Chapter three.

I blinked against the harsh light that flooded in through the window, my head giving much protest as I sat up.

Groggily looking around, it took me a while to realise that I was not in my own bed.

I glanced quickly over at the other side of the queen size bed, remembering the previous night's

events, relieved to find that there wasn't someone in bed with me.

I'd hate to think that I'd gotten drunk, slept with someone and didn't recall a bloody thing.

I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I was in Niall Horan's hotel room, let alone his bed AND his clothes.

There was a hollow feeling at the bottom of my stomach, hunger mixed with the same longing from earlier.

I shook my head, still confused at the strange feeling, having never felt anything like it before.

Not that I hadn't had a crush or two, but I would never act on it, how could I even? That would require talking, actually holding a conversation with a boy. And that's something I couldn't do.

But this feeling, this longing, was something that made my breath catch and my heart beat faster.

I ran a hand through my hair, expecting it to be a mess, but finding that it still fell in relatively neat curls, though it had straightened out quite a bit, and most parts had turned wavy.

I saw that on the foot of the bed was my dress, and I assumed that Niall had brought it in last night while I slept.

Taking off Niall's clothes, I folded them neatly and then slipped into my dress, and tied it up at the back of my neck.

The soles of my feet took in the soft carpet beneath me as I crossed the room, my lips parting to let out a yawn. I clumsily made it to the door, my hand fumbling with the knob before it finally opened.

Liam and Zayn were on the couch watching the tv and Niall was at the bench, sitting on a stool and eating cereal, he welcomed me with a warm smile and a wave.

"Good morning." He spoke in a cheery, Irish voice. Which made me bite my lip, just to stop from grinning like an idiot.

"Mornin'.." I could tell that I sounded like a dying cat compared to Niall.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Fine, thanks." It was mostly true, I passed out as soon as he had said goodnight, and only had one nightmare, which had to be some kind of record for me.

"That's good." He mumbled through his mouthful of coco pops.

"Where are Harry and Louis?" I didn't mind that Harry wasn't present, I was merely curious.

Niall, now fully able to speak, pointed in the direction of the door. "They're in the room across from us, they'll be taking advantage of the fact that we don't need to go into the studio today."

I nodded, a new question coming to mind. "I forgot to ask last night, but why exactly are you here?"

"Here, as in Australia? Um, we're having a concert, but other than that we're just having
a little break before our next tour. We really liked it here, the last time we came to Brisbane."

Out of all the places they could have gone, they chose Brisbane, and out of all the clubs they could have gone, they chose the one I was in.

"-yeah, no one's really supposed to know we had arrived yet, just so we could have a day or two of peace, but someone must have tipped off the paps.."

I cut him off, suddenly feeling sick.

"The paparazzi, Niall!"

I could tell I was on the verge of a panic attack.

"What?" He seemed surprised at the urgency in my voice.

"They.. They've got pictures.. Of you.. And me.. Leaving a.. CLUB!"

"I know-." It appeared to click that I was only seventeen and me seen leaving a club, was not good, especially with a guy.

Not only that, but my face would be most likely all over the Internet as well, perhaps in a few magazines, and on the lips of every Directioner.

My breathing was quick, and my nails were digging into the palm of my hand. Just thinking about the amount of people who would see my face, know my name and whatever other details they could find out.. It made want to vomit, I couldn't deal with that publicity, or the invasion of my privacy.

The kids at school barely knew who I was, and now the paparazzi had photos of Niall and I holding hands, leaving a club together.. They'd twist it in every possible way, claiming that I'm his girlfriend, a one night stand, anything that will interest their readers.

"I should get home." I said quickly, turning and bursting out the door, not waiting for a goodbye from Niall.

I bumped into a sleepy looking Harry as I shut the door behind me. He looked at me while adjusting the beanie on his head.

"Off so soon?" He asked.

"I.. I need to go.." I stumbled over my words, and started off towards the elevator.

He tried to catch my arm, but I slipped out of his grip.

As I hurried down the hall, I refused to look back.

Only when I had started walking home from the train station did I realise that I had left my phone on the bed side table, but I didn't particularly feel like going back there so soon, or ever again for that matter. Even if it meant having to get a new phone.

Not that I didn't like Niall, because I did. I just don't think I could handle the attention that hanging with him would bring. And if there was Niall, there was the rest of the boys, and I wasn't used to being around that many people.

I took in a deep breath as I fumbled with my keys, unlocking the front door, knowing that I would need to prepare myself for what was inside.

The smell of smoke mingled with alcohol hit me as I shut the door, turning to my right, and walking into the lounge room, not surprised to find my father sprawled out on the lounge with a bottle in his large hands.

He glanced at me as I entered the room, and my whole body went tense.

"You were out all night." His voice was almost a snarl as he stood, beginning to walk over to me.

I looked up at him nervously. "Yes, sorry. I was out with Maria."

"You're lying to me, aren't you." He paused. "I bet you were out fucking. You little whore!" I tried to step back, away from him, but before I could, I felt the back of his hand against face. '

Pain radiated through my head, and I could taste the blood pouring from my now split lip. I held my hand up to my cheek, prodding the tender flesh.

"I'm sorry, Dad.. I'm so sorry.." I blinked away the hot tears that filled my eyes, shifting my gaze to the floor.

"Don't look away from me!" For fear that he would hit me again; I returned my eyes to his face. "Show a little respect for God's sake. Now, run to the store and get me some more rum."

"I'm not old enough to buy alcohol, Dad."

"What good are you?" He gave a sigh. "Then you might as well get some food, the cupboards are empty and I'm hungry."

I nodded timidly, heading to my room to get changed.

I stopped half way, hearing the phone ring. Not wanting my father to pick it up, I quickly answered it.

"Hello?" I mumbled, still holding the side of my face.

"Alice!" A familiar Irish voice chirped in my ear.

"Niall?"

"Yes! Hi, you left your phone in my hotel room. Do you want me to drop it around?"

"No!"

"Huh? Okay. Should we catch up then? I'd like to talk to you."

"Uh.. Sure."

"Do you mind meeting me at my hotel?"

I was slightly hesitant but I agreed none the less. "Okay, when do you want me there?"

"Be here in an hour, yeah?"

"See you then.." I mumbled, waiting for him to say goodbye before I hung up.

I walked into my room, the phone held tightly in my hand, and I looked in the mirror, examining the red mark across my cheek that was quickly forming into a bruise.

As I wiped the blood from my lip with a tissue, I couldn't help but think how much I hated myself.

I haven't updated in forever and I'm so sorry! But I'm on break from school now & should hopefully get some writing done! xo