The Official Boyband Handbook

[15] The Questions

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❝I don't need answers

I just need some peace❞

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Chapter Fifteen - The Questions

 

“Sh! Keep quiet!”

“I am quiet, Harry!”

“Gen, honestly, just-“

“Just what? You’ve gone mad! We shouldn’t be here!”

“I have to see them.”

“I know that, but why couldn’t we just have waited till morning? I’m sure it’s perfectly acceptable to visit when the Sun is out-“

The door Harry and Genevieve currently stood in front of opened slightly to reveal a familiar face. Zayn Malik was dressed in his comfortable pajamas for the night, obviously not expecting guests at the current hour. His eyebrows rose at the sight of the mischievous duo. They sent him awkward smiles and half-wave greetings.

“What are ya doing here, Harry?” Zayn inquired while tightening the space between his body and the door so neither was able to catch a glimpse inside. “It’s bloody 9 pm in the night and I’ve got class first thing in the morning.”

Harry bit down on his lip sheepishly. “I wanted to see if you lot were all right.”

“We are.”

“How’d you all end up here?”

“All?” Zayn repeated. “It’s only me and Louis.”

“And Liam,” Harry added, “a report told me. Is he in there with you?”

“Who?”

“Liam.”

“No.”

“Oh.”

Zayn leaned back a bit. “But Louis is.”

Harry’s eyes lit up. “Is he? Can I talk to him?”

Zayn sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Listen, Harry, I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Louis’ not exactly himself, anymore,” he explained, “I can’t explain it…he just isn’t the Louis we used to know.”

In the darkness, Genevieve clasped Harry’s slightly trembling hand. Her grip was strong but kind and it willed him to remain upright while Zayn’s words sank in. Of course, Harry had somewhat expected this sort of ordeal. But the reality was bitterer than he had imagined.