Given A Chance (1D Version)

16.

"It's gonna be the biggest party of the year. Or so I've heard".

"Thank God, I have plans already".

"We're not invited anyway".

"Good for us".

"You wanna come with us to Zara's party? Forget about them".

"Love to".

So, that's how Niall and Sean accompanied the three of them to Zara's birthday party at the end of October instead of staying back home alone while Harry was throwing his boyfriend the biggest birthday party of the century. Their plans were far better. Her party was more of a gathering with family and friends, eating cake all day and listening to good music while relishing each other's company.

"That guy really didn't get the hint, so I had to be a bit more clear. Maybe I went a bit too far but he was hitting on my girl right in front of me. Like, come on. You had it coming, asshole" Zara told them about that one time some idiot was flirting with Emily.

"Exactly. Protect what's yours" Zayn agreed with his sister.

"That wasn't protecting. That was shameless claiming" Emily rolled her eyes but she ended up laughing.

"Well," Zara didn't look apologetic at all.

"Good job, little Z" Louis gave her a thumbs up.

"Louis!" Emily exclaimed scandalized.

"What? She did the right thing" Louis shrugged unfazed.

"You should know your brother loves that my sister is just like him. Both love to claim what's theirs. When your brother gets jealous or feels threatened, you better run" Zayn grinned naughtily.

"He's big on marking his territory when he really loves someone" Liam made matters worse. That bastard.

"That is so not true" Louis huffed offended.

"No? Oh, I forgot. You never really loved a man before. Shit, I don't wanna know how bad it gets when you're actually in love" Zayn was cackling like the little shit he was, taking the piss now.

"Same. I can still remember how you claimed Zayn in school".

"Or Luke later on".

"Or even...".

"Okay, we all get it" Louis raised his voice to shut them up. "You think I get territorial, which is untrue. I'm not an animal".

"You are literally a mother bear but turn into a lion when you have to protect them, so ... animal" the alcohol was affecting Zayn's brain by now. None of his words made any sense.

"He's also quite the mother hen when it comes to us" Emily noted teasingly. "Worse than our mother. I was lucky that he loved Zara".

"I hate all of you" Louis grumbled darkly, his arms crossed.

"Naw, Tommy. We're only teasing. We love you and your protective streak and your possessiveness and cute jealousy" Zayn pinched his cheek, cuddling into Liam's side tipsily.

"I really hate you, Joey".

Thankfully, the conversation was averted away from him and onto Zara and Emily again. Mostly silent, Louis watched them the entire time. He loved seeing his other sister so happy with her amazing girlfriend. Zara was fantastic like all Maliks' were. That family was a gift to the Tomlinson's and Louis thanked the heavens every single day of his life for sending them people like them as friends, partners and guardian angels. He didn't wanna miss them in his life.