When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 8

Zayn's POV

My lungs burn sucking in big gulps of air after a brutal round of suicide sprints. As I straighten up scanning the field, my eyes land on Harry's retreating figure nearly to the parking lot.

Even from a distance, the tension in his shoulders is obvious. Was he watching our practice? And if so, why take off so quickly just now?

I run a hand through my sweat-soaked hair in frustration. Everything with him recently feels like a midfield stalemate lately. Just endless maneuvering with no actual plays being made.

Jogging over to grab water, I spot Luke and Niall chatting by the fence. And where Harry was standing just a minute ago. Hmmmm...

In my distraction, a solid mass slams into me from behind. I turn to see Calum grinning and cracking his knuckles. "Get your head back in the game bro! Coach is gonna have us running laps if our scrimmage intensity doesn't pick up."

I roll my eyes dramatically making Calum laugh. As we hustle back towards the action though, I make a silent promise to finally corner Harry soon for a much-needed talk. No more awkward avoidance. Time to tackle this tension once and for all.

Luke's POV

I watch Harry's retreating figure, wondering about his sudden exit. When I turn back from grabbing my guitar to ask Niall, he's got a weird smirk twisting his lips.

"Alright spill Horan, what's that look for?" I ask warily.

"Oh nothing!" Niall says overly innocently. "Just our dear Harreh getting a bit hot watching a certain striker out there."

"Wait...you don't mean Zayn do you?" My eyes bounce to where Zayn is gulping water, stare intense as ever.

Niall just waggles his eyebrows exaggeratedly. I let out a sharp laugh of surprise. "No way, c'mon. Harry's with Calum anyway. Pretty sure everyone saw them on a date yesterday on Calum's Instagram story."

At this, Niall full on giggles. "It's always the quiet mysterious ones you gotta watch out for! Mark my words Lucas, Curly harbors hidden depths our boy Zaynie would love unraveling."

I bite my lip unsure how to respond. The idea of Harry having more than friendly interest in Zayn does something strange to my chest I'm not quite ready to examine yet.

Before I can think too hard about it, Niall's attention gets snatched by a group of cheerleaders walking past. As he engages them in shameless flirting, my eyes drift back to the field almost against my will.

Zayn stands hands on hips, staring hard towards the parking lot. I don't have to follow his sightline to know what...or who has his laser focus.

And I'm really not sure what I think about that either.