Let's Play A Love Game (A 1D Fan Fiction)

Chapter Seven (Lauren)

"How are we going to get home?" Niall asked Harry as we strolled into the parking lot together. "We can call a cab," Harry suggested, pulling out his phone. "It's no use. There aren't cabs around here," Amber pointed out as he searched for a cab with no luck. I bit my lip thoughtfully, "We'll ride you." Harry smirked, "We didn't ask you for a ride. I thought you hated us. Why would you offer someone you hate a ride home?" "Because if we leave you on the street you'll die. Niall will starve to death within an hour and you'll die from being woman-deprived," Amber retorted without hesitation. "Plus you're famous and we'd get hate for being responsible for your demise," I added, resting my hand on my hip. Harry rolled his eyes and sarcastically said, "Yeah, that's why. It couldn't possibly be the fact that Lauren loves me." "Do you want a ride or not? I'd be MORE than happy to leave you here by yourselves and let you find your own way back to the apartment," I shrugged, turning to my car with disinterest. "We'll take the ride," Niall answered before Harry could say anything. "Good. Get in," Amber demanded, hopping into the passenger seat of my car. "Excuse me. Why exactly do you get shotgun?" Harry pressed, standing in Amber's doorway as she tried to close the door. "Because I like her better than you," I explained, "Now get in."

Halfway back to the apartment Harry yelled, "BOWLING ALLEY! Lauren, can we go bowling?" "No." "Pretty pleaseeee?" he begged, leaning his head in between the seats as he stared at me with the puppy dog eyes. "Bowling sounds fun," Amber agreed, shrugging nonchalantly. "I'm down for bowling," Niall added from his seat. "Whatever. We can go bowling," I grumbled, jerking the car into the turning lane. Was it weird that everyone was getting on my very last nerve? I was just so tired. Today was not one of my good days. "We have to work tomorrow!" I remembered suddenly, quickly jerking the wheel the opposite way. "I want to go bowling," Harry stated in a sulky tone, slumping back in his seat. I sighed exasperatedly and turned into the parking lot for the bowling alley. I parked and swung around in my seat, "Harry Styles, I swear to God if Amber and I are too tired to go to work tomorrow I am going to kill you." "You wouldn't kill me. You love me too much," he disagreed, sitting up straight. Amber chuckled sarcastically, "Yeah." "See! Amber agrees!" Harry stated, his finger pointing at Amber. "I'm not agreeing. It's called sarcasm," she mumbled, tapping on the door as she stared out the window. "See? I get moody when I'm tired," she quietly breathed, exchanging a look with me as I turned off the car. "Who's paying?" "I'll pay," Harry offered, taking out his wallet. "I hate making you pay for everything!" I complained, glaring at him through the rearview mirror. "We're famous. We have money to spare," Niall assured, blowing me off with a dismissive hand. "Yeah, you guys have the apartment to pay for and it's quite expensive," Harry added, biting his lip. Amber shrugged subtly. I shook my head with a sigh, "We manage." "How though? How do you pay for your apartment, all of your bills, your food, gasoline, and still have money for shopping?" Harry questioned, paying more attention to our situation than we'd bargained for. I instinctively peered to Amber for help. "We just do," she dismissed quickly, avoiding eye contact. "Is there any--" "Harry, please. Just stop," I begged, staring straight out of the car window, clenching my jaw. "Sorry," he quietly apologized, slumping back down. Amber attempted to read my face but I turned away before she could. She knew what was wrong. She was the only reason that.... I couldn't think about it. He couldn't know. Nobody could ever know. Nobody would ever understand. A bad day just got much worse.

We strolled into the bowling alley silently. As we entered the building, a group of boys was on their way out. They were carrying on like any other teenaged boys and as they neared us they began to get louder. "Hey, Blondie! Who's your friend? I'd like me some of that," the one shouted, rallying his friends for support. They passed us on our left and Harry protectively put his hand on my hip, guiding me to his side. Before I could control myself, I slapped his hand away. "Please don't. Please!" I quietly pleaded as my knees gave out and I shifted to the floor in a moment of weakness. Amber shoved Harry away and grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet as she draped my arm over her neck, "Lauren, it's okay. He wouldn't hurt you." I trembled erratically but nodded anyway, doing my best to hold myself up, "I know." "You have to calm down. If you don't..." she began, crutching me to the desk. I knew the rest of what she was going to say. "I'm calm! Don't... Please," I whispered, using my spare arm to support some of my weight. "I won't. I promise. Just calm down. It's okay. Everything's okay and we're just here for some bowling fun," Amber soothingly spoke, softly drawing circles on my hand with her thumb. "Do you need anything? Want anything?" Harry inquired, lingering beside Amber. Yes. Mental help. "Water, please," I nodded, reaching into my pocket and tugging out a five dollar bill. Harry waved my money away, "I got it. Keep your money. Go sit down somewhere." I breathed deeply and Amber helped me over to a table. Harry brought me my water and sat down beside me, "Lauren, I wouldn't hurt you." "He wouldn't hurt anyone," Niall agreed, sitting across from me with Amber. I shook my head and rolled my eyes, "That's what they all say." "I'm not lying," Harry insisted, gently setting his hands on the tabletop. "Are you sure?" I asked with venom in my voice, staring him straight in the eyes. If I hadn't known about the show by then, I would've at that moment. His eyes completely gave him away. I struggled to suppress the words I felt bubbling up in my throat. Harry nodded slowly and so did I. I was done looking at his eyes. It was too hard for me. I accepted the water and drank a long swig, ignoring everybody. Life with Amber was perfect for the past almost year. No boys, no parents, no school. Our only responsibility was work and the apartment. And Amber has pretty much taken that on for me. Thank God for Amber Leigh Brooks. She was truly my guardian angel. I could never EVER repay her for what she's done for me. Never. "Are you okay?" Amber inspected worriedly. I mentally returned to real time, "Just thinking. About TSK." "Why don't we just talk about this later?" she declared, hiding the same look she wore when I told her two years ago. I dug my nails into the scars on my left wrist and nodded, "Okay." Niall and Harry resembled the most confused people in the world. Harry glanced over and noted me digging my nails into my wrist. I instinctively relaxed my hands, pressing my lips together tightly. Surprisingly, Harry didn't ask and he didn't say anything. I was grateful for that. I didn't want to put Amber through that pain again. I couldn't do that to her. Not after her amazing generosity through everything. She was the only one I could trust. "Why don't we get to some bowling?" I resolved, forcing a smile.