Change // z.m.

Chapter 9

*Niall's POV*

I walked out of Zayn's room and into the kitchen to see Liam sitting at the island. He was on his laptop reading. My guess was he was reading a fan-fiction on his new favorite website. "Reading a story about yourself, are you," I asked while rummaging through the fridge. Liam snorted.

"Nah. I'm reading a science fiction story this time. I think it has something to do with a plague." I nodded my head as I grabbed the carton of Orange Juice and the bowl that contained fruit salad. "It's a really good story. It has some grammar errors, but it's readable," Liam commented. When I was backing out of the fridge, I raised my head up to soon and hit it on the door to the freezer.

"Ow! Fudge that hurt!" Liam laughed and I gave him the bird. At that moment Zayn walked in.

He gave us a look of disappointment. "Lads. Seriously? Grow up." I lowered me head. "Carliey is asleep. You two are in charge of her." I nodded my head, and thought about Carliey as the doorbell rang. Liam hopped up and ran to the door. This was my chance.

"Zayn. You have to protect Carliey. Don't be a fool about it either." He scrunched his eyebrows together. "I met her a long time ago, and I made a mistake.. I bullied her and I.. and I don't know why! I may have had a little crush on her then."

"You don't now, do you?" Zayn looked like he was worried or angry about me saying what I did. Inside, I smirked. Zayn's gotta crush..

"No! No no! I don't. I just really want to make it up to her. I was stupid for judging her I guess." Zayn raised an eyebrow. "I can't tell you.. I don't want her mad at me! Let her tell you herself." I bit my lip as I grabbed a spoon and headed for the living space. I was hungry, plus I was really comfortable my my chair.

"No! You can't just tell me that you can't tell me! Dude that isn't right!!" Zayn snapped quietly, grabbing my arm.

"Zayn buddy, nothin' is right! But I don' want her mad at me!" I raised my eyebrows and gave Zayn a serious face. He shook his head and released my arm. "Just let her tell you when she's ready. If you pressure her, it could ruin your relationship."

"I'm not d-"

"Ah, but you want to," I jumped quickly. Zayn looked down at his feet, and I could tell there was a little blush on his cheeks. "Zayn, you've been the bad boy ever since we've met. I honestly didn't like you at first, but I just had to get to know ya." Zayn punched my arm. "The point is, I've never seen you act this way. Not even over Perrie."

Zayn sighed. "You're right Niall," Zayn whispered. "Carliey just.. She has this effect on me. I don't know what it is.. I'm still mean towards her, but she knows that I'm trying.." I studied Zayn's expressions as he was talking. His tension was low, but I could tell that talking about her made him happy. You see, Zayn has a tell, and it showed when he was talking about her.

"Zayn, you ready to go?" Eleanor's voice sounded like sweet syrup as she smiled over at Zayn and I. "Got your hands full Niall," she joked causing me stick my tongue out at her. I nodded, gave Zayn one last glance and walked into the living area to be greeted by Danielle and Liam. They were no longer together, but they've become friends.

Danielle rolled her eyebrows playfully and laughed, "Well Niall, I'm not surprised to see you. You look like you're in your natural habitat." I chuckled and jumped into my comfy chair. "I'm guessing we should also go food shopping." Dani looked over at Liam who was sitting on the arm of the couch with his arms crossed. Liam had a huge smile on his face which made his eyes "smile" too.

"Yup. We'll need a lot more orange juice and fruit." Liam rolled his smiling eyes. "I'll get a list and text it to either you or Zayn before you guys get to the grocery." Dani nodded as Zayn and El walked through the area.

"We'll be back before noon." Zayn turned to Liam and I and added, "Hopefully." Dani and El giggled and dragged him out of the flat. Now it was time to watch some tv and relax.

"Who's got first shift of watching Carliey?" Liam sighed as he got up. I froze mid-bite and looked at him with my mouth wide open. The look Liam gave me was on the line of "Are you kidding me?!" I gave him a stern look, causing him to raise his eyebrows at me. "Fine," he huffed and walked away from my food and I.

"It's just you and I, baby," I whispered to my food and continued to wolf it down. Being Niall was a pretty fun job, I had to admit.

*Liam's POV*

-A couple hours later-

I walked back into Zayn's bedroom to see Carliey was still sound asleep. She looked so peaceful, yet she look like she was in pain. Who would want to cause a poor girl like her so much pain? Someone so young, so innocent. Someone who's life hasn't even started yet! Someone who looked so frail. The slightest touch could break her, it seemed like. "Leave me alone," the girl complained. I furrowed my eyebrows as I walked closer to her. "Daddy leave me alone!" This time she moved her hands in the air as if she was trying to push someone away.

"Carliey? Are you alright?" I asked, thinking she could hear my voice.

A ear piercing scream came from her parted lips and she started kicking and flailing her arms. "Stop it! Go away! Stop," she screamed. I heard a faint noise of a door open and realized Zayn was home.

"Carliey, shh!" I said calmly as I tried waking her up. It didn't go as planned and she screamed again.

"You're hurting me! Stop it!"

"Carliey! Wake up!" I said a little louder as I heard footsteps getting closer and closer. "Carliey it's a dream! It's just a bad dream! Shhh." Tears were falling from her now wide awake eyes.

"Liam! Get away from her! You're hurting her!" Zayn yelled as he pried me off of Carliey who now had a strong grip on my arms.

Carliey pulled me back, and cried into my shoulder. Zayn huffed in anger and kneeled beside the bed. Carliey caught a glimpse of him and stopped crying for a little. "He's not hurting me."

"Then why were you screaming Carl," questioned Zayn as he stood up and sat on his bedside table. Carliey looked terrified as she let me go and scooted back to the headboard.

"Niall," she hollered. Zayn furrowed his brows, and I copied him. Footsteps could be heard coming quickly towards us.

"Why did y-" Zayn started.

"What is it Carls," Niall said quickly. They shared a look, almost like they were having a conversation in their head. "What? Whoa, whoa, whoa! No! No!" Niall held his hands up and continued to look at her, leaving Zayn and I to share confused glances. "No! You can say it yourself!"

"Niall please! I..I just can't do it!! For a girl, it's embarrassing!" Tears threatened her eyes once more as she continued to stare at Niall. Niall crossed his arms and huffed.

"Are you sure?"

"N..no.." Carliey looked over at Zayn who shared a terrified look with her. "I don't know how you'd take it," she whispered directly toward Zayn.

"Then don't tell me. I'll wait till you're ready Carliey." Zayn smiled at her, and she just breathed. "Get some sleep okay? You need it." Liam got up and headed out of the room with Niall.

Zayn started walking but Carliey stopped him. "Zayn," she whispered. He turned around to look at the girl who was fixing herself on the bed. "Thank you.." He simply smiled.

"For what," he laughed lightly.

"Everything," she responded. Zayn walked over to her and gently kissed her on her forehead. "Can you stay in here? For a little while at least?" He nodded and laid down beside her.

"Carliey, just know, that I will never let anyone hurt you. Ever." Carliey leant into his chest and closed her eyes.

"This is why you're my best friend," she replied before falling asleep for the second time that day, only feeling safe in Zayn's strong arms.

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Behold, the Change update!! :D I'm soooo so so so so SO sorry for the long wait. I've been in the process of moving and it's set me back a lot. Sorry, again! Hope you like this very short chapter! And Niall's POV(:

FOREVER AND ALWAYS, DependsOnForever!(: xoxo