Saved By One Direction

I'm Gonna Pick Up The Pieces

*Liam’s POV*

                The driver had dropped us off at a small family owned restaurant that I had gone to the last time we were in LA.  It wasn’t well known but food was delicious and there wouldn’t be as much of a chance of getting mobbed by fans and paparazzi. Nicole was very quiet, I think she’s surprised that I actually showed up, to be honest even I am a little shocked with my actions.  What was it about this girl that made me drop everything to make sure she was alright.

                Something horrible must have happened to her, I doubt she is actually this quiet.  I don’t know what it was that had drawn me towards her, I felt like I knew her in another life, I had to do something for her even if it was just something little.

                A hostess rushed up to us, a tight, forced smile pulled across her face that quickly melted into a truly joyful grin as she took in who I was.  She sent Nicole a dirty look before starting her little welcome speech.

                “Welcome to Abbagliati or Dazzled as every here calls it, my name is Cheryl and I will be your waitress tonight, if you would follow me I will take you to your table.” She flashed me a smile before grabbing to menus and almost skipping in front of us.  I took a quick look down at Nicole, she was playing with one of her nails, a small frown playing on her face.  I didn’t want to see her sad, without thinking I grabbed her small hand with mine and pulled her down the aisle following after Cheryl.

                She sat us down in a corner booth telling us to call if we needed anything.  Her eyes never left me, not once looking over at the person occupying the booth with me.  I didn’t want to come across as rude so I thanked her and turned to Nicole.

                “Do you want to talk now or after we eat?” I didn’t want her to feel rushed into telling me if she didn’t want to.

                “We might as well start right now, it’s kind of a long story…”

                She told me everything, I don’t think she left out anything.  I believe that she really needed to get everything off of her chest and I was there to help her do it. I had an overwhelming urge to hug her, she had really just needed someone to care.  I walked around to her side of the table, scooting onto the seat I pulled her into my side.  A wave of protectiveness for her washed over me, I was going to do anything in my power to help her escape the soap opera that had been her life for almost a month.

                “Hey,” I said soothingly, “don’t cry, I’m going to help you okay?” She looked up at me, her eyes red and  puffy, tears brimming over the edge.  My thumb swept across her cheek gently rubbing away the tears. I leaned forward and kissed the top of her head, nothing would hurt her while I was with her.

                There was a cough from behind us and I turned to see the waitress glaring at us, well more specifically; Nicole.

                “Have you decided what you would like to drink yet?”  She was coming across as extremely rude, this wasn’t the service I had last time.

                “I’ll have a water please and she’ll have a…” I wasn’t sure what she wanted, my voice fading into a question.

                “I’ll just have a water as well please,” Cheryl nodded writing it down and left without another word.

                “What would you like to eat, the pasta is absolutely amazing here,” I asked her as I flipped through the menu in front of us.