When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 11

Harry's POV

"Why are we stopping over here?" I ask as Calum abruptly pulls up along the practice field bleachers instead of parking in the student lot.

"Forgot something in my gym locker earlier," he replies, throwing the glossy black sports car in park. "I'll only be a sec, you can chill here if you want."

I nod absently, attention caught by two familiar figures standing closely together under a nearby tree. Even from a distance, Zayn's sharp profile and Luke's sunshine hair are unmistakable. Before I can wonder why they look so serious, Zayn steps forward wrapping Luke in a tight embrace.

Something hot and unpleasant twists in my chest at the sight. It makes no sense considering I already know they used to date so of course intimacy still lingers. Yet seeing that affectionate contact ignites an irrational spark of jealousy that catches me completely off guard.

A minute later, Calum climbs back into the driver's seat, signature easy grin in place.

"Sorry bout that, thanks for waiting babe..." His words fade out as he follows my gaze still locked on Zayn and Luke laughing together now as they walk towards the school.

Calum makes a small understanding sound. "Ah right. Sometimes I forget they used to have a thing, they still act pretty cosy don't they..." He shakes his head slightly before backing up to head to the student lot now.

I chew the inside of my cheek, green envy festering. There's no reason I should feel so petty about these two keeping old emotional bonds alive. But I do and it's messing with my head. Almost as much as the memory of drunken lips crashed fiercely against mine at Michael's party clouding all logical thought...

Luke's POV

My steps feel lighter entering school after Zayn confessed about the party kiss with Harry. It doesn't totally surprise me considering the heat sparking between them lately. But having Zayn open up emotionally feels comforting, like we can tackle this together. I have a crush on Calum, Zayn possibly has a crush on Harry...and now Calum and Harry are dating? Hmm...hopeless for both of us.

Part of me worries how tangled things might get now that Harry's exploring something with Calum.

My own stupid crush on oblivious Calum is already painful enough to handle. Adding Zayn pining after Harry on top sounds like a recipe for drama. Still, Zayn has always had my back. I owe it to him to return the support, no matter how messy it might turn out.

As we head to Calculus class, Zayn's shoulders tense up seeing Harry and Calum chatting outside the door. Calum is playing with one of Harry's curls, both grinning easily. I grab Zayn's hand in solidarity and he relaxes minutely.

We take our usual seats as class begins, but I have trouble focusing. My eyes keep darting to Zayn's white-knuckled grip on his pen as he determinedly avoids looking at Harry and Calum passing notes a few rows over. I know that rigid set to his jaw all too well. Zayn is struggling right now despite the calm front.

When the bell rings, Zayn is up and out the door before I can even stand, his unfinished assignment still on the desk. I follow him to the empty bleachers near the football field, worry swirling tighter in my chest.

"Z, you good? Wanna talk?" I ask gently, settling close beside him.

Zayn just drops his head into his hands with a ragged sigh. "I just wasn't prepared to feel like this, Luke. It fucking hurts watching them together, you know? Never expected to care about Harry this damn much..."

Seeing Zayn so torn up awakens every protective instinct in me. Not thinking twice, I shift to pull his head onto my shoulder, stroking his hair soothingly. The whole situation makes my heart ache too. But focusing on supporting Zayn helps temper my own envy for now.

"I know, I get it believe me. We'll figure this out alright? I'm here for you no matter what," I murmur.

Zayn wraps both arms around my waist, exhaling shakily. We stay huddled together as I smooth gentle circles into his tense back muscles. The even rhythm calms us both until the warning bell cuts through the heavy quiet.

Standing slowly, Zayn cups my face with sad eyes that show his gratitude clearer than any words. He places a gentle kiss to my forehead that somehow feels weighted by more than just our long history of friendship in this moment. A silent promise passes between us before we head inside to brace for the next round of watching our crushes together.

Zayn's POV

I splash cold water on my face in the bathroom, Luke's words echoing in my head. He kindly suggested while comforting me earlier that maybe my feelings for Harry are magnified right now simply because I can't have him. And seeing Harry with Calum is just bruising my ego.

Leaning gripping the sink, I stare at my reflection. I do have a tendency to plunge headfirst into infatuation, feeling things strongly in the moment. And Luke would know better than anyone from when we used to date.

But my draw to Harry seems like more than that. We connect in quiet ways I haven't experienced with someone new in a long time. Those searching emerald eyes see into parts of me I hide from everyone else. I crave unraveling the mysteries locked away behind his guarded facade too.

I just wasn't prepared for jealousy to hijack all rationality when he started dating Calum. And so publicly at that. Sure, Calum and I are close friends. But he's also an incorrigible flirt who breezes through people week to week, leaving a trail of bruised hearts in his casual wake. Harry deserves someone who will nurture the vulnerable sides he covers up, not treat him as a passing conquest.

The bathroom door bangs open loudly, interrupting my brooding. My stomach drops seeing none other than Calum himself saunter over to the urinals, Harry hovering shyly behind him. I make brief, tortured eye contact with Harry in the mirror before ducking my head and making for the exit.

But Calum's voice stops me short. "Yo, Malik! You bailed so quick after Calculus, everything cool?" His tone is light, oblivious as ever. "Had to ask young Harold here if you're alright actually. Right babe?"

I grit my teeth at the casual pet name as Harry mumbles something unintelligible, cheeks flaming. I need to escape this bathroom, their coupled up presence choking the very air from my lungs.

"Yeah fine, just forgot a, uh thing for next class," I force out, reaching blindly for the door handle.

Calum frowns, perplexed. "Funny, could've sworn I saw you and Luke--" His words cut off abruptly. I turn to see Harry elbowing Calum sharply in the ribs, tilting his head meaningfully. Wait, does Harry know Luke was comforting me earlier?

Before I can process this, the door swings open again just as I step forward. I crash right into a guy I vaguely recognize from my Art elective. My backpack goes spilling across the tiles.

"Fuck, sorry man!" the guy exclaims, kneeling to gather my stuff. I crouch down to help, hands shaking slightly. Our eyes both land on my phone at the same time, screen illuminated with a photo I haven't seen before.

It's Harry and I, mouths crushed desperately together mid-kiss at Michael's party weeks ago. Shocked humiliation floods my veins realizing someone must have covertly snapped this intimate moment.

I grab the phone and shove it in my pocket, staring violated at this random classmate. Behind him, Harry stands paralyzed next to a confused Calum. The heavy quiet rings deafeningly before the guy breaks it with an unsettling grin.

"Don't sweat it," he smirks. "But hey, one less thing for you to worry about finding later, right?" He backs towards the door, expression suddenly cold. "Maybe be more careful with sensitive pics though. Wouldn't want certain moments seen by the wrong eyes, yeah?"

He exits the bathroom with an exaggerated wink as my pulse thunders in my ears...