The Runaway - N.H.

[04] Lets be a family again

"We've been in here for forever, should we go out?" I ask him, it feels like we've been in here for hours.

"Nah they can wait." Niall smiles into my hair.

I stand up and walk over to the mirror. I mentally hug myself for not wearing mascara or eye liner today. My nose is bright red, something that happens every time I cry. I rub my bloodshot eyes and walk over to the door to wait for him.

"Just so we're clear, I really didn't mean to hit you with that ball." He says touching the spot just below my shorts where a large purple bruise has formed.

"I know." I laugh and hug him. I doubt I'll be seeing him again and he feels like the closest thing I've had to a friend in a long time. he hugs me back and I pull away too quickly because I want Louis out of my home.

I walk out and see the four of them sitting silently staring at the blood stained wall. I had almost forgotten about the pain in my hands. When they look at me I can tell Louis has been crying and the other three have been trying not to.

We all wait there in silence. Niall hasn't moved from standing directly behind me with his left hand on my lower back, I can tell the other boys can't see where his hand is and I'm grateful.

I walk over to the kitchen sink and start to rub the now dry blood off my hands. I let out a gasp when one of the deeper cuts hit the water and I can feel five pairs of eyes on me. I grab a tea towel and start to dab my knuckles as I walk over and take my previous seat on the couch.

"I think you should go." I say to no one in particular, mostly because I want them all to leave.

Louis puts his head in his hands and I can hear him let out small sobs. "I'm sorry. Braeden I'm so sorry, you have to know that. Please give me another chance."

"Louis do you even know where I've been the last four years?" I know he doesn't but I small part of me hopes he's asked mum and dad.

He shakes his head, no.

"Australia. Louis I've been in Australia. I didn't transfer boarding schools, I transferred countries. Mostly because in England every turn I made there was another poster for 'One Direction'" I wave my hands in the air to add to the dramatic effect "and I was sick of it. Australia bought me a few months before they went crazy about you five, but it wasn't enough time. I wanted a damn break from seeing your face every day. But that was impossible. So I had to live with seeing my brother - who for whatever reason hated me - every single day and watch as he became so famous and wealthy while I was struggling to pay for rent and school on my own. So don't waltz in here, tell me the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard, break my heart and then start crying and ask for another chance. No Louis, how dare you." I would cry but I have no tears left. So instead I just sit there and stare at my beaten knuckles and wait for one of these idiots to say something. "I guess I should thank you though right? I mean you did do this for me. Like you said you didn't think that I 'wanted this'. So thanks Lou. Thank you so very much. Now I want you to leave and never come back."

"I'm... I'm sorry." And with that he gets up, walks over to me and kisses me on the top of my head. "I love you." He whispers into my hair. I look up at him and see his cheeks wet with tears.

"I know." Is all I say because there's nothing else I can or want to say.

"Do you still love me?" He asks and I know whatever I say next could ruin him or give him closure.

"I don't know Louis. I don't even know you, how could I possibly love you." I answer as honestly as I can and I hope it was enough for both of us.

"Then get to know me. Let me be your brother." He says as if he's thought of the greatest idea in history.

"How could you possibly do that?" I don't know how I feel about getting to know him again.

"Come on. I'll show you. Let's be a family again."