"When you're standing there in your underwear and my t-shirt from the night before...with your messed up hair, and your feet still bare, would you mind closing the bedroom door?...Baby you don't have to rush, you can leave a toothbrush at my place, at my place."

°°°°°

  Niall

 
  Frankly, I had no clue this girl was so...hesitant for everything. When we got out of the car and walked across the street to the restaurant, she stared at the road like it was a giant crack in the earth spewing lava. And we had to wait till she walked to the crosswalk, then to our side of the street, and walk over to us. By the time that happened, Zayn came back and said that we lost our reservation.

  Corona shrugged sadly, I could see in her beautiful eyes that she didn't mean to make us lose our reservation. Harry picked her up so we could walk across the street without having to wait on her. I knew Harry liked her, it was just drop dead obvious.

  But it was hard to tell how she felt back. Because she didn't react to Harry. She never laughed. She never smiled. She just had a strange look that held a story on her face.

  "So, why are you guys here in Florida?"She finally asked as we drove around, trying to find somewhere to eat. She sat next to me in my seat, because she was remarkably small. Me and Liam switched spots before we left our original restaurant.

  "Well, see, we never really finished our senior year. We kinda disappeared off the face of the Earth and started making music together. And went on from there. Now we're here and famous. But our school came back to haunt us for not getting enough damn education."I explained.

  "We've been sent here to finish our senior year at a private school in Fort Lauderdale so we can get high school diplomas and quit being hassled on."Lou finished for me.

  I scratched the back of my neck and smiled sheepishly at her. She smiled back.

  "I've never really been able to go to school. I try really hard, to get there. But yknow, distance and all. And because I don't have decent school clothes."I could tell she was trying to hide something.

  She fidgeted every time Harry let his fingers graze her waistband. We ended up not having a place to eat.

  Until she piped in.

  "Lived here in Miami for all my life. Let's go to Rey's Pizza. They have the best pizza ever."She said.

  My eyes challenged her and she giggled, leaning softly into Harry before nodding yes."Neapolitan cheese! Real pepperoni cut fresh from the sausage. They've got spaghetti too. They also sell alcohol."She explained to us.

  Harry hugged her tightly."You're a life saver."He whispered into her hair.

  Zayn kept a quiet tone about him the entire time. I knew he didn't like Corona. I wasn't sure why. I figured he just didn't like anyone at all.

  As Corona gave the directions, I gazed out the window. Amazed by all of this. I knew there were beautiful women here in Florida, especially the famous south. But I never thought we would be bringing a girl home who acted like an abused puppy who just got adopted. Louis sure treated her like that. Harry treated her like a stray princess. Zayn looked at her like an insect that had to be squashed immediately. Liam was just as amused as me. But acted like she was his best friend.

  Me? I was still debating. At the moment I was dazed.

  I felt like Peter Pan just swooped down and told me to think a good thought and I'll fly.(A/N|| *wink* *motions to my Peter Pan book*)

  I know I speak for the rest of the lads when I say this though: Corona Gold is a fascinating creature.

  Harry

 
  When we got to Rey's pizza, the waitress walked over.

  "Hola. Bienvenidos a Rey's Pizza, que usteds quiere a beber?"

  I looked at Zayn in confusion.

  "Si, hola. Ahh, mi amigos no hablar español, puede hablar ingles, or me necessita que yo te decir los orders?"Corona said beautifully.

  Me, Niall, and Liam stared in dreamy awe at how clear and crisp the words of her native language rolled off her beckoning tongue and out of her delicious lips.

  Something about her just attracted me. It couldn't have been her looks, though there was nothing wrong with those. She was mysterious. Sexy. Insecure, scared. It triggered the protective side of me.

  As she ordered for us, Zayn pulled me to the side. I really didn't like when he did.

  "I can see you and the others gushing over her already. Only Louis has the common sense in this, and he's the one acting like she's an estranged puppy. I don't want her here. I don't like her here. We don't need her here."He barked angrily.

  I looked back at the table. Corona and the guys were laughing, playing Mercy. Liam, Louis, and Niall were wimps. Liam got her to whimper a little, but she suddenly twisted her arm in a complete 180°, freaking Liam out and giving her an advantage.

  "Listen here Zayn, I don't know if it's because you're naturally the leader or because of the spiked testosterone levels, but you're acting like a complete ass to our guest bud. It's not every day we find a girl who doesn't want to screw us or make a doll out of our hair. She can be our tour guide too. She said she has lived here all her life. We have to grasp this chance. Now, you can continue your shitty alpha male act, but just know not everyone loves your aggressive dominance."I lashed out on accident. I never did it on purpose. I just didn't appreciate how rude Zayn was being.

  I sat back down next to Corona and Zayn took his seat next to Liam, glaring at me.

Louis

  I was really happy that Zayn let us take Corona home for tonight. She was a nice gal, and didn't have any place to go. He was so considerate. Harry was really clingy to the poor girl though, she didn't seem to mind.

  I knew we were going to be best friends the minute I saw her.

  The food finally came out. Corona had decided to be funny and ordered us some classic Coronas. Harry practically chugged down the alcohol the minute she gave him a sheepish smile. She got Zayn fancy sparkling water, because he wasn't a man-  I mean because he was the designated driver and too intimidating to read.

  The pizzas were humongous. They looked so delicious. "Go on, ladies first. Take as much as you like."Liam said, handing her a plate. She seemed like a lady, a light eater. So I figured she would be fine with the proposition.

  "No no no, you guys can go ahead and take all you want first. You're paying, go ahead and eat. I don't know how much you eat, so I'll just...eat the rest of this spaghetti."She said happily.

  I just noticed that the fresh plate of pasta was 3/4 eaten through already. The plate was the length of two hands. She sure ate fast. We shrugged and took 2 pieces of pizza each.

  Niall went through three slices before he decided there was no more room for the pizza. I could barely get through one. Liam shoved the crust of both slices to the side of his finished plate.

  "Shame on you boys, look how much food you've left. Oh well, more leftovers for me."She chided.

  I nudged Liam's ribs as she took the entire cheese pizza that was still complete. She ate the entire thing, taking pieces one by one. Then she took the crust off of Liam's plate. Then the half eaten pizzas from me and Harry.

  "I thought only Niall could eat that much."I murmured to Liam. He chuckled.

  "You don't remember how thin she is? Just look closely when we walk out of the restaurant. She's a girl Louis..all girls use oversized sweatshirts to hide their insecurities, their scarred arms, and their thinned hips. Hoping nobody will try to unveil their dark secrets and just smile, complimenting their clothes."He replied lowly.

  My eyes went wide."I never knew you were so wise."

  Liam shook his head.

  "It's just pure logic Louis. Guys don't need to hide their scars, we just think they make us cool. Not saying there aren't some of us who hide their insecurities. But girls..they're more fragile than us. Their only escape is a pretty smile and wearing lots of clothes."I was still shocked.

  She ate like she hadn't for several years. These kind of people make me grateful for all the money and privileges that I had. Because they didn't have everything I did.

  "So, guys, milkshakes?"She asked, motioning to the new waitress who carried a tray of milkshakes.

   Zayn managed a smile when he took the lonely vanilla milkshake.

  Zayn

 
  Honestly, this was the only good thing this woman brought upon us. On top of the food. I have a sort of liking to vanilla.

  "There are only five, Corona?"Harry looked confused.

  The flirtatious idiot..I saw what she was going at.

  "I know. I didn't really want one. Chocolate and strawberry don't agree with my stomach. I only liked the vanilla but...I could tell Zayn's more of the oddball out. So, let him enjoy that."She explained.

  I rolled my eyes softly. Though the irritating voice in the back of my eyes insisted she was actually very nice, that she didn't want to take advantage of us and our money. I shook my head. Knowing that wasn't true. If she wasn't that kind of person, she would've said no. But that's the thing. None of them ever say no..

  I wasn't going to let my guard down because she ordered me this precious delicacy in honor that I was the alpha male. I don't try to lead, but sometimes I just have no choice, because the boys don't have the most intelligent decisions all the time.

  "Nonsense, just share with Zayn!"Louis chirped happily. I could always count on him to fuck everything up for me with his persistent go-lucky attitude. Liam switched spots with her.

  She stared at me with her large royal blue eyes and leaned close. I froze up a little, my lips parted slightly and curved into an angry curious form, while my eyebrows reared themselves up and my eyelids dropped slightly. I technically had an intrigued expression but passive aggressive. She started to scoot closer and I didn't move. She leaned against me, sort of hugging me without her arms. I growled lowly but lowered my head, nuzzling her head with my cheek. I nudged her with my nose and she looked up. I snorted with a callous gaze and decided to go along with her canine technique, so I leaned down and pushed the milkshake towards her with the side of my face.

  She bowed her head respectfully and gave a sheepish smile. I rolled my eyes with a snarl but managed a wolfish smirk. She jumped a little and I crossed my arms and held my head up with pride. Glaring down at her. My hackles raised.

  "What?"I grumbled, flashing my incisors. This dog thing she did was fun in a way, made me feel powerful and intimidating. But it confused me too.

  "It's nothing. Your smile..it just..you have sharp teeth. You look like you want to devour me limb by limb."She replied, flashing a nervous smile along with a scared chuckle.

  I nodded softly and shrugged. I watched her drink the entire milkshake. My dull face scared the waiter when he came to get the check back. I grinned at it.

  This girl wasn't going to sweep me off my feet with her lying tail like she did with my vulnerable mates. I wasn't going to let her. Liam let her sit up front. She distracted me while I drove. Because she was the only bit of peace in the car.

  "How come you don't talk so much?"I asked, my voice deeper than usual.

  "I'm not a singer. I'm not an actor. I'm not a model, for sure. I'm no comedian either. I'm nothing of relevance to the rest of the world."She muttered.

  "Think; My word would be law for its logic if I was a philosopher. If I was a scientist, people would understand the unknown. If I was a psychologist, my work would help lost people. If I was a singer, people everywhere would use my music for comfort. But I'm none of those things. I'm just a poor woman who lives in the streets without a family. People like me are a disgrace to the world. Just by looking at us, people see that poverty is caused only by humanity within itself.

  My words do not make the will of the universe. They change the heart of no one. They offer comfort to nobody but ourselves. So why speak if it won't make a difference. Like right now, what I'm saying won't change the world. It won't make it tilt the other way. It won't make an entire country listen to its dying people and change their ways. That takes years of protests. And the protests only count if they come from people who matter.

  I, Corona Classica Gold, do not matter. Not to anyone. Not to this city, state, country, continent. I do not matter to this world. Me talking won't change a thing, everything I say is empty of purpose. They lack reason. Meaning. So. Why talk if nobody cares?"

  Her entire explanation almost broke me inside.

  What she said was true. I could almost see her as less of an enemy. And more of someone I know close. But I shook my head. No matter how profound, I'll never bow. I dare not kneel.

  "I understand."Was all I mustered, and sighed lowly.

  The boys looked so amazed by her speech. I did, but like her, I knew not to show emotion. As if it was against protocol, not in my programming.

  Liam

 
  It was adorable to watch Zayn and Corona interact. They sniffed each other, going without speaking. Like dogs. Now Zayn held his head higher. Sitting up straight. He'd snarl and startle us if she tried to touch the steering wheel or the gear stick or the gearbox. Just generally anything in the car besides the seatbelt. But he wouldn't move if she placed her hand on his face. He just let her leave her hand there and trace his facial features. As long as it didn't distract his driving.

  When we got to the very fancy hotel, we tried to figure out who would sleep where. There was one bedroom, a master bedroom. And one shower, a large one. Like a school locker room shower. Corona insisted we sleep in the same bed. She seemed fine with it.

  "Trying to get us all into one bed hmm? So you're the type of girl who likes orgies..interesting."Harry joked. She punched his shoulder.

  "Back when I used to live in a very old poor orphanage, there were only four beds. Four king sized beds, 16 children. We slept in the same beds together, we either bonded more or became more disgusted with each other. But we slept at night in a bed, with a cover and a pillow, not on the cold unforgiving bare floor. We took showers at the same time. We dressed at the same time. Never in a different room. That's why I'm desensitized about being naked around other people. Generally just being near other people in the oddest situations."She told us another life story.

  I wasn't one of those people who hated life stories. It just told me more about the person. Their strengths and weaknesses. Their beliefs, their talents, their fears, their pet peeves.

  We agreed to it and let her take the shower first. I tapped the boy's shoulders as I heard singing coming from the shower.

  "There was a time when I was alone,
  Nowhere to go and no place to call home..
  My only friend was the Man in the Moon,
  And even sometimes he would go away too.."

  "Ruth B's Lost Boy. Great song, that one."Niall said.

  "She has a beautiful voice."Harry cooed.

  Zayn rolled his eyes."Don't you get it? She's so..sad. Lost boys always are lonely. That's the only reason Peter Pan took them to Neverland. They were lost. Didn't know what to do with themselves. Nowhere to go. Nobody who cared. We're dealing with a lonely depressed 17 year old."He hissed.

  Louis crossed his arms."Oh please Zayn. Stop being bitter once. I beg."He scolded.

  Zayn hesitated before nodding."Just for tonight. Tomorrow we're throwing her back onto the streets."

  "You guys can come in, I'm done with my hair. I just didn't want you guys seeing how nasty my hair is. I can't remember the last time I cleaned my hair."She called.

  Harry was the first one undressed and stepped into the shower room, Louis following with Niall. Zayn was last, very reluctant."It's not like she's touching us, or trying to take pictures, Zayn. Calm down."

  We stepped inside, and I was surprised to see that even though Corona was done showering, she played around in the shower with the boys, wearing her sweatshirt.

  "Yknow, you shouldn't get that wet..take it off, what do you have to hide."Zayn said lowly. I strode to stand next to Louis, and we watched as big bad Zayn stood in front of Corona, towering above her. He stared down at her with cold eyes, his muscles rippling as he crossed his arms. She started shivering.

  "Uh..Well, I suppose if I must. After all, you've given me so much today. You deserve it."She mumbled. Zayn's eyes widened and his lips parted a little, his face turning very red. She removed her sweatshirt.

  And dropped it at her bare feet.

  We saw something that pained our eyes.

  I leaned over and whispered to Louis "I told you so."

  Her wrists were very red with scars, the same markings appeared around her ankles. On her back were the carved names of men, not a lot, but some. And whip lashes. She placed her hand on Zayn's chest. Then let it slide down before he grabbed her arm and stopped her.

  "Wh-What?"She looked confused.

  "I..I ne-never wanted you to uh..I wasn't asking for sex."He stammered. Me and the boys couldn't help snickering.

  I knew she had been hiding something under that sweatshirt.

  "Oh..usually that's what guys want from me."She explained.

  "What about your scars?"Harry asked. He walked close and ran his fingers down her back, tracing the names. Then I watched him trace his own name, making me shiver a little. I know he'd never put a blade to the girl's delicate scarred skin. She looked back at him, taking a hold of his wrist with her free hand and putting it on her shoulder, massaging his knuckles.

  "Rough customers. Also, not everyone likes me in this city. And some of my enemies try to get a hold on me and use my body. Whether it's beating me senseless or raping me."She smiled sweetly and Niall broke down into tears at the last one.

  "I never let them touch me, so I'm always whipped and left for dead. Although I was fine with it. Miami isn't a tourist spot boys. It's hell in the Bahamas."She shrugged.

  I walked over and pulled her into a hug, not caring how awkward it was."It's alright Corona.. We won't let that happen anymore. You can stay with us as long as you like."I heard Zayn growl. "I'm just a typical sob story, nothing I say matters. Just know you guys, I'm not sad about anything that has happened so far. I have no regrets. Life is about supporting yourself and others no matter how you do it. That's how I always saw it."Corona said into my shoulder.

  I let go and smiled at her."Alright."

  We headed out of the shower. Niall let her borrow his sweatpants for sleeping clothes, she went without a shirt but wore her black bra. "So, let's clarify, you've never been raped?"Zayn asked, leaning against the wall as he stared down at his phone, examining Twitter.

  Corona nodded."Every form of sexual intercourse I've ever had was done under consent. My friend Roberto sets me up with the nice customers. And helps find high paying customers too. He's the only other person I find close enough to me to be called family. I'm fine with it. I've got people to feed."She explained.

  "Who?"Zayn growled.

  She fell silent. "You'll find out someday."

  Zayn didn't persist.

  He put down his phone and plugged it into the charger. He clapped his hands."Bed time!"

A/N|| Before any judgement is thrown Corona's way, this is actually what the life of some women in Miami looks like. I was born there, still visit and meet people there. People who explain life that way hurts me. The being whipped part is an exaggeration, but I'm not saying that doesn't happen. Every tourist attraction has its dark side. And the world tries to hide that.

  This is not one of those fanfictions where the band becomes an intervention for the depressed girl and save her from all the violence. Oh fuck no, I hate those. She's not depressed, she's not. Corona is one of those people who sees bad things as misfortune, not things that will ruin her life forever. With younger siblings to provide for, she knows she has no time for regret. What is there to regret when what she's doing is providing for her family?

  Enough of my unnecessary rants, don't be ghost readers guys! Tell me if you like the book or not, some improvements I should make. Such and such. And uh, who should Corona end up with? I have no clue, literally. To clarify, also, odd numbered chapters are Corona chapters. Even numbered chapters are the boys. Gee wiz this is too long, such a mouthful.