The Dark Days

Chapter 39

ONE MONTH LATER

"PEYTON WAKE UP!!!" I was being shake awake by someone, maybe Louis? I opened my eyes to confirm my suspicions.

"What? Louis, what's wrong?" I was extremely confused. Why was he waking me up? Looking to my right I saw it was still dark outside, three in the morning according to the alarm clock.

"You were screaming in your sleep! Are you okay?" He looked genuinely worried. Eyes wide and hands slightly sweaty as he held my arms, a little too hard maybe.

"I was? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened." He relaxed slightly, still a bit tense though. "I'm really find Louis. Just go back to bed. Sorry I woke you."

"It's okay! Are you sure? Do you want me to stay with you?" I shook my head and he pulled his arms back, standing tall before turning and walking reluctantly back to the door, which was still open. "Come get me if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay." I rolled over, facing the balcony doors with my back to him, closing my eyes and hoping to fall back asleep. I heard my door close and another after that, meaning Louis was back in his room.

I wasn't tired anymore and I couldn't stop thinking. When I woke up to Louis standing over me I wasn't comforted by his presence like usual, it was a strange feeling really. I almost felt...scared? It wasn't the feeling of reassurance his company usually gave me. And that worried me. Yesterday when Zayn came and helped me calm down after the claustrophobia incident I felt so cared for. Zayn makes me feel safe, just like Louis used to. So what had changed? That I couldn't figure out. It just doesn't make any sense to me, at all. I have and will always love Louis, he's always going to be my first love and that's something that you just don't forget. Seeing him again made me think that maybe we could be together again, maybe just fall right back into us. But now I'm not sure that's something I want. Sure, there are lots of pros to dating Louis again, but there are a lot of draw backs too.

Being with Zayn would be like a clean slate and I can be around him without him knowing every detail of my past before I'm ready for him to. Louis already knows everything there is to know about me, save for a few details from the past few years. And I can't change that. I want a fresh start and I want to be with somebody who makes me feel loved and cared for. Zayn would be perfect...then again, everyone deserves a second chance, don't they?

I rolled over, face down in my pillow, and screamed long and loud. It was muffled by my pillow but it was still slightly audible in my ears. Throwing back the blankets I walked over and threw open the doors to my balcony, walking out and plopping down in a chair. It was now nearing five o'clock, and the sun was just starting to brighten the world around me. I stood and paced back and forth a bit before walking k et and checking my phone, replying to a few messages and leaving it on the bedside table. I grabbed my hairbrush and headed back onto the balcony.

A soft knocking on my door got my attention and I hollered to come in, continuing on my way back outside. I heard footsteps coming out towards me as I sat back on the small porch swing in the corner. The cushion was pushed down by my weight and even more by the weight added after mine. I looked over at his legs and saw basketball shorts, black socks, and an animal tattoo on his shin. Zayn.

"Good morning." His deep morning voice spoke, making my eyes flick up to meet his. His lips in a warm, soft smile eyes like melted chocolate, deep and inviting, a sharp contrast of his sharp jaw line and his perfectly tanned skin. I smile up at him, looking over at him and admiring the way the sun made him look more like a god than anything.

"Morning." I leaned slightly forward in my seat and began brushing my hair. My hand was stopped by a slightly rougher feeling one, which slowly pried the brush from my hand. Before I could turn to Zayn and question his intentions the brush slowly started going through my hair again, gentler this time. I hummed in approval, pleased with the feeling.