Just a Fool

Harry wasn't sure how long he had been walking or how many times he had called Abigail's phone. He just knew with every passing minute Ricky could be taking her further out of the county. With his anxiety at an all time high he found the main road a few miles away from the Andrew hotel. After looking up and down the street he decided to keep walking, he was sure he had to run into his friends at some point. With every step he kept listening to the same monotone ringing, never to receive an answer. He was about to throw his phone across the road when he heard a horn honking from behind him. Sighing in relief he saw Zayn's SUV and Ben's car coming towards him. “There you are!” He heard Niall yell as they all filed out of the vehicles.

“Are you ok?”

“Where the hell did you go?”

“Are any cops after you?”

“How did you get out?”

He tried to answer everyone's questions but then he noticed one pair of eyes watching him. Cringing Harry spoke up. “Have you heard from her, Kris?”

Kristin looked to be on the verge of tears. “No, she hasn't answered any of my texts or calls. I don't even think she's read them. That's not like her.”

“Kris, calm down, there were a lot of people there.” Ben said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I'm surprised we all didn't get separated back there.”

“The fight ended half an hour ago, shouldn't she have called one of us by now? I know she would call Harry as soon as she could!” Kristin snapped shaking his hand off.

“I'm just saying I think you're making too big a deal out of this.” He shrugged. “Just calm down.”

“Uh Ben, you might want to quit while you're ahead.” Liam muttered glancing at a seething Kristin.

“What?” Ben questioned but was cut off by his girlfriend's finger in his face.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?! I'm worried about my best friend who could be lying in a ditch somewhere! Do you not remember where we are?! This is one of the worst parts of town and you're telling me to calm down?!”

While Ben tried to calm her down Harry felt his phone vibrate. “Angel?” He muttered picking up the call. “Babe, where are you? Are you ok?”

“Uh yeah, I'm fine,” Hearing Abigail's voice made him relax. Waving his hand he got everyone's attention.

“Where are you?”

“In front of a 7 Eleven just outside of town.” She explained.

“Ok stay there, we're on our way to get you. Want me to stay on the line with you?”

“Yes please,” She muttered, she hated how meek her voice sounded but she knew hearing Harry's voice would keep her calm.

When they heard the police sirens Abigail tried to follow Liam and Louis but with the crowd going in opposite directions she was dragged away. When she got outside she just ran where everyone else was going. She tried to look for Harry, she needed to know he was ok but she couldn't find him in the madness. After running for several blocks she found herself on an abandoned street, standing under a lone streetlight. “Harry please answer,” She murmured pulling out her phone but no signal.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a lone car pull up down the street. Her heart was pounding in her chest, she had seen way too many horror movies with this exact situation. Against her better instincts she turned her back and started walking, to where she didn't know but she couldn't be a sitting duck with no one she knew around and no cell service. She was relieved when the car stay in the same spot as she made her way further away. When she spotted the 7 eleven she almost broke out into a sprint toward it. Stepping inside the store she felt her nerves slowly start to settle but she knew until she saw Harry she would be anxious. “Finally,” She breathed seeing she had service.

As she started to call Harry she saw that same car from down the street slowly pass the store, almost as if they knew she was in there. “Breathe Abby,” She muttered watching the car until it disappeared. “They're gone now, they probably just wanted to scare you.” She kept saying to herself before Harry called.

“Where is she?” Kristin asked following Harry to Ben's car.

“A 7 Eleven down the road. Come on.” He commanded. “We're on our way, Angel, where did you go?”

“I'm sorry Harry, I know I was supposed to stay with Liam but the crowd and I was getting pushed in a different direction and I just...”

“Baby, calm down, its ok. I understand. All that matters is that you're safe.”

“They're still there.” He heard her whisper, almost as if she was making an observation.

“Angel? Who's there?”

“This...this car. They followed me here and now they're sitting in the parking lot.” She explained.

Harry's fists clenched. “Just try to stay away from them, ignore them. I'll be there soon.”

The short ride to the store felt like an eternity to Harry. He tried to keep Abigail talking, anything to keep her distracted. A lingering feeling of fear stayed with him and he knew it wouldn't go away until she was in his arms. He was about to tell Ben to drive faster when he saw the 7 eleven sign in the distance. 'Fucking finally,' he thought as Ben parked the car.

Opening his door as soon as he could he spotted Abigail hurrying over to him. Hugging her to him he whispered. “You ok?”

“Yeah, can we just please go home?” She muttered.

Nodding his head he looked past her to where a black car was parked. His heart sunk seeing Ricky sitting in the backseat. He had a smirk on his face, almost as if his plan had worked. Harry knew he meant business and that he could make anything happen to the one he cared about most. Lifting his drink Ricky rolled the window up and the car was gone. “Harry?” He heard someone say.

“What?” He snapped out of his trance to see his friends staring at him.

“Can we go now? Louis asked.

“Yeah, if I don't make it back by curfew my mom is gonna kill me.” Niall sighed making his friends laugh.

“Aww wittle Niall has a curfew!” Zayn chuckled dodging a punch from Niall.

“Shut the hell up,” He grumbled climbing back into the SUV.

Harry shook his head, leave it to Niall to lighten the moment. Running his hands up Abigail's back he caught her attention. “You sure you're ok?” He questioned leading her to the car.
Nodding once she climbed into the backseat giving him enough room to climb in beside her. As soon as he sat down she was leaning into his chest. She just needed to feel him, he was her anchor. He made her feel safe. Even if nothing else in her life made sense whenever she was with him she felt like she belonged nowhere else. As he wrapped his arm around her shoulder she sighed in relief, everything was fine. She was with Harry and he wasn't hurt after the fight. This night will soon be over and they would have a fresh start in the morning.

Harry's mind was reeling the whole drive home. Sure, nothing had happened that night but what if Ricky became bored and decided to torment him for the fun of it? Harry didn't know much about the man but from what Craig told him he had to assume he was the type of man to do such things. He was close to Abigail, he could have taken her at any time but he didn't. It seemed like he was waiting for Harry to see him, like it had been his plan all along. When the finally arrived at his house Harry excused himself to the backyard, he needed a smoke and some time alone to clear his head. He kept weighing his options and so far he didn't like what he was faced with.

While Harry was outside Abigail decided to get ready for bed. As she was washing her face she decided she wasn't going to focus on what happened. She had just been paranoid. What mattered most was Harry and everyone she cared about was fine. The fight may have not gone the way they expected but it was just a freak accident. At the first fight she ever went to they were told cops may barge in and break it up, it was sure to happen sometime. After she changed into her pajamas she crawled into Harry's bed, the lingering smell of his cologne made her smile and blush at the same time. A part of her dreaded when her dad returned home. He had texted her earlier that day telling her he would be back by the next day. Honestly she felt more comfortable in Harry's house than at her own. She hoped things would change but she wasn't sure if they would ever return to normal.

Hearing footsteps approach the room she smiled as Harry stripped off his T-shirt. “You're not sore are you?” She asked.

“Nah, he didn't even get a swing in,” He smirked, unbuttoning his jeans. “I'm beat though.” He sighed plopping down on the bed beside her.

“I bet,” She murmured cuddling up next to him. “My dad is gonna be back tomorrow. He told me today.”

Harry frowned. “So I'm gonna be sleeping by myself tomorrow night?”

“Looks like it but just know I'd much rather stay here but I don't want to ware out my welcome.”

“I'm telling you I think my mom and sister like you more than me.” He chuckled rolling onto his side.

“I doubt that,” She giggled, rolling her eyes.

Pushing a piece of hair behind her ear Harry sighed. He watched as she slowly fell asleep, her hand resting in his. In a perfect world he would keep her just like this, close to him, giving him the reassurance he had never experienced before. It was the harsh reality he faced that brought him back to earth. Inside he knew what he was going to have to do and he wasn't sure if he could handle it but it was his only option. For her, he had to do this no matter how much it hurt him.

Notes