Forever In Their World [Sequel]

35

Jaylee's POV

"What do you mean by that?" I questioned with curiosity as I leaned closer to him, desperate for answers.

"I've been noticing it for a while now... the way Louis has been treating you, the way he talks to you, the way he talks about you, how he handles you..... it's constant." Zayn replied as he looked me deeply in the eyes, gently caressing my cheek with his soft fingertips.

"I thought at first I was just jealous, or maybe my mind wasn't in the right place. But the more I saw the signs the more I realized that my assumptions were correct." Zayn continued on as he looked down at my lips.

"What were your assumptions?" I asked as I blinked up at him.

Zayn sighed as he peered into my eyes, tucking my hair behind my ear gently.

"That there was a chance Louis liked you. Or at least was really interested in you." Zayn answered as my throat felt dry.

"I was in denial for a while.... only because I knew it would cause a lot of drama if it was real." Zayn said as he kept looking at my face intently.

"It can't be real. Louis doesn't like me- he- he just doesn't know what he wants for himself. And I'm just an easy fix for him." I denied as I shook my head slightly.

"Louis has been into you for quite a while. I've noticed it since we were in the tournament together. He was desperate to have you back with us as soon as you left to be with your parents. I mean of course we all wanted you back, especially me. I missed you more than I could ever imagine, but as soon as I saw Louis planning everything out on how he was going to get you back, I knew something wasn't right. That he developed something for you. I mean you'd assume out of everyone I would be the one to make up excuses to bring you back or to come up with an absurd plan, but it was Louis that got you here." Zayn explained as my heart started to race against my chest.

"Louis did all the planning. He was the one who came up with the idea to kidnap your parents and put them somewhere else. It was his idea to bring you back here and get you to stay with us. It was his idea to make you an official part of our gang. Everything that happened after the tournament was because of Louis." Zayn said as my eyes grew wide in shock.

I didn't know what to think, nor what to feel. I felt like throwing up but I also felt like screaming and breaking everything close to me. I was getting frustrated and overwhelmed all over again.

"Why would he do all that?" I asked as my chest started to feel heavy.

"Because he's desperate to have you Jaylee. At first I thought it was for the right reasons. I mean yeah it made sense to have you in our gang in order to reap the benefits. But everything else was too selfish. And Louis only gets like that when he wants it for himself. Not for anyone else." Zayn informed as it felt hard to breathe.

Louis has officially gone crazy. That's a fact.

"W-why me? I don't understand any of this. Why is he going after me when he knows you liked me first?" I asked as Zayn swallowed.

"He can be a huge prick sometimes Jay. And when he wants something, he destroys everything around him just to get it." Zayn answered as he played with my hair.

"I think that's why Louis got drunk and managed to assault you, because he was mad at himself for the actions he did. And he knew it would drive you further away from him." Zayn mentioned as it finally clicked in my head.

Well that makes sense.
Louis followed me upstairs, totally unaware of the child that I had found, only to be left to kill him. Which then caused me to have a mental breakdown and hate him even more for what he did. Then he felt trapped with his feelings so he decided to drown them in alcohol and release his anger on me.

I guess what Zayn was saying was true. Louis does like me and every time he fails at gaining my trust, attention, or approval, he explodes.

That's why he's been acting this way.

But this doesn't give him a way out.
If this is his excuse it's pretty pathetic. I had to go through hell just to find out he was the whole cause for it.

"He has fallen for you Jaylee." Zayn admitted as he tucked a new strand of hair behind my ear.

"I- I refuse to believe it." I shook my head as I tried to block the realization out.

No, Louis can't like me. He shouldn't like me. That's wrong. This is wrong. Zayn likes me. He knows that- everyone knows that! Why is he doing this to himself?

"It's the truth darling." He sighed as his sad eyes bore into mine.

"Well how does that make you feel?" I questioned as I peered up at him.

"I know you'd never go for him, so I'm not worried that you'd choose someone here instead of me. I know you could never fall for me the way I have fallen for you. So I'm not entirely worried. I'm more concerned about how he will treat you." Zayn replied as he looked up at the wall.

"Well there's not much he can do if he doesn't have my consent." I said as his eyes diverted over towards me.

"Louis might not stop until he gets some sort of clarity that you could possibly like him too. Either that or knowing you forgive him and are on his side." Zayn shrugged slightly as my eyes widened.

Wait... that gives me an idea.

"I'm done selling my soul to this gang." I chuckled sarcastically as I shifted my weight onto one leg.

"He can't do much if you're here with me." I spoke innocently as Zayn's eyebrows raised.

"You did beat him up pretty good, and you protected me. I feel like if I have you around more often, I have a chance of getting some sense of sanity back in me." I said as I looked down at Zayn's shirt and unconsciously started playing with it.

"So, are you saying that..... you do.... want me around....?" Zayn asked softly as he looked surprised.

"It would be nice, to have a friend back." I smiled as we looked at each other in the eyes.

"I kinda don't want Louis around me 24/7 either, it gets tiring having to always fight him off." I added as I looked down.

"It would be a privilege to be your friend again, Jaylee." Zayn spoke sincerely as my eyes shifted towards his.

"Because I really miss you." He breathed as I caught a glimpse of tears in his eyes.

"I really miss you too Zayn." I whispered as I felt my heart race against my chest.

He then wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for a hug, causing my emotions to feel at ease and my body to finally relax. I embraced his hug and held him in my arms, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.

It felt good to forgive Zayn and welcome him back in my life. He only ever tried to be good to me, despite the fact that he had misdirection from Louis and the others. Zayn was always good, and I knew his intentions were always good.

During this difficult time, I really need a friend right now, someone I can hope in and build trust with. And I knew Zayn would be a good start. He could protect me from Louis while I try to find out where my parents are and set them free.

Even if it means me staying here for the rest of my life, I will do whatever it takes to save my family.

"Um... Zayn." I spoke against his chest, smelling his sweet aroma.

"Yeah?" His chest vibrated as he spoke.

"Can you stay with me..... tonight? O-only if you're comfortable with it. You don't have to- I just.... I want to feel safe." I asked as I cringed.

He went silent for a while as his arms loosened around my body, making me wonder if I said the wrong thing or not.

"I'd love that Jaylee." He breathed as a smile slowly started to grow on my lips.

"Okay... awesome.... Thank you." I said as my cheeks began to heat.

"Of course." He whispered as his hands tightened around my waist.