Isabella's p.o.v

"So then he ran out, a roll of toilet roll trailing behind him!" We all cracked up at Michael's -one of the four men- story about his brother.

We have been sharing stories for an hour now, my break long forgotten. I feel kind of left out in a way, all of these men have comedic stories to tell, but I have none to share.

I have learnt all of their names by now, the one in the booth that is to my left is called Ashton, the one beside him, Callum, and on Callum's left is Michael, then next to him is Luke. And then of course, there's Zayn. They are all so quirky and outgoing, I just wish that they weren't just passing through this shithole.

"Isabella, what do you think you're doing?" Bertha grips my upper arm and I grow wide eyed, I hadn't noticed she was beside me.

"I'm so sorry, there was no more tabl-"

Slap. I forgot to mention, my abuse doesn't just stop at my doorstep. Bertha has been round numerous times at my house when Rick was in the middle of a beating session; so instead of calling the police, she decided to join in, and has done ever since. People in town know that I get beaten, but smoking a joint is more important than helping an innocent, and if they ever want to take their anger out on someone, I seem to be that person.

"So you just decide to go whoring around, you're fired, you slag." Her winey voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"No, no please. I really need this job. Please." I beg, ignoring the burning stares of the men behind me.

Before Bertha has a chance to speak again, Zayn stands up and rips her hand from my arm.

"Don't touch her." He looks down at her, like she is something at the bottom of his shoe. I like this guy.

Bertha looks up at him and backs away from me. She begins to get flustered as her cheeks heat up and groaning noises come out of her mouth. What the fuck is wrong with her.

"M-mr. Malik. I-I'm sorry. Er, Isabella, y-you can stay here. I-Is that alright. M-mr?"

She looks back at Zayn for some type of confirmation. I have no idea what his significance to her is, but I'm damn grateful for it.

"Yes, now leave us be." And for the first time in my life I see the old hag actually run.

"That was so cool! Thank you, by the way, she would of kille-"

"Why the fuck aren't you at least a little bit shocked that, that bitch hit you? Why are you acting as if this is part of your daily routine!" Zayn fumes.

"Well, because it is." I'm not hiding the fact that I get beaten, everyone in this diner see's it on a daily so it's not much of a secret, I'm just glad this place isn't a 'hot spot' for everyone at school, now it would be a bit difficult explaining it to all of them...

Zayn knocks over the chair and starts to pace down the empty isle. "What?" He grits as he stops directly in front of me.

"Have you ever been to this part of town before?" I ask, this time directing my question to all of them.

They all shake their heads and I nod. Figures.

"Well, around here, it isn't the nicest of places. You see, I'm- how would you phrase it-"

"Just say it already!" Luke yells, looking agitated as his jaw clenches and his hands pull on his hair.

"Hey, don't shout at her!" Zayn shoves a now standing Luke.

"Hey, hey. Let me finish." I sigh, rubbing my temples. They move away from one another but their breathing is still rugged.

"I'm like their, um, punch bag?" All five of them snap their heads to me instantly.

"What?" I back up.

"What do you mean, 'punch bag'?" Luke asks.

I look to Zayn and see him clenching his fists, his body shaking so fast it's barely visible.

I begin to explain the situation but quickly stop myself-

"Wait, why do you guys even care? I don't know you. I met you today, I have only spoken to you for what? An hour?" I mean, I appreciate their concern, but it's a little weird.

"We just do. Now carry on." Ashton speaks up.

Ding.
Ding.

I twist my body so I am facing the new customer, his boots leaving a trail of mud behind him. Are you serious?

"What the fuck are you doing here?" The customer grabs my hair.

"Dad?" I ask, what's he doing here? He never leaves the house, only to get drunk, and the diner isn't that place.

"Bertha told me that you would be here, she said that you were being a fucking slut again and fucked some customers in a booth. You slimy whore."

He pulls my hair again and I wince as his nails dig into my scalp. OW. Does this fucker not know that I kinda need my skull.

"Hey, oi!" Zayn's already on his feet as the other men shuffle to get out of the booth.

Zayn grips Ricks hand and plants a punch square on his face, a satisfying crack echoes through the room. He lifts up his fists again, ready for another hit.

"Stop, stop!" I yell, shoving Zayn off of him.

Don't get the wrong idea, I don't want to protect the man. But with every hit Zayn threw, that guaranteed me harsher punishment later.

"Why the fuck are you defending him? That pathetic excuse of a father." His hands fly everywhere as he yells at me.

"Do you want my beatings to be ten times worse?" His arms go slack.

"Beatings?" Is he stupid?

"Yes, beatings. Town rag doll, remember. You're just going to make him angrier." I lift Rick up onto a booth, thankful that he's passed out.

"How long?" Zayn's whole body shakes, but in a rhythm, making it look as though he is just impatient.

"How long ago did the beatings start?" I clarify, they all nod.

"I don't know, when I was eight? So it's been nearly ten years now." I nod as I count out the simple math.

"Come with me. Now." He leaves no room for argument as he storms out of the diner, leaving the other four to drag me out.

"Um, what the fuck are you doing?" I ask once Callum pushes me towards the door.

"We're leaving. Come on."

"No, no, no, I need to keep this job. No way." I shake my head.

"Boss will get impatient, hurry up before I carry you."

"I'm not going, just leave. If you want to chat again you know where to find me."

I turn around, and look at the milkshakes covering our table, the guys ordered them half way through our talk. I really need to clean up.

"Fine, I only have one choi-"

"Put her, the fuck. Down. Now." Callum hastily puts me back on the ground, Zayn's authoritative voice makes him lower his head in submission.

Pussy.

"What is taking you guys so long?" He asks.

"She doesn't want to come with us boss." What the hell happened to mate, now they're calling him boss?

Zayn grips my chin and lifts my head up, the bell starts dinging in the background and I turn and see that all of the guys have left.

"Why won't you come with me?" He makes it sound so simple.

"I don't know you. Are you crazy! Why would I leave with a stranger?" His face flushed and I can hear his jaw click.

"Okay. Okay, fine!" He pulls at his hair.

"Fine, what?" What is he talking about?

"Five days. I'll give you five days. Then you will come live with me." I snort.

"You really think that I will leave for you? And especially in five days. Hell no." I look up to him.

"Why would you want to stay here anyway? There is nothing here for you!"

The sad thing is, is that I can't even argue. He's right. But it's hard to just pack up and go, when you have lived here your entire life. No matter the circumstances.

"Why do you even want me with you?" I take a different approach.

"I have waited long enough for you, Isabella. You will know everything soon. Five days." And he's gone.