"He likes you." Sam teased.
She got up and walked over to me, handing me the phone. I batted her hands away as she playfully tried to tickle me. I flopped down onto the seating, releasing a sigh. My head fell back as my eyes closed.
"Bloody hell." I mumbled.
***
I was embraced in a tight hug as we said our goodbyes.
"I can call you a taxi." Sam suggested.
"No, it's fine." I smiled. "It's not that far home."
I stepped out of the front door then turned back to her.
"And you're sure you don't want to stay over?"
I caught hold of her forearm, squeezing it.
"Honestly, it's fine."
"Alright, well text me when you get in." Sam paused. "That's if you're not too busy texting Harry."
I mumbled for her to shut up as she laughed. We said goodbye and I started my short walk home. My coat was pulled closer to my body as the wind whipped round. The moon shone brightly as I looked up. The street lights dimly illuminated the road as I quickly walked down. Cars lined the quiet residential street and I noticed a few lights turn out in the houses I passed. My feet turned the corner, my eyes being drawn to a pub a little further down. Loud jeering spilled out of the doors.
My pace quickened, wanting to get away from the alcohol driven atmosphere. But I had to take a second glance at the darkened alley down the side of the building. Even from across the road I recognised his tall frame and dark curls. My body stopped. I could tell the situation was tense, the stances of the men a little defensive. My vision stayed locked on the group as I witnessed Harry forcefully shoves one of the guys away. I didn't know what to do. My mind was telling me to walk away, but I couldn't. The rate of my breathing increased as one of them held Harry to the wall. The other delivered a heavy punch to his stomach.
"HARRY!"
He stumbled slightly before turning round to face me. A frown etched into his brow as he scanned for the person calling his name. His eyes locked on me. One of the guys took his distraction as an opportunity to hit Harry hard in the face. My hand flew up to my mouth in shock. Why was he fighting again? My thoughts jumbled as I ran across the road to the group. Harry up against the wall as he took another fist to his face. Fear coursed through me as I recognised the guy beating Harry. Liam. His cuts had healed slightly, but his bruised eyes looked painful. The right, darker than the left. A smirk crossed his injured features as he watched me sprint up to them. When I reached them my arms were roughly tugged behind my back by the man I assumed to be Liam's friend. I was forced to watch, desperately looking to Harry; his jaw tight with anger.
"Nice to see you again, Louis." Liam teased.
His attention diverted back to Harry, who was intently staring at me. That was until I witnessed Liam's clenched fist pound into Harry's stomach. A grunt was forced from his parted lips, his body bent over slightly as he clutched his abdomen. I knew he had been drinking, the air around them smelling strongly of alcohol. Liam's fist rose again.
"Don't." I warned.
My elbow sharply jutted back into the stomach of the man detaining me. He cursed before shoving me away. He quickly disappeared out of the alley and onto the street, clearly displeased that I had put up a fight. I urgently placed myself in between Liam and Harry, who was slumped against the wall. Liam sniggered, reaching out to brush his fingers against my face, but I quickly pushed it away.
"You shouldn't bother with him, babe."
He dipped his head down slightly to my level.
"I'd give you what you need."
I didn't really have time to process what I was doing. My right hand rose and punched him, hard. The force caused his head to turn. My chest quickly moved as my rate of my breathing increased. I heard Harry deeply laugh behind me. Liam angrily stared at me; his vision then diverted behind me towards Harry.
"You need a prissy, feminine little guy to protect you." Liam taunted.
We both knew this would provoke him. Harry shoved himself off the wall, stumbling forward to try and get to Liam.
"For god sake, Harry. Just stop."
I forcefully pushed him back, the action more affective when he was intoxicated. Any other time his body wouldn't have budged. His curls lay messily over his forehead, his normally sparkly green eyes looked dull. His beautiful face left injured after taking multiple hits. I spun round, my back nearly touching Harry's chest as I defensively stood in front of him. My hands trembled at my sides as I looked up at Liam's smirk.
Chapter thirteen/fourteen
Start from the beginning
