This Time

Chapter 7

Rachel’s mouth hung open and she failed to close it for a good five minutes. I stood there awkwardly, feeling ashamed for some reason.

‘You- you married him?’ She narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously and I averted my gaze to the ground.

‘When I saved them, I had fifteen years,’ I choked up a little ‘fifteen years before...’ I trailed off.

Rachel put her hand on my shoulder and I looked up, feeling a little nervous.

‘You have to tell him.’

Damn, I knew she would say that.

I shook my head violently and glanced at Harry, who was playing with the strings in his hoodie. Rachel looked back too and rolled her eyes.

‘I can’t tell him, he will freak out! He’s only known me a couple of days an-‘

‘Regardless,’ she cut me off ‘You can’t keep lying to him.’

‘It’s not lying.’ I said slowly. Rachel gave me a look and I heaved a sigh.

‘Fine, but not yet. I need to focus on training.’ I lied.

She nodded but pursed her lips disapprovingly. I left her with Harry, who gave me an annoyed look, and walked around aimlessly. I didn’t want to go back to my room, I was too afraid of what was waiting for me.

It was only by coincidence that I bumped into Liam.

‘Oh, hey Lucy!’ He said cheerfully. I smiled, but only with my mouth.

‘Um, you’re friend Zoe... is she seeing anyone?’

That caught my attention.

‘What?’ I said, feeling shocked beyond belief.

Zoe can’t date, I mean she’s too young. Well not that much younger than me, but still...

Liam looked at me in anticipation, so I shook my head.

‘No, I don’t think so, I’ll put a good word in for you though?’

He grinned ‘Thanks Luce, that’d be great.’

I smiled at him as he walked on, but as soon as he couldn’t see my face I scowled.

Looks like everybody is happy except me. Oh, and Niall.

Wandering around left me alone with my thoughts and something crept in.

Alex.

I swallowed back bile as I remembered his body, so torn up.

There was a noise from my right and I jumped a little.

‘So she just left?’ The muffled voice asked.

‘Yer, I think I was wrong, I don’t think she likes me.’ It was Niall’s accent that gave it away.

Oh, and the conversation topic. You don’t hear many Atars going around saying that here.

My heart started to race and I crept backwards, looking around frantically for somewhere to hide.

The voices were getting louder. ‘Well, I’ll talk to her for you mate.’

That was Louis. Crap, I didn’t want to talk to him about it! I didn’t want to talk to anybody about it. I didn’t even like thinking about it!

I moved along the corridor quickly, wishing I could just sink into the floor. I was about to give up when I came across a staircase, but the boys were about to round the corner.