Read Between The Lines

Part 12

Zayn’s POV

Scratching the back of my neck I stepped out of the van and took a deep breath.

God I need a cigarette.

Only problem is I told the lads I quit, for them and for the band. But in reality management made me, it wasn’t my own decision. I don’t think I could ever give up cigarettes of my own free will.

They are like my lifeline.

When I feel sad/ happy/ excited whatever emotion you like I go for a cigarette.

It’s as easy as breathing for me, it’s not even like a want it’s a must.

 I feel like if I go without one I won’t be able to get through the day.

Don’t get me wrong I never have been a chain smoker and I never will be I guess, but I just need them to help me through things; they are like a safety net for me.

Without them I’m lost.

The bang of the van door brings me out of my thoughts and I look up to see Liam looking at me. As he walks towards me I smile at him. ‘So come on mate what’s up?’ he asks analysing my cheeky grin and instantly coming to the conclusion that I must be up to something.

I shake my head ‘Nahh blad choo got me all wrong’ I state going all DJ Malik on him, making him laugh in the process.

Slipping my phone out of my pocket I check the time as I hear Liam take a deep breath in and exhale. ‘Sounds like I’m not the one with something wrong after all’ I wink at him. Abruptly he turns his face to the floor and just stares at it with a blank expression on his face.

‘Li.. what’s up mate?’ I cautiously ask him. Not sure what his problem would be, he hadn’t been in any fights with any of his family recently and as for the lads Liam never fought with us.

Yeah he would get angry occasionally after we had done something bad, like the time we trashed that dressing room. But apart from that anger, he never fights with any of us not even petty arguments.

He keeps everything calm because he always hates fighting.

But if that wasn’t the problem then I don’t know what it could be. He never gets like this unless someone has upset him and the only people he had been in contact with today was us lads and… her.

Was it her?

Was alleyway girl…I mean Britt.

Liam’s problem?

But we haven’t seen her for over 2 hours now after she walked off with that guy earlier so I don’t understand why Liam’s feeling it now. He was fine earlier.

Before I could jump to any more frankly ridiculous conclusions I snapped out of my thoughts and focused back on Liam. ‘It’s her isn’t it?’ I ask him softly with a kind undertone to my voice.

Like I’d struck him with a bolt of lightning he looked up at me in alarm. The shock registered quickly on his face. I could tell just by the look in his eyes that he didn’t understand how I had figured it out and so quickly but at the same time he looked sort of relieved.

Like he wanted and needed to get something off of his chest.

‘I just don’t get her. I feel like I should be able to identify with her because of my past and all. But for some reason I can’t. It’s bugging me, how she can barely open up to us 5 people that she’s at least seen once before, but she can open up to that other kid. I mean they have been gone for ages and I need to make sure she’s okay. People that get bullied aren’t like other kids Zayn they are vulnerable and I know that more than anyone. I’m just really worried about her.’ He concluded his massive flow of words with a sigh as he brought his hand up to his head and scratched the back of his neck.