Torn: A One Direction Fan Fiction

Chapter 14: In a Bit of a Pickle

Alexis' Pov:

I let Zayn hold me as I cry my eyes out. I suspect Niall is crying too. And Harry.... He disappeared. I had told them that I had fallen on the ground. I was too terrified to find out what they would do to Harry if they found out he hit me, but stupid Harry had to leave his handprint on my face, so I guess I know now.

There's another reason that I didn't say anything to the boys. The same reason I didn't say anything about our nighttime confrontation: I feel sorry for him. How low of a place do you have to get to, to act the way he does. I can't imagine the things that go on in his head when he does that intense-thinking face of his.

Is it bad that I feel sorry for the boy who slapped me? Who said all those mean things to me? I refrain from telling Zayn about these feelings; he hasn't known me long enough to understand.

I need to call Leah. Screw waiting until the end of the concert, I need my best friend's advice right now.

"Zayn?" I sniff.

"Yes love?" He answers softly.

"Can I have a moment alone, I need to make a call,"

"Of course, I'll be outside the door." He hops off the counter where we were sitting, pats my head, and leaves.

I'm in the woman's bathroom again. It's the only place I could think of where I could be alone. But the lady sign on the door didn't prevent Zayn from walking in, insisting I needed comforting. I suppose he was right.

I pull out my phone from my purse and click on Leah's contact.

One ring. Two rings.

"Hayy Lexayy," She singsongs.

"Leah?" I sniff into the phone.

Her voice immediately changes tones, "Aw Lexi! You sound upset!"

"I am Leelee," I cry into the phone.

"Aw is it about Niall?"

"Sort of.." I sniff.

"Fill me in please so I can help you." She says kindly.

It feels so good to hear her voice. I clutch the phone like a lifeline.

"Okay," I sniff. I pour out every detail of what's happened to me these past few days. Not skipping on a single thing. Leah stays quiet until I get to the part of Harry hitting me.

"HE SLAPPED YOU?" She cries, not able to contain her alarm.

"Mmhm," I sigh. My tears are all dried up now, but I can't shake the dark cloud that hangs over me.

"I'm going to murder that bastard, long and slow until he-"

"Leah!" I protest.

"What?" She sounds bitter. I can practically see her now, driving all the way to Houston to carry out her plot. Leah's like that.

"He can't just get away with that!" She spits.

"He didn't," I whisper.

"What do you mean?" She asks.

"Well, the boys saw a handprint on my face, and they asked what was up. I didn't tell them, but they kind of figured it out. Since Harry and I had been fighting, and I was alone with him for so long."

I take a breath, remembering Niall's face when he saw the red mark on my cheek.

"Niall confronted Harry, and when he didn't deny slapping me, Niall punched him. Everyone was crying and yelling, so I ran to the bathroom, and I've been in here since."