The Writer (AU)

Chapter Thirty Two- You're gonna be okay anyway

*talks about abuse. Any form of abuse is never okay and should never be inflicted on anyone.*
Harry's POV:
"I think I should probably give my dad another chance," she responded quietly. My eyes widened and I thought my heart had just given out.

"What are you talking about?" I gaped. looking at her puffy eyes and slightly chapped lips, I felt the urge to just pull her toward me and hold her.

"I don't think we need to be around each other so much. Codependent relationships aren't good," she countered. How in the hell were we codependent?! Her dad fucking hit her across the face and she wants to go back to it. I let out a sigh and tried to keep my tone calm, knowing how fragile she was.

"I don't think it's a good idea. He hit you once, he will do it again." Thinking back of how my father hit my mother, my jaw clenched in anger as I didn't want the same thing to happen to her.

"Harry," she pleaded, and I knew she was going to start crying again.

"Ellie, I just want what's best for you and when you're home, I can't protect you."

"Just give it a try. I know he won't do it again." That's the same thing my mother said.

"Ellie."

"I need to try. At least give him a second chance." What the fuck was going through that beautiful mind of hers?

"Fine," I snapped. "If he fucking hits you again, I won't hesitate to call the cops." Long story short, it took a month until she had a mark on her face that I knew wasn't from basketball. Parking in the student parking lot, we still had fifty minutes until school started.

"Ellie, where'd you get that scratch from?" Her eye was a blue purple and a large gash streaked across her cheek.

"Basketball. Taylor went up for a rebound and her elbow knocked me in the eye," she replied quietly.

"How'd the gash get there?" I clenched my fists in anger, already knowing she was lying. Taylor wasn't at school or practice the previous day.

"From her coming dow-"

"Stop lying to me," I seethed. "I know it was your fucking dad."

"It was an accident."

"Was he drunk?" I bit the inside of my cheek so hard I began to taste blood.

"Yes," she said so quietly I almost didn't hear her. Pulling her toward me, I heard her gasp and felt her wince.

"Pull up your shirt." Her tear filled eyes looked at me almost begging me not to look. Large blue and purple splotches were all over her torso and my eyes widened.

"Baby," I whispered, my own tears now falling down my cheeks. Taking a deep breath, I restarted my car and pulled out of the parking spot.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to my house. My mum is still there and she has friends who can help you get out of the situation you're in."

"Harry, my next of kin lives in Dallas. I can't," she pleaded.

"Fine. You can permanently move in with my mum and I. We have an extra room or you can stay in mine, but you're not living with your dad anymore. I can't let him do this to you," I cooed, trying to keep her from crying even more. My blood was boiling like a pot of spaghetti noodles on the highest setting and my jaw began to hurt.

"You were right," she sniffled.

"I know. My mum went through the same thing with my dad." I let out a breath as we pulled back up in the driveway and got out. Walking inside, I heard my mum rustling around in the kitchen and wiped all the tears I had shed away.

"Mum, can Ellie move in with us?" I asked, watching her turn around from the stove and gasp.

"Ellie, darling," her eyes were wide, hand to her mouth.

"Can she move in with us?" I asked again, praying to god she'd say yes.

"Yes," she whispered, giving Ellie a once over. "C'mon love, let's get you cleaned up." Watching as they walked toward the sink and Ellie sat down, I gripped my keys and ran my hand through my long hair.

"I'll be back. Gonna go get some coffee," I lied. I was going to confront her bastard of a father.