Hostages

twenty two

- Andrea -

"Andrea you can wash up in the bathroom," Liam offered to me, pointing down the hall. "There's a shower and towels with shampoo and conditioner if you need it."

I smiled, genuinely, and nodded. "Is anyone else gonna use it before I do?" I asked the other boys, allowing them their time first before mine. It was their bus after all. They all shook their heads, gesturing for me to go on.

"Alrighty then." I gave them a generous smile, turning and walking to the bathroom. Niall came down the opposite end of the small hall, pushing past me with a smile as I stepped in the bathroom.

Last night with Niall made me feel so much better. I really needed to tell someone about what's been going on in my life. I'm glad I got that feeling that I could trust Niall with this. It was basically my biggest secret and no one knows until after I told the police many years ago about my dad. But even then no one knows still.

I stripped out from my dirty clothes and turned on the faucet in the shower. I looked in the body length mirror on the back of the door and nearly screamed. My body was torn apart. I had bruises covered all up and down my arms and legs, a couple scratches that will end up being scars on my body that will haunt me with these events. My face was just a faint bruise from Will's hard slaps.

It made my chin quiever and my heart ache, knowing Louis was most likely a hundred times worse. My stomach churned as I glance over, eyeing the toilet. I looked away. Think positive, Andrea. My conscience calmed me. It was instinct to tell myself that.

I stepped into the shower, pulling the shower curtain closed, and sighed of relief, feeling the warm and hot water soaking into my sore skin. It made me feel so much better that I could finally feel clean.

****

I pulled from the hug. He smiled as the tears now dried on his cheeks. My eyes locked with his crystal blue ones and a tingling feeling ran up and down my spin. I found myself not wanting to go anywhere or be with anyone else except him right now.

"Stop that," Niall grinned, giddy, looking away. A confused expression formed on my face. I furrowed my brows but a smile remained at his sudden shyness. He blushed, the red barely seen in the darkness, but still noticable.

"Stop what?" I questioned, confused with what exactly I was doing. My eyes still staring at him, my face starting to ache from all my smiling. 

Niall brought his eyes back up to mine, pausing a moment as they stared deeply in me. Not on my eyes, but they looked past that. "Stop looking and being so beautiful." His words came out so smoothly.

A swarm of butterflies, fluttered in my stomach. I blushed, my cheeks hot and burning. I avoided his intense stare as he continued looking at me. "Oh," I giggled like a complete idiot, almost snorting. "Thank you."