V O T E   AND   C O M M E N T

"He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete." -The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ana's POV

We push past the sweaty and drunk people as the music blasts through the speaker. The way people are so closely packed, it feels like everyone is forcing themselves on each other. Jane and Ria sway their hips as they walk, looking too excited about the party, while I struggle to get past since Niall killed my mood. I'm clearly very mad and upset about my talk with him earlier but there's also a small part of me that is screaming that something might be wrong. He has never actually tried to stop me from doing anything before, except for that one time when I was hanging out with Harry but I understand it. I can't help but wonder what the hell is going on right now. He wasn't too thrilled about it even in the afternoon when I told him that I wanted to go out on the phone and he sounded tensed so I'm pretty sure that it isn't about Aiden or Zayn or anyone here for that matter.

After my fight with Niall, I almost decided to quit the idea of coming here but I did anyway because I didn't want him to think that he can demand or order me around, even though I know he wouldn't do it without purpose. I just wanted to give myself the satisfaction of winning and having the upper hand. I know how selfish and stupid this sounds but it seemed like the best thing to do then.

I hope that he actually comes here, which I'm pretty sure he will, so I've already sent him the address to the bar, and takes me back home. I already feel a little tired and I just want to go back and apologize to him for my poor and rude behaviour because I feel like he had his reasons to order me what to do before cuddling him and falling asleep in his arms as he sings soothingly in my ears.

"Happy Birthday, Nile," I say and offer him a hug, smiling softly as we reach the table. I see Zayn, Aiden, Sherly and a few other people from the Gallery and I wave at them.

"Thanks, Ana!" He shouts over the loud music and I nod. Everyone has already ordered their drinks and I order myself a small beer too since I don't plan on getting drunk without having Niall around.

I take a seat next to Zayn at the table and he smiles at me. "Hey, Ana. You look beautiful today," He says, not in a flirty way but in a polite kind of way and I smile back at him.

"Thank you, Zayn. You look good too," I say and he shrugs, cutting the conversation short. I idly sit at the table, drinking my beer and waiting for Niall, when I feel someone staring at me. I see over the rim of the glass and realize that the person is Aiden. I quickly look away, shifting uncomfortably in my place. I'm in no mood to talk to him right now since I'm still very much mad at him for wrongly judging my boyfriend. My attention is brought back when I hear my phone vibrate.

Can we please talk?

It's from Aiden. I look up from my phone and see that he's staring at me with pleading eyes so I quickly write back.

No.

I keep the phone back on the table and notice Aiden's face physically fall. He violently taps on his phone before I hear my phone buzz again. I don't want to check it because I'm sure it's from Aiden but I can't stop myself when I see his upset face, making me feel guilty.

I'm going to wait at the bar for you, I hope you come. Give me another chance, please.

He doesn't wait for me to respond and leaves the table. I watch him as he disappears into the crowd. I wait for a few seconds as I try to contemplate if I should go or not and I decide to. I stand up from my seat and announce that I'm going to the restroom to no one in particular but Zayn nods anyways.

I walk through the crowd and find Aiden. "I'm so sorry, Ana," He says as soon as I reach him. "I didn't mean to sound so rude about it and you know that. I was just worried about you."

"You don't know, Niall, so you cannot judge him." I scoff. "And you don't have to worry about me, especially not when I'm with him."

"I'm sorry, I'll keep that in mind," He apologizes.

"Good," I say, not really wanting to continue this conversation. "We should go back," I murmur, pointing at the table. I turn on my heels and start to walk until I hear his voice.

"I can't help, but worry about you." I stop in my tracks and furrow my eyebrows, thinking that I heard him wrong over the loud music before turning back. "I worry about you a lot, Ana. Why can't you see that?" He groans, letting out, what's supposed to be, a tired breath.

"What do you mean?" I ask until it suddenly clicks me. "Wait! Don't tell me!" I thought this was over, he was over his little crush on me. His expression doesn't change as he stares at me, biting his lips. A frown is etched upon his lips and his eyes are pleading. He tries to take a step towards me and I stop him. "Don't."

"Listen to me, please-" He reaches out to touch me but I yank myself away.

"Don't say it. You'll ruin everything." I shake my head at him and he gulps. "Don't ruin our friendship."

"I promise to treat you right, Ana. Please give me a chance." He pleas and I frown. "Just come with me. We can run away and move to some place small where no one knows us and you wouldn't have to worry about anyone. I know Ana you want this, you feel it too, don't you?"

"I-I don't." I scoff, unbelievably. "You're delusional and drunk, Aiden. I only love Niall," I say and step back when I realise that he's stepping towards me. "I thought you were my friend! How could you say that!" I spit before turning on my heels and walking to the table, suddenly feeling a lot more anxious and confused. Why would he say those things? I thought it was over and it was nothing more than infatuation but I was wrong. This is so messed up. He's one of my first friends that I made here and I didn't want to lose him but I don't know if I can do it anymore. I also know that I'll have to tell Niall about it but it'll make things worse.

I shake my head off his thoughts, making myself believe that he only said it because he was partially drunk otherwise he wouldn't have. I continue my way towards the table, but stop in my tracks when I see a guy, who seems a little drunk, forcing himself on someone and no one is doing anything about it, probably too drunk to even notice. As I walk closer to them, trying to push the guy off the girl, a gasp leaves my mouth and my eyes widen when I recognize her even in the poor lightening. It's Jo, Niall's sister! Even though she looks pretty out of it too, she's trying to push him, but fails since he's more powerful. I don't waste much time before forcefully pulling the guy off Jo. I hit him with my handbag as he tries to throw himself on her again, but it doesn't work and he pushes me against the wall instead. I couldn't see his face clearly as I move mine to the other side, trying to ignore the smell coming off of his mouth. He grabs both of my hands, pinning them on either side of my face. Jo seems far too gone, sprawled on the couch, to help me and no matter how loud I'm screaming for help, I don't think anyone is able to hear me because of the noise.

"Please, let me go," I scream and he chuckles.

"Hello, babe." He slurs and I freeze in my place as I recognize the voice, my mind feeling completely numb. "It's good to meet you too, baby. Missed me?" He says before releasing one of my hands and tracing my face with his fingertip. I shudder, but I don't move. I want to, but I cannot. "Stop with the fucking crying all the time." He screams and I flinch at his voice. I didn't even realise that I was crying until he mentioned it. "You know what you did was so wrong, you left me at the altar and embarrassed me in front of everyone. You're gonna pay." He says and I gulp, finding it hard to breathe.

"Please- please let me go, Tyler." I cry, but he only smirks, pushing himself closer to me. I try to free my hand from his grip, but he only tightens it, digging nails into my wrist. "Y-y-you're hurting me!" I try again and he growls.

"Stop moving," He says in a menacing voice and I freeze in my spot. "Haven't lost my edge, I see." He chuckles before bringing his face closer, his lips hovering over mine.

"Please, Tyler. I'm sorry," I helplessly say, tears still streaming down my face. I wish I had listened to Niall and stayed at home or at least agreed to go with him. I wish he was here with me right now, he would've saved me from this wretch.

"You will be," He shortly says before pushing his lips on mine. I try to pull away, too disgusted, but he keeps me in place. I struggle poorly, to no avail until I feel him being pulled away from me. I slide down against the wall and bring my knees closer to my chest and sob into my hands, finding it too difficult to breathe. I don't bother seeing who that person is or what they're doing and think what did I do to deserve this.

A million thoughts are running in my head and I can't place a finger on one. I don't know what to do or where to go. Niall has promised to protect me always but where is he? I want him, I need him to come and save me from Tyler.

"Ana?" Someone calls me and I flinch at the voice. "Are you alright?" He says again and I turn to look up and realise it is Zayn, bending in front of me as he stares intently at me.

"Z- Zayn," I stutter, my vision is blurred by my tears. "Zayn," I mutter again before wrapping my arms around his neck and pushing myself to hug him, trying to comfort myself in the best way I can and make myself believe that I'm alright. "Where's- where's the guy?"

"The security threw him out," He says. "It's alright, Ana." He softly murmurs in my ear and I cry even harder. He just holds me in his arms for a few minutes and rubs my back. "Are you okay?" He inquires as he pulls away and I slightly nod, even though I'm not sure how I'm feeling right now, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. He removes his jacket and puts it on my shoulder and I gladly take it, pulling it closer to my chest. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise it sooner," He speaks, scratching the back of his head and I shake my head.

"No, um, it's not your fault," I mumble, gulping. For him, Tyler is just a drunk guy but for me, he's a devil in disguise. "Thank you," I say, meaning it, for saving me from Tyler and he nods, shrugging his shoulder.

"I'll drop you home," He says and I reply with a small 'yes please'.

"Where- where's Jo?" I suddenly ask, looking for her and realise that she's still in the same place as she was in before, half lying on the couch. I rush towards her, bend on my knees and tap her face a couple of times, calling her. "Please Jo, wake up." She doesn't move and I get more restless. "Can you get me water?" I ask, turning to look at Zayn for a split a second before turning back again and continuing to wake her up.

I cannot even begin to explain what I'm feeling right now. I am terrified and I feel like I just want to disappear or be with Niall, safely in his arms and not worry about Tyler getting me but I also know I have to be strong for Jo until at least I see Niall.

Zayn returns shortly and hands me the glass of water. I sprinkle some on her face and she squirms a little, groaning, before going silent again. I sigh. "Ana?" Zayn calls me and I look up. "Move," He simply says and I furrow my eyebrows before I stand up and do as he asked. He bends down, examines Jo for a couple of seconds before sneaking his hand under her knees and picking her up. "She's out, I don't think she'll wake up before tomorrow." Oh. "I'll take you both home. Please take rest. Yeah?" I nod, not really knowing what else I could do.

I grab a hold of Zayn's elbow as he walks through the crowd, still a little skeptical and scared to walk alone, and he turns around to offer me a smile before continuing his way. I get in the back of the car with Jo, her head lying in my lap, as Zayn drives and I quickly pull out my phone when I remember that Niall is going to the club and text him since I most definitely cannot talk to him on the phone in this position.

Come home as soon as possible Niall. Please

I furiously tap on the phone again when I realize that he might be driving and would get worried if he decides to read the message.

We're safe, Please drive safely x

My mind still feels a little numb and there's so much going in my brain right now. This is really messed up and I don't know how am I supposed to do anything or what am I even supposed to think. I can't wrap my head around the thought of Jo knowing Tyler! How does she know him? Where did they meet? Did he know she is Niall's sister? And how in the world was she allowed in a club when she's just seventeen? Knowing that I'll only get my answers after she wakes up, I pray to God that she doesn't actually know who he is.

Upon reaching home, Zayn puts Jo in the guest bedroom and I thank him but he shakes it off. "Do you want me to stay until Niall comes?" He asks and I shake my head, lying that I'll be fine. He's already done so much and I don't want to over occupy him. "Are you sure? I don't mind." And I nod. "Okay. Take care of yourself, will you?" He asks and I nod again, offering him a small smile. "Take a couple of days off of work, I'm sure your boss will understand," He speaks with a tiny smile and I snigger.

"Thank you," I say before he steps forward to hug me. He soon departs, leaving me alone in the house. I get this eerie feeling creep up inside me and I gulp. I hope Niall comes home soon. I take a long, jagged breath before walking towards the guest bedroom and pace around the room, petrified and alone.

After a few minutes, I hear the door unlock and I freeze in my spot. What if he's not Niall and someone else? Tyler? A thought goes through my head and a chill runs down my spine. I gulp and peek out of the door and breathe a sigh of relief when I see Niall. I fight the urge to cry and run towards him and he wraps me in his arms, clutching me close to his chest. "Fuck! Are you alright? You scared me!" He breathes in my hair and I bite my lip, trying to control my emotions.

"I'm fine, Niall," I lie. "It's about Jo." I gulp.

"Jo? Josephine? My sister?" He furrows his eyebrows and I nod. "What happened to her? Where is she? Is she alright?" He bombards me with questions as he pulls always from me.

"I don't know," I truthfully reply and feel my eyes water. Not being able to control myself anymore, I break down in hysterics, falling on my knees in the middle of the living room.

"Ana?" His voice wavers a little before he sits next to me, pulling me in his lap. I let all of my tears out finally, knowing that Niall is there to protect me and I don't have to pretend that I'm strong anymore. "What- what's wrong?" He helplessly mutters and I continue to sob into his neck. "Why are you crying? Is Jo alright? Please tell me," He says and I pull away, sniffling a little as he moves his hand to wipe my tears.

"She- she's in the guest room," I reply in a hoarse voice before clearing my throat and he furrows his eyebrows.

"She's here?" He softly asks and I nod, moving to straddle him and feel as close to him as possible. "What happened?" He inquires, cupping my cheeks in his hands and I lean into his touch, already feeling a lot better and safe.

I tell him everything that happened tonight, leaving out the whole how Aiden confessed his feelings to me. His face gets hard to judge as I continue, keeping a stoical expression, and I gulp. By the time I finish, his face is flaring and his eyes look a darker shade of blue. I haven't even told him the worst part yet, that the guy was none other than Tyler, and I don't know how he'll react.

"Fuck!" He screams, running his hand through his hair. "I'm going to fucking kill whoever that person is!" He says through gritted teeth as he tries to stand up but I stop him. "Ana, let me go! I'm going to fucking strangle him!"

"Don't go, please," I vulnerably speak and he turns to stare me in the eyes.

"Fuck!" He says under his breath but I catch it. "How are you?" He questions as he takes my hand in his, playing with my fingers. "Did he- did he hurt you?" He asks, vulnerability clear in his voice and I lie, shaking my head. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you," He utters, moving to look in the space behind me as if he's having an internal battle about something and I cup his cheeks, making him look at me.

"It isn't your fault. And you're here now." I try to smile but fail. He wraps his hands around my wrist and leans into my palm. He offers a small nod and I nod back.

"How's Jo?" He asks after a moment.

"She's probably drugged or drunk," I start and Niall lifts his face to look at me, with gritted teeth. "But she'll be fine by tomorrow, I think," I say and bit the inside of my cheek. "I barely think she'll remember what happened, she was pretty out of it." He strokes my wrist as he listens to me, a frown perched on his lips.

"I'll text mom- What the fuck! How did this happen?" He cuts himself off and pushes my wrist in front of my face. There's four crescent shaped marks forming on my wrist and bruises on my arms which I remember was because of Tyler's grip on me. "You told me, he didn't fucking hurt you, Ana!"

"This is nothing, Niall," I sniffle and free my hand away from his grip. "It'll- it'll be fine," I stutter and before I can say anything, I realise I'm being lifted. I wrap my arms around his neck so that I don't fall off as he carries me to the bathroom. He sits me on the counter before taking out First-Aid from the cabinet. He starts to examine my cuts and I pull away. "It's okay- it's not that-"

"Shh, Ana." He says in a small and ordering voice and I gulp, nodding. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" He pointedly asks after he's done addressing my wound and I shake my head. "Do not lie." He warns.

"I'm- I'm not," I repeat and he nods.

"I wish I was there to protect you. I wouldn't have let this happen to you," He murmurs as he moves to stand in between my legs, eyes a little glossy, keeping his hands on top of my lap. "I'm such a bad boyfriend and brother-"

"No, Niall, you're not," I say and he scoffs. "It wasn't your fault, it was that person's. Don't blame yourself for something you didn't do," I speak as I wrap my arms around his neck and play with his hair. "I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, you'll understand how much you exactly matter to me, baby." I sigh before bringing his face to mine and placing my lips on his in a chaste kiss.

"Can you uh- maybe send me Zayn's number?" He asks and scratches the back of his neck and I adoringly smile at him, forgetting about everything. "As much as I despise him, he saved two of my girls tonight."

"Okay." I nod, my smile disappearing at the mention of tonight's events. "I- there's something you need to know," I say and take a deep breath. "The guy at the bar-" I start and he nods as an encouragement.

"Tell me," He urges, skimming his hand on my thigh rather soothingly.

"He- he was Tyler."

***

I flutter my eyes open when I hear the door