Stockholm Syndrome

Chapter 29

(Zayn POV)

The tension in the air is palpable as we all sit in the living room. Harry has been filled in on the situation since he woke up, and it would be a lie to say it wasn't awkward. From the silence in the house it was obvious that Liam's phone was off. It was likely ringing off the hook otherwise.

"Do you think they're okay?" Maya touches the subject we aren't supposed to touch. Louis grimaced, I frown, and Harry looks just downright sad. It was just his nature to empathize.

"I'm sure they're fine." Liam assures us.

"Niall doesn't have a shirt." Will reminds everyone. Well There wasn't much we could do about that, now was there?

"He'll live." I mutter. Everyone turns to me. I perhaps know more about his mental state than anyone else. They trust me. I speak up, making my opinion heard.

"Niall has Emma. Emma makes him happy. He doesn't want her to think there's something wrong with him, so he won't jump." I explain. And he won't. He really, really likes Emma.

"So what are we gonna do for the rest of the day Then?" Will brings up. I really don't know. I mean, we couldn't just sit here and mope all day.

"Lets play a game. Truth or dare?" Liam suggests. I roll my eyes.

"That is the stupidest game ever. Especially when you're sober." I argue.

"You got anything better to do?" He challenges. I shrug.

"I vote we sing for Maya. She would like that." I say the first thing that came to mind. But Will shakes his head.

"No singing. Niall isn't here. Just play the game Zayn." Will insists. I shake my head.

"Not happening." I repeat.

"Zayn. Play. Now." Louis insists. I roll my eyes, But join their crudely constructed circle.

"Good job Malik, now truth or dare?" Louis asks.

"Why do I have to go first?" I protest.

"Zayn!" They all chorus in unified annoyance.

"Fine," I mutter, "Truth."

"Which person in this group do you find the most annoying?" Louis asks. I roll m eyes.

"Easy. Louis Tomlinson. Liam, truth or dare?" I bounce back immediately.

"Dare." He decides after a moment of deliberation.

"I dare you to kiss Maya and see if she faints." I challenge. Liam leans across the circle and gives Maya a quick peck on the cheek. Her face turns a deep red, but she doesn't faint. Liam returns to his seat.

"Harry truth or dare?" He asks.

"Dare." He finally decides

"I dare you to post a picture of you and Louis. Doing anything. But his arm has to be around your shoulder." Liam decides and everyone stares at him in shock. Why would he want that?

He shrugs uncomfortably under all of our stares. "I hear we are trying to get ourselves fired. Besides, it isn't like they haven't done it before."

Harry shrugs and pulls out his phone, snapping a picture of him and Louis hugging. Then he hands me his phone. I stare at him in confusion, and he just smiles.

"The middle button takes a picture." He informed me, then leaned into Louis and kissed him on the lips, pulling Louis' arm over his shoulder. I get what he wants me to do and snap a picture. Its a pretty okay picture did I do say so myself.