Strings and Schemes

Chapter 38

While normally I'd opt for something more low key the clock is ticking and the longer we go without finding or hearing from Raina the more dangerous and life threatening this situation gets. I've watched enough true crime to know that the first 48 are key, and we're currently on hour 8 as we board the private jet I rented to fly us to NYC.

As we step onto the jet, the stress should be unbearable, but because I'm stuck with these idiots, it takes exactly five minutes before chaos erupts.

Niall immediately gravitates toward the minibar, rummaging through the small bottles like a raccoon.

Harry, already sprawled on one of the plush seats, kicks his boots up on the table, stretching like a fucking cat.

Louis, standing in the middle of the aisle, points dramatically at Liam. "I swear to God, if you start talking about safety procedures, I will throw you out of this plane myself."

Liam rolls his eyes, adjusting his seatbelt. "Mate, I literally just sat down."

Louis narrows his eyes, untrusting.

Meanwhile, I'm standing at the entrance of the plane, hoodie up, sunglasses on, looking like walking death.

I ignore all of them, sinking into a seat near the window, rubbing my temples as I try to stop my brain from spiralling any further. 

Then, of course—Harry decides now is the time to be a menace.

"Alright, lads, let's play a game," he announces, clapping his hands together.

Louis groans audibly. "If this is another one of your weird psychological experiments, I'm out."

"It's not!" Harry insists, before immediately contradicting himself. "Well, kind of. It's simple. Everyone says what they'd be doing right now if we weren't in the middle of this high-stakes, action-movie-level disaster."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Harry, I swear—"

But Niall jumps in first, already grinning. "Easy. I'd be passed out in my bed after a proper post-drinking breakfast."

Liam hums. "I'd be at the gym."

"Obviously," Louis mutters under his breath.

Harry smirks. "I'd be causing problems on purpose."

"You already do," Liam deadpans.

Then, all eyes turn to me.

I exhale, resting my forehead against my fist. "I'd be in bed with Raina."

The silence is immediate.

Niall shifts uncomfortably. Harry scratches his jaw. Louis looks away.

I don't take it back.

I just close my eyes, leaning back against the headrest.

Because I know if things were normal, I'd be tangled up in her sheets right now, kissing her awake, stealing every second I could. Instead, I'm here on this jet with these assholes trying to find the -

The most important person in my life. With no idea where she is.

My phone rings, I pull it out, barely glancing at the screen before Miriam's name flashes across it.

Just what I fucking need. I answer, pressing the phone to my ear. "Bad news, Zayn," she starts.

I groan. "Fantastic. Give it to me."

"I can't get you a show tonight," she says flatly. "I can get you one in a week, but venues are sold out, and let's be real, you haven't exactly maintained your fanbase by being a reclusive asshole. We can't just drop a pop-up show with no basis in America—London, maybe, but New York? Not happening."