CHAPTER 18:

"Don't try to make me stay or ask if I'm okay, I don't have the answer." ~Irresistible, One Direction.

Wednesday, 28th August 2013

ZAYN'S POV:

When I asked Harry the address to his house to drop him off, he refused and the poor lad started crying again. I felt compelled to ask the reason again, but I stopped myself. It seemed like it was a personal matter and I shouldn't pry. At least not at this time.

Harry told me to drop him off at Louis' house and I complied.

"Thanks again for everything, Zayn," Harry spoke while getting out of the car. I waved my hand dismissively. Why I was acting nice, I had no idea. Maybe because Harry already had a lot of shit going on. And the least I could do to redeem myself for my past actions was to act nice towards him. Wow, I'm changing.

"It's okay. Hope you feel better."

I waited 'til Harry knocked on the door and Louis opened it. His eyes widened when he took in Harry's state, and then he peered behind Harry, at me. He looked like he was spitting abuses and then his gaze turned into a glare, and he started shoving Harry away to walk closer to me. Whoa, buddy!

But Harry grabbed his shoulder and murmured something to him and Louis stopped. Harry nodded at me and I drove off. Yeah, I guess I must've given Louis the wrong impression and I don't blame him. After all, I wasn't exactly very nice to his best friend sometime ago.

~*~

LOUIS' POV:

"Louis! Door!" One of my sisters yelled from their spot in front of the TV. I grumbled and got up from the comfy couch to answer the damn door.

"Oh hey, Har- Oh my god! Are you okay?!" My eyes widened in horror as I took in my best friend's appearance. His eyes were red and puffy as if he was crying. There was a deep cut on his cheek, his whole left arm was bandaged and there was blood on his shirt.

"Uh Lou? Can I come in first?" Harry murmured, momentarily avoiding my question. My eyes focused on a car standing in front of my house. I squinted my eyes and then I recognized him. It was Zayn. I was so damn angry at seeing my best friend in this state and I didn't give much thought to what I was saying.

"It's him. He hurt you, didn't he! Like he did before! That fucker! When I get my hands on him-" I shoved Harry and started marching toward his shiny car.

"No Louis! Stop! He didn't hurt me okay?! Actually, he's the one that dropped me off here and took me to the hospital. Right now, he deserves to be thanked, not get beaten up!"

I somewhat calmed down at Harry's words. "Okay, I believe you. Sorry."

Harry nodded in Zayn's direction and he gratefully drove off.

"Now, can I come inside?"

"Uh, yeah."

I lead Harry inside and the girls greeted him. They worriedly questioned Harry's injuries but I waved them off.

"Where's Jay?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Mark took her on a date, so I'm babysitting," I sighed.

"We don't need to be babysat, though!" Lottie grumbled. I mimicked her in the annoying brother way and told her that she was still a little girl to me.

Then I steered Harry to my room and we sat down on the bed.

"Okay mate, spill."

Harry ruffled his curls nervously. "Uh, where should I start?"

I raised my brows. "The beginning sounds good."

"Uh, so, my Mum got a new boyfriend. And... he was at the flat when I got h-home after school. So I asked him who h-he was... and he..."

"Oh," I gasped, my mind connecting everything. Harry's injuries. Harry's Mum did have a couple of violent boyfriends in the past. Now, this had happened again after so many years.

Harry started sobbing and my heart went out to my best mate. I hated it when he was so vulnrable. I passed an arm around his shoulder and hugged him to my chest.

"Ssh Haz, it's okay."

"N-no! It's not! He.. he said he'd hurt Mum if I didn't leave. And he'd k-kill her if I called the police. I-I refused to leave so he hurt me and Mum told me go so I went. I hid in t-the school where Zayn found me and t-took me to the hospital."

My mind whirred as I processed everything. I suddenly pulled Harry away and grabbed his shoulders firmly. "You didn't call the police then?!"

"No Lou! Didn't you hear me! He'd hurt us if we d-did!"

I slapped a hand to my forehead. "You're a right idiot Haz!"

"How long ago? Is he still at your house?" I questioned, standing up and Harry shakily nodded.

"About an hour ago."

"Come on then!"

Harry's eyes widened. "Where?"

"To your house that's where!" I didn't give Harry a chance to protest as I quickly shrugged on my jacket and seized his wrist, dragging him downstairs.

"We'll be back in a few girls. Lottie you're in charge till then, be happy. Call me if you need anything!" I called out and shut the door behind me. Harry's apartment building wasn't far from here so I started speed-walking there.

Harry caught up to me. "Louis are you crazy?! We can't go there! For my Mum!"

"Harry think sensibly! Your Mum's life could be in danger! You should've called the cops then and there. But now we're gonna see if he's still there first from a safe place and then I'm calling the police."

Harry didn't say anything so I took it as a sign of agreement. We reached Harry's complex and quickly bounded up the stairs, taking two at a time. I stopped when we reached the deserted corridor and told Harry to stay behind me.

I listened closer to the door and heard someone shouting and things being thrown. And it was definitely a male voice that was doing the shouting.

Without a second thought, I dialled 911 and shoved the phone in Harry's hands.

"911. What's your emergency?"

"M-my Mum- there's- in my house- he-"

I snatched the phone from Harry's hand. "There's a man who is inside my friend's house and is assaulting his mother!" And I prattled off Harry's address to them and hung up.

Harry was still crying from panic and I hugged him tightly. "It's okay, Haz. You're Mum's gonna be okay. The police are coming."

I took us to a secluded corner and we waited there. I prayed that that scumbag would'nt run away and the cops catch him. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of feet scuffling and I got up to peer out the corridor.

I sighed in relief when I saw there were a couple of police officers standing in front of the door.

One of them put his back against the door with his gun ready. "Open this door right now or we are breaking in!" The noise inside had now stopped and Harry was pale with worry.

"You okay, lads?" One of them asked us. Harry shakily nodded and I asked, "How did you manage to come here so quickly? Not that I'm complaining."

"Well we got a call about 15 minutes ago from a neighbor. They told us that they heard the sounds of things crashing and male voices. It appeared unusual to them because only a woman and her teenage son lived here."

The officer knocked down the door and all our attention focused there. Some of them went inside to search for the guy and after a few minutes of tense anticipation, the police came out escorting a tough looking guy who was yelling obsenities at Harry.

~*~

HARRY'S POV:

I waited with baited breath as the police went inside to search for Kyle, and finally when they came out with him in their custody, I gave a sob of relief. He was yelling and squirming when the officer snapped some handcuffs on him.

"You little fucktard! I told you not to call the cops! I'm going to fuck-"

"Oh calm down, Matthews!" The elderly lieutenant rolled his eyes. "The boy didn't call us, the people living around here did. Now, I'm glad I have you with me again. I kinda missed you," he chuckled.

Louis and I exchanged a look. Then I remembered.

"WHERE'S MY MUM?"

"She's inside, lad. She's just being questioned."

I bolted inside and Louis followed. I saw Mum, sitting on the couch, shaking, and nodding to some questions the officer was asking her.

"Mum!" I choked. Her eyes snapped up and she gave a cry of relief.

I tackled her and hugged her like my life depended on it. I hadn't hugged her like this for years and it felt amazing. I must've been crying really hard 'cos Mum was patting my hair soothingly and whispering "It's alright baby, I'm okay."

"Please Mum, don't ever do that. Stay with me. Please. Get better. For me," I pleaded though my tears. Something flickered in Mum's eyes and she nodded.

"I will baby, I'll try. For you."

"Glad you're okay Anne." Louis smiled at Mum and she smiled back. "You're gonna be okay, Haz?" He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I got up and squeezed him in a hug.

"Thanks for everything Lou. You're the best," I told him honestly. Louis patted my back and chuckled.

"Don't have to tell me twice!"

We went out the door and the police had already taken a swearing and livid Kyle away.

"He wouldn't bother you anymore, boy. I've been looking for this guy for months since he escaped, now I'll put him down for good. Filthy drug dealer, he is."

"Thank you," I gasped in relief at the lieutenant.

"Take good care of your mother," he patted my shoulder and went downstairs, Louis following him.

I got back inside and closed the door behind me. Mum was now snoozing on the coach and I didn't disturb her. I'll just wake her up for dinner.

~*~

I took a nice long shower after we had eaten the dinner I bought for us. I dried myself and changing into some sweats and a Rolling Stone tee, I collapsed in my soft bed, sighing in pleasure from resting my acting back.

I checked my phone to see I had 19 texts. Oh.

12 of them were from Dani, who was saying that Lou told her what happened and if I was alright. I immediately called her and assured her I was fine now. She also asked about Zayn, 'cos Louis had told her about that as well and when she started teasing me an awful lot, I hung up on her.

Out of the other texts, 2 of them were from Louis, 3 from Niall, both asking about my well being. I replied to both.

And then the last two were from Zayn. Yes. I had given him my number when he'd asked for it, but mainly for professional reasons, like he said. He'd said as I was his tutor, he'd text me when he needed to ask some questions. I was okay with that, though. 'Cos I had his number.

I quickly opened the first text.

Hey, everything okay now? Your pal Louis looked pretty mad. Haha.

Hope you're feeling better now :) x

I meant what I said before, I really am sorry. xx

I smiled unconsciously after reading his concerned texts. Then I gulped. Yeah. 'Cos he said he was sorry. And I was supposed to forgive him. And I will. Eventually.

And wow! Zayn had even added kisses at the end of the last two texts. I decided not to look too much into it and replied.

Thanks again for everything. I'm okay now, and everything else too .xx

I avoided replying to his last text. Locking my phone, I shoved it under my pillow and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

~*~*~*~*

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