The City (Joe Sugg/ ThatcherJoe Fanfiction)

Chapter 29

I sit on the bed in the Sugg families spare room, my mind drifting back to the hectic events of Monday morning.

Niall told me about how his little sister, Carrie, used to get bullied back home because she was adopted into their family.
He says she found out the day she turned 15 years old. Niall knew of course but had been sworn to secrecy.

After she found out, Carrie shut everyone out. Her family, friends. Everyone.

That's when the bullying started.

One of her 'friends' found out and the abuse soon followed. The girl, bitter about being ignored, got the rest of their friends on her side and they began sending Carrie horrendous messages. Saying that her birth parents must of abandoned her when they saw her ugly face and that no one likes her. Niall was just about in tears as he repeated some of the horrible things they said to his sister.

Soon the verbal turned physical.

Niall only found out about all of this when he discovered bruises on Carrie's legs.

He told me that at that moment he really felt he had failed his responsibilities as an older brother. Even if they aren't blood related his sister is the most precious thing to him.

Niall then proceeded to check on her everyday at lunchtime to make sure she was fine. He finally snapped when, as he was headed to see her, he witnessed her being shoved to the ground by a boy.

Niall finally snapped.

He looked ashamed as he told me how he jumped onto that guy and punched him repeatedly. Constantly telling him that he would live to regret what he just did.

After that Niall was expelled and that is essentially why they moved to England in the first place.

He says that since they moved Carrie has been a lot better but her scars remain..

Niall's story reminded me that I am not the only one with problems. Lots of people feel the same as I do.

Worse than I do.

"Riley?" A light rap at the door.

"Come in." I say, quickly adjusting my hair and sitting up straight.

The door swings open and Joe joins me in the small room.

"Merry Christmas!" He says cheerily despite the fact that he looks as though he has literally just rolled out of bed.

"Merry Christmas," I reply happily. Well, as happily as I can manage.

Joe smiles, "You want to come and open gifts? Zoe just dragged me out of bed and told me to get you."

I nod, "Of course. I'll meet you downstairs. Just gotta grab my gifts."

Joe agrees and leaves the guest bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

I had opted not to stay in Joe's room because, despite having slept in the same bed, we have yet to 'sleep' together.

Also, I wasn't entirely sure if he had told his father about us yet.

I get up from the small bed and pick up the bag of parcels. I check they're all there before heading out the door and down the stairs to the living room.

Everyone is there when I walk in. All looking eager even though it's only eight o'clock.

"Merry Christmas!" Zoe exclaims excitedly as I walk in and sit beside Joe on the ground, "Can we open gifts now?" she asks no one in particular.

Everyone agrees and starts handing around their gifts.

I give everyone their gifts and watch excitedly as they open them.

I got a fair few gifts myself.

From Zoe and Alfie, a set of proper lights for filming videos and the new perfume that I had pointed out while I was with Zoe a while ago that I liked.

Joe's father bought me some chocolate and a tee shirt. I'd say Zoe helped him out.

And from Joe, a lovely necklace. The pendant was a silver heart with a light pink pearl in the middle. And a matching bracelet.

I watch as Joe tears open the wrapping of one of his gifts from me.

Confusion flashes across his face as he pulls out the small travel book with New Zealand printed across it.

His gaze flashes to me. The confusion still set deep in his eyes.

I smile cheekily and indicate for him to open the book. As planned, a New Zealand $50 note falls out on the ground in front of him. By now, Zoe and Alfie have turned their attention to Joe who looks even more confused than he already did.

He flips through the pages eventually finding the back cover where I taped the envelope.

He pulls it off, looking back to me.
"Open it." I say, breaking the silence that hung between us.

He does as I said and rips the envelope open, pulling out its contents.

He looks at me again, this time the confusion replaced with disbelief.

"You're taking me to New Zealand?" He asks, unsure.

I nod, suddenly aware of the fact that his dad is sitting across the room.

"Only if you want to of course. I know you've already been but I want to show you where I grew up." And say goodbye to my dead ex.

Joe smiles, "Of course I want to go!" He says excitedly, moving over to me and pulling me into a tight hug.

I smile as his arms squish me into his chest. "I'm glad. I don't know what I would've done if you'd said no."

He stiffens, "Don't even think about that." Joe growls in my ear.

I chuckle, "I didn't mean it that way. I swear." I say truthfully. I hadn't even thought of that before speaking otherwise I wouldn't have worded it that way.

Joe finally let's me go and everyone heads off to their respective bedrooms, promises of Christmas dinner in the air.

I go with Joe to his room instead of sitting alone in the small guest room.

"Why so soon?" Joe asks as I sit down on his desk chair.

"What?"

"Why are we leaving so soon? The tickets are for the 28th."

I shrug, "It's beautiful this time of the year. And I'm off school. You have time off work. I couldn't think of a better time." I half lie. If I tell him the full truth there is no way he will agree to go with me.

"Oh, okay." He says, ending that conversation.

A part of me feels so bad for lying to him. One day it's all going to catch up with me and it will go one of two ways. I don't even want to consider what will happen. It won't if I have any choice in the matter.

It won't.



A/N
I'm a bad person. I know.
Sorry for not updating for like a week. I'm on holiday in Central Otago and I'm stuck in a tent with no wifi. To top it off I left my laptop on my bed so I wrote this on my phone. Sorry for any mistakes.
Also, thank you so much for all the reads and votes etc. I got 6k reads yesterday along with 200 votes and 100 comments. You're all amazing and I couldn't do this without you.
Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter and let me know what you think of the book so far :)
Love you all! xx