Afflicted (Harry Styles) [book 1 in FAME]

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

I felt my heart race and the blood drain from my face, essentially turning me pale. I was stupid enough not to think of Niall, and what he would think when he heard my song. As my heart pounded against my rib cages at an ungodly speed, I wondered what he would think. Would he think negatively like everyone else, or would it be more positive? Would he even bother to ask what the song really meant?

I couldn’t just rise from my chair and run away from the lad. One, that would have been rude, and I’m done being rude to people--no matter who they were. Two, Niall would constantly bug me about it until we actually sat down and talk. There was no way to avoid this.

I sighed quietly, and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fine,” I said, eventually. “Why did you want to talk about it?”

With Niall, I should have realized there was no way he would going to sugar coat things. He was blunt. “Why did you write it?”

My cheeks flamed, and I considered the question. Should I just tell the truth or simply come up with a believable lie.

Before I knew what I was saying, I asked, “Do you want the honest truth?”

Niall nodded his head slowly.

I shakily lifted my left arm onto the table, and lifted my coat sleeve slightly to show a scar or two--not the entire arm. I felt that if I showed Niall my entire arm (and my other), something terrible would happen.

I watched as Niall’s eyes turned watery, and his mouth formed a small ‘o’ shape. When he spoke, his voice shook. “God... why would... why would you even think about doing something like that?”

I felt my heart ache seeing Niall fall apart like this. Tears burned at the edges of my eyes and I shrugged my shoulders, lowering my eyes onto the food. I didn’t even feel like eating anymore. I definitely felt like throwing up.

“Come on, Sof, tell me,” I heard Niall speak again. Seconds later, his hand was softly laid on my wrist.

That’s all it took for the tears, burning to just fall down my cheeks, to spill. I clenched my eyes shut and covered my face as sobbed quietly. The pain was quickly building up, and I couldn’t simply stop crying. I heard a loud screech, followed by a pair of lanky arms wrapping themselves around me. I didn’t care who it was, I leaned into their shoulder and cried into my hands.

“Love, shh, it’s okay,” Niall’s hands were rubbing my arms softly, and comfortable. “Come on, why don’t we go to my apartment for today? We can talk there, if you’re comfortable.”

I removed my hands from my face, peeking up at Niall. As much as we really didn’t know each other, I trusted that he wouldn’t do anything too terrible. I knew enough that we got off on the wrong foot, and he genuinely seemed like a nice lad.

I nodded my head, giving Niall that as my only answer.

“Alright, you gotta wipe those tears though. I’m pretty sure when we leave here together, there is going to be paparazzi waiting for us,” Niall said.

My hands flew to my cheeks, wiping aggressively at my cold, wet cheeks. When I was sure my cheeks weren’t wet with black mascara running and my eyes weren’t puffy and red, I grabbed my food and drink and let Niall lead me out. His hand was on my lower back as we left the cafe.

It was just as Niall had said. I guess word got around that Niall and I were in the same cafe, because a group of paparazzi had started flashing their cameras in our direction, yelling out different things I couldn’t make out. I frowned, yet let Niall lead me towards a black van. I’m assuming someone drove him here.