Chapter 3: Troubled Heart

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Zayn sighs deeply when he sees that the hallway is clear from the person he's avoiding. He moves cautiously, treading lightly as not to make any sound that will alert everyone in the house. He shrieks when he heard a familiar voice behind him, skyrocketing his heartbeat.

He slows turns around but relieves when he sees a head of curly hair, emerald eyes looking at him.

Harry yawns. His curly hair is so messy that all of his hair strands are tangled up to one another, indicating that he just got up. He scratches out his serene emerald eyes, still waiting for Zayn to say something.

"Not much," Zayn chuckles awkwardly, feeling so little under Harry's knowing look.

"Looks like you're avoiding someone," the curly-haired boy squints his eyes, pressing his thin lips, insinuating something.

"Hu-huh? I-I-I'm nn-oo-ttt av-vvooid-iingg N-Nii-all," Zayn breathes out heavily, redirecting his gaze away from Harry because he knew that he would tease him relentlessly when he finds out what he did to Niall.

"Niall? You're avoiding Niall?" Harry asks, raising suspicion in his voice.

Oh shit! Did I just utter his name? Would someone do the favor of killing me as in right now, please!

Zayn laughs loudly, concealing his stupidity and says, "I said I'm going to run for a mile today." He flashed a toothy, fake smile, hoping it's good enough to deceive the Cheshire lad.

"No, you said Niall," Harry is grinning widely but all Zayn could think about is his subconscious slapping him relentlessly for being so careless. And now, Harry has an idea that he is having weird feelings toward their blonde band member. Zayn slowly turns away from Harry because he couldn't handle the humiliation he did for himself.

"Hold it!" Harry grabbed Zayn's shirt, pulling him harshly in his direction, making Zayn almost losing his balance. Even though that Harry is the youngest in all of five of them, there's no doubt that he's strongest, probably stronger than Liam.

"You and Niall?" Harry couldn't hide the fact the extreme happiness sparkling in his emerald eyes. He couldn't help but to express his emotions, pressing his big hands against Zayn's wrists.

"No, no, no..." Zayn retracts. He wishes that him and Niall could be a couple but he doesn't see that happen anytime soon unless the crows turn to white or Earth stops spinning then probably... Niall would see him in a different way.

"I just..." Zayn pauses as Harry is looking him with intent gaze, anticipating of the good news that should come out from Zayn.

"You just?"

"I kissed him," Zayn hangs his head low, completely disappointed in himself. Harry shrieks, a reaction that Zayn didn't expect from Harry. He was hoping that the Cheshire lad would be upset with him because developing more than feelings towards another band member is unacceptable. But instead a grinning Harry is what Zayn sees when he looks up.

"Oh my God! You kissed him," Harry jumps on Zayn, pressing his warm body, crushing his ribs in the process and the Bradford lad couldn't help but to feel confused at the moment.

"You're not mad?"

"Mad? Why would I get mad?

"I thought you'll be," Zayn breathes out with relief that Harry is not going to pounce on him until he falls unconscious.

"I will be if you kiss my Boo Bear," Harry says with such dark tone. Zayn responds with a chuckle but then Harry glares at him, letting him know that he means it. All Zayn could do is to swallow a big lump of saliva stuck at the back of his throat.

"Of course, I'm not going to do that," Zayn smiles awkwardly.

"So what happens next?"

"I apologized for kissing then I ran away."

A stinging pain vibrated on Zayn's cheek caused by Harry's hand. He slaps him without any warning, startling Zayn altogether. His amber eyes dilated in astonishment.

"What is the matter with you?!"

"What the hell?" Zayn growls, caressing his damaged cheek.

"Of course, he would be surprised." Harry explains, fury in his emerald eyes. "You didn't even give him a chance to react," he continues, still glaring at Zayn. "So stupid, Zayn," he ends with shaking his head, dangling his curls, in disappointment.

"I should've done that but..."

Zayn is feeling vulnerable and he loathes that feeling. Getting these butterflies in his stomach is something that he doesn't want to experience daily. Thinking of him is kind of a double edge sword pointing at Zayn. Niall gives him such joy but at the same time, scares the hell out of him.

"But what?" Harry glares at Zayn that petrifies the Bradford lad. After spending with two years with these lads, he rarely sees Harry to get angry but this time, Zayn is positive that nothing is scarier than to see Harry mad.

Zayn opens his mouth to argue but no voice coming out of him. He felt completely defeated. He never recognizes that part of himself. He might be shy around at people but he knew he's a confident guy but when it comes to the adorable Irish boy, he feels so unworthy.

"But what?" Harry probes once more. His voice becomes more impatient than ever.

"But I'm not even sure if he will like me," Zayn responds weakly.

Couple of weeks ago, Zayn wouldn't even bother questioning his own sexuality but after Niall's revelation broadcasted in national television, something inside of him just changed like a switch just flipped.

"Did you give him a chance?"

That moment, after hearing Harry's statement, Zayn felt like a ton of bricks just slapped itself on him. He is paralyzed on the ground and breathing seems like a difficult task to do. He even asks himself the same question.

Did I even give him a chance?

The question keeps echoing on his head over and over again and he couldn't find the courage to come up with an answer.

Zayn felt a warm hug enveloping him and heard Harry saying, "It's okay, Zayn. Everything will work out just fine. I'm sure of it," he pulls away from the depressed Bradford lad that seems like the end of days has come. He smiles; reassuring him that things will turn out okay.

Zayn is extremely thankful that he has a friend like Harry. He doesn't feel isolated at all. He inhales deeply, taking in the fresh oxygen into his lungs and lets out a big sigh, exhaling all the negativities inside of him. Suddenly, he heard Harry muttering words that he could barely make sense.

"What'd you say?" Zayn asks, narrowing his eyes, trying to read the Cheshire lad's lips because his sense of hearing is failing him miserably.

"I said you have to face it sooner than later." Harry speaks clearly this time.

"What do you mean?" Zayn wrinkles his eyebrows together, completely confused at what Harry is saying.

The hair at the back of his neck stood up, his heartbeat skyrocketed once more when he heard a familiar Irish accent behind him.

"Zayn..."

The Bradford lad felt a blistering, sharp pain in his chest. He's barely catching up with his breathing as his nose and mouth closed up at the same time. He slowly turns around, seeing a beautiful, adorable and charming Niall looking back at him.

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That's the new update. Still hoping to have more fans, votes, and comments. Anyways, I purposely made a longer update because I don't think I'll be able to post an update for tomorrow. I have a paper due on Thursday. I'm going to try to post a new update by Friday afternoon but no promises. Enjoy! :) 


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