I picked myself up from my nervy state at the bottom of the stairs, and walked into the kitchen again.

"Tina?" Mum said.

"Yes, mum?" I asked.

"What's wrong?" She questioned.

"Nothing." I said, forcing a smile.

"I mean with Harry. Why don't you like him?" She pressed.

"It's a long story." I said, my voice barely rising from a whisper.

"I have time." She smiled, wrapping her arm around me.

"Not enough time for this story." I told her. "Why are you forcing me to go on this date?"

"I think it'll be good for you. You're always holed up in your room doing nothing." She replied.

"Yeah, I know. I still go out with my friends though." I rallied.

"It's not the same. Just think, you could have a boyfriend." She said.

"I'll get one when I want one. I'm just going to tell Harry that I don't want to see him anymore after tomorrow." I said, if only it were that easy.

"Your decision after the date." She smiled.

I walked upstairs and into my room, shutting the door behind me. I sent a text to my friends asking to meet them again tomorrow, deciding it was best to have some sanity in the day. They all agreed on meeting at Jaydes' house.

I went to bed that night feeling anxious and scared. The only thing that would get me through the day, was seeing the girls.

I had a rough night of sleep, tossing and turning, getting hot and bothered. I finally managed to fall asleep later on, so I wasn't too tired when I woke up.

I pulled my covers back and hopped out of bed, skipping to the window to open the curtains. The sun was high in the sky, beaming down on the houses in the street.

I found some clothes to wear and then went to wash and dress in the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, then looked in the mirror. I had picked out a flowing orange top and a pair of jeans, nothing too revealing for my date; I didn't want Harry making any more passes. I applied my makeup; eyeliner, mascara, blusher and lipgloss. When I was happy with my appearance, I grabbed my bag and headed down to the kitchen.

"You okay, Dear?" Mum asked as I plonked down on the bar stool.

"As okay as I'm going to be." I said.

"Nervous about the date?" She smiled an understanding smile.

"Not nervous. Annoyed is more the word for it." I told her.

"It'll be okay, it'll be over before you know it." She reassured.

"Whatever you say. Anyway, I'd best get off now, I'm meeting the girls." I said, kissing her on the head and then leaving. I drove to Jaydes' house feeling happy. Seeing my best friends would at least get me through the first half of the day. I pulled up outside her house, Amys' car was already there.

The front door swung open before I'd even knocked. Maisie had obviously arrived in Amys' car, as a chorus of my name rang out from inside.

"Hello." I laughed, stepping inside. Once I was inside, we all walked into the living room to sit down.

"So, how come you wanted to meet today?" Jayde asked.

"I thought it would be better to tell you this face to face, as I can't particularly cope myself. I wasn't sure what you'd think." I mumbled.

"About what?" Amy asked.

"Is this about what we spoke about in the café yesterday?" Maisie quizzed.

"Sort of." I groaned.

"Well, what is it?" Amy said, her voice sounding worried.

"You remember Harry?" I asked, his name feeling like poison in my mouth.

"Obviously. It's hard to forget someone that freakishly tall and handsome." Jayde giggled.

"I think he may be stalking me." I muttered, feeling self-conscious.

"Stalking you?" Amy repeated.

"Yes." I sighed.

"What's he done?" Jayde questioned.

I pointed to the fading bruise on my lip. "That." I said.

"He did that?" Amy and Jayde exclaimed.

"And this." I said, slowly moving the curtain of hair covering the fresh bruising on my neck. A sharp tug in my stomach made me feel nervous, knowing that all eyes were on me.

"Isn't that just an act of love, though?" Jayde asked.

"Not with Harry. He was marking his territory. He forced himself upon me at the party, then yesterday instead of buying food, he took me to the back alley and did that to my neck, forcefully." I explained.

The girls all gasped, and I dared look a their faces. "Oh, and did I mention I have a date with him tonight?" I asked.

"You can't go." Maisie said.

"Mum's forcing me." I moaned.

"He seems so innocent." Jayde breathed.

"Spend a minute with him alone, you'll soon see what he's like." I said sourly.

"I'd rather not. I see that he's marked you, I don't much fancy that." She told me.

"What time's the date?" Maisie asked.

"Seven." I replied.

"You have two hours. Spend an hour here, then go and get ready. We'll text you through the date. Let us know how it's going. If he tries anything, text us." She said.

"Thank you, girls. I'll be sure to tell you what happens." I smiled.

An hour later, it was time for me to leave.

"Good luck!" They all shouted after me as I sulkily walked to my car.

I arrived back at home and rechecked my appearance. My makeup had faded a bit, so I applied the same again. It took me ten minutes to finish getting ready, then I waited on my bed.

"Tina! Harry's here." Mum called up the stairs to me. My stomach turned and I walked slowly down the stairs.

"Hello, Mrs Spiers." I heard Harry's raspy voice say.

"Please, dear. Call me Alexa." She said warmly. "Tina's on her way."

I reached the bottom of the stairs and looked in the direction of my mother and Harry. I could run for it now, but I'd be caught.

"Ah, Tina. Lovely to see you again." Harry grinned, spotting me.

"Hello, Harry." I said.

"Let's go." He smiled, walking towards me. He roughly grabbed hold of my hand, holding tight.

"Ouch." I hissed. He released his grip a little.

We were almost out the door when my mum squeezed my shoulder. "Good luck, honey." She whispered.

I turned and mouthed the words 'thank you' to her.

Harry opened the door to his black jeep for me. I tried to climb in, and he placed a hand on my thigh. "Thought you could use the help." He said, a wide smile of amusement lit his features.

"I'm okay on my own." I told him.

"Sure." He muttered, walking around to the drivers seat. He got in and started to drive away. I turned my head to the side to look at my date. His curls looked neater, almost in an attempt to win me over. His green eyes appeared to be a lighter shade, glinting in the light. I nervously chewed on my lip. A small smile appeared on his face, and I knew I'd been caught watching him.

"How old are you, Tina?" He spoke.

"Eighteen. You?"

"Just turned nineteen." He smiled.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, trying to stop my voice from cracking.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." He winked.

I prayed that he wasn't taking me to his house. I'd have no say of what went on if I were alone with him. He pulled the car to a halt in a parking lot to a restaurant.

"We're here." He announced.

I climbed out of the car and walked ahead. I pulled my coat across my chest as the wind whipped lightly at me. I felt an arm wrap around my waist, and I knew Harry had caught up with me.

"Styles." Harry told the woman in charge of the tables in the diner.

"Ah, yes. Follow me." She smiled. We followed her to a table in the centre of the room, visible to everyone. Perhaps this meant Harry wouldn't try anything here.

"What will you be eating?" He asked me.

"I don't know." I said.

"Look at the menu, then." He said, annoyance hinting at his tone.

"I'm looking." I mumbled.

The waitress came back to our table and asked us what we wanted. Harry ordered our food for us. The waitress, Jenny, gave me a pitied look, almost as if she could tell I didn't want to be here.

"So, Tina." Harry muttered, gazing across the table at me.

"Yes?" I asked.

"What is it about me that scares you?" He questioned, his eyes focusing on my lips.

"Nothing." I lied.

"Really? You seem rather frightened." He said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm fine." I lied again.

"Alright then." He whispered, reaching across the table and holding my hand in his. I pulled my hand away at the last second.

"Stop." I demanded.

He grinned in return. "You certainly dress to impress, beautiful." He breathed.

"Thanks." I said, feeling rather annoyed at his persistence.

"Whereas I undress to impress." He chuckled. My cheeks flushed red, and my mind ran over the possibilities of meanings behind that sentence.

"Too bad I won't find that out." I told him. He reached across under the table, placing a hand on my knee. I gasped, not expecting it. A light laugh emanated from his parted lips.

"You sure?" He asked.

"I'm sure." I said.

After we'd finished eating, we walked outside into the sunshine. Harry had made many more passes at me during our meal, and I'd turned each offer down as they came.

"Come with me." Harry said, grabbing my hand. He pulled me towards an arcade.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"I'm winning you a memoir of our date." He smiled.

"Cheers." I bluntly said.

He walked over to a couple of machines, trying to win stuffed teddies from the cranes. He finally managed to get one, and handed it to me. "Thank you." I said, trying to sound grateful.

"It's okay." He smiled warmly.

"Listen, Harry. I'll be back in a minute." I said.

"I'll be right here." He chuckled.

I walked towards the bathroom, my head feeling dizzy. I waited in front of the mirror, washing my face with the water from the sink. 'Do I run, or do I go back to him?' My mind contemplated. I decided to run. I stepped out of the toilets, and walked in the opposite direction to Harry. Determined not to get noticed, I hid my head behind the new cuddly toy. Without looking where I was going, I walked straight into a big, burly man.

"Watch where you're going, yeah?" He shouted.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled. He turned to look at my face, his structure softening.

"Well, hello darling." He smiled. Not a nice, friendly smile, but a scary, devilish one.

"I'm here with someone." I said quickly.

"That's a shame. I was hoping you'd be mine." He slurred, clearly drunk.

"I'm going." I stated, turning away.

Trying not to cause a scene didn't work, as Harry spotted us. "You're not leaving my sight, baby." The big man said, harshly grabbing my arm.

"Let go of me!" I shouted. Harry came running through the arcade to us.

"Is this your boyfriend?" The intimidatingly tall lad asked.

"No." I said, at the same time as Harry said yes. He was being cocky again.

"Let her go." Harry yelled.

"What are you going to do about it?" The strong guy asked. His friends were cheering for him, so I gathered that his name was Luke.

"This." Harry fought, flinging his fist straight at Luke's face.

"Ow!" Luke yelled, stumbling.

"That's what you get for messing with my girl." Harry growled.

"I'm not your girl." I said quietly.

"You heard her." Luke beamed.

"That doesn't mean I'd ever go for you either." I told him.

Harrys' smile lit up his face, then left in an instant. Luke's fist was raised, threatening a blow to Harry's stomach. He moved at the last second, Luke's hand missing its target.

"Stop!" I yelled.

"For you." Harry smiled at me.

"This isn't over." Luke warned.

I turned on my heel and began walking away, Harry shortly behind me. My speed was no match for his, and he soon caught up to me, snaking his arm around my waist. I pushed away, surprised at my strength.

"Tina, wait!" Harry called after me, as I broke into a run.

I managed to make it past his car, but soon realised I had no other way to get home. I sulkily walked back to the jeep, waiting for him to arrive.

"I'm glad you've seen sense." He grinned.

"It was either this, or walk. Now hurry up and take me home." I said.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at my house. He helped me out of the car and walked me to the front door. I was about to open the door, when he grabbed my hand, tugging me back against his chest. "Get off." I protested, but to no avail. He held on tight, spinning me around in his arms so that I was facing him. He lifted my head up, staring into my eyes. His eyes were intently locked on mine, my focus becoming solely on his features. He leant down to me, our faces close. His hot breath teased my cheeks, his curls tickling my neck, as he placed his lips onto the sore spot below my jawline. I drew in a deep breath, pain running through me again. I shuddered as his lips brushed my shoulders, and he chuckled against my skin. I pulled away from him, opening my front door and trying to slip inside.

"I'm coming in." He said.

"No." I argued, trying to shut the door. He placed his foot in the gap, leaving the door ajar.

He stepped inside, making his way over to the sofa. Taking a seat, he patted next to him for me to sit down as well. I walked straight past him and into the kitchen.

"Tina, come here." He shouted.

"I'm not sitting with you, that's final." I replied. I felt his arms wrap around me, tightening as I fought. My spine tingled, not realising how close he was. I'd thought he was still in the living room. He was fast, I'd give him that.

"And why's that?" He asked, pressing his lips to my ear.

"Because." I breathed. "You need to leave."

"I'll be off in just a minute." He smiled, stroking my cheek.

"Go." I spoke. I grabbed his hand and lead him to the door, opening it. He pulled me in close and harshly pressed his lips to mine.

"I'll see you soon." He said, grinning as he walked out. He well and truly scared me. When he said he'd be seeing me soon, I knew it wasn't just a statement. It was a promise.