"It doesn't matter." He says and I roll my eyes, pushing past him.
"This. Whatever the fuck we had? Yeah, its done, over. Don't text me or call me, okay? Stay out of my life and stay out of Eli's." I spit at him, watching as his face falls in disappointment. I ignore the sting my words cause me and open his front door to leave.
Niall's hand comes in my view as he pushes the door closed, not allowing me to leave. His other hand grasps my elbow and turns me around to face him. The tears quickly build up in my eyes and I try my hardest to keep them from falling.
"Noelle, you don't mean that." Niall whispers, his eyebrows furrowed, his pale cheeks flushed. He takes a step forward, resulting in me taking a step backward causing my back to lean against the door.
"I do." I tell him and he shakes his head, his hand coming up to my face, cupping my face in his palm, my eyes involuntarily flutter when he swipes his thumb across the apple of my cheek.
"I want to help you Noelle, I want to be in your life." Niall confesses and I shut my eyes, knowing the tears have shed.
"I'm a broken toy, Niall, you can't fix me." I mumble to him, my hands wrapping around his waist as he steps closer, our bodies pushed together.
"But I can try." He whispers, I look up at him through wet lashes, my lip in-between my teeth.
"Eli told you." I tell him and he sighs, looking up at the ceiling and then back at me.
"Don't punish him, he had good intentions." Niall replies and I nod, sliding out from Niall's hold. I needed to leave now, I had to compose my thoughts alone.
"I should get going." I tell him, watching as he stuffs his hands in his pockets.
"Don't block me out Noelle. Please." Niall begs and I nod, not making eye contact with him as I finally open his door.
"I wont."
