When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 12

Harry's POV

Everything seems to slow down as I stare at the photo glowing on Zayn's phone screen. It's undeniably us, locked in a heated kiss from Michael's party. The violation I feel seeing evidence of such a private moment exposed makes bile rise in my throat.

This right here encapsulates why I'm so hesitant to connect with people since we move all the time. Developing relationships means opening myself up emotionally. And that requires vulnerability - sharing parts of me I usually keep under lock and key.

Like how kissing Zayn that night undid my defences...how I got lost for a few timeless minutes in the taste of his lips and the strength of his wanting. We were drunk, inhibitions lowered just enough. But the photo captures a real spark that passed between us in that unthinking moment.

Now some creepy guy has literal proof of me letting my guard down. And Calum witnessing it too means I'll have even more explaining to do. He must think I've been playing him all this time, secretly hooking up with his teammate behind his back.

Humiliated tears prickle behind my eyes as Calum continues staring back and forth between me and Zayn, eyebrows raised in shock. I should never have let either of them past my walls. This sick feeling of exposure is exactly why it's safer to just keep everyone at arm's length, never planting roots too deep.

As soon as my mom announces we're moving again, I can disappear from this entire mess of teenage drama. No one can judge me or make me feel small without my presence around as a convenient target. It'll go back to just being me against the world, regaining my sense of control.

I know it's not the healthiest coping mechanism, running from problems and shutting people out. But right now, taking off to start fresh somewhere else sounds a hell of a lot easier than dealing with the wounded look in both Calum and Zayn's eyes...

Calum's POV

I keep staring between Harry's obvious panic and Zayn scrubbing a tense hand through his hair. My brain is still connecting dots, synapses firing to catch up with this new twist.

Harry...and Zayn? But also me and Harry? When did they...how long has...

I force myself to take a breath, quelling the hot jealousy rising instinctively in my chest. After all, I was the one who kissed Harry first during the party game. Am I really entitled to feel upset that he shared a private moment with someone else in the chaos that night too?

Still, the novelty of Harry's shy presence in my backseat this morning feels tarnished now. He didn't seem the type to juggle multiple guys at once. I thought all his endearing hesitations around moving things forward came from sweet innocence. Now this photo implies he might just be keeping his options open while I chase him like an oblivious puppy.

The visual evidence stings my ego, even if it's hypocritical. Zayn is one of my best friends though. Harry snagging us both undercover challenges my trust. Heat prickles the back of my neck - whether from anger at them or frustration with myself, I can't tell.

Maybe I misread Harry as relationship material too quickly. If he's comfortable hiding his fling with Zayn while stringing me along, who knows what else he might spin truths about. The shy mysterious thing could all just be a ploy to seem temptingly unattainable.

I clench my jaw, old insecurities needling under my skin. For now, I just meet Zayn's tortured gaze with a silent promise we'll be discussing this later. No matter what ways Harry has played us both, I at least know Zayn abides by guy code. Our friendship has never steered me wrong before.