Dani's POV

I loved playing on my phone; it was my life. But, when a friend needs me, I'm there in a nanosecond. I was plying Flappy Birds, and it was about four in the morning when I heard the sheets rustle on Phoenix's bed. Slightly in a panic, I slowly rose and looked at my best friend, who looked restless even though she was sleeping.

"Phoenix?" I whispered, careful not to wake Harry. I told him I'd take over for him if he fell asleep.

"Who is it?" came the whispered reply from the bed sheets.

"It's me, Dani. You set me up with Harry, remember?"

"I need to tell you something, but we have to sneak out. The lads are watching me like hawks," she whispered.

"Climb out of this tree that's next to your window," I answered.

"You've got to help me down. We can go to the beach to talk."

I helped Phoenix slowly crawl out from under the bed sheet, careful not to wake anyone, and we climbed out the window, down the tree, and soon we were walking to the beach.

"Now that we're on our own, I can safely tell you what happened. The lads would go berserk if they found out. I was fed up with Niall, so I walked out. I didn't know where I was going, but I just kept walking. I wandered into this crappy neighbourhood, and soon enough, I was overtaken by these two drunks who had their sights set on raping me. They took me to this wall in the back, away from everyone else. First, they cut my shorts at the side seams so I wouldn't be able to put them back on, and then they did the same thing with my shirt. Fortunately, I had a tank top on, so I wasn't completely bare. About the time Niall showed up, they were taunting me, about to cut the straps of my tank top. They would've gone further had the lads not shown up. I remember Niall wrapping me in his jacket, both for my sake and the other lads' sakes. I was too embarrassed to let them see me half naked. I legitimately passed out, but I made myself stay asleep for another day. I didn't want them pestering me with questions. I heard everything they said, but I couldn't respond. It was-"

She was cut off by shouts and the sound of shoes flopping on the boardwalk.

"Oh great. Someone's going to kill me for lying to them," she groaned.

"They really do want what's best for you, you know. They just don't know how to cope with all of this. They're doing the best they can," I said, hoping to make her feel better.

Phoenix's POV

"What in the world are you doing awake and out of bed? Did you not think to wake us up and tell us you were awake and alive? We were worried sick about you. What happened? I'm going to throttle whoever let you get out of telling us you left," Harry roared at me.

"I-" I started to say, but Dani spoke up, cutting me off.

"I did it, Harry. She had to get away from all of you, so I helped her, and we walked down to the beach. If you're going to throttle anyone, throttle me because I deserve it."

"What? Dani? You did this?" Harry asked, his tone softened to one of slight disappointment.

"I had to. Best friends do that for each other. I'll understand if you don't want to continue our relationship," she said, sadly walking up the boardwalk, toward the house, and away from us.

"Dani, get your arse back over here!" Harry shouted as he chased her and brought her back to the group.

"I would've done the same thing. I love you, Dani-bear," he said, bringing her close and kissing her tenderly.

"Ewwwwwwwwwwwww! Cut it out and get a room!" Louis squealed. They pulled apart, slightly red in the face, and we all laughed as we began walking back to the flat. Niall grabbed my hand, holding me back a little.

"Yes, Niall?" I said politely. He was silent as he led me down the beach a little ways. I was curious, but I didn't want to ruin the moment. Soon I saw a large, red gingham-checked blanket held down by rocks at the corners. He had planned a picnic for us, as it was nearing lunch time. I ran down to the blanket, and, much to my surprise, he had gotten Nandos for us.

"You got me Nandos? That's very sweet of you, Niall," I said shyly, avoiding eye contact. How he knew I liked Nandos, I wasn't sure, but that didn't matter. I was as happy as a butterfly on a flower.

"Phoenix," he started to say once we had been eating for a little while. I looked up at him, waiting for him to go on.

"You look... Wow, I can't even begin to describe how beautiful you look right now." His cheeks were red, but I couldn't tell if that was from the sun or if he was blushing.

"Phoenix, ever since I laid eyes on you that first time at the mall, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I had that picture of you and your sister engrained in my mind from the first moment I saw you. And then you showed up at the audition and played Lego House, which blew my mind. I didn't know you could play guitar. If you were to ask the lads, they'd probably say I was in love, and the truth is, I am. Phoenix, I love you, and I want to give you a strong, supportive male figure in your life. I don't know everything, I know, but I want to be there for you. I want to be yours. I'm sorry if I've been such a jerk. I love you so much, and I can't stand to see you hurt. I thought you were dead when we rescued you. It hurt me to see you so pale and weak in the hospital. I gave up food and sleep just so I could sit by your side all the time. I'm sorry you were mad at me enough to walk out. I just don't want to see you hurt," Niall finished. Tears were slowly streaming down his face and I could tell just by looking at him that he loved me.

****

Author's Note

Happy ending, right? Niall and Phoenix getting together? I won't say much, because I haven't had many happy endings, so I'll leave you with one. Better that you guys are happy when I let you down with a bombshell so you guys can have a Heart Attack (that 1D song came on Pandora)!

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Happy New Year Hopefuls!

Lizzy-Luci :)