"Well?" Lauren waited, black painted nails tapping on Zayn's desk.
"I panicked okay!" Zayn exclaimed, "I spent an entire week thinking Harry's a fucking asshole, but in reality he was doing everything for me!" he sighed loudly, "I-I wasn't supposed to say 'yes', but he was holding my hand and staring at me and I felt so guilty and ugh!"
"And you think saying 'yes' will make everything better?" the green eyed sighed.
"No! But like I said, I panicked! And Harry was just so happy and all, and I can't do anything." Zayn whimpered before crossing his arms on the table and laying his head on them, "This is a mess."
"For real." Lauren agreed, "And Harry just posted a picture of you and him last night and a really sweet caption that you two are back together."
Zayn just sighed before sitting up and stayed silent for a while as he think of his situation, "You know what? Fuck it, Harry's a sweet and charming guy, he treats me so well. Maybe going back with him isn't a bad idea."
His best friend looked at him in disbelief, "Zayn, you can't force-"
"I'm not, okay? The only forcing I did was when I tried to forget Harry. That's my mistake, and giving him a chance is the right thing to do." the hazel eyed decided, "Yeah... that's it... I'm happy Harry and I got together."
Lauren frowned, "But how about Louis? The kiss?"
Zayn's jaws clench, "It's... it's nothing, I was just looking for comfort... something to fill the void... yeah, that's it. But in reality, my heart longs for Harry."
It didn't wipe the frown from the raven haired girl's face, "You're oddly fast in thinking about all of this. Zayn, you know you can't force yourself into-"
"Lauren, can we not?" Zayn softly hissed, "I love you, but this is my life, okay? I'm free to decide what I want to do. I know you're just trying to help, but just trust me on this, okay? I know what I'm doing."
"Right... I'm sorry." Lauren sighed, trying to bite back an argument that Zayn's 'solution' will just lead to bigger problems in the future. But it is Zayn's life, she can't control it or do anything but hope for the best.
Zayn was about to say something, but a knock caught both of their attention.
"Hey, Haz." Zayn smiled at his boyfriend.
"Baby, I miss you so much." Harry greeted as he walk to his lover, giving a peck on the lips before pulling him in an embrace, "Hey, Lo."
"Hey, nice to see you back, Harry." Lauren smiled.
She's Zayn's best friend, she should always be supportive of whatever Zayn's decision will be. Lauren should be happy for them.
Or at least try to.
~~~
"I... I don't get it..." Louis began shaking as he saw the post about Zayn and Harry getting back together, "We... we were doing fine... I... I don't get it..." his heart felt so heavy, painful stabs repeatedly felt.
"Louis..." Liam frowned before throwing an arm around his best friend, pulling him closer.
"We kissed. He said it was amazing, and... and we flirt a lot... I... I thought something was already happening between us... but... why...? I don't understand..." tears began falling, "Is... is it...? Did he used me as a rebound? I... I should've sticked with my plan... made sure that... ugh, I'm so stupid..." he slammed a fist on his desk.
Niall tried to ignore them and mind his own business. But Louis sounds so broken and upset that the blonde actually felt so bad... and guilty.
It didn't help when Louis began crying about how he just wants someone to love and be loved. And it looks like Louis had been played and betrayed before when he was whimpering about a girl named 'Eleanor'.
The image of Louis being nothing but a demanding bossy asshole was immediately replaced with a broken and lonely man in Niall's mind.
"I'm going home... Niall, take a break or something. Tell anyone about me crying and you're dead." Louis said as he pack his stuff.
"I'll drive you home." Liam sighed.
Louis just nodded before walking out, expecting Liam to follow him, which he did anyway.
Niall released a deep breath when the door closed, he leaned back on his chair and rubs his face in frustration,
"What have I done?"
~~~
"I missed you so much, buddy! Did you miss me?" Harry cooed at Michael, while laying on Zayn's bed and making silly faces to make the baby laugh.
Zayn can't help but smile, he feels warm all over, happy to see his boys interacting again.
Michael babbles some baby noises while pinching Harry's face with a saliva coated hand.
Harry made a silly grossed face to which the baby laughed out. Clearly entertained by it and did it again.
"You two play while I fix dinner, yeah?" Zayn chuckled before getting up.
"Need any help, babe?" Harry asked as Michael settled on his chest.
"I'll be fine." Zayn smiled before leaving the room.
He hummed as he went down the stairs and to his kitchen. Zayn can't help but check his phone. Again. As if waiting for a message or something. He has a lot of notifications, his thumb scroll through it, as if looking for a certain someone.
Zayn felt a little weird, empty. He doesn't know what or who was he even looking for, but he just felt a little disappointed when he didn't find it.
He shrugged and just continued on making dinner, mac and cheese was on the menu for tonight, Zayn decided as he was feeling a little lazy.
Once the water was boiling and Zayn has dropped the macaroni in. He began working on the cheese sauce.
'It's so quiet...' Zayn can't help but sigh.
Louis had always-
Zayn shook his head, 'Nothing. Quiet is nice. A time for myself.'
Louis will-
Zayn began humming a random tune in order to try and quiet down his mind.
"I really love your pink hair by the way."
Zayn jumped as he felt arms snaking around his waist.
"Harry, you scared me!" Zayn huffed, "You're lucky I didn't beat you up with this cheese covered spoon!"
Harry chuckled before kissing Zayn's neck, "Well, that's not a problem, yeah? You can lick it off me." Zayn can feel his smirk.
"Control yourself, Harry." Zayn rolled his eyes before playfully shoving the brunette away, "And where's Michael?"
"Playing in his playpen." Harry said before pointing at the living room's direction, "Made sure his safe and all so you have nothing to worry about."
"That's good." Zayn smiled before going back to cooking.
"I really missed you, you know." Harry said before going back to embracing Zayn from the back, "I thought I lost you to Louis."
Zayn froze at the name.
"That's... that's silly..."
"You two have been really close though, the trip at the beach."
"It's just a little vacation. Why are we talking about this?" Zayn said as he tried to change the topic.
"Nothing, it's just... did something ever happen between you two?" Harry asked.
"We got back together and you're still threatened with Louis?" Zayn huffed, he doesn't know why but it's making his mood sour.
"I'm not." Harry defended, "It's just you're always on his page and-"
"Do you really want to argue right now?" Zayn hissed as he pulled away, "I took you back, shouldn't you be happy?"
Harry frowned, "Right... right, I'm sorry." he sighed before getting Zayn back in his arms, "I'm sorry... I just really miss you, okay? And I was scared... I love you so much, Zayn."
Zayn gulped,
"Y-yeah... I love you too, Haz..."
~~~
"You gotta be fucking kidding me..." Louis groaned after receiving no reply from his unconscious best friend, "You've been looked up to by a lot of people, and sought after. Liam is smart, Liam is buff, Liam is handsome. They forgot that Liam is a clumsy idiot, slipped on ice and hit his head on the bar." he slurred as he took another shot.
They both had been drinking as soon as they got to Louis' place. Well, Louis' drinking since Liam isn't really into alcohol, but the brunette had accidentally slipped on an ice that Louis dropped as he tried mixing himself a drink earlier.
"You're still breathing so I guess you're alright." Louis observed before going back to sitting by his bar and drinking more, "I mean... you survive getting hit and got unconscious by a fast football ball... you'll be alright, right?" he turned back to look at his friend.
Louis shrugged, "You'll be fine."
The alcohol seemed to be failing in numbing the pain in Louis' heart, "Stupid fucking asshole... That curly haired bastard will pay." he spat with venom lacing his voice.
No matter how much he tried, he can't hate Zayn. Louis wanted to blame both of them, Harry and Zayn, but his heart just can't be mad at Zayn. The brunette just feels a different connection with Zayn. No way Zayn felt nothing for him.
Shot after shot, Louis' drunken mind is getting braver, commanding the brunette to visit Zayn at once and demand for an explanation.
"F-fuck it..." Louis slurred, "I need answers... now...!"
He stumbled off his stool, wobbling and almost tripping on Liam. Louis tried to walk as best as he can.
After several falls and hitting furnitures, Louis had miraculously made it to his front door, "Almost... there..." he hiccuped as he wobbles outside.
~~~
"You be careful, alright?" Zayn said before giving Harry a quick kiss and a hug.
"I will. I really want to stay, but Ed needs a place to stay. Can't believe he got kicked out." Harry sighed as he unlock his car.
"He's been breaking apartment rules so, not really surprised there." Zayn chuckled.
"I guess you're right." Harry laughed, "Anyway, I'll text you as soon as I got home, okay?"
"Okay, Haz, be careful. Bye." Zayn waved.
Harry winked and blew a kiss before driving off, making Zayn chuckle.
A loud noise suddenly caught Zayn's attention. He turned and saw someone had knocked over a trash can.
"Oh my god, are you okay?!" Zayn quickly rushed to the person, "Wait... Louis...?"
The said man slowly looked up. His face a little red, and just look really drunk. Zayn can tell.
"Louis, you're drunk! Are you okay?" Zayn worriedly asked as he try to help Louis stand up.
"Why?" Louis asked.
"Huh?" Zayn's face turned in confusion.
Louis shook his head before stepping away from Zayn, "Why him?"
Zayn's eyes widened, 'Of course Louis would know...' he thought.
"Why'd... you go back to him?" Louis asked, the alcohol making him a little braver, "I don't understand... why...?"
"He... he deserves it..." Zayn gulped.
Louis stepped forward, "Does he...?"
Zayn began breathing heavily as Louis' blue eyes stared deep in his hazel ones, "Y-yeah... Harry... Harry earned it..."
Louis chuckled bitterly, "What... what about me though...?" he asks, "I have always cared for you... and Michael too... don't... don't I deserve it too? Didn't... didn't I earned it fair and square?"
"Louis... I... I..." Zayn gasps, not really knowing what to say.
What he does know is that Louis just placed his hands on his waist, "I've always wanted you, Zayn... need you so much... you have no idea how much it hurts seeing you with him."
Zayn's eyes widened at the confession. He knew Louis has feelings with him, it was starting to be obvious, but actually hearing it is really different.
"Oh how I wished that was me." Louis added, an intense feeling radiating in him.
He began laughing while tears run down his face, "It hurts... haha... it fucking hurts so much... we kissed... but it meant nothing...! Haha... hahahaha..."
"Louis..." Zayn frowned, but stayed frozen, eyes widening as the laughter died down and Louis started getting closer.
"I love you..." Louis whispered a he stared at Zayn's eyes again, "I fucking love you so much it hurts..."
Zayn watched as Louis slowly starts closing the space between them.
"I need you, Zayn... And I know you feel something for me too..." Louis whispered against Zayn's lips before closing his eyes and completely sealing their lips together.
Zayn kissed back.