Struggle | H.S | AU |

Fourteen|

I did my warm ups before I went to the gym because it was time for my boxing lesson and I was looking forward to it even though I knew that Harry would show up to see my progress. I had changed my out fit into the one I used for my boxing lessons.

I was now wearing loose shorts and a tight tank top and I had put my hair in a ponytail and I bought new Nikes to work out in. I still didn't use boxing gloves because I thought they were stupid so I taped in my hands with the help of my coach and I was standing in front of a boxing bag.

I love the feeling of letting go of my frustrations and to be honest I was really frustrated and this all thanks to one person. To my luck he wasn't here and I was surprised when I couldn't find him but I also felt relieved because Louis and Zayn weren't here as well. This gave me some room to breathe and focus on my training, which would start in 5 minutes. I made my way to the ring after I did my warm ups and my coach was already preparing for me. He had put on his pads and his joy was visible on his face when he saw me enter the ring. "Are you ready?" he asked and I nodded and took my position.

We were circling around each other when he suddenly attacked and he hit me straight in the face and to be honest that really hurt a lot but not that much as it would if I didn't had some training. "Alright so what went wrong there?" he asked as if I was stupid and that did piss me of slightly.

"I didn't expect you to hit me," I said and he nodded as if that was exactly what he expected me to say. "You always have to expect the worst because if you're not focussed then you can get seriously hurt" he explained patiently to me but I still felt a bit of anger towards his cheap move and I seriously needed to kick his butt this time.

"Take your position," he said and I did what he said and I focussed. We began circling again and this time I tried to hit him first but he expected that and he hit back but this time I could block his attack and I hit him in the stomach, which made him groan. "Good Job Anna" he complimented me.

I was almost doing a victory round when he tripped me by grabbing my feet and there I went flying backwards and my head landed on the floor pretty hard. I even saw stars for a few seconds. "Are you okay?" he said worried but I brought my leg up and kicked him in the nuts, which made him fall as well.

"Are you okay coach?" I said sarcastic whilst standing up and he was laughing on the ground "God woman you're something else" he laughed and I joined him and I reached for his hand to pull him up. He grabbed it and we went for another round this time I blocked almost every blow he tried on me and I punched him 3 times.

I had really enjoyed myself and he noticed it as well. "So what's between you and Harry?" He asked out of the blue and I felt my mood shift. "Ugh...I don't know. I really want to say nothing but if he hears me say that he probably beat me up but to me he is nothing but an obnoxious person who doesn't know what the word NO means!" I rambled but he didn't say anything although he was observing me.

"It's not really my place but please be careful. Harry is dangerous and now I know why you decided to take box lessons. It's because of him right?" He asked me and I just couldn't lie to him about this. "Yes, he beat me up real bad and I never want to feel like I felt that night. I mean I felt so scared and hopeless." I admitted to him and I'd never thought that would make me feel better. "That's why you looked so bad when we first met" he stated and I nodded to confirm his thoughts.

"Yeah...but anyway I have to go, thanks and I will see you tomorrow!!" I said hastily as I had to be at work soon. I made my way to the locker room and got changed into my work outfit, which consisted out of black skirt and a sleeveless white blouse. I put on some vans, which I would change into heels when I got there but I had to walk all the way without getting noticed so for now it had to be vans.

I had to take the long way for no one to notice me because I knew that the guys would keep an eye out for me and I couldn't let that happen. I even had put on a big sunhat because it would hide my face a bit. Thankfully I could come in through the backdoor. "Mrs Brooks it's Anna" I yelled into the store and she appeared with a tray filled with food and tea. "You are just on time, let's eat something before we open the shop alright," she said.

I quickly took a seat and grabbed a muffin and I waited for her to pour the tea. She was exactly what I imagined a real grandmother would be but I never knew my grandmother because she passed away before I was born at least that's what they tell me but you never know nowadays. People tend to turn up out of the blue.

"Today I'm going to teach you how to use the register system if that's alright with you?" she asked friendly. "Of course. I would appreciate it a lot" I told her as it was actually something I was looking forward to do. I loved learning something new and this would definitely make things easier for her. "Good because then I can take a day off tomorrow, which would be nice for a change," she said with a lot of spunk. She was a remarkable lady and she was so funny. I glanced at the clock, which said it was time to open the shop and I was getting a bit anxious but to be fair Harry already been here and he thought I wasn't working here so what are the chances that he would barge in again, right?

We counted the money for in the cash drawer and I walked with the cash drawer towards the register. I was really enthusiastic to learn this even though I already knew how to work at the register. Every system is different and from the looks of it this one is a bit older then I'm used to but I would manage!!

Mrs Brooks went home and left the shop in my hands after 2 hours of teaching me how to work with the register and I was rearranging some of the books when a costumer walked in and when I turned around I was shocked to find Niall in the store and I knew my safe haven was gone. "Anna, what are you doing here?" I could lie of course but what would happen if he wanted to buy something. I would look really stupid if nobody would register his stuff. So I opted for the truth and I was prepared to beg for him to keep his mouth shut to Harry or one of the other lads.

"I'm working here Niall but please don't tell any of the other lads and especially not Harry, please Niall?" I begged him and he took pity on me. You could see it in his eyes and I hated that but I wasn't in a place were I could say something. "I wont tell anyone just relax Anna" he said whilst walking to me and he did something unexpected, he hugged me. I really didn't know how to respond to that so I kept standing there like a fool.

"You know I don't really like to read books but my little nephew will be turning 1 next week and I want to buy a lovely childsbook" he said and I grabbed his arm and pulled him with me to the children section and I showed him the bestsellers. I had to excuse myself and ran back to the register because for some reason it was really a busy day.

I was happy to see all those costumers buying books and other stuff. Niall returned with a book and I could tell it was a good one only by looking at the cover. "I think he will love that book" I told him, just trying to be nice.

"You think?" he asked doubtful and I nodded as I got wrapping paper from under the counter.

"Yes I'm certain" I gave him a small smile and wrapped the book in nice wrapping paper and I gave it back to him. "Here you go and have a nice day" I walked away back to my duties when he grabbed my arm and turned me around.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" I asked startled and I even winched from the contact as I still had bruises. "I'm sorry but can I hang out here more often?" he asked me politely this was new to me and I actually appreciated that he asked me nicely.

"Uhm.. Yea of course but be careful okay?" I told him, as I did;t want Harry to smash in his skull or mine for that matters because that was something I really couldn't handle. "I promise, thank you Anna" With that he kissed my cheek and left the shop, leaving me standing there with my hand on my cheek.

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Notes

 I really hope you like this chapter, as it is a bit of a filler. Nothing much happens but it's important that you guys get an insight at Anna's and Niall's relationship because in book 2 stuff will happen and maybe even in this book.

So all I can say is stay tuned and let me know what you think!!

xx