Save Your Life| l.t.

Chapter 38: Take and Take and Take

So I'm back! I'm sorry I took so long but life was busy and I switched majors, and just a lot of life was getting overwhelming. I'll try to finish this soon that way it won't be four hundred years again. Thank you all for being patient! All the Love xx

Anne POV

Niall is quiet at first when we walk. I don't break the silence too worried I'll say something and ruin the calm that settled. The humid summer air settles around us and while I regret not bringing a jacket to cover the scars, not being stifled in the heat is welcome.

"Anne," Niall finally says and I glance up at him, looking away from my shoes scuffing the ground.

"Yeah?" I ask and he breathes out.

"You really are doing better right?" He asks and I avert my eyes back to the ground.

"Niall." I say quietly.

"I just want to make sure you're doing okay." he replies. I press my lips together and shove my hands in my pockets.

"I saw him yesterday. Lou... I think he would've fought him if I didn't stop him." I mumble quietly. Niall slows down and touches my arm.

"Who?" He asks and I don't speak. I don't want to talk about it anymore, but I stupidly brought it up thinking Niall needed to know.

"No one. Forget I said it." I say and he touches the back of my wrist.

"Who." he asks again, more forcefull, but not angry. Just insistent. I worry my lip before answering, pressing my nails into the palm of my hand.

"Andrew," I say it quietly, like if no one can hear it, it won't be true. A heavy silence hangs between us and I swallow tightly, so tense my arms shake. Niall takes my hand and pulls my nails from my palm.

"Are you okay?" He asks quietly, smoothing my hand.

"Yes... I don't know." I confess and he pulls me into a hug.

"Just relax. I... we won't let anything happen." He says and squeezes me tightly. Releasing he breathes out. "Come on. There's the book store yet." He says and pulls me along standing closer. He talks about nonsensical things, like the plans to go to Europe and how his ma will be meeting us in London when we land.

"You know, she said you can stay with us over the summer. Jessi too." He says as we round a corner.

"She doesn't have-"

"Anne. We're family. After the bull shit of this year, I want to help. So does ma and Grams." He says making me breathe out slowly, thinking.

"Can I think about it. I still have to figure out what I'm doing with my family's estate." I say as an excuse. He nods and bumps knuckles with me.

"Just let me know." he says and with a simple nudge directs me towards a nondescript building with a red and gold overhang. "Here it is," he says and pulls the door open, holding it for me. I smile my thanks and then stop when I enter the building. It reminds me of the book store from Beauty and the Beast, all classic dark wood and warm lighting with piles of literature on every surface. The owner smiles at us from behind the counter.

"Feel free to shop. Young Adult literature is back behind the third shelf," He directs pushing his glasses up. I smile and wave my thanks without even thinking about the scars and cuts along my wrist. The owner's smile falters and then he smiles again, nodding, understanding passing between us. I blush and tuck my head down, pressing my arms to my side.

Niall knocks shoulders and motions ahead. "The books await." he says in a posh accent making me smile. I start towards the shelves, seeing so many texts, some I've read, some I haven't, but most I would love to own. Niall must have noticed, and he hands me a basket.