Aoife's POV

It was 5pm and I decided to get myself ready before Danny came to pick me up from Evie's. I was so excited to see him again! With him being on the Science & Faith tour with the lads last year and then filming The Voice Uk this year, we hadn't had the chance to see each other. I always miss him while he's away.

I know it was Danny's dream to perform to the world and write music but deep down, I was jealous of having to share him with the rest of the world. He was my best friend since childhood so I knew him inside out and him vice versa. But I've always been there for him and the lads and I always will be supportive of them.

I must admit I wasn't shocked that Danny texted me to ask for relationship advice with Irma. If anything I was more than a bit smug that he trusted me with such a personal topic. Secretly, I had always despised Irma because she had this snotty, insecure vibe about her. Sure, she was very pretty and had a fit body but mentally, she was very self conscious of herself and didn't seem to trust Danny a lot.

It wasn't just me who thought this. Mark, Glen, Ben and Rodney had picked up on it too, as well as Danny's mother and siblings. I couldn't shake the feeling that Irma could only be using Dan for the publicity. We were all very protective of our Dan as he had already been through so much in life. He's only 33! But being the supportive friend, I reassured him that he was doing right thing and that he should go talk to her.

I've always had a soft spot for Dan and I used to have a huge crush on him... Ok, maybe I still do. But come on, have you seen the guy? He's 6'4, stick thin, extremely attractive, he has most gorgeous green eyes, quiffed raven dark hair, a smile that lights up a room and he's extremely talented musicaly. He's also the sweetest guy that I've ever come across.

But he can't find out these feelings I have for him. It would ruin our friendship.

I decided that I would wear black skinny jeans, combat boots an All Saints t shirt and a purple zip up hoodie to go out tonight. I always tried to wear similar things to Dan as his style was so cool. Not that he noticed I did this....

I glanced at the clock tick-tocking on the wall. 6:30. Dan should be here in half an hour to an hour. So I scrapped my long dark hair back into it's trademark high pony tail, I shoved my boots on and went to join Evie and her friends in the living room. That's when the tormenting began....

"Oooo Aoife's dressed up for her night out with pretty boooooooy!" Teased Bev, one of Evie's friends.

"Ye look absolutely stunning in that hoodie Aoifs!" Exclaimed Lucy. "Danny's certainly gonna approve!" She said with a cheeky grin. Evie's other friends, Llinos and Zoe both nodded their heads in approval.

I felt my cheeks burning to a dark shade of crimson. Ok, so maybe telling the girls that I was going for a drink with Danny O'Donoghue was bad idea...

" Ye guys don't think it's too much?" I asked them uncertainly. "I don't want to look over dressed" I confessed. Evie walked into the room with some snacks as they were having a movie night tonight.

"Oh Aoife! You look stunning! Don't worry, Danny's one of your best friends, he wants to spend time with you, not someone who wastes time messing around with clothes! He likes you for being you, not what you wear!" Evie said kindly.

"Thank you!" I said gratefully. I knew the girls didn't mean anything bad with their teasing, it was just their way of complimenting me.

"What time's that lad coming to pick you up?" Asked Evie

"I told him to come between 7 and 8 o'clock" I replied, glancing at my watch. It was now 7pm. "He should be together here any minute now, he always turns up earlier than later" I explained.

"Oh so he's keen then?" Remarked Bev with a smirk, all the other girls and were in stitches.

"I suppose so" I giggled "but he also has a girlfriend". They all shut up after I said that, good hahaha.

At that moment, my phone rang loudly. I glanced down to check caller ID. It was Danny. I kept staring at the screen before answering on the third ring.

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"Hello?" Silence."Dan are you there?" I asked, worried.

"A-a--a-aoif-f-e-e?...." Came the shaky, response. His voice sounded hoarse, like he'd been crying. Oh God, I guess things didn't go well with Irma.

"Oh Dan..." I whispered sympatheticly. "What happened?" I asked gently.

However for the next 5 minutes, all I could hear in reply were his loud, heartbroken sobs

"Shhhhhhhhhhh don't cry..." I cooed. I hated to hear anyone cry, especially Dan. Evie and her friends all gave me worried looks.

"S-s-she c-c-cheated on me A-a-aoif-fs" came his broken cofession. Oh my God. And she had been the one accusing HIM of cheating on HER? WTF!?!?!

"Oh My God Dan, how could she?!" I exclaimed "she's just thrown a four year relationship away and for what?"

"A r-r-eal man a-p-parently" he stuttered. Wait why was he saying that?

"Who told you that?" I asked in disbelief

"I-i-irma" he croaked. "This bloke called Tim is exact opposite to m-m-me. I'm lanky and skinny while he literally looks like a mountain" I chuckled at his statement. But I suppose Dan was right, he wasn't exactly the strongest guy I know. But his next statement made my blood run cold "he throws good punches too...." Oh no...

"And how would you know that" I asked, scared of what his next answer would be.

"He's b-b-beaten me black and blue Aoifs, he was 'teaching me a lesson' for bothering HIS girl apparently"

I gasped, horrified tears streamed down my own cheeks in shock. Taking a shaky breath, I composed myself. "Listen where are you now Dan?"

"I'm sat on a bench at the end of Irma's lane, I can't move, it hurts so much" shit, he really was in agony.

"Ok stay in that area, I'm coming to get you, ok?"

"N-n-n-no I'll hail a ta-a-axi"

"In your state? No Dan just wait there, I'll be there in half an hour"

"Alright see ya later l-l-love"

I hung up and stared at my phone in disbelief. What the hell was Irma playing at?! How dare she accuse Dan of being a cheater when she was one herself? Such a hypocrite.... Right off to pick up Danny.

"Right girls, I'm off to pick up Dan from his ex's house, I won't be long" I said, brushing off the worried glances at each other and walked out the door, towards my car, when Evie stopped me

"Aoife, what's happened? Is Danny okay?" Worry was clear in her voice.

"He's just gotten himself in a bit of a mess. He just foundw out that his girlfriend's cheated on him, after her accusing him of cheating when he hadn't! Her new hubby's beaten him, so I'm going to pick him up and bring him here if that's ok with you?"

"Oh right, that's alright love. We might note be here by the time you get back, we might go out for a few beers if this movie's crap!" She chuckled.

"Ok thank you! Haha have fun!" I turned away and stepped i n my car and began my journey to Irma's. I had to admit that I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't scared of what I would find.

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About 30 mins later, I indicated and turned into Irma's lane. I decided to park the car out of sight and legged it past Irma's house, towards the end of the lane. At the end I could see two benches. One was vacant while the other held a tall looking figure, all haunched up and shivering.

As I got closer, I gasped as I saw the extent of the damage that monster had done to him. His face was caked in thick, sticky blood, that presumably came from his nose. His cheekbones were bruised and swollen, his face tear-stained. His long, thin nose noticeably bent to the right. His eyes were closed, as his left eye so swollen that it looked almost ogre-like, and swollen shut. His thick dark hair was matted with blood. I raised a hand to the back of his head to find a tennis ball- like lump and a gaping gash that oozed out a steady flow of blood. He took short, laboured breaths, while whimpering in agony.

"Dan?" I called uncertainty. I kneeled down in front of his trembling body, shaking his shoulders slightly. He wasn't responsding. "DAN!" I repeated, panic rising in my voice.

Somehow sensing my urgency, he opened his right eye to look at me.

"A-a-aoife?" He croaked, fear clear in his voice. He was scared. He thought I was going to hurt him....

" Yeah Dan, it's me. What a mess you've got yourself into, eh?" I joked. He held a dazed, confused expression in his gaze. "C'mon, let's get you on your feet so I can see if I can move you"

I took hold of his freezing hands and motioned for him to stand up. Gripping tightly onto my hands, he unsteadily heaved himself up onto his shaking legs. We stood still for a few moments in silence, for him to gain a little balance.

That's when I looked up at his face, and my heart broke. Fresh tears followed freely down his swollen cheeks, dripping onto my face. He was avoiding eye contact with me, desperately trying to stop crying. When I reached up to dry away the blood and some tears, he finally met my gaze, I saw many emotions. Hurt, betrayal, pain, fear, confusion and trust. Trust in me....

"Oh Dan...." I didn't hesitate to let go of his hands, pulling him into me, hugging him tightly. Once my arms were around him, he didn't try to stop himself. He let out loud, heartbroken sobs, wrapping his lanky arms around me, leaning against me to bury his head in my neck.

"I-I-i j-j-just c-c-can't believe it" he sobbed uncontrollably into my neck. "it's n-n-not f-f-fair"

"I know Dan, I know" I said biting back the tears myself. I couldn't start crying, I had to stay strong for Dan. But seeing him so fragile and broken really unnerved me. Eager to get him home, I pulled away from his embrace.

"Right mister, I think it's time to take you to Evie's" he gave me a nod so I wrapped an arm around his waist, making him lean into me. With my other arm, I took hold of his left arm, slinging it behind my neck and over my shoulder, gripping tightly onto his hand with mine. This way I supported most of his body weight, not that he weighed much anyway. "Let's go".

We started our painfully slow journey down the lane towards my car. Danny staggered clumsily beside me, desperately trying to walk. It was like he had lost all co-ordination. He could barely walk in a straight line. Just as we approached the car, Danny pulled away from me.

"Aoifs... I r-r-really don't feel too good" he gazed at me with a dizzy look, like he couldn't focus on anything.

He had always been the pale type, but by now all colour had drained from his face. He was as white as a sheet. He doubled over in agony, crying out in pain, clutching his stomach.

"Dan? What's wrong?!" Again I could hear the panic rising in my voice

"I'm gonna be sick" he stated, before throwing up what presumably was his lunch. I went over and rubbed his back soothingly. He eventually, straightened up again, swaying dangerously on his shaking legs. He was going to faint.

Just as I moved forwards to support his body, his legs buckled underneath him. He fell sideways, literally collapsing on me, sending both of us flying to the ground.

I dragged myself out from under his body, moving to sit cross legged on the floor, shifting Danny's body so that his head rested in my lap. His eyes were closed, his features still ghostly white. I suddenly realised the seriousness of the situation.

1. Danny had been seriously injured during the punch/kick in he experienced. He could have serious injuries that needed medical attention.

2. Since I foud him, he looked at me with a dizzy, confused expression, like he couldn't focus on anything. He had a huge lump and gash at the back of his head. He could be seriously concussed. That would explain the throwing up and fainting.

3. Danny needed to go to hospital. So I need to phone 999 for an ambulance.

With shaking hands, I dialed the number.

*ring ring, ring ri-

"Hello? This is emergency services, how can I help you?"

"H-h-hello, I need an a-a-ambulance please" my voice shook uncontrollably.

"Ok stay calm, can you tell me your name, what happened and where you are?" Asked the calm voice.

I told her all the details that she needed to know. Apparently Dan had the classic symptoms of concussion. 15 minutes later the paramedics had arrived, rolling Dan onto a strecher and placing him in the ambulance. I jumped in the back with them, grasping Danny's hand to reassure him if he awoke.

As we set off, Danny began to stir from his unconsciousness, groning loudly in his sleep. I sqeezed his hand in response, and soon he relaxed again, falling into a deeper sleep. One of the paramedics commented.

"Looks like you two are extremely close" he said grinning, nodding towards Danny, who now had his hand clasped tightly around mine.

"Yeah, we've known each other since we were in nappies" I explained. "We're just very close, best friends."

"I can see that, he completely trusts you" he said with a smile.

About 20 mins later, we arrived at the hospital. They took us down to A&E and some doctors were now examining Dan, while I had to wait outside anxiously,waiting for the diagnosis. A few minutes later, a doctor approached me.

"Well we've done a thorough examination of Daniel, would you like to know the result?"

"Sure, that'd be great thanks" I said nervously, not sure if I wanted to know.

"As you can see, Daniel has experienced extreme trauma to his head, by the multiple blows to his head. We have stitched up every cut but he is severely concussed and will be out of it for a few days. He has also fractured his nose, cheekbones 4 ribs and his left eye socket."

"Oh my God" I whispered, feeling the lump growing bigger in my throat. Don't cry, don't cry.....

"If he copes alright tonight, he can go home tomorrow afternoon with some pain killers, assuming someone would be with him 24/7 for a while?" She looked at me.

"Yeah it's no problem. It is alright for me to stay here with him tonight, isn't it?" I asked uncertainly.

"Of course, however I do think you'd better conact some of his and your friends and relatives, just to put them in the picture".

"Oh yes, of course, thanks doc". I pulled out my phone to text Evie.

New text to Evie:

"Hey Eves, won't be coming home to yours tonight, I've had to take Dan to hospital in an ambulance, as he's in a hell of a state. Could you do me a huge favour and pick up me car for me? Xxx"

Moments later, she replied

"Oh my God! Yeah sure no problem, I hope your both ok, keep me posted xxx"

I thanked her then proceeded to text Mark and Glen, explaining to them what had happened and asked them if they could tell Dan's family. I got a reply from both of them almost immediately. I chuckled at Mark's response:

New text from Mark:

Who the f*uck did that to him?! Yeah sure I'll text Andi and the clang, Glen's with me now so we'll both come see you in a few days. Hope you you're ok xxx

Aww he's sweet lol. I quickly replied:

Message to Mark:

I'm ok, just a shock to find him like that. I presume that it was Irma's new hubby that did it to him. Yeah looking forward to see yis, thanks Mark xxx

I got a reply from Glen too:

Oh my God, can't believe it. She actually accused him of cheating on her, when she was cheating herself... When's Dan allowed home? We'll take turns in who watches over him if you like. Are you ok? It must've been such a shock to see him like that xxx 🌈🌟

I smiled at his reaction. He had always been the wise, pacemaker of the group. It made me chuckle how he always used that rainbow emoji, always trying to lighten up the mood. I immediately replied:

New message to Glen:

Yeah I'm ok, just a bit shaken up. I know right, she's such a bitch! If he's ok overnight, he'll be allowed home tomorrow afternoon, fingers crossed! ;) yeah that'd be great, that way I wouldn't bore him to death hahaah. See you soon xxx

He replied straight away:

Cool! See ya in a few days! xxx

I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard someone call my name.

"Miss Quinn?" Asked a pretty, fair haired nurse that looked in my direction.

"Yeah that's me"

"Would you like to come see Mr O'Donoghue? He's still unconscious, but you can go sit in his room. Its the first one of the left" she gestured to the corridor behind her.

"Er, yeah sure. T-t-thanks" I stuttered. I really didn't want to see his agonized, broken body. But he was my best friend and I'd do anything for him. I slowly got up and walked down the corridor and stopped in front of the first door on the left. Shakily, I turned the door handle and stepped into the room. I gasped at the sight in front of me.

Danny wore a thick white bandage wrapped around his head, presumably to stop the cut at the back of his head from bleeding. His swollen left eye had now turned into a dark purple lump, as had his cheekbones and nose, which had been reset back into place. His breathing was now slow and even, his mouth slightly open, he let out soft, quiet snores. He would've looked peaceful if he hadn't have been so battered.

I dragged the blue plastic chair closer to his bed and took his hand in mine. Leaning back in my chair, I finally let sleep take over, now knowing that Dan was safe.

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So here's a eventful chapter for you lol. I guess I wanted to change characters, to get their point/s of view on things. Please comment and rate, as I'd know if anyone was reading this or not. It'd also tell me if you like it or not haha :) I hope to update this soon xxxx