"Hi, I'm Emily," I replied, feeling a spark of relief.
"I'm Lee. Believe it or not, it's a guy's name," he said with a wink, making a small laugh escape my lips.
"Thanks for helping me," I said, feeling a bit more in control.
"It's nothing. Those girls are always like that; they think they're the popular ones around here," he commented with disdain.
"I figured as much. See you later," I said, feeling slightly more optimistic.
"Goodbye, Emily."

With a smile, I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom. Upon entering, I noticed a giant mirror covering nearly the entire wall and several private stalls, giving the school a luxurious air. I went into one of the private stalls and closed the door behind me. When I finished and was about to leave, voices stopped me in my tracks.

"Yeah, I know, that new girl is awful," said one voice.
"Did you hear she talked to Niall and the others?" replied another, indignant.
"No way. We need to find her before they do. I won't let her steal Niall from me," a third voice said, full of jealousy.
"But... you've never even spoken to him," another girl said incredulously.
"Shut up. Let's find her," ordered the first voice.

Panic took over me. Crap, they found me. I tried to stay quiet, lifting my feet off the floor, but I knew it was too late. Suddenly, the door opened, and there they were, their stares challenging.

"Hi there, newbie. Eavesdropping on conversations, huh?" one of them said, a mocking smile on her face.
"Just let me go, and I'll pretend nothing happened," I replied, trying to move toward the door, but another girl blocked my way.
"No, Carolina. Let her go. I guess she's trustworthy," another said, her tone dripping with sarcasm, making me feel small.

The tension in the air was palpable. I knew getting out of this wouldn't be easy. I tried to stay calm while their stares pierced through me like daggers.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, trying to sound firm, though my voice trembled.
"We just want to make sure you're not trying to steal Niall," Carolina said, crossing her arms.

Steal Niall? I thought, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration.
"I'm not interested in him," I replied, feeling a bit more confident.
"Sure, as if you could get him. But don't worry, we won't let you." The threat was clear in her words.

My heart raced, but I knew I had to keep my head up.
"Fine, just let me leave," I said, trying not to let their intimidation affect me more than it already had.

The girls exchanged glances as if deciding whether to let me go. Finally, Carolina stepped back a little.
"Alright, but this isn't over," she said, her tone unmistakable.

I left the bathroom with a mix of nervousness and determination. As I headed to class, I checked my books and suddenly realized one was missing. Great, I thought. I left it in my locker. I decided to look for it later; I couldn't afford to forget it for the next class.

Looking up, I accidentally bumped into someone, falling once again with my books scattered on the floor.
"Great, watch where you're going," I said, frustrated, as I picked up my books.
"Emily, I thought you weren't the type to get angry," said a familiar voice. It was Niall, smiling casually. "I admit it was my fault. I was distracted, though it seems you were too."

I laughed a little, letting the tension ease.
"Sorry, I was clumsy too. What are you doing here?"
"It's pretty obvious. I study here," he replied with a mischievous smile. "And I see you do too. Want me to show you around the school?"

I glanced at the clock; the bell would ring soon.
"I have to go to class. The bell is about to ring, Niall."
"Studious girl, huh?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

I laughed a little, enjoying his sense of humor.
"I think so."
"What class do you have?" he asked, curious.
"Chemistry."
"Great, let's go. We're in the same class," he replied enthusiastically.

In that instant, I felt all eyes on us, which made me uncomfortable but also sparked a bit of joy.
"Alright, but let's go already," I said, taking his arm, and together we headed to class.

Upon entering, we sat together, and I felt a little more relaxed.
"I still want to know what's on your arms," he said, glancing at my bandages curiously.
"Not now, Niall. You already know that," I replied, feeling a pang of discomfort at the thought of what I was hiding.
"Alright," he said, lowering his head in understanding.

The bell rang, and the teacher entered the classroom. I prepared for the lesson, but deep down, I knew this would be just another chance to have a deeper conversation with Niall.
"Someday I'll tell you," I whispered, feeling that he genuinely wanted to know me. The idea of opening up to someone scared me, but maybe, just maybe, Niall could be the person I could finally share my secrets with.

I looked up and saw the girls from the bathroom enter. They saw me with Niall, and I noticed one of them getting furious. Her gaze was like a lightning bolt piercing me. I felt uneasy and lowered my eyes, unsure of how to react. I felt Niall looking at me, so I glanced back at him. He moved his lips, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I don't know how to read lips, so I just smiled and focused on the board.

The class went on, but the atmosphere felt tense. In the middle of the professor's explanation, someone handed me a note from behind. I glanced back and saw those annoying girls, laughing among themselves. Turning my attention back to the front, I crumpled the note in my hand, but part of me wanted to read it. I knew it wouldn't be anything good, but curiosity got the best of me.

I unfolded the paper and read:
"You're messing with the wrong person, sweetheart. All he'll do is play with you. Look at yourself, you're disgusting."

A sharp pain pierced my chest. Here we go again.

Niall turned toward me, curious.
"What's that note?" he asked, frowning.
"Nothing, really," I replied, trying to sound indifferent.

I didn't want him to worry about me or get involved in my drama.

After class, I went to my locker and then to the cafeteria, trying to ignore the murmurs around me. I queued up to grab a delicious pastry. When my turn came, I picked up the pastry and a juice. Just as I was about to place the juice on my tray, they magically appeared.

"Seriously... you're going to eat that?" one of them said with a mocking smile.
"You'd better watch your food, love," another added, laughing.
"Or stop eating altogether," the last one chimed in, dripping with disdain "Fatty!"

I didn't know if it was their words or the way they laughed that hurt more. I looked around, searching for a way out.

"Ugh, you're so annoying!"I shouted, heading to a secluded table, trying to ignore them.

But I could feel their eyes on me, and when I looked up, it was Niall and his friends calling me over. Taking a deep breath, I went to their table, sitting next to Liam. Niall was across from me, smiling.

"How's the pastry?" he asked.
"Delicious. Want some?" I offered, cutting a piece and handing it to him.
"Sure!" he replied enthusiastically.

But as I glanced up, I saw the girls again. They pointed at their stomachs and my food, laughing hysterically. Anger boiled inside me.

A wave of anguish overcame me, and before I could think, I ran from the table. Without looking back, I dashed to the bathroom. I felt Niall following me, but once inside, I locked myself in a stall, trying to calm my breathing.

With one hand, I held back my hair, and with the other, I pressed my fingers against my mouth, feeling the anguish turn into an uncontrollable impulse. I began to vomit, releasing all the pressure that had been building inside me.

I faintly heard the bell ringing, but I didn't care. After a while, I stepped out of the stall, washed my face, and rinsed my mouth, trying to erase the evidence of what had just happened. Opening the door, I hoped no one would be there, feeling like my first day of school had been a complete disaster.

As I walked toward my locker, trying to leave the school and all its tension behind, someone grabbed my arm. I quickly turned and found myself face-to-face with Niall. His expression was full of concern.

"Niall, you scared me," I said, turning away.
"I'm sorry. What happened? Why did you run out of the cafeteria?" he asked, visibly worried.
"If you want, come to my house tonight, Niall."
"Will you tell me about your arms?" he insisted, his gaze intense.
"I told you, someday," I replied, feeling my defenses weakening.
"Okay... Hey, you're pale. What's wrong?" he said, frowning.
"Niall, I'm always like this." I tried to downplay it, but he wasn't convinced.
"But you're paler than usual," he said, stepping closer, concern etched on his face.
"Niall..." I murmured, feeling the weight of his attention "I'm sorry."

I looked into his eyes and smiled, trying to reassure him. Just then, we heard shoutsit was them.

"Hey... never wait for us, huh?" Harry said, laughing lightly to break the tension.
"Sorry," Niall and I said in unison, making me feel a bit better.

Leaving the school, the fresh air hit me like a wave of relief, but I still felt a knot in my stomach. Niall, Liam, Louis, Harry, and Zayn walked beside me, their carefree conversation contrasting with the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

"So, how was your first day, Emily?" Liam asked, smiling.
"Not great," I replied, trying to hide my discomfort.
"Come on!" Louis said, nudging Niall "I bet she loved it, especially since she got to sit with our handsome guy."

Niall blushed slightly, making me smile.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry said, pulling a funny face "I'm sure it's such a treat to have you in our class. Though those girls are a mess."
"Did they bother you?" Zayn asked, his expression suddenly serious "If they did, I swear I can teach them a lesson."
"No need," I said, trying to downplay it "They're just some girls who think they're popular."

Niall stepped a little closer, as if trying to shield me from their gaze.

"You shouldn't let them get to you," he said softly but firmly, "You're amazing just as you are."

"Are you coming to watch us play this weekend?" Louis asked, quickly changing the subject"We're doing a little show at the park."
"You have a show?" I asked, feeling a slight spark of excitement.
"Yeah, it's just a small concert. But you should come. It'll be fun!" Harry exclaimed, excited.
"I don't know if it's my kind of thing, but I might try," I replied, trying to sound optimistic.
"You should," Liam said "It's always more fun with friends."

The walk home felt shorter than I expected. Their laughter and light jokes helped me forget what had happened in the cafeteria, at least for a while. I felt like I was forming a small group, and that was something new for me.

"Do you have plans for the weekend, Emily?" Zayn asked.
"No, not yet," I answered "Maybe I'll just stay home."
"That doesn't sound fun!" Niall said, shaking his head "You need to go out and have fun."

Suddenly, an idea crossed my mind, and I felt a little braver.

"I might come see you," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
"That's what I like to hear," Niall said, grinning from ear to ear "It'll be great, and I promise you won't have to deal with those girls alone."

As we approached my house, a warm sense offriendship began to bloom inside me. Though my insecurities still lingered, inthat moment, with Niall and the boys by my side, I felt that maybejust maybeIcould find my place here.

When we reached the door of my house, I stopped.
"Thanks for accompanying me," I said sincerely. "I really needed this."
"We're just around the corner, Emily," Zayn said, nodding.
"See you later, Emily," Niall said, smiling.
"See you later, Niall," I replied, giving him a kiss on the cheek before going inside.
I said goodbye to them, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety. As I entered the house, I knew that the next time I met the guys, it would be different.

The silence in the house was overwhelming. As I read the note, a mix of emotions engulfed me: sadness, loneliness, and a deep desire to be understood. Somehow, the paper seemed like a reflection of what was inside me, a reminder that my parents were busy, and once again, I was left alone with my thoughts.

I slumped into the kitchen chair, feeling the weight of my insecurities growing heavier. I looked around; the walls were decorated with family photos, happy moments that seemed so distant now. In each smile I saw, I felt a hole in my chest, as if those memories were a constant reminder of what I had lost: the connection and understanding I so desperately longed for.

My thoughts began to spill over, like an uncontrolled river. Why couldn't I talk to them? The idea of opening up to my parents, telling them how I felt, terrified me. What if they didn't understand? What if they saw me as a burden? I had always tried to be strong, not to worry them, but that had only made me feel lonelier.

The memory of the broken lamp came to mind, and I felt guilty again. That day had been an accident, but instead of seeking help, I had done something that hurt even more. The relief I had felt after hurting myself quickly turned into deep shame. It was a cycle I didn't know how to escape.

I put my hands to my face and closed my eyes, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts surrounding me. I don't want to keep going like this. The desire to feel better was strong, but the internal battle was even more intense. Why was it so hard to love myself? I couldn't understand why I always felt like I didn't belong anywhere.

That's when I decided I needed a change. Could there be a way to seek help? Maybe a therapist, someone to talk to without the fear of being judged. But the idea of opening my heart to a stranger also scared me. How could I trust someone when I couldn't even trust myself?

I took a deep breath and tried to focus on something positive. Maybe I could write. I had always found comfort in words, in creating stories that reflected my emotions. So, I went to grab a notebook and pen. I wanted to vent everything I felt, without filters or judgment. But my favorite part is writing about my skin.

I jumped when I heard the doorbell ring; the sound echoed in the silent air of the house.

"Hello."
"Hi, Niall. Come in."
"Are your parents not here?"
"They're working."
"Oh..."
"Come... sit down. I'll tell you something."
He sat on the couch, looking around the room. The sunlight streamed softly through the windows, illuminating the space. I felt nervous, as if the words I was about to say could change everything.

"You know... Do you know what it feels like to be alone? To always be bothered for being who you are. It's awful, and it's always happened to me. My parents moved for work, and I'm endlessly grateful for that. I was always teased at my old school. I never self-harmed, but I did when I went crazy. I threw everything in my room, broke something, and cut myself. It didn't hurt; I took another piece and kept cutting. My arm is bandaged just for that, even though you wouldn't believe it, my skin is completely cut and..."

DING DONG
OH MY GOD! Another dream. Oh no, the doorbell, I forgot. I ran downstairs, my heart racing. I opened the door, and there was Niall, smiling. But I immediately noticed something strange about myself: my arm was stained with blood, and I quickly hid it behind my back.

"Hi, Niall."
"Hi, nice house."
"Thanks. Sit down, I'll be right back. I need to go to the bathroom."
"Sure. I'll wait."

I ran upstairs, my mind still confused. I entered my room, taking a deep breath. Why had I had those thoughts? I looked at my bandaged arm and told myself I had to hide it, at least a little longer. I left the room, and Niall was looking at photos of me when I was little, hanging on the wall.

"Niall."
"Yes, you were happy as a kid." He said, running his fingers over the frame of a photo.
"Was I happy?"
"Yeah, I can see the sadness in your eyes." He turned to look at me, his expression serious.
"Incredible, Niall. You surprise me." I smiled nervously. "But I am happy."
"I'll just pretend I believe you." He crossed his arms, looking at me curiously. "What happened in the cafeteria?"
"I felt bad, the cake made me sick."
"Me too. It made me feel bad."
"Just... can we talk about that? Tell me about you, Niall." I sat next to him, feeling the conversation becoming easier.
"Well... I met the guys on a trip. Then I moved here with my family, and we agreed to form a band. Now we're trying to get into a singing competition."
"Ah, that's interesting."
"Yeah, we rehearse, and now we normally go to school. He smiled, his eyes glowing with excitement. "We're almost done with the year, and I meet this super sweet and tender girl, but I can see in her eyes that she's not happy." He paused for a moment, as if thinking about my feelings. "I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy. Winter comes, Christmas comes. I'm happy."
"That's great, Niall." I looked down, feeling the air between us becoming heavy. "Who's the girl?"
"You..."

I blushed instantly, and the air between us grew heavier.
"Niall, I barely know you." I felt my heart racing.
"And to the school's end-of-year dance?" He leaned in a little towards me, his voice soft. "Would you go with me?"
"I... I don't know." I looked down, feeling the pressure in my chest.
"Emily, please." His tone was insistent, almost like he was begging.
"Niall, my little brother will be here soon with the babysitter, and I really don't know if he'll like you."
"You have a little brother?" He seemed genuinely interested, which made me feel a little better.
"Yes."
"I'm sure he'll like me." He smiled, showing his confidence.

At that moment, the front door opened, and the babysitter came in with John.
"Emily, Emily!"
"Hi, John." I crouched down to his level. "How did it go?"
"Very well, the babysitter was really nice to me." He smiled, showing his teeth.
I looked at the babysitter, who smiled at me before saying goodbye.
"I'll leave." She made a gesture with her hands. "See you later, miss."
"See you later." I waved her off before turning my attention back to John.

John, excited, walked up to Niall.

"Who is he, Emily?"
"He's a classmate, John," I explained while watching them.
"Hello, champ." Niall crouched down to look John in the eyes. "I'm Niall."
"I'm John." He looked at him with curiosity, scanning him from top to bottom. "Are you Emily's boyfriend?"
I looked at John and then at Niall, feeling myself blush.
"Not right now, but soon." Niall laughed, sharing a knowing look with John.
John chuckled and ran off.
"John! I'll give you a bath later!" I yelled as he disappeared through the door.
Niall laughed and headed toward the entrance.
"I'm going, Emily. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you soon, Niall."
He kissed me on the cheek and left, leaving me with a mix of emotions. I went upstairs and heard John calling.
I ran to the bathroom, feeling like my thoughts were tormenting me again. It was time to face my fears, but I couldn't shake the feeling that the past was still chasing me.
John was in his bed, asleep. After a while, I went to my room, but soon I heard a tapping on my window. When I looked out, I saw the boys outside, throwing stones. There was no sign of Niall.
"Guys!" I shouted. "Go to the door, I'll open it."
I rushed down the stairs and opened the door.
"What's going on?" I asked, worried.
"Niall's crying in his room. He won't let us in," Liam replied, his face serious.
"But why?" I asked, feeling confused.
"He said he's been feeling bad since he met you, because you're... you're..." Liam hesitated.
"What am I?!" My heart started beating fast.
"He wants to help you, but you won't let him," Harry explained, looking down. "He says when he sees you, he can't stop thinking about you."
"That doesn't make sense," I protested, frowning. "We've barely met. Why would he feel that way?"
"I don't know, but it's the truth," Zayn intervened. "He's always been reserved, and for the first time, he seems vulnerable. It's a big change for him."
"But... what if I don't like him?" I said, feeling torn between fear and curiosity.
"He's not asking you to love him," Louis, who had been silent until now, said. "He just wants you to listen to him. We can't leave him like this."
"You have to leave. My brother might wake up, and I don't want that. We'll talk tomorrow."
The guys were silent for a moment, and then Liam spoke.
"Look, we just want what's best for Niall. Sometimes, love takes us by surprise."
"He cares about you," Louis added. "We've seen it, and honestly, I've never seen him like this with anyone."
"But I can't handle this right now," I replied, feeling overwhelmed. "I need time."
"What if you just give him a chance?" Harry suggested. "Isn't it worth trying?"
The guys looked at each other, waiting for my answer. At that moment, I realized it wasn't just about Niall—it was about my own feelings too.
"Listen, can we talk about this another time? I need to think about it. My brother could wake up at any moment, and I don't want him to find out about this now."
"Okay," Liam said, taking a step back. "But don't push Niall away. He just wants to talk to you."
The guys left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I went back to my room, trying to calm myself, and then I picked up my brush, not realizing that the tears started to fall.
My brush touched the paper, leaving a trail of ink and emotions.
"I can't believe what Niall is doing," I whispered to myself. "I don't need help."
My tears kept falling as my brush made marks on the paper. I was just making marks on my skin, nothing more. They were like tattoos of my feelings. This is how I heal my pain with deep sadness.
I'm just... just an angel who wants to go home. Or maybe, I need a hero. Maybe I need someone like Niall.