Run (One Direction) [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter Twenty-One

Louis' really more perceptive then people give him credit for.

He knew I'd want to talk to Zayn, and he made it happen.

“They left in a hurry” Zayn comments. “Am I missing something?”

“Are you okay?” I ask him, moving to the chair right next to his bed.

He nods, but he doesn't meet my eyes.

“Of course” he mumbles.

“Would you tell me if you weren't?” I ask. Now, his eyes connect with mine, but he doesn't say anything. “Fine” I say. “I know we aren't that close, but you can talk to me. If you're scared to be alone, scared to close your eyes, scared you won't wake up, whatever.”

“How . . . Zayn starts to say.

I fix my eyes on him.

“How what?” I ask softly.

“How did you know?” he says.

“I got shot” I say softly. “I was unconscious for three days.”

Zayn blinks.

“I forgot” he mumbles. “I'm sorry.”

“I don't blame you” I say. “I just wanted you to know that I've been where you are.”

“Did you dream?” Zayn asks suddenly.

I clear my throat, look away.

I don't mind telling him that I dreamed, but I don't want to tell him what I dreamed.

“You don't have to answer” Zayn says quickly. “If it's too personal.”

“I remembered” I say. “It wasn't so much dreaming as remembering.”

“I remembered home” Zayn says.

“I did, too” I whisper, so softly I don't think he can hear me. And yeah, I remembered some of the worst moments of my life. But I also remembered Delaney, alive and happy. And that's home to me.

“I . . . for a second, I didn't want to wake up” Zayn continues. “Is that crazy?”

“I don't blame you” I say.

“Don't tell the others” Zayn says. “Please.”

“I won't” I say. “Don't worry.”

“How could you be alone?” Zayn asks. “How could you close your eyes?”