Darling [h.s]

60

Song For This Chapter:

Close- Nick Jonas

"Cause if I want you, and I want you, babe
Ain't going backwards, won't ask for space
Cause space was just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get too close, ooh"
——-

Darlene's POV:

"What do you have next?" I question, turning to Liam as we walk out of our Italian class. Today's lecture wasn't that bad, we're still reviewing stuff from last year before we learn anything new.

"I'm done for the day, what do you have?" He says, glancing over to me before his eyes turn forward again.

"Film with Louis, then I'm done" I say sighing, I'm excited to see him but I'm exhausted. Ever since Friday night, my mind has been racing none stop. The only time I can catch a break is when I'm with Harry, which recently has been a lot. I'm honestly scared he's going to get tired of me.

"Ooo, I'll walk you to your class so I can say hi to him before I leave" Liam says with a bit of excitement in his voice. I find it kind of sweet, he's just a good friend.

We keep small talk as we walk to the building my class is in, Louis waits outside for me like he usually does but this time he's talking with someone else.

"Hey D" Louis says once he sees me approaching, the other person he's with turns around to face me as well. My stomach drops when I see the unfortunate familiar face. Zayn Malik.

I make eye contact with him briefly before I divert my attention back to Louis to give him a soft smile, "Hey"

"Payno!" Louis says when he spots Liam trailing behind me, I just awkwardly stand in front of both Louis and Zayn as he greet Liam.

When I feel eyes on me I glance up to see Zayn staring with a smirk on his face causing me to raise a questioning eyebrow at him.

We can do this right here, right now Malik, it's on sight. I fucking dare you-

"Darlene May, nice to see you again" He says in an overly friendly voice. How does he even know my last name, unless someone told him. Like...Harry. No, no maybe it was Louis.

"Can't say the same to you" I respond, giving him a sweet smile before letting it drop from my face completely.

"Ouch" He says in amusement, looking me up and down, "You and Styles are still a thing I hear" He comments, his eyes finally meeting mine once again.

He heard or he observed? I know Harry telling them we're still hanging out is not bad, it's not like he's giving them an in detail summary of our sex life anymore. But I hate the idea that I'm even a topic of conversation to any of them.

"Yup" I state simply, trying to show my disinterest. But like most of these frat boys, my tone doesn't make him back down.

"Look" he says with a sigh, "I think we got off on the wrong foot-"

"Zayn, just because you're Harry's friend doesn't mean you have to try and be my friend too." I interrupt, sighing to myself in frustration.

How is he going to try and act sorry when he was checking me out 30 seconds ago, clearly he's not. He can just save himself the trouble.

"Louis, we should probably get to class. Wouldn't want to be late" I state, giving him a look that lets him know I'm extremely serious that we need to leave right now.

Thankfully he doesn't protest and we say our goodbyes before we turn to begin walk towards the door of the building.

"I hate him" I groan in annoyance, the second the doors close behind us.