Poppy's PoV
*this chapter contains mature themes that may upset some readers - please read with caution as this contains attempted assault*

I met up with the girls and headed to the club they had picked, one I hadn't been to before in the centre of the city called Luxe. It was an amazing looking place; guards at the door held clipboards of VIP names, the queue to get in went down the road and round the corner and the music could be heard from the street outside. The place looked modern and chic, huge glass windows projected the flashing club lights out onto the otherwise dark and quiet street, making everyone more excited to get in. Crystal headed straight to the bouncer and after a quick chat, he ticked our names off and opened the door to allow us inside.
We headed into the club's VIP area and instantly a waiter came to greet us, offering us a menu of drinks that he was going to collect from the bar for us. We all ordered cocktails as we sat down and finally tried to hold a conversation.

"So, Poppy are you excited to start your new role?" Crystal asked politely. I nodded my head and received smiles from all the girls.

"Yeah." I said, despite the tone not matching the answer. They all gave me a confused look. "I don't know why, but I'm really nervous!" They all let out a laugh in relief that it wasn't anything more. I don't know why but my anxiety was eating this up and thoroughly enjoying it. I was going to be doing the exact same job as I had been for all those years, in fact it would probably equate to less stress and work hours, yet something was nagging at me that I wouldn't do a good job. "Not to mention that I screwed up with Calum... again." He probably hated the idea of me working with him right now. He could barely stand the sight of me before I left to come here today. The girls furrowed their brows as the waiter brought the drinks to the table with a smile. We all took a moment to sip our drink, appreciating the fruity flavours that interlinked so nicely with the sharp lingering taste of the alcohol.

"What's been happening?" Sierra asked carefully.

"I've been so caught up with everything that I haven't really spent any time with him. I forgot to tell him about my all clear at the hospital and I think he just feels forgotten about. No matter what happens he's always there for me but I keep forgetting to do what's best for him." I sighed heavily, realisation suddenly hitting me properly and sending a wave of guilt over me. I'd royally screwed up... again. Bex leant forwards, her elbows propping her up as she listened intently. Her head rested on her fists as she took in every word.

"I'm sure he's not that upset." She began. "He's got so much happening in his life too it's probably easier to take out on you. Management have been hard on them, they've got to start touring again even if his ankle isn't healed and they're thinking about bringing in another bassist to play in the background with him just pretending if he's not better. That's gotta be hard to hear..." She lifted herself up and flung her hands out to prove her point, sending her drink flying onto the floor and spilling everywhere. "Shit!" She cursed as a VIP waiter rushed over and began to mop up the mess. "I'm so sorry!"

"Honestly, it's no problem miss. Would you like me to get you another drink?" He offered politely.

"No, it's fine. It was my mistake. I'll head to the bar and try to be less clumsy!" She said with an embarrassed laugh. "Back in a sec, guys." She said as she headed out of the VIP area and towards the bar. I kept an eye on her the whole way there just to make sure she was okay.

"Honestly, that girl!" Sierra said as she shook her head. "She gets herself into these situations all the time. It's like she's got some curse on her or something!" She let out a little giggle which Crystal joined in with. I was still watching her intently at the bar. A man sidled up to her and tried to talk to her but she seemed to ignore him. He carried on talking to her as she waited for her drink and she eventually answered, something short and to the point before she turned back to the bar. The man began to get closer to her and I could see her stiffen uncomfortably.

"Pops?" My attention was drawn back to the girls round the table. "Everything okay?" I stood up quickly, my eyes going back the bar straight away.

"Some guy is pestering Bex at the bar, I'm going to get her." I said to them as I began to head towards her. Still in my sight, I saw the guy stroke her arm which she pulled away instantly. His body tensed with frustration as he tried to do it again. She said something to him and shoved him away. Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed her, trying to kiss her. She fought away and shoved him again but he slapped her round the face with such force I heard it over the music. My feet picked up speed as I rushed over to Bex who was still fighting the guy off. He shoved her backwards and she hit one of the chairs, causing them both to fall to the floor with a clatter.

"Hey!" My loudest voice shouted across the remaining few people and attracted his attention. He was clearly drunk, or under the influence of something, and that became obvious as soon as we locked eyes. I stood between him and Bex and puffed out my chest, trying to be confident. "Clearly you don't understand the word no but how much do you understand the phrase 'fuck off'?" He glared furiously at me.

"This has nothing to do with you, I was chatting to the pretty girl." He snarled at me.

"She's my friend, and she has a boyfriend. She certainly wouldn't go for someone as low as you!!" I scoffed loudly, agitating him more.

"Who cares? He ain't here is he?" He shouted back at me, his fists clenching by his sides. I looked over to the guys at the bar and signalled for them to call the security guards.

"Look, you've clearly had too much - whatever it is - and you're not thinking straight. I think you should leave before you do something you regret and get arrested." I tried, but I could tell by his demeanour this wasn't the end of it. He looked between me and Bex and smiled before rushing towards us, he shoved me into the bar before jumping Bex, who he now had underneath him on the floor.

"Help me!" Bex screamed out as the man tried to kiss her again. Without thinking, I grabbed a bottle from the bar and smashed it over his head, knocking him to the side. Memories of Kyle suddenly flooded my mind, overwhelming me with emotion. I tried to fight it off.

"Up now!" I shouted as I yanked Bex up and ran her back to the other girls. "Call Ashton and get Dave or Diego to come and get you." I said as I shoved Bex at Crystal and Sierra and ran back to the dance floor to try and distract this guy. He was staggering about, blood slowly dripping from the head wound I'd given him. The minute his eyes set on me, fire burnt in his eyes. He stormed towards me and grabbed my arm.

"Where is she?" He demanded, his grip tightening with every silent second. "Tell me!"

"Safe and far away from you!" I shouted, shoving him back once more. "Go home! You're getting yourself into trouble!" Despite what he'd done, I'd dealt with many people like this at work and eventually when they sobered up, they regretted everything. Somehow, I felt some sort of sympathy towards him despite him being a disgusting ass. He roared loudly in anger before he leapt for me, trying to surprise me with a punch as he flew through the air. I jumped out of the way, somehow, but knew that was just a lucky break. Sooner or later, this guy was going to hit me. He threw another punch but I ducked it, his fist connecting with the back of a guy who was dancing with his girlfriend. He spun around, furious at the interruption, and shouted some choice words at the guy, angering him more. Seconds later, they were fighting instead and I took my opportunity to flee back to my friends who were waving frantically at me.

"They're outside, quick!" Crystal said in a panicked tone as we all ran for the exit. Bex took one last look behind her as we got to the door and her eyes widened in fear. I span round to see this guy rushing towards us once again. What was he, indestructible?!

"Get Bex to the security!" I shoved her out of the door once again and she ran off with the other two. I turned back to run out the exit but he was already on me, his hand wrapped tightly around my arm again.

"Tell me where she's going!" He demanded, his other hand gripping my shirt tightly as he pulled me towards him. He was snarling, his breathing heavy as he glared at me. His hand let go of my arm but raised into a fist, aimed straight for my face. "Tell me!" I wanted to cry, to turn to jelly and fall through the cracks in the floor, to disappear in front of him like a magician... anything that wasn't this. This sucked. He shoved me against the wall and lifted me off the floor, his fist still raised. "Fucking tell me!" His fist came crashing down, yet somehow missed me by millimetres - whether that was down to him being under the influence or he was doing it to scare me, I didn't know, but I was fucking terrified. His face got closer to mine and just as I'd thought before, when I fought Kyle, there was only one way out of this and it was going to hurt. I threw my head forwards and head butted him right in the face, something sounding like it fractured underneath my skull. He let me go and staggered backwards, giving me the opportunity to run out of the door before he did anything else to harm anyone. As soon as the cold night air hit me, I was more awake than ever, trying to find the guys after they'd fled.

"Poppy!" Crystal shouted from down the road as I rushed towards them. We all bundled in the car and made them speed off without a second to spare. We needed to get as far away from this place as we could and there was only one place I wanted to be after that... Calum's arms.