Still Holding On (A Daniel Howell x reader)

Chapter 7

Zoe's POV

I really don't think Y/n is okay. Yes, I get that Joe flipped out, but she was acting a little weird when she got here.  She wasn't as cheerful as she normally is. Everything was fake. Her facial expressions, her smile, her happiness. I need to know what's wrong, other than the Joe situation.

---------------------------

Your POV

I can't stop thinking about Joe and the phonecall yesterday. I can't believe he called me. How did he even get my number?

"Hey, Y/n?" Zoe says behind me.

Startled, I jumped up off the sofa.

"Sorry to scare you." She apologeticly says.

"Oh no. Its fine. I was just...lost in thought." I reply, sitting back down.

"And why would that be?" She asks, sitting next to me.

"Everything with Joe. Did I say something wrong?" I ask, truly wanting to know.

"No hun. You didn't say or do anything wrong. He is mad at me. At me. Not you, okay. To be honest, I think he's happy about your part in the situation, if that makes sense." She says.

'So he's happy for me saying I liked him in a way. That's a little weird way to react.'

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"Absolutely. Can I ask you something else?" She asks, looking at me with concern.

"Of course." I say, making myself smile, even though I have no intention to.

"Is there anything else on your mind?" How does she know?

"No. Why?" I say, hope she believed it which failed.

"The way you looked today. It was different than what I seen yesterday. I get it that you're upset about the Joe situation, but there is something in that head of yours. What would that be?" She knows something's up.

"Fine. Yes there is something I have been thinking about, and its been bothering me. Okay. So, when I was 16 (You're 20) I liked this guy. His name was Derek. He was the most popular male in our grade. Girls would drool over him, except me. I was able to hide every emotion around him. One day, he sat next to me in Algebra 1. While the teacher was, of course, teaching, he had asked me to tutor him. I was young and naive at the time, well technically still am, but back to the point. I told him that I could twice a week. As the weeks went on, we got closer. We actually became great friends."

I stop to see if she is still listening, which she is. I continue.

"We did everything together. Our parents new and liked each other, so that was a plus. After about three months after I started tutoring me, he asked me out. Of course I said yes. We went out on a date and it was genuinely amazing. We kept going on dates until he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes. We dated for around two years. Well, two years and 10 months. Since he was popular, he would go to parties and get drunk. I remind you, he is an aggressive drinker. Every night he came home, if I hadn't done what he said, he would hit me. It started out light hits until it just progressed. They would get harder and harder. One time he knocked me out and broke two of my ribs.

He eventually isolated me. I had no friends to talk to. No family. I only had him. Only him. After about a year, I had the courage to call the police and run away. He hasn't been caught or anything. Well yesterday, I got a call while walking over here. It was him. I-It hurts hearing his voice again." I finish, tears welling and falling from my eyes.

"I know hun. I know what that feels like. I've been in a similar situation. Its okay." She says, pulling me into a hug. (I ship you/me with Zoe more than Joe. What do you guys think?)

"Thank you." I say.

"For what?" She responds, confused.

"Listening to me being dramatic. Listening to me ramble. Everything in general, to be honest." I admit.

"I would listen to you all day if you need. I hate when people are sad, especially people who I care about." She says.

"How do you care about me so much? You just met me." I ask.

"One, I've known you long enough to know about some things. Two, Phil non-stop talks about how great you are, and honestly, I agree with him. Three, I knew you before Joe fully introduced me to you. Wow. That sounds a little creepy."

"Honestly, it does. How did you know about me before Joe introduced me to you?" I ask, clearly confused.

"You have a youtube channel. I actually watch you videos all the time. Also, your social media. Dear lord. I now sound like a stalker." She laughs.

"Yes and I didn't know you watch my videos. They're stupid and cringy. Why would you?"

'She watches my videos? I thought nobody does. I mean I haven't been on YouTube in forever.'

"What? What your videos? Because they're funny and entertaining. You have talent Y/n. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise on that one. Especially when you play piano. (If you don't play the piano, just go with it please.)"

"Eh. I'm not that good."

"Whatever you say Y/n." She smiles and gets up. "Whatever you say."

She walks towards the kitchen and grabs a mug.

"You want some coffee and get to know each other better?" She suggests.

"Yes please and sure. I don't really know much about you so that would be great on our relationship." I agree.

"Okay. I agree. I want to get to know you better, and not knowing you for being," she puts her hands up to do quotations, "'stalkerish'." I laugh.

She gives me my coffee and we go sit on the loveseat. (Awe. You two are sitting on a 'love' seat. Haha. I'm done now. Honestly, I think its pretty bad that I ship you/me with Zoe more. Am I the only one that ships you/me? Yes. Okay. 😂😂)