I couldn't really focus on anything, it was like I was drifting in and out of consciousness. But, admittedly, it wasn't very likely that me, straight talking Ashleigh, would be down this easily. The pain was really intense now. I could only be left alone with my thoughts, which was at this moment, as you would expect, a huge fun ordeal. Not.
Niall, Katy, Logan, the boys. I can't just leave them like this, with the way I left the party. The hurt in Katy's expression, just about killed me. She was always the happy, cheerful one, and to see it all dramatically change when I walked in with Logan...
I felt my weight shift, like I was being dragged somewhere. Just what I needed. It was dark out, I remembered, and no-one would see or suspect a thing, just shadows in the night. I couldn't help but recall on the events so far. It would have bought a tear to my eye, if I had control of my face or body. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, but I couldn't get to it, my arms were stiffly secured behind my back. Luckily, my attacker hadn't noticed the mobile, it was hidden quite well, in my bag. After another ten minutes of quality alone time with my thoughts, I felt myself thump to the floor. There was definitely something wrong, but I couldn't get my mind around exactly what, despite being helpless, obviously. As I was attempting to figure it all out, a hand came to my mouth, and liquid poured down my throat. My eyelids fluttered, my mouth outstretched in yawns, and I drifted into sleep.
Two hours later, I awoke, realising I had regained control of my body. My eyes came into focus, even with the dim lighting of the building I was in. I made out three figures, huddled in the corner of the room. One of them came away from the huddle, started coming towards me, and said "No, it's alright, I'll check on her". I began to shuffle backwards as the figure came closer. "it's alright, I won't hurt you." the figure said. It was a gentle, caring girl's voice, about my age, I would say. She knelt down in front of me and looked me in the eye. I got a good view of her features then. She had a familiar face, I had definitely seen her somewhere before. Definitely. It took me a few minutes, but I finally recognised her. "E-Emily?" I said shakily, not knowing if my speech was audible. "Yeah, it's me. Hey Ashleigh." I shook my head. "YOU did this to me? But you were so sweet at the signing!" she rapidly shook her head in denial. "No no no! They did!" she gestured to the other two figures who I still couldn't make out. "And they are?" I asked. "Jennifer and Jo." she said in a quick reply. "well, why did they do this to me?"
"Tara made them."
"Makes sense."
"Suppose it does."
"But why are you here?"
"Tara thinks I'm on her side, like those two. But I came along to make sure you were safe. Im on your side in this. I've saw how Tara treats Niall behind closed doors."
"Okay, eww."
"Not like that"
"Oh"
As Emily was about to reply, another figure appeared above me. I tried to find something which could help me differentiate between Jennifer and Jo, to know which one I would be speaking to. All I could find was a 'J' necklace around her neck. 'Unbelievable.' I said to myself. "Is she conscious?" Jennifer/Jo said to Emily. "Jen, we don't have to do this. I mean, she hasn't done anything!" Emily pleaded. Aha, it was Jennifer standing in front of me. After an exchange of looks, Jennifer shrugged, and went to open the door. "Thanks" Emily said, and shifted my weight on her shoulders, and helped me out of the door. When we were safely out of earshot, I said "I can walk Emily". She laughed, and said "No, you can't. Not yet. It was strong stuff Jo gave you." I sighed and carried on. We arrived back at the park after what seemed like forever, and Emily sat me down on the fountain. My blood was still spattered on the brickwork, and it made me shudder. "Jo doesn't say much, does she?" I said. "She's not the speaking type. You don't get on her wrong side, you'll live. She can't be reasoned with" Emily replied.
"I actually thought you didn't like One Direction though, Ashleigh?"
Crap. The inevitable question.
"Yeah, well, something changed"
"What?"
I sighed. "I'm not going into this"
"So, let me get this straight. You, party girl, adrenaline seeking Ashleigh, have joined the generation of fangirls? A-mazing."
I couldn't help but get a little angry. "People change"
"I guess so"
"I'm not a fangirl, by the way"
"Oh, I saw. The way Niall dedicated I Wish to you? Yeah, you're more than a fangirl"
I lifted my gaze from the ground to meet Emily's. "You saw that?"
"Erm, yeah! Everyone at the party did!"
"You were-"
Before I could finish my sentence, Katy and Logan, a wide distance apart from each other (understandably) came running up to us. Before I could understand what was happening, I was back at the party, backstage. It was just me, Emily, Katy and Logan. The boys were elsewhere, socialising, I assume. "Ash, are you okay?" Katy asked, getting upset. I nodded weakly, because everything, even nodding, hurt at the minute. "Ashleigh, babe, I'll never leave you again" Logan said from my other side. "Don't babe her." Katy said flatly. Logan rolled his was always going to be tension. Katy, unlike me, was NEVER going to forget what Logan had done in the past. I shouldn't really forget, but Niall had hurt me so bad that I was prepared to overlook anything. I don't care what happens now.
Suddenly, the boys came rushing to my side. "Is she alright?" Liam said in a concerned voice. Harry looked really upset too, surprisingly. Even Alyssa, at his side, looked a bit uneven and shaky. And I know she hates me. They all helped me up, and took me onstage. Zayn announced I was back, and there was sighs of relief throughout the audience. Now that surprised me. As I was scanning the audience, randomly, I saw Emily heading out the door. "Wait!" I shouted and began to run after her. I wasn't safe or steady on my feet, and it showed. But I was determined to thank her for everything. I reached the door, ran outside and scanned the surroundings for Emily. No sign of her. I eventually gave up and turned around to find Katy, Logan and the boys staring at me. Louis was holding Katy close, as she was sobbing hysterically. "Why did she run off like that?" Harry said. "I guess she thought she saw someone?" Alyssa replied. "But there's no-one here..." Liam added. "Oh god, it's happening again... Ash, please don't do this to us again" Katy sobbed, backing into Louis' chest.