When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 23

Harry's POV:

I spot Calum at his locker after last period gathering textbooks, broad shoulders rigid with their usual athletic confidence. But remembering Zayn's gratitude over Calum recently standing up for me amongst squad gossip softens my lingering awkwardness. Before I can overthink, my shoes carry me over almost of their own volition.

"Hey, um...thanks for what you did with the team and all," I gesture vaguely, nerves making me rush the words out. "Zayn told me you helped get people to back off about...well, everything stirring up drama lately."

Calum glances up, surprise flashing briefly before his easy grin slides back into place. "Anytime dude, wasn't right for people trash talking my striker's boyfriend, simple as that."

I nod, uncertainty swelling again under Calum's heavy focus. Just as I begin plotting my escape from the growing uncomfortable silence though, he surprises me by speaking up first.

"Look Harold, I know things been weird between us for a while," Calum acknowledges ruefully, hand coming up to rub the back of his neck almost shyly. "After seeing that pic, I got in my feelings instead of just talking to you. And I'm sorry bout that."

My eyes widen stunned hearing Calum take ownership after so much avoidance. Sensing my speechlessness maybe, he rushes to fill the space between us.

"Hoping we could reset, start fresh as friends ya know? You seem rad and maybe if circumstances were different..." Calum's mouth ticks up bittersweetly before smoothing back into casual composure just as quick. "Anyway yeah, bygones and all that."

He holds out one broad palm hopefully between us. I glance down at it for a loaded moment debating my next words carefully. But intuition nudges me forward into vulnerable territory instead.

"Maybe we could all grab food soon, you me and Zayn...and Luke too of course," I suggest tentatively.

At Luke's name something warm and dangerously hopeful flares behind Calum's steady gaze. I rush to fill the silence before doubt creeps back in. "Could be fun to all hang out relaxed, outside of school or practice shit for once ya know..."

I trail off biting my lip anxiously. But then Calum's face transforms, sunlight breaking through clouded tension at last. His answering grin soothes the tense set of my shoulders immediately.

"Yeah Harold, sounds perfect actually," Calum agrees easily, some unnameable shift soothing the air now. As I walk away smiling small but hopeful, and if me extending Calum this invitation happens to nurture a spark between him and a certain sunny blond boy in the process...well, that's just a happily convenient side perk.

Zayn's POV:

Curled together on my couch watching sitcom reruns, my arm loops loosely around Harry's broad shoulders keeping him tucked to my side. His fingers trace nonsensical patterns across my leg with heart fluttering casual intimacy. I melt further under his affectionate trances, admiring the playful glint animating vibrant forest eyes lately instead of wary ice.

"So..." Harry begins, interrupting my lovesick admiration, "I actually spoke to Calum after school today."

My hand stills its rhythmic stroking through his soft curls. I try masking surprise that this was the first I'm hearing they interacted, just humming interestedly.

Harry's thumb swirls another arc over the rip in my jeans covering my inner thigh. I repress a pleasured shiver, forcing my focus back into the conversation.

"And..." he continues hesitantly, "I asked if he might want us all to hang out together sometime? Like casual, non-drama version to just chill." Harry peeks up through his lashes gauging my reaction.