Pulling Heart Strings

2.

"Zayn! No! Wait!" I frantically called out to him after he had kissed my cheek and sprinted out of my room without letting me process his words. Two hours? Two hours? I just got here an hour ago, and I'm traveling once again? My body was beyond exhausted! It felt like it had been stretched, bumped, and ran over twenty times... well, it was bumped a lot.

Not to mention the time change was making my battery drain the most. It was almost eight at noon, and I was about to pass out on the floor. All I really wanted to do was make Zayn watch funny movies with me while letting me sleep in his bed like we used to. Maybe we could grab some hot chocolate and catch up on our lives. I was being selfish, I know. But he was my big brother that I dearly missed with all of my heart. Spending a massive amount of time with him was my number one priority.

The lads seem nice, fun to be around, energetic. I've watched so many Youtube videos of the band mates. Their laughter was intoxicating, I was sure we'd get along quite fine. But right now, going to London was not as appealing as it would seem to any other person. I let out a stressed groan before following Zayn down the stairs, stumbling over my own feet in the process.

My eyes caught Zayn standing by the door with my suitcases in his hands and my duffel bag swung over his shoulder, a goofy grin on his face. I had to bite my lip and look away to prevent myself from smiling at that idiotic smile. He would only take my own as approval, and I needed to scold him for buying me a ticket to London without my consent. I stalked over to my big brother with my arms crossed over my chest.

"No. I am not going." I snapped gently, trying to pry my suitcases out of his ironclad grip. He wouldn't budge, he would only smirk at my weak attempt. "Why not, little sis?" Zayn pouted, making his eyes all googley and big in that way that killed me. I clenched my jaw at him and at how he remembered that he always got what he wanted with that look. Whether it was me covering up for a broken picture frame or paying for our pizza with my money, I was always the one who would give in to those big, round eyes.

It was so not fair that I couldn't pull off the puppy-dog face.

"Because I am beyond exhausted, Zayn. I just got here and all I want to do is be with my big brother-"

"And you will be with me, squirt. We'll just have others with us." Zayn grinned once again, trying his best to wobble out of the house. I scurried to the door and pressed myself against it, narrowing my eyes at him.

"No, Zayn. Mum wouldn't even let me go! She also wants time with-"

"Mum, I bought tickets for Joey and me to go visit the lads in London. That's alright, right?"

"Hmmmm?" Mum pealed her eyes away from my grandparents, a small smile on her face. Zayn gently elbowed me in the ribs.

"It is okay to take Joey to London with me, right? We've already talked about this...." Zayn trailed off, giving our mum a look. I gasped at what he said. Him and Mum made plans for me without me?

"Yes, Zayn. But take care of her, okay?" My mum lightly laughed. "Joey, you'll love them!" my mum blew two kisses at me as I forced a smile to come out.

Thanks a lot, dear mother, for giving in to Zayn.

My big brother gave me the 'I-told-you-so' look followed by a smirk as he gently pushed me aside. I watched as he gently put my luggage in the back of his black Mercedes. He shut the back door and turned to me while swinging his keys around his pointer finger, raising his eyebrows as if to say hurry up. I shook my head, so irritated at how easily he got away with everything. Yet, I loved him.

"C'mon, Joey. I'll buy you some Starbucks on our way there, and I have a blanket in the back. You'll love them." Zayn pleaded, a hint of whining lacing his tone. Starbucks was one of my weaknesses and warm blankets just made it all better. This kid had me wrapped around his finger, I swear. With a deep sigh and rolling my eyes, I ducked my head back into the warm house.