What was I supposed to say? I stuttered and coughed a bit to try to get both of our minds off the subject. But I knew that a few seconds of distraction wouldn't change anything. I was going to have to answer him.
He peered down at the carpet, shifting uncomfortably beneath me.
"Zayn, I don't know what to say," I admitted.
"It's okay," he told me calmly, though I knew that it was certainly not okay. Zayn deserved an answer. He deserved so much more than that.
"I love you." It was so quiet that he didn't hear me.
"I love you," I repeated, slightly louder. Zayn's eyes grew wider. He exhaled a sigh of relief and smiled in satisfaction.
And things were finally right again.
Harry's POV
When I didn't see Nicole at school, I got worried. I was almost positive that I had gotten her sick and I hoped that she was okay. Since she had taken care of me, I thought I owed it to her to do the same. I sneaked out of school during lunch and headed over to her house.
There was no answer when I rapped on the door, but it was unlocked.
"Hello? Nicole?" I asked.
Still no answer.
I went into the living room and I was crushed.
The girl I loved was laying in Zayn's lap. She was murmuring softly in her sleep while Zayn's hand continued to move rhythmically across her cheek. They had no idea that I was here.
Seeing them like this, like a newly wed couple, made me angry. I clenched my fist and stormed over to the napping duo, ready to beat Zayn unconscious.
I must've been loud because Nicole woke up just as I was ready to punch her punk boyfriend in the face.
"What are you doing?" she shouted, though her voice was fragile and raspy like mine had been.
"Oh, I uh, I was just going to, uh."
"Get out of here!" she yelled again, trying to stand up. She couldn't and fell back onto the couch.
Then Zayn awoke, which was incredibly unfortunate for me. He hit me hard, right in the stomach. Nicole winced and squeezed her eyes shut. I pitied her. He hit me again, in the face and crumpled to the floor, clutching my bloody nose. Zayn hovered over me, ready to do more damage, but I was no weakling either. I kicked his shin with all the strength I had and he flinched.
I shouted some swear words and grabbed his shoulders, tossing him to the floor beside me. I got on top of his startled body and punched him twice in the face, wanting to break his nose.
Neither of us noticed Nicole while we were fighting, until she threw herself into the middle of all of it.
She was crying uncontrollably and she looked so frail and helpless.
"Stop, please, stop," she pleaded. "Please."
She stared right at me when she begged and I immediately ceased.
"Look I love both of you okay!" she shouted, in between sobs and coughs. "But I can only be with one of you. And I'm sorry for that."
