Niall's P.O.V.

I walked towards Harry's flat, getting ready for a meeting with the boys. I passed an Olive Garden and my fists clenched, thinking about Brielle's best friend's boyfriend, the little prick that he is.

Flashback

I walked into the Olive Garden, scanning the tables for Brielle. I spotted her coming out of the bathroom. I waved and pretended that I didn't see the slight blush covering her cheeks.

"Hey," I said once I was within speaking distance.

"Thank you," Brielle gasped, throwing her arms around me.

I was surprised, but carefully wrapped my arms around her.

"What did we learn today?" I mocked.

"Never third wheel," Brielle said, smiling sheepishly up at me.

"Good girl," I said and winked, enjoying the fact that I made her blush.

Suddenly, Addie appeared. "We're going to the movie now. Oh, hey Niall."

"Hey," I said, eyeing the guy next to her.

The guy sized me up too, and pulled Addie into his side protectively, as if I was going to steal her from him. Ha, I was more worried that he was going to take Brielle away from me, so I pulled her into me. I don't think she was expecting it, but I caught her before she fell. The guy looked like he was going to laugh, but Addie made him shut up. I wish he would have laughed. Then I could have snapped at him with an excuse.

"Let's go," Addie said, a bit cross now.

The guy and I walked out. I didn't notice the girls were gone and I came face to face with the guy.

I hastily took a few steps back. "What?" I hissed.

"Stay away from Addie," he practically snarled.

I laughed. "Yeah right, like I'd want your precious Addie, Kyle, isn't it?"

"Cameron," the guy hissed.

He took a step towards me, which I was happy to do to.

"I've seen the way you look at her," he growled. "Stay away from her. I love her, and she's mine."

"You stay away from Brielle," I shot back, noticing and regretting that I was about eye level with his chin.

"Like I'd want her," he sneered. "The little murderer."

I almost punched him, but then Addie and Brielle came out and I didn't get the chance. Brielle pulled me away and glanced at Addie, with one of those girl looks that us guys can only hope to someday decipher.

End of flashback

I felt like punching a wall. How dare he call her a murderer. He's lucky his precious girlfriend came out and saved him or I would have kicked his ass. Not that there'a anything wrong with Addie, of course. I've met her a few times, and I liked her.

I was passing an alley when I heard screams. It wasn't an 'Oh my God it's Niall Horan' scream it was more like 'Oh my God I'm getting murdered' kind of scream. I glanced down and saw a man, pinning a girl against the dirty brick wall. The girl was struggling.

"Hey!" I yelled.

The guy saw me and scampered. Coward. I sped towards the girl, who had collapsed in a little ball, shaking. Her shirt was off and her jeans were unbuttoned. When I got close enough to make out her face, I gasped.

"Brielle?"

She looked up at me, eyes wide with fear, and something like relief spread across her features, although she still had that cornered animal look in her eyes.

"Niall," she whispered, before her eyes rolled back in her head and she blacked out.

That's when I noticed the huge bump on her head. I found her shirt, which had been thrown against the opposite wall. I slipped it on her and picked her up gently. I walked back to my flat, trying not to move Brielle around too much.

I placed her on the couch, trying not to bump her head. Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID before answering.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Liam exploded.

Daddy Direction to the rescue.

"We have been waiting for almost twenty minutes, now I can understand you don't have a car right now-"

"Liam."

"If you want to continue being in this band you need to make an effort to show up to band meetings, not completely blow them off-"

"Liam."

"I mean, seriously Niall, this is the third one you've missed. I understand the first one, you were sick. But we can't move on with the new tour and album if you're not here-"

"Liam."

"You are a part of One Direction, and it's not fair that we are here waiting for you when we want to move forward-"

"LIAM!"

He finally paused and took a breath. "What?"

"I think Brielle almost got raped."

I didn't mean to say it so bluntly, but that's what it looked like when I got there, and from what I could tell, it was the truth.

"What?" Liam asked in a hush whisper.

I heard a what in the background and a shh too.

"I was coming to the meeting, but I saw this guy all over this girl in an alley way, and I stopped him but the girl was Brielle and she had a huge bump on her head and then she passed out. I brought her back to my flat," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm worried, to be honest."

"Well, you have every right to be," Liam said, sounding fatherly. "The girl you fancy probably got raped. You stay there and take care of her. It's fine. I'll explain to Simon."

"Thanks mate," I said, relieved. "I owe you one."

"Add it to the list," Liam grumbled, but I could tell he was smiling. "Just take care of her."

"I will," I promised. "Bye."

I hung up and looked at Brielle. I wanted to change her out of those uncomfortable clothes, but I had a feeling she wouldn't appreciate that. So I settled for sitting next to her and smooth the hair off her forehead, trying to comfort her. It seems to work, because she sighs in her sleep and visibly relaxes.

Finally, though, she woke up. She blinked a couple times and sat up stretching. Then, she winced and put a hand to her head. Once her eyes landed on me, she began to shake.

"P-please don't hurt me," she whimpered, curling up into a little ball.

"Bri, it's me. Niall," I said softly, so not to startle her.

Her eyes seemed to clear and she looked a little more at ease. "Can I-"

She didn't finish her sentence before getting up and walking over to me. She grabbed the blanket next to me and used it to cover herself up. Then, Brielle leaned against my shoulder, resting her head on it. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to me.

"Do you want ice for your head?" I asked.

Brielle shook her head, staring straight at the TV. I got the message and shut up, letting her have her space. We sat there like that, quiet, not saying anything, just relaxing.

Suddenly, Brielle sighed, a huge one. "Why does everything bad happen to me?" she asked.

I really didn't have an answer. "I think that the best people have the rottenest luck," I replied, which apparently was a good one, because Brielle laughed.

"Then I must be the world's best person," she said, then her face dropped back into misery. "You won't hurt me, will you?" she asked.

It's the vulnerability that tugs at my heartstrings. "Never," I murmured, pulling her close and kissing her oh so gently on the temple.

"You'll protect me, right?" She asked, biting her lip.

I kissed her forehead now, pulling her closer so she will be safe in my arms. "Always."

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Here's an early update, my lovlies. You better thank me, cause I wrote this between Shaun White's halfpipe runs. And he freaking lost. I wrote this with my tears. He didn't even gwt on the board goddammit. So yeah, this is me bawling my eyes out cause he lost. Comment nice things please cause I'm extremely upset right now

Next Update: Friday or Saturday

Love ya!

-11tay99