Zayn jumped in the drivers seat with Liam as the passenger. In the back seats sat Niall and I and Harry in between Eliza and Louis. Zayn turned the heating up in the car to the max, Harry was frozen, theyd kept him in a damp part of the warehouse’s. Eliza sat with Harry’s hands in hers to keep them warm and he had a blanket draped over him. Louis watched over him like a protective older brother. 

I had my head on Niall’s chest while he stroked my hair. “I’m just  glad he’s safe and you’re safe” he whispered into my ear. He was a lot more relaxed now, I could feel it in the way he held my hand. Harry just shivered.

We finally arrived back at the apartments, it was such a cold day and we all hurried inside Harry first. We all went back Liam’s flat where Annie was waiting for him, as soon as he walked in the door she wrapped her arms around him and let out a sigh of relief. Eliza helped Harry sit down and Louis made his a hot cup of tea and a water bottle. He just sat shivering in the chair.

Later that night we were all sat around watching a film on TV. Harry had warmed up and had taken a shine to Eliza. They had been inseparable since earlier. Louis and Zayn had gone back to their apartments and Liam, Annie, Niall and I were still at Liams with Eliza and Harry. Harry was staying at Liams with Eliza because they hadn’t changed the locks on Harry’s flat yet and unfortunately Alisha - even her name made me feel ill - had a pair of the keys.

Niall got up and pulled me up. I’d already told my mum where I was and she was fine with it, her and my dad were away anyway on a weekend retreat. If only they knew what was going on. “Do you want to go back to mine, I want to tell you something” he told me. I nodded and smiled and we turned around.

“Niall and me are going to get back now” I told everyone.

“I hope you feel better now Harry, thanks everyone” Niall also added slipping his hands around my waist. Eliza got up and hugged me before snuggling back up with Harry. That made me smile. Eliza was the nicest person I knew, she was really small and had gorgeous brown hair and Harry was also incredibly lovely. I hoped something would come of this - so Harry could forget Alisha and all the trauma she’d caused.

Me and Niall went upstairs as his apartments was on the the floor above Liam’s. It was freezing in Niall’s falt as he hadn’t put the heating on since we had to rush out this morning. Niall went and turned on a lamp in his bedroom so it filled the Lounge/Kitchen with a warm glow. It was so cold in the flat that I could see my breath. I shivered. Niall came from the bedroom and hugged me, he nested his head in the crook of my neck. My face was against his shoulder. He smelt of his armani mania aftershave still. He made my hear beat faster. 

“I - I, noone has ever made me feel that protective, I hit him so hard. I felt like I would do anything to protect you.” he said breaking the silence. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No, not at all” I replied. It hadn’t been long, the time I had spent with Niall. But I felt so close to him, like we’d know each other for ages. I know how cheesy these things I’m saying sound. But its true.

“I think it’s because… because I have strong feelings for you. Who am I trying to kid. I think its because I.. love you” He finally said. 

“I love you too” I replied. Tears came to my eyes. All my life I’d been the girl, who helped her friend with their problems, their boyfriends. I was the friend to the boys. I helped them catch the girl. You know what I mean the boy texts you and you’re like, maybe he likes me? Then comes the text ‘so you and ____ are good friends - could you maybe hook us up?’. The girl who never thought she was good enough. But now the tables had turned, I was the one who someone really liked. It just made tears well up.

“Hey, why are you crying? This is meant to be a good thing!” Niall said holding my face in his hand. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin it. I’m just happy, happy tears. tired tears” I replied. He did this really sweet half smile and then kissed me. Different from before though. It was more.. more loving and less careful. Like he had been holding back before. I loved him. I knew that I too would protect Niall, I would do anything for him. I just wanted to stay here like this forever but as I thought that he stopped and picked me and sat me on his lap on the sofa. He just laughed and look me in the eye. His blue eyes were so beautiful. 

“You’re going to have to wear my clothes again tomorrow” he smirked. I smiled back. “Maybe I should go and get some things tomorrow - you can come with me if you like?” I asked biting my lip. 

“Yeah -ok I’ll come with you” Niall replied and then we sat for the rest of the evening together on the sofa exchanging stories about our lives. They were so different, but then maybe that’s why we get on so well. I was happy here sitting with Niall and to be honest I never wanted to move.