Run(a)Way S.T

"What did he say?" Harry questions, his brows coming down, shading his eyes.
"They are home.. There is a trial.. Well.. There’s going to be one," I hand Niall his phone back.
"That is your phone your hi- Eleanor.. Keep it," He remarks. I glance up at him, my fingers closing over the screen.
"You're going back home aren't you?" Harry states.
"I don't think I have a choice..." My voice trails off lost in thought.
"I'll come see you tomorrow," He offers.
"I'd like that," I answer with a frozen smile. I push my chair back, collecting myself in the process.
"And Harry.. Thank you for today," I tell him, truly sincere about his help.
"It really was my pleasure," he tilts his head.
I linger a moment more before turning and following Niall out of the restaurant.
I follow him silently to his car. The ride home is quiet, I stare outside scared of the moment that is to come. Seeing my parents after I shouted at them the way I did.. Accusing them my life was a lie.
"Are you all right?" Niall finally questions.
"Yes.. Why?"
"Because.. We are parked out here for almost 15 minutes and you yet to step out," He notes. I look around me, finally realizing we are in fact home. A part of me wished I have asked Harry to come back with me, feeling safer, knowing he is completely 100% on my side, however I also know I need to face them on my own.
I step out of the care. There are a few news trucks parked but none of them come to bother me.
I head over to the front door, taking a deep breath before opening it. There is a police officer sat outside by the window. I wonder if he is the only one or if in fact there are more.
There is one in the house sat on a chair. He gets up when he notices Niall and I.
"Your highness," he greets me.
"Don't call me that," I say.
"Eleanor? Is that you?" I hear my mum call. She hurries over. She looks terrible. Her face is stained with tears and she looks tired.
"Where is Harry?" She asks quietly.
"Went home," I reply.
"Your dad is asleep.. He’s feeling ill," she offers an explanation I did not ask for.
I glance at Niall, which is when my mum notices him.
"What is he doing here?" She accuses.
"He is my body guard mum.. He goes anywhere I do," I sigh.
"I'm not here to make you feel uncomfortable Mrs." He says kindly.
Mum stares at him untrustingly.
"Mum.. We need to talk," I finally end the silence. Her eyes shift to me and her shoulders fall. She knew this is coming.
"You're not allowed to talk to them about the case.." Niall speaks up.
"I really don't care!" I snap and he keeps quiet, remembering his place. This is the first time I notice the power I got with my new title.
"We better sit.. I'll make you some tea," Mum decides heading to the kitchen.
"Niall," I say in a hushed tone.
"I won’t tell," He assures me, "but you should know you will be questioned sooner or later, so they will know.."
I nod at that. I don't care what happens later.. I only care about now.
Mum is back and we sit on the sofa. Niall places himself in the dining room, giving us some privacy or at least the feel to some.
"Did you know all along?" I ask straight away, afraid I will get scared and won't demand the answers I want.
"Not at first... you see Eleanor... Your dad and I.. We tried for many years to have a child and when that didn't happen we tried to adopt, but we had financial difficulties so it was hard to get custody."
I wait silently not pushing her. I know my mum.. If she started to talk she will finish.
"And then one day in the middle of a double shift at work someone contacted me, said We can adopt a little girl.. 3 years old, and I was so extremely happy I didn't even think to stop and ask questions.. But your father did, however, I was able to push him off and keep quiet, not wanting his questions to take my dream of a child away... and then we go to meet you, and you were so sweet and beautiful. The adoption agency said they will make sure we have the money to give you a life you deserve and send you to all the right schools as long as we love you as our own and make sure to be the best parents that we can, so much that you would never consider looking for your real family," she sighs.
"And you agreed," I remark.
"Of course I did- it was the easiest thing to do! You were so lovable, you had our hearts the moment we laid eyes on you," Mum smiles, her eyes shining.
"So when did you find out who I was?"
"It was two things, first the amount of money we got was extravagant that made your dad start asking questions again and second, you didn't answer when you were called your name, and when asked your name you would say Elena.. At first I thought maybe you just couldn't say your name right yet, but your father started investigating, and when he found out who you were it was too late," she dabs her eyes.
"How was it too late?"
"The people who gave you to us said we will get locked up accused of kidnapping," mum's voice shakes.
"You were already living with us for over a year and stopped calling yourself Elena that I just couldn't let you go, so your father donated the amounts of money and kept only what we really needed, we never stopped working and never used the money for ourselves.."
"I can't believe this.. You knew all these years..." I feel pain spread in my chest.
"I know you think we are terrible people and that your life is a lie and you must hate us.. But you must know.. We loved you with all our heart, you were ours and we were a happy family," Mum sniffles.
"I don't hate you I just... I don't know what I think," I bury my face in my hands, lost.
"I think we all had a long day... you should get some sleep Eleanor," mum finally rises. I pick up my head, watching her collect the mugs. I get up and help her, bringing them to the kitchen and laying them in the sink.
"Leave them darling.. I'll wash them tomorrow," she notes. She seems so small to me suddenly and I can't help but feel sorry for her. I reach out and pull her into a hug. Mum isn't able to hold herself together any longer, sobbing once again.
"I'm sorry Ellie.. I'm so sorry.. Please forgive me," She cries.
"Oh mum.. It’ll be alright... we'll work this out," I promise wiping my own eyes.
I let go of her and stare after her as she heads to her room.
"Niall, there is a spare room upstairs.. I'll get you sheets," I tell him.
"Please don't.. I'll be outside your room if you'll need me," he claims.
I don't have any energy to fight him so I nod and head up myself. My phone beeps and I check it.
From Zoe: Hi sweetie, how are you holding up?
I take in a shaky breathe and write back.
'Holding up.. Talk to you tomorrow x.'
From Zoe: good night love x
I brush my teeth and wash my face. I change into an old shirt and climb into my old bed. I pull the pillow Harry used close to me sniffing it. It still smells faintly of him and I hold it close to me. My phone rings and I reach over to check the ID.
"Harry," I answer.
"How did it go?" He questions.
"I think my parents were pushed into it.. They didn't know what they were getting themselves into," I say softly. I repeat the story my mum told me, Harry listening carefully, asking questions and commenting in all the right places.
"And how do you feel about that?"
"You were right.. How can I be upset with them? Putting aside where I'm from and who I am... they are my parents they raised me into the person I am," I whisper.
"So what is next?"
"I am wanted for questioning at some point... I really don't know do I? This is such a mess," I sigh.
"I'm sorry Ellie.. This is all my fault," Harry suddenly states.
"No its not- why would you say that?"
"Because if I wouldn't have come back they would have never spotted you.."
"I think the truth has a way with catching up with you.. This would have probably happened sooner or later," I tell him.
"It could have been much later though," He whispers.
"Or much sooner..," I hug his pillow as I hold the phone to my ear.
"I rather it happen now though.. I have you.. I'm not sure if I'd be able to go through this alone," I say truthfully.
"In that case I'm glad," He notes.
"Well.. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" I sigh.
"I'll come over," He promises.
"No need Harry.. I'll see you at work," I smile to myself.
"You're coming in? What for?" He is quite shocked by my statement.
"I need normality right now.. Routine.. and that is the best way to get it," I explain.
"Alright then, I'll see you at work then."
"Good night Harry.. and thanks," I say softly.
"Good night Ellie."
In the morning I find a pile of clean clothes on the end of the bed. I know for a fact those are my clothes from my flat in London which I did not bring with me. I get up and out of bed, padding over to wash my face and brush my teeth. On my way back I find Niall standing next to my door.
"Were you here all this time?" I question. He nods.
"The whole night?"
Another nod.
"You don't have to. .. Really," I feel weird to have him at my door all the time.
He gives me a shrug.
"Do you know where those clothes came from?" I point to my room.
"Liam brought them over," He says.
"Why would he do that? Why would he know to do that?!" I'm astonished and confused.
"He got word you'll need them," Niall replies.
"How? From who? Zoe?" Who except Zoe would think about that?
I don't get an answer, so I close the door and change, getting ready for work.
Once ready Niall follows me down stairs and out the house. It seems my parents are still asleep so I make sure to shut the front door quietly.
I get into the passenger side and fish out my phone. Zoe must be up already, so I dial her number and pray she'll pick up.
"Ellie! How are you lovely?"
"On my way to work- thank you for sending my clothes over," I thank her.
"It wasn't my idea," she remarks.
"Then how?"
"I called Harry because I was worried about you, so he filled me in on what has been going on, and he mentioned the fact that you hadn't had time to take anything with you so I told him I'll take care of it," She says, finally stopping to take a breath.
"Wait you gave them to Liam?"
"No.. I got hold of him though since you left the phone he gave you here.. He sent someone over to get it and pop it over to your parents.. the phone is there too."
"Pop it over.. as if it's a two minute drive... anyway.. thank you for taking care of me.. I cannot wish for a better friend," I smile into my phone.
"That is absolutely right and you should also hold on to that superstar model of yours," she giggles.
"I'll keep that in mind," I roll my eyes.
I end the call after promising to meet her for lunch. The drive is quiet and I enjoy the easy silence I shared with Niall.
"Yes!" He suddenly says, making me jump. I glance over to him, thinking he is talking to me. I realize then he has an ear piece talking on the phone. "copy that," he replies. He then pulls out of the lane changing gear and driving much faster turning off the wrong root.
"Niall you're driving the wrong way," I claim.
"Yes well.. We are being followed."

Notes

Ok so I just realized I updated the wrong chapter last time.. How did you not tell me? How did it make sense? SO I just put up the real chapter 17, and chapter 18 which you already read, and I will update chapter 19 write now to make it up to you..

Please let me know what you think, you can give me pointers but please don't be mean.
Also if you see mistakes- tell me- I write this on the bus so there must be loads of them...

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Hope you enjoyed and enjoy the rest xx