CRASH (Harry Styles and Demi Lovato)

Chapter 18 ∽ In Need of a Breather

DEMI'S POV

I felt like I was trapped in a cage, stranded in someplace I didn't wanna be in, as Nick's arms continued to lock me tight on to him.

"What is he doing here?" He said through the hug, whispering so that only I could hear him.

"Its none of your fucking business. Shouldn't I be the one asking you the same question?" I spat quietly, yet the strain in my voice didn't seem to go unnoticed as I said the words through gritted teeth.

Nick pulled away and held me by my shoulders at arm's length. The expression on his face mocked concern and worry, but I knew better than to be decieved. I could feel my mother's keen eyes observing the current situation as I peaked at her expression through peripheral view. She remained silent, steady as she stood with her hands hanging by her sides.

"We were worried sick about you. Your Mum called me this morning and told me that you never went home last night, so I came over as soon as I could." Nick spoke but the words were all lost on me.

I didn't know what was going on. My thoughts were reeling, anxious to know what was running through my Mum's mind and why Nick was acting like he gave a damn about me, even having the guts to give me an unsolicited embrace, when he was the culprit. He was the reason why I never came home. He was the one that I was running from, and yet here he was, acting like a fucking concerned citizen.

"Babe?" He called out to me, the hypocritical endearment was enough to make me nauseous. My eyebrows furrowed as confusion took over me. I diverted my gaze to my right arm where Nick was running his hand up and down in a gentle manner. Something was wrong here. Even when we were together, Nick never acted this way when our parents were ever around, he always said he was shy about displays of affection.

And then the realization hit me like a stray bullet straight through my brain. He was selling himself, trying to make himself look good in front of my mum. My mum didn't know yet, Nick didn't tell her, I was sure of it... if she did, she would've said something the moment I took a step inside that door and Nick wouldn't be acting like this. Come to think of it, why would he tell her that we broke up when he could just easily fool her into thinking that we were still together? Since this bastard's such an expert hoaxer.

"Demetria," My mother's unwelcoming voice snapped me out of my analyzation. I led my eyes towards her, timingly meeting her gaze. "Nick is expressing concern for you and yet you couldn't even give him a response. Where were you last night? We've been looking for you," She scolded, displeasure evidently drawn across her face.

I mentally rolled my eyes at her ignorant statement. Concern? Ha! If only she knew what this dick did to me, I bet she wouldn't say the same thing. But then again, she may not even give a damn about it... or me, for that matter. Knowing my mother, I suspect the latter.

I decided to play along with whatever card Nick was playing at and let him be. I, too, didn't want my Mum to know what happened between me and Nick... at least not yet. I wasn't ready for my mother's reaction if she'd ever find out what happened. And besides, I didn't wanna engage in a fucking inquisition this early into my day.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect Nick to be here. I was quite surprised to see him here this early, so it took me some time to process the whole situation." I said, telling them the half-truth. "I'm fine, by the way. I stayed at a friend's house last night," I added to answer her question.

"And by any chance, would that 'friend' be the young man behind you?" My mother raised her chin, narrowing her eyes as she darted her gaze towards Harry who was silently standing behind me.

"Oh yeah! I totally forgot to introduce him," I exclaimed as I realized the task that I failed to do. I snatched my arm away from Nick's disgusting hands and made my way to Harry's side  "Mum, this is Harry. He's a very good friend of mine and yes, I did stay at his place last night."