Behind Closed Doors

7. London

You're looking in the wrong place for my love
Don't think because you're with me this is real
You're looking in the wrong place for my love (my love)
Don't stop what you're doing 'cause I like that too
-"wRoNg" by ZAYN

Zayn slept peacefully that night. He figured Harry would get back to him sometime the next day to discuss when and where they could meet up. Therefore, when Zayn woke up around 8am, it shocked him to see he'd received 2 text messages from Harry that morning at 5am while he was asleep.

Harry: You in London? I just got here a couple days ago and plan to stay a bit.

Harry: I assume this is a private meeting rather than something you want to promote the album? Since you reached out through a personal assistant rather than management.

Didn't Harry know him at all? That was the last thing Zayn thought of. In the past, he let other people do these types of things for him. Zayn never sought out publicity stunts or wanted to use his friends at a chance to fame grab.
Besides, even if that were the case, Zayn liked the edge he had being on the outskirts of the band. It painted him an underdog, and who doesn't like an underdog?

To top it off, Zayn was not in London and he had so much stuff to do here in the states for his upcoming album. He contemplated what to do as he sat up in his bed to light a cigarette.
He was scheduled to do some interviews in the UK as well, and went on his laptop to check when those were scheduled. Apparently those weren't for at least another month leaving Zayn feeling a bit defeated.

He decided to text Sarah and see what she could do, knowing damn well she would throw a fit at him even suggesting changing her thought out press schedule.

As he waited for her response he texted Harry.

Zayn: let me check my schedule. Im in LA but I'll see when I am meant to travel there.

Zayn: And yes Harry. Private. I didn't reach out with ulterior media motives.

Harry: Really? Doesn't sound like the Zayn I know.... ;) jk.

Zayn chuckled reading Harrys text.
Finally. Some damn light hearted humor. Zayn was over the formal chat they'd been having. It felt forced.

Harry: No worries. We can just plan for some time down the road. Don't want you to have to change up your schedule for me.

Yet, Zayn had a feeling that's exactly what Harry wanted. At least that's what the old Harry would want. To feel special, feel as though Zayn was making an effort to get to him. Maybe he had changed and was over Zayn. Maybe Harry saw this as a favor for Zayn and had nothing to gain from it himself. Zayn wondered if that was such a bad thing. Sure it would bruise his ego but maybe the two of them had a chance at real friendship.

Before Zayn could respond, Sarah was calling him. She hammered him with questions as to why the sudden desire to be in London. Zayn played it cool. He told her he just felt like he should be doing more to show he's still a British artist and hasn't become an Americanized version of himself.

Surprisingly, Sarah wasn't as angry as Zayn expected and seemed to buy his excuse. She told him she can get him a flight to London tomorrow if he promised to do a photo shoot and interview there with Elle Magazine in Britain and BBC 1. Sarah even told Zayn he could stay as long as he wished if he promised to be back in time to perform on the Late show in April.