Exception (Harry Styles)

Chapter 13

I backed away from the window and turn around. I try to take deep breaths and tell myself everything's alright now, but I couldn't. I walk over to the mirror and stare at myself. I hate how I look, I hate the person who made me look this way, and I hate the fact that it will always be this way. Nobody will ever love me. I'm ugly and pathetic.

I turn around and back up against the wall. I lean against it as I slide down with my face in my hands. Why does this happen to me? I'm not safe at home, and I'm not safe away from home either.

I keep my face in my knees for the longest time. I don't know how much time passes, I feel completely numb to the pain, and I just feel like I want to end it. I have never thought this before, and yes I know there are people worst off than me. But I am not strong like them, I just cannot handle it like them. I just hope things get better.

My thoughts are interrupted from the thud coming from my window. I freeze and dread what it across the room from me. I hold my breath and slowly look up. I gasp when I see the familiar curly headed boy staring back at me. His mouth is slightly parted and he looks like he is in complete udder shock.

Harry's POV

I climb up the tree beside the old house up to Avery's window. I hope I didn't scare her to bad; I had to make sure she is okay. I was such a jerk to her back at the restaurant. I was trying to be a jerk to Niall, but now I realize I was hurting her also. Damn Louis Tomlinson for being right.

I knew her dad was home, but I knew I was probably the last person he wanted to see after his daughter came home from being practically molested.

I figured I'd go through her window. I noticed it was open so I knew she was home. I could hear a few crying whimpers at I got closer up. I wasn't surprised; I knew she would be very upset and scared.

I grabbed the window seal and pulled myself up a little to peek inside. It was a dimly lit room, but looked pretty good size. The first placed I look was her bed, but no Avery was seen. I pulled myself inside, and stood up straight. As I looked around I spotted her.

I could not believe what I saw. It was so disturbing, and made my heart ache. It made my heart hurt so much just because; I knew exactly what I was looking at.

There she was sitting against the wall with her knees brought to her chest. She was in completely different attire, and now I realize why she wore what she did. And it just made me hate the people who pick on her even more.

Dark splotches lined her arms and her legs had a few bruises going down then also. Her face was very disturbing. Not in an ugly way, but in a broken way. Her mascara ran down her cheeks and her eyes and cheeks was a splotchy red. Her full lips trembled and she stared at me in full embarrassment.

"A-Avery?" I stammered still shocked at the broken girl curled up in front of me. I tried to take a step to her but she cowered back into the wall. I stopped automatically and things started to make sense in my head.

I bet she has an injury on her back and that's why she reacted the way she did when she leaned on the wall. The clothes covered up the marks that destroyed her self-esteem. The burn on her hand, and now I see her arm also, wasn't just her burning herself on accident.

I sickened me to know something is happening like this to her. I know what she is going through, and I hate that she is. But who could be doing this to her? I had an idea, but I refused to believe someone so innocent could be in that situation.

I walk over very cautiously as she tries her hardest to press herself into the wall. I kneel down in front of her and speak in just above a whisper so I won't scare her, or try not to.