||book 1 of the akotw trilogy|| Hate, abuse, and suffering. That is the reality for 17 year old Channing Darly. She endures the abuse delivered by her stepfather, while also trying to protect her oblivious mother. In order to deal with the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, she often finds herself turning to the blade, and taking her frustrations out on her own delicate flesh. When Channing gets the chance to meet the boys of One Direction at a local signing, she's eager and nervous to share her letters that's she's written to Niall over the past year. They develop a bond that no one seems able to explain; Channing leaves Niall with a stack of her letters, and Niall leaves Channing with the promise that he'll read them, as well as his leather bracelet to remind her that someone is thinking about her. Someone cares. Little does Channing know, that once she let's Niall into her mind and soul through her letters, he'll stop at nothing to mend her broken past. Even when she resists his advances, he lovingly kicks the walls down she's built around her heart; one kiss, one touch, and three little words at a time. They may not have known each other for long... but all they know for sure is that everything has changed... and it started with a kiss on the wrist. ||WARNING|| This story will contain sexual content, as well as many forms of abuse, including: drugs, verbal/physical/sexual abuse, and self harm. It is rated R and not intended for individuals who are underage or lack the maturity to understand such mature concepts. Also, later on, you will find some chapters have been marked as private by Wattpad because of inappropriate content-- please be sure to follow me so that you don't have any problems viewing these chapters. Feel free to watch the trailer in the media section if you need a more visual explanation as to what this story contains. <3 Mandy © 2012

Niall murmurs a sorry to me before dumping the drink on me. I didn't know what to do. I was shocked. Of course I couldn't just go on a date with Niall without being made fun of. I sighed at the thirteen year old. I got up and walked out of the building. I didn't even bother, calling Ma or Pa. It wasn't worth it. I was just glad we would be moving. Moving far away from this hell hole.

Niall Horan has had a bad reputation around here. For a new kid, he's doing pretty well at making himself seem frightening. Well, I'm not scared. I'm simply curious. It's things like this, things like this that make me want to know more. I won't stop until I figure him out. Will I start to develop feelings for him? Feelings that I really shouldn't be having for someone like him? Who knows. I may find out things I don't want to find out about his past, and how it's been haunting him all his life. Something about him keeps me interested. I won't stop until I know everything. I will take those walls down. And when I do, I'll crush every single piece of it so that they can never be put up again. No matter what the risks may be.

*Was previously called Life Changers.* Alayna wanted out and Harry was her escape. They were attached at the hip, and did almost everything together. They went through the happiest, and the scariest points in their lives together. And now Harry's off in some band, doing what he wanted. And well, Alayna isn't. She's at home, raising their daughter, Darcy Jay Styles. But hey, all good things must come to an end right? Especially when a blond Irish boy jumps into the mix.