I'm Broken {Harry Styles}

Chapter 20

| Lacey's POV |

It has been a little over a week since Zayn's attempted rape. I haven't seen him-or Harry-since then. I've continued out my daily routine just like before they came into my life. I haven't been getting much sleep though. I keep having nightmares about Zayn's hands trying to grope me. Although I have been through worse, this took probably the largest emotional toll on me since my mum passed away.

In any possible downtime I have had, I spend it visiting Meg. I've seen her every day in this past week and have grown even closer to Ryan and her family.

I was on my way to visit her before I have to head in to work. I was in a relatively good mood, considering that I was visiting my best friend who is in a coma. I haven't seen my father recently and if I have he was asleep and I left before he woke up.

"Hello Margaret," I greeted the receptionist.

"Hello Lacey, Meg's doing extra well this morning," she gave a wiggle of her eyebrows and let out a laugh. Margaret always seemed to be in a good mood. She's a large black woman who is constantly smiling. For working in a hospital, she seems to be very happy.

"Alright, thanks," I let out, suspicious of her behavior. I went up the stairs and to Meg's room. When I opened the door, the sight before me was something I hadn't been expecting to see.

There sat Meg, upright and very much conscious. She still looked frail and week but I was just so glad she's up. She was eating a bowl of soup and talking to Ryan. She was in the middle of saying something but looked up when the door opened.

"Lacey?" She spoke softly.

"Meg!" I exclaimed and ran over to her attacking her in a big hug.

"Ow, Lacey. Please get off me," she staggered out.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry are you okay?" I frantically asked, not wanting to hurt my best friend.

"Yeah, how are you?" She asked, filled with worry.

"I'm fine, all's good," I said casually. She could tell that I was hiding something.

"Ryan can you give us a minute?" She asked.

"Sure," he replied and gave her a kiss on the forehead before walking out.

"Now what did I miss you look a mess," she stated.

"Do I really look that bad?" I questioned. I walked over to the mirror hanging on the wall. I cringed at my reflection. Although the bruise has healed, I have major bags under my eyes and my hair is dull and lifeless. I let out a sigh.

"Lacey, I'm not worried about your appearance, I'm worried about why you look so worn out." I stepped away from the mirror and turned around to face Meg. The sympathy in her eyes was overpowering. I sat down in the chair next to her bed.

"I haven't been sleeping that great," I began. "And I've been worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me, I'm strong, I can make it," she smiled.

My eyes filled with tears and I bowed my head into my hands. "I know," I said. "If only I could be half as strong as you." I muttered the last part.

"You are the strongest person I know. There's something you aren't telling me. Please Lacey, you know I wont judge or criticize you. I'm your best friend, please," she begged.

"Zayn," I let out a strangled sob. "We um, he-we broke up."

"Oh honey, that's terrible! Why?" She asked.

I let out a shaky breath. "He um, tried to rape me." I couldn't get through the words without crying. I've been trying to hold it in but every time I think about it, I just want to die. Nothing can ease the pain I feel about being betrayed by my once boyfriend.

"He what? Lacey! That is not okay! You need to tell the police or something!" She looked flustered and aggravated.

I just shrugged. "It's too far in the past. There's no evidence and I don't want to get involved with lawyers and shit." My words came out muffled from trying to calm my tears.

"Come here," she held out her arms and I crawled next to her into her tiny little bed. "I'm here for you, it's alright," she spoke into my hair as I sobbed on her.

"I just d-don't know what to do," I sniffed. "I know I'm in the same place I was a month a-ago but it's so much harder now. Once you know what it's like to have people it hurts w-when they leave," I sobbed.

"It's alright, we can get through this. I'm not leaving you."

"People always leave," I spoke bitterly.

"Stop quoting One Tree Hill!" She let out a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, it's like my bible," I laughed. I sat up and wiped the salty liquid off my face.

"You haven't changed a bit since I last saw you. You're as stupid as ever," Meg said, smiling.

"Shut up, I'm still smarter than you," I nudged her and we both laughed. "It's good to have you back." I hugged her again, now back to a more serious mood.

"It's good to be back," she replied and hugged me in return. "Is anything else bothering you? Has your dad done something to you?" She questioned.

"No, no. It's not that. It's just-never mind, it's not even important," I blabbered.

"Anything you have to say is important."

"If only that were true," I said sarcastically.

"Shut up, you know what I mean. Tell me what's up," she insisted.

"Well, you know those guys from the restaurant that went to some uni and you said they were bad guys?" I began.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, they're all friends with Zayn but I didn't know that until I went on a date with Zayn. You know the curly haired one with the green eyes, Harry?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think so. The one with lots of tattoos?"

"Yeah, him. Well he was there, our first date we went to his friends house. I know it's lame but it was cute that he wanted me to meet his friends okay, shut up I can feel you judging Zayn."

"Why does it matter if I judge him, he almost raped you." She glared at me.

"He's still not a bad guy he was drunk now shh let me finish."

"Fine."

"Well Harry was at Zayn's friend Liam's house while we were and he made me cry but that's not the point because I always cry. But then my dad did some bad stuff and I was really hurt so I called Zayn but I knew he was out of town. I didn't know who to call because you didn't know and so I called Harry because I figured it didn't matter if he would judge me, so he took me to his place at, like, 3 in the morning. And then Zayn's party Harry was there and I slept at his house because I was drunk. And then after Zayn... You know... I went to Harry's and stayed there and he hasn't talked to me since and I kind of miss him, I guess. I don't know, it's stupid," I spoke.

"Ooh, do you have a crush?" Meg daunted.

"Shut up I don't like him," I muttered.

"Right, because you miss him because you hate him."

"Ugh, I hate you."

~

I know, I know. I havent updated in forever. sue me. I've been busy and stuff but whatever I'm not making excuses I just really didn't have anything planned for this chapter (hence why it's so short)

Fun fact: Wearing earbuds for an hour increases the amount of bacteria in your ears 700 times.

I thought you all should know that.