When I woke up a dull light was coming through the black curtains. It took me a moment to remember what happened and I sighed.
I could hear noises coming from downstairs.
I threw off the blanket and slid my feet over the edge of the bed. I stood up and stretched, immediately recoiling from the pain of my sore body. I went to the mirror next to the dresser and looked at myself. Dark shadows were under my eyes, a few bruises across my cheeks. Slowly I lifted my shirt to see bruises making patterns across my ribs. I trailed my fingers across my skin, wincing when they touched a sensitive spot.
Eventually I tugged back down the fabric and padded to the door. I opened it slowly so it wouldn't make any noise. Stepping out into the hall I tiptoed my way downstairs. By the volume of the noise it sounded like they were in the kitchen.Following the noise i stepped into the room and saw them. I stood against the door frame.
Luke was mixing something in a bowl while Michael was putting toast in a toaster. Ashton was looking for something in the fridge and Calum was at the stove heating water in a kettle.
"Can someone finish mixing this? I'm going to go wake up October." Luke said before he turned around and saw me. "Oh! Never mind, g'morning." He smiled.
The other boys turned around to me and smiled.
"We made breakfast so you can sit at the table, it will be ready in a few." Luke smiled and nodded towards the kitchen table.
I folded my arms across my chest and walked to a wooded chair. Sitting down I crossed my legs criss-cross in the seat.
The tea kettle began to whistle and Calum poured a mug and handed it to me. I smiled and brought the steaming cup to my face. My hands wrapped around it seeking it's warmth and I took a sip, shivering at the hot liquid traveling down my cold throat.
Within a few minutes pancakes and bacon and toast were set on the table. The boys sat down in the surrounding chairs and began to dig in. I laughed as they shoved food in their face.
"Here", Luke saved a piece of bacon from Michael and handed it to me.
"Thanks." I said and the boys froze looking at me strangely.
"What?"I asked curiously.
"Nothing...it's just that you talked." Calum said slowly.
"Yea?" I stated confused.
"I mean Luke said you talked but we didn't believe him...." Michael added.
Luke rolled his eyes. "Sorry."
"It's fine."I smiled.
"How's your head?" Ashton asked after taking a bite of his toast.
"Fine."
"You weren't hurt anywhere else were you?" Luke asked concerned.I shook my head no.
We were done eating and they all stood up to clear the plates. I stood up to clear mine but Luke stopped me and took it from me. "I've got this." he said.
After the dishes were cleared Calum, Michael, and Ashton left the room. Luke stayed leaning against the counter.
"Can I ask you something?" he spoke.
"What?" my voice came out thin.
"Why didn't you want me to call the cops?"
I looked around to see if one of the boys was there and shook my head no.
Luke nodded in understanding and motioned for me to follow him upstairs. We arrived at his room and he shut the door behind us. He sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him for me to sit.
I sat down hesitantly and pulled my knees up to my chin.
"I can't make you tell me what your reasons are but if you are hiding from something or someone then stay here so you're safe. Please."
My eyes widened.
"You can sleep in the guest room and we can help you out." Luke continued.
I was angry now. "Sorry, but I'm not a charity case." I stood up to leave.
"Wait, no please! You're not a charity case. I just don't want to see you hurt. You can stay as a friend." He explained.
"I don't even know you." I glared at him.
"Lets change that." He rubbed the spot next to him again and i returned to my previous position. "Alright so, first, tell me why you didn't want me to call the police."
I shook my head no.
"Okay so that one's out. Um..how old are you?"
"17." i said dryly. "You?"
"18. What were you doing in the streets all alone that late?"
I shook my head no again.
"Come on, give me something."
I just shrugged my shoulders.
"Ugh fine. Tell me about your family." he suggested.
I paused before shaking my head no again.
"Come on thats an easy one!"
I still shook my head no.
"I don't know what else to ask you." he said defeated.
"Tell me about you." I said in a mousy voice.
"Um okay. Well, Im from Sydney. Im in a band with the other guys and that's why we're here in London."
I nodded. "And what were you doing in the streets all alone that late?" I mocked his question.
"Late meeting."
I nodded.
"Well this got us nowhere." he laughed.
I nodded in agreement.
"Well, I would still like you to stay with us." He smiled lightly, and placed his hand softly on my knee.
I jumped back and scrambled off the bed, pressing my back to the door.
"I'm sorry, i didn't mean to scare you! I'm sorry!' Luke placed his hands palm up in front of him apologetically.
"Sorry." I murmured before taking my seat again.
It got quiet. I sighed. "I'll stay."
Luke's eyes shot up. "Really?"
I nodded.
He smiled. "October..you can talk to me. I won't press anymore but i'm here if you ever want to talk."
He stood up and i followed his movements. 'Now lets get you settled in shall we?"
-
That afternoon I was returned my clothes and we went shopping.
The boys had a car take them to the store so they could buy me some toiletries, clothes, and more food.
When we got back to the house, Luke set the bags in his room while the others unloaded the groceries.
I joined Luke upstairs as he was placing a toothbrush and shampoo on the counter.
'Hey." He said as i leaned against the door frame watching him."So you'll stay in my room."
"No, Luke i can sleep on the couch it's not that big of a deal."
"October i can stay with one of the lads. You're staying in my room."
"No. I'm not stealing your bed."
"Well I'm not letting you sleep on the couch."
"Luke."
"October."
I didn't realize how close we were, leaning into the argument, until i could feel his breath on my face. I let the mint breeze fan over my face before i realized what was happening and stepped back.
"Then we'll compromise." I suggested.
"How?"
-
That night after dinner we all headed upstairs to go to bed.
"G'night halloween" Calum waved as he walked toward his room.
"What?" I asked confused.
"That's your new nickname." Calum joked.
I smirked and rolled my eyes before walking into Luke's room.
"Okay so, I have blankets and pillows for a pallet on the floor. Are you sure about this?" He looked worried and anxious.
"Mhmm. You'll take the bed and i'll take the floor. It's only fair."
"Fine." he grumbled.
I went to the bathroom to change into a new pair of pajama shorts and one of Luke's t-shirts before slipping into my blanket bed on the floor.
Luke turned off the lights and the room was silent.
I sighed lightly and closed my eyes, trying to sleep, something i had never been good at. Normally i let my thoughts take over and ran my mind rabid.
I turned over trying to get comfortable.
All too soon though my mind began to wander to the events of the other night.
I had learned early on in life that to fend off attackers you have to freeze. They won't want to keep going if you're not a challenge. And thats when my thoughts spiraled to my childhood.
I lived with my mom, uncle, and sister in the countryside. I hated my uncle with a passion. My mind ran over all the monstrous events that took place in that house and i felt a tear slowly slide down my cheek.
I wiped it away quickly and sniffled.
"October, you okay?" Luke's voice came from the bed behind me.
"Fine." I choked out.
"Are you crying?"His voice came softer.
I didn't answer, i was too busy trying to keep it together.
"Please talk to me..." he whispered.
I wiped the tears away and stood up, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Why are you crying?"
"I was just thinking..." I murmured.
"What about..?"
I shook my head no again. He reached out to touch my shoulder and paused.
"Can i...?" he trailed off.
I nodded and he placed his hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. What should have comforted me only made me cry harder.
"Shh...come here." he whispered.
Without thinking i crawled to his side, sitting next to him on the bed.
"We're you thinking about what happened the other night? It's okay to cry about that, it was terrifying."
"I was just thinking about my family thats all..." I wiped another tear away. I immediately regretted saying that.
"Do you miss them?" he asked innocently.
"Theres nothing to miss..." I breathed.
"Oh.." he said, not quite understanding.
I wanted to open up to him but i was so scared. Scared he would judge me, scare he would make me leave. I didn't know how to open up if i tried.
"Luke..." i whispered.
"Mhmm?" he murmured.
I sighed and decided to go for it. "I've lived on the streets for three years now..." i started off.
"Why...?" Luke asked.
"I ran away."
"You're a runaway?
I nodded, tears falling harder at the words i had never said out loud before.
"Okay..." he whispered.