"I hate you!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face as I glared at my boyfriend.
There was a flash of surprise that registered on his face, before he assumed a steely gaze. "What did you just say?"
Given the look on his face, I wasn't about to repeat myself, so instead, I started inching towards the door, hoping to make a quick getaway.
Of course, I had no such luck, and he stepped in front of me, glaring down at me. "And just where the hell do you think you're going?" he hissed, his grip on my arm tightening painfully.
I shrunk back, avoiding his eyes as I squeaked out, "I was going to go home."
He didn't say anything; just tightened his grip until I cried out in pain, then released me roughly. I stumbled back, but straightened quickly and headed for the door again.
This time I didn't make it more than two steps when he backhanded me, sending me to the ground. I was blinking back tears as he jerked me up and shoved me in the direction of the door. He threw my bag and jacket at me before opening the door. "Get out of here. I never want to see your slutty little face again."
Not having to be told twice, I practically sprinted out of his room and out the front door of his house, holding back my tears until I had safely made it outside. Then, I collapsed onto the curb and started bawling, my shoulders shaking violently.
It took me a while to calm down, but eventually the tears stopped and I took a couple of deep breaths, evaluating my injuries. My arm was already starting to bruise, and I knew I would have a nasty bruise on my face, but it was nothing I wasn't used to so I stood up, brushed myself off, and started walking.
I had no destination as I walked, my eyes focused on the ground so that I wouldn't meet anybody's eyes. Granted, this made not running into people a challenge, one that I failed miserably as I ran smack into someone's chest.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, not quite meeting the stranger's eyes as I straightened myself out.
"Don't worry about it love, it was entirely my fault," the other person, clearly male and clearly not from around here, replied to me.
The strange accent was enough to make me look up, my blood shot, dull green eyes meeting a pair of the most piercing blue eyes I had ever seen. They were filled with concern as he looked me over, making me duck my head again.
"I'm sorry," I repeated, still feeling the boy's eyes watching me.
I could hear him sigh softly before speaking again. "Are you alright there babe? You don't look so good."
It was sweet of him to ask, but I had experienced sweet before and the memories caused my barriers to instantly shoot up and I glared at him. "I'm fine."
His hands flew up in surrender, obviously surprised at my sudden change in mood. "Sorry to anger you, it's just that you've obviously been crying and there's a nasty bruise forming on your cheek."
This time it was my turn to sigh as I once more met his eyes. "No, it's fine, you were just asking a question. I'm sorry. And I really am fine." I told him, hoping he wouldn't catch my obvious lie.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I could tell he didn't believe me and of course he couldn't just leave it alone like I had been hoping. "I know it's not my place, but I can tell when someone is fine. And you, sweetheart, are not fine."
I couldn't help but admire the stranger's boldness, but I didn't let this show as I stared him down. "I told you, I am fine." I repeated again, emphasizing every word.
He sighed and pulled out a scrap of paper and a pencil from the pocket of his jacket. "You don't want to talk now, fine. But if you ever need anything, feel free to call or text me," he said, handing me the piece of paper which now had his number scrawled across it. "My name is Niall. Niall Horan."
Before I could reply, he had walked away, and I was left standing on the sidewalk with his number and a very confused brain. Shaking my head to clear, I stuffed the paper into my pocket and continued walking.
I reached my apartment and shuffled through the door, throwing my stuff on the table, suddenly completely exhausted. The events of the day had caught up to me and I collapsed onto my bed, falling asleep instantly.