Stockholm Syndrome

Chapter 20

When I cone out of the bathroom in Nialls clothes, I am somewhat self conscious. They don't fit me quite right, and I don't know what Niall told them about the incident. When I manage to find the kitchen, I walk in on an argument.

"Hes a good man Niall! You think I'd let him touch Harry if I didn't know that for a fact?" Louis doesn't seem angry, just insistent and perhaps a bit insulted.

"I'm not saying he isn't. I'm just saying I don't need help. I'm fine. I don't need a shrink." He repeats it to himself and Louis' face softens.

"Its okay mate, you know that. We aren't gonna think any less of you." He wraps Niall in a hug, and I think the younger boy is crying.

"You weren't supposed to see that." A voice comes from behind me. I turn around to see Zayn leaning against the wall. I decide to pretend I wasn't evesdropping.

"Hear what?" I ask innocently. Zayn rolls his eyes.

"I was standing there The entire time Emma. We both know what you heard. And I don't know how well you know me, but I'm not gonna let you walk around with that information just floating around in your head." I feel the fear surge through my veins for real this time. I had never really though Zayn was all that scary, but when he's threatening you, you had best take note.

"I really wasn't trying to listen." I back away from him. He looks confused for a moment before laughing a bit, careful to stay quiet since we were still just outside the doorway.

"It wasn't a threat Emma. I just need to talk to you." He smiled and I blush in embarrassment. He must think I'm an idiot for thinking that he would hurt me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be all stereotyping." I apologize. Zayn shrugs.

"Niall did the same things and now we're best mates. I don't pay much mind to first impressions." He admits. I smile a bit.

"So what do we need to talk about." Zayn didn't answer, simply stood up straight and gestured for me to follow. I followed him down the hallway, but he stopped at the end of it, sitting against the wall. I took a seat next to him.

"Right, well Emma, I'm about to be really blunt, so be prepared." He warns and I nod.

"There's a rumor that you won't kiss Harry for a million dollars. So I need to know just how much I'll have to pay to get you to date Niall." I blink at Zayn in shock. What? He is gonna pay me to date Niall? But why?

"What do you mean?" I ask, incredulously.

Zayn sighs. "I know I sound awful, but Niall likes you. And he won't take rejection well. I have money, and well, I'm only trying to help."

"What the? Zayn? But? Why?" Zayn shakes his head at my bafflement.

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't ask this of you, but I hate dealing with Niall when he gets in one of his moods." Zayn says, then immediately adopts a look of panic. I don't miss it.

"You weren't supposed to say that." I know the answer already, but I feel the need to confirm it.

"Yeah. Just, please Emma, I'm begging you. Take the money, Nialls a good kid. He's not gonna try anything." Zayn is begging.

I don't know what To do.

On the one hand, I am not about to date someone for cash. Or pretend to date them, or whatever it would even qualify as. Niall already owed me a million dollars for sticking around, and I didn't need extra money from Zayn. I wouldn't be able to go home, and I would be so guilty. Niall would hate me.

On the other hand, Zayn Malik is begging. What is it that Maya always says about him? He flawless, graceful, perfect. And the very same Zayn Malik is not only offering me money, but begging me to accept his offer. And I would get to date Niall Horan. And even though he is absolutely not cute or sweet, or anything of that nature, it would give me huge bragging rights. Maya would basically collapse n the spot. And that would be the end of whatever bad press Modest! Would have up about me. And I would get to kiss Niall. Not that I want to or anything. Just that His lips were so gentle on my cheek. And my chin. Wait, What was I just thinking? I need to go get ny head looked at. I shouldn't be thinking things like that.

"Emma?" Zayn s voice pulls me from my thoughts and I look up at him. He looks so worried, and I think for the first time about how much the five of them must rely on each other. With as much as they travel, there can't be many constants in their lives. And than they are the only ones who put up with management. They need each other to stay strong, and from how everyone has been treating Niall I'm starting to wonder if his happiness is somehow more important than a lot of things. Almost as if Niall will fall apart if something happens. The way they all treat him so gently.

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO !!!

Luckily for me I don't have to. But who am I kidding. What happened next was not lucky. What happened next was the thing that made everything unravel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cliffhanger.