Niall's POV*

  I fell onto my back, my breathing heavy and my heart pumping out of control. Allison rested next to me, her long brown hair tickling the inside of my arm as my hand lay on the pillow above her head.

  "Wow.", she breathlessly stated into the heated and dense air. I stared down to her as she looked up, a smile present on her lips. "What time is it?"

  I glanced to the clock on the little stand next to my bed. It's been so long since I've slept around here, that I almost felt nervous doing so. It's weird.. "Uhh, it's a little past eight." I mumbled, feeling the adrenaline slowly leave my body as my heart started to settle. She yawned and cuddled into my side, pulling the sheet up to cover us. "Oh, no 'ya don't." I caught the sheet as her eyes flicked up to meet mine.

  "Please, Niall?", she whined as she snuggled further into me. I quickly sat up, swinging my feet over the bed.

  "Nope. You know the rules."

  "Niall.. Just this once, please? It's been a while since we've-"

  "Allison, I'm sorry, but no." I sighed as I pulled back on my black briefs then a pair of blue gym shorts. She huffed and slowly got out of the bed before putting back on her under garments. "Here. Keep it." I chucked my white shirt towards her, watching as her eyes just about popped out of her head before she quickly slipped it on. The small brunette then slipped into a small pair of shorts, however they still weren't seen as the shirt fell down her thighs.

  She quickly ran her fingers lightly through her hair a couple times before we were able to exit the room.

  "Abby, I-" My eyes caught Luke's, who was pacing back and forth outside the bathroom. He quickly glanced to me then to Allison. So her names Abby.. I shot him a glare, continuing to follow Allison down the stairs. 

 Prick.

I walked her to the door, glancing to each of the guys who were all sitting on the couch, chatting about the huge bash on Saturday.

  "Bye, Niall." Allison whispered as she stepped onto her tippy-toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

  "Night, Allison." I stated as I closed the door behind her. I turned to the guys as I heard a bedroom door close upstairs. "Who was Luke on the phone with?" I rounded the couch, placing my ass in the open spot next to Zak.

  "Last time I checked, he was up there with Khloe." Zak shot me a confused look and I just shrugged.

  So she's over and he had to step into the hall to talk on the phone with Abby. Smart one, he is. I rolled my eyes, relaxing into the cushions. Ah well. She'll figure it out soon enough.

  "How'd the game go, yesterday?" Zayn asked aloud.

  "Fucking great!" Collin's smile grew wide as he continued. "We beat the fucking shit out of them; winning 6-0!" I chucked as Collin 'air fived' Zak and I.

  "Yeah, we-", Zak started in before he was cut off by shouting upstairs. Everyone went quiet, all looking towards the old wooden staircase.

  I couldn't help the smirk that was suddenly on my face. "Think she found out?" I asked to no one in particular as our eyes continued to be locked towards the scene. You could hear Luke's voice raise, then Khloe's. Luke's did one last time before a door slammed shut, making us all jump and look back to eachother as if we hadn't just witnessed the two arguing.

  Heavy steps were heard as they smacked against the wood, just before black vans and black skinny jeans had appeared. My eyes snapped up to Luke's before he shook his head and swung open the door, slamming it shut afterwards.

Fucking hell.

...I can't.

I won't.

  But what if she's crying? What if he did something to her?  I bit my lip, glancing around. What if she needs someone, but feels too embarrassed to come down here now, seeming how the guys and her aren't real good friends?

  There was a short silence among the house before a loud crash upstairs.

  Everyone's eyes shot to me as mine shot to the stairs. I glanced back to the guys, who all directed their heads towards the girl up the steps.

  Fuck it.

  I stood up, sighing as I did so. I could feel everyone's eyes burn into the back of my head as I made my way up the stairs. The dark shadows over took my body as I took a right, Luke's room being the only door on the left side of the hall.

I quietly knocked against the wood, waiting for Khloe to open. No answer. I huffed, running a hand through my hair and down my face. "Khlo, it's me. Please open up?", I mumbled, not wanting to invade her space.

Still no answer. Fuck it, I'm going in. I slowly crept open the door, peaking my head in. The room was dark, the only light coming from the telly which had a movie streaming from it. "Khlo?"

  I glanced to the bed as she sat with her head in her hands, quietly whimpering to herself. I flipped on the lights, my eyes going wide as I took in the shattered lamp that lay in tiny shards on floor next to the brown, wooden desk.

  "Go away, Niall. I'm done with e-everyone's s-shit." She hiccuped, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

  I stepped fully into the room, shutting the door behind me. "Hey.." I moved towards the bed, sitting on it. "Do you want to talk? I promise I'll try my best to just listen. No input." I declared, moving her hair out of her face. "Khlo?" I asked again after she didn't say anything.

  "Is it ridiculous to question a person about cheating? I-I know that you're s-suppose to have trust in your partner-" She continued to hiccup, trying to stop her crying. "-but is it a stupid thing to ask if they've given you r-reasons?" Another tear left her eyes and rolled down her cheek, but she was quicker than I at removing it.

  "Hey, look at me." When she didn't, I slowly placed my fingers under her chin, lifting her gaze to meet mine. "Khloe, you deserve so much better. It's not a ridiculous question, and you sure as hell aren't stupid for asking it. Luke's the stupid one for cheating on you in the first place. He doesn't deserve you or your tears. Now let me see that smile."

   I hate seeing her cry, and the fact that it's Luke fault makes me want to give another blow to his face because he obviously didn't learn the first time.

  She doesn't deserve this. Any of it. She doesn't deserve to feel like this, she doesn't deserve to be cheated on, she doesn't deserve the pain he's causing her.. hell, she doesn't even deserve being treated the way she is by anyone here. Everyone has a secret to keep from her, and no one is being a loyal friend. Yes, it's partially my fault because a lot of the secrets come from the bet I've made, but she shouldn't be the one who's stuck in the middle because some stupid ass guys decided to use her as a key out of a bet.

  "Niall. He didn't say he is cheating, he just said that I was stupid for asking."

  "Khloe, you can't still honestly believe that he's not.." I sighed, my fingers finding their way through my hair again.

  I understand that she believes in giving everyone chances, I mean that's one of the things I like about her. She will give and give until you provide her a reason not to. But, she's just so innocent and almost naive, and she's really going to get hurt.

  "I don't know, Niall! I don't know what or who to believe anymore!" She started to get worked up again, sitting up straight and tugging at her hair. "Everyone keeps trying to make my decisions for me instead of letting my make my own mistakes, and I can't take it anymore! I don't want to be everyone's stupid little puppet!" The tears were rolling harder down her face now, carrying her mascara with them.

  I shifted on the mattress, moving closer to her. Not knowing what to really say, I just pulled her closer into me, running my hand along her back as she cried in to my lap. "Hey, shhh.. I'm sorry. I didn't-" I cut myself off, feeling my heart sink a little at the sight.

  She continued to silently cry as I quickly looked around to find the remote which would mute the annoying voices from the movie.

  After a while of sitting in silence, Khloe had finally stopped crying. I held onto her legs, swinging them over me so that way she could sit in my lap.

  I glanced around the room, my left hand currently running along her spine, to her neck, then back down. My eyes caught the sight of the shattered glass on the floor and a small chuckle bubbled out from between my lips. "Khlo, I know Luke's a dick, but I don't think that lamp deserved to be put into pain as well.."

  She looked up to me with a serious look on her face, her lips set into a firm straight line. "Pain demands to be felt, Niall." I furrowed my eyebrows at her, taking in the quote. I like that. Pain demands to be felt. She the cracked a smile, a small giggle spilling out.

  "There's that smile." I smiled back, running my thumb over her red and puffy cheeks. "Now, how about you go get cleaned up and I'll take care of the mess before Luke gets back."

  She slowly nodded, her eyes falling back onto the bed as she twiddled the blanket between her forefinger and thumb. "I'm sorry. By the way." She spoke up, her voice hoarse from crying. I gave her a confused look.

  Sorry for what? Her actions towards me? Her actions towards Luke? Luke's actions? She has nothing to be sorry for. I should be the one saying sorry. I'm the one who practically gave her a reason to hate me. I'm the one who said I didn't want to be friends. I'm the one who was avoiding her. And as far as Luke goes, you can only control your own actions. She cannot possibly be apologizing for what Luke has done to her.

  "I didn't mean anything I said that day in the car about you ruining things and people, because you don't. I am so, so wrong about you. Niall, I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you, and I don't deserve your kindness towards me. I gave you every right to hate me, and I just want to let you know that I'm sorry." Her voice broke me out of my thoughts and I couldn't help the guilt inside of me that started to take over- from the bet to that day in the car. I hate how she thinks so highly of everyone else, but so lowly of herself. She deserves so much more than she'll ever know.

  "Khloe, stop. Really. You don't have to apologize. If anyone here has to apologize, it's most definitely me." I sighed and ran my fingers through her hair as her eyes met mine. "I didn't mean anything that day either. I was mad and irritated. But not at you, at Luke. It had been a rough week for me and it wasn't right for me to take it out on you." I gently placed my lips at the top of her forehead before slowly swinging her legs off my lap.

"Now-" I sighed and shifted on the bed, scooting to the edge. "-Go start the shower down the hall and I'll clean this up. Do you have class in the morning?" She shook her head, biting her lip slightly. "Well, I do, so you can just sleep in my old room I guess. I'll get it situated for you as well."

  "Niall, I-"

  "Khloe, I insist. Seriously, now go." I shooed her out of the room, grabbing the broom from the hall closet while she made her way to the bathroom.

  I quickly swept up the glass, tossing the bigger pieces into the trash can before hand.

  Once everything was picked up, I quickly turned off the light and exited the room. There was a light humming coming from the bathroom as I passed it, making me smile as I made my way to my old room.

  I quickly changed the sheets (because I hadn't had the chance since earlier) and gathered a few things from the hall closet. As I quickly placed the duvet across the top, Khloe made her way into thr room, a green towel wrapped tightly around her body. I couldn't help myself as I stared at her in the doorway, the hall light illuminating her body.

  Holy fuck. I bit my lip, forcing the image of her curves that are hidden by the towel away. Her hair was brushed out over her shoulders, as the deep brown strands fell just below her chest.

  "Uh, Niall?" She stated awkwardly, holding the cloth tighter. "Do you have any clothes I can borrow?"

  I quickly looked around the empty bedroom for my t-shirt, however it was no where to be found. Fuck, I gave Allison my shirt.. "Do you want me to get you one of Luke's shirt or something?" She glanced around a little, avoiding my gaze as she mumbled a 'sure..'

Khloe hesitantly moved to the side as I made my way past her, back to Luke's. I'm surprised he isn't back yet. I quickly dug through his closet, finding a short sleeve shirt that would be long enough to fully cover her so I wouldn't have to find shorts as well.

"Here 'ya go." I stated, tossing the black shirt onto the mattress as I re-entered the room.

  "Thank you."

  I stood outside the door waiting for her to change before I made one last trip into the room. I guess while I'm waiting I could bring her up a glass of water.

  The guys still sat on the couch, all too engrossed into the movie to notice me. I glanced to the door as I passed it. I can't believe he just walked out like that. I can't believe he even said that to Khloe. But who am I kidding? It is Luke we are talking about.

  I huffed and walked into the kitchen, pulling a glass out of the cupboard to fill with some water before heading back upstairs to Khloe.

*

  "Khlo? Can I come in?" I knocked on the door a couple times, only to have her appear from the bathroom behind me. "Oh, sorry. I thought you were in here." I chuckled, walking into the room. She smiled and followed behind, watching as I placed the glass on the stand. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

  She looked around after she'd crawled into bed, her eyes focusing back on me. "No, but thank you, Niall. For everything." I gave a slight nod, watching as she nestled into the covers, closing her eyes. I took that as my que to back out and shut the door, letting her have her sleep. She needs it. "Wait, Niall!" I poked my head through the crack, waiting for her to speak again. "Can ,uh, can you lay with me? Please? I just- I don't really wanna be alone.." She mumbled. "You know what, just never mind. That was stupid of me to ask. Luke is still-"

  "Khloe." She stopped talking, her brown eyes looking into mine. I flashed a small smile, walking back into the room. "I'll stay."

  She nodded, the corners of her lips moving upwards. Seeming how I just had on my basketball shorts, I quickly slipped in beside her, my arm finding a comfy spot under her head as she curled into my side. "Do you think Luke will be mad?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"Khloe, I honestly think Luke could give a shit less." I hated to tell her that but it's the honest truth. If he can go and sleep with another girl, and sleep as in have sex, then he really shouldn't be bothered by Khloe and I actually sleeping in the same bed.

  I was surprised to say the least when she nodded, fitting her head into the side of my chest. I just shuffled a little, trying to put some space between us.

"I think I'm gonna talk to him tomorrow." She mumbled before the room grew dead silent. I sighed and tried to relax, letting Khloe get comfortable. This may be weird for me, but it's the least I can do for her.

  "Khlo?"

  "Shhh..", she whispered. "I want to sleep." And just like that from a hundred miles an hour to asleep in a nanosecond.  I huffed into the air, and nodded, pulling the blanket futher over our bodies.

  "Night." I mumbled and kissed her forehead, finally closing my eyes for good.

  Wow! Hard to believe we're 40 chapters in already! Yay! haha

  You all seem to like TFIOS references, so I figured I'd slide one in for ya ;)

  Love you guys! xx