Perhaps, Maybe, I Dunno (boyxboy)

Chapter 24

Wow, has it really been two months? Sorry for not letting you guys know, but I was on a bit of an unannounced hiatus. I couldn't do everything I needed to do and still write this story, so I took a break. Sorry for not posting an announcement about it, but I felt really guilty every time I even opened the Wattpad app. I have a whole bunch of chapters prewritten already, so expect reliability from me from now on. I expect to be done by the beginning of September, so hang tight!

Harry's been at the hospital for days, now. He would go home, but then he'd have to face his parents. He could go to Zayn's house, but he doesn't even know if Zayn will be there, and he doesn't think he can handle it if Zayn isn't. He doesn't have anywhere to go, really, but Harry's kind of okay with that. He's made friends with some of the interns and first year residents. They're around his age, so they didn't ask him too many questions. They've all been a great help: showing him hiding spots that are rarely checked by security, smuggling in toothpaste and spare clothes, and just keeping him company. His favorite one is this boy called Shahid. He's a bit on the stockier side, and he's Pakistani, just like Zayn. Harry knows this isn't the only reason he likes him, though. Shahid can make a joke out of anything and everything, and it's his humour that's keeping Harry from having to face his reality.

"Hey, Harry," Shahid says, setting his clipboard down and sitting on the ground next to Harry, "how's the hospital life?" Harry doesn't have to look to know who it is. He grins to himself and closes his eyes.

"Wouldn't you know, Dr. Khan," Harry shoots back, trying not to let his grin slip into his words. Shahid notices anyway.

"I can practically hear your dimples, Harry," Shahid says, matching Harry's grin with one of his own. They sit side by side like that for a while, two dark profiles against the stark, white walls of the hospital.

"Hey, do you want me to show you somewhere cool?" Shahid asks, turning his head to face Harry. Harry looks back at him and nods excitedly. His life hasn't exactly been a party lately, and with every passing second, he's feeling hopelessness seep into his skin. Shahid stands up and offers Harry his hand, pulling him to his feet. He doesn't let go of Harry's hand as he pulls him down the hallway, through the activity and chatter of the hospital. He takes a sharp left, dragging Harry behind him into a dark room. Shahid lets go of Harry's hand, and Harry just stands there, eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. He can hear Shahid scuttling around the room, and suddenly, the lights flicker on. Harry looks around to see that he's in an empty operating room. The operating table is laid out in the center, and the surgical tools are lined up evenly, like rows of perfect teeth. There are screens and devices and metal contraptions that Harry has never even seen before, and it kind of overwhelms him, being confronted with so much that he doesn't know.

They stand there in silence for a while before Shahid speaks up.

"You're awfully lucky, you know," he tells Harry, walking back towards him. Harry raises an eyebrow.

"And why do you say that?" he asks, with a hint of teasing in his voice. Shahid just smirks.

"Because," he replies, "I could have led you into an active OR." Harry rolls his eyes, and crosses his arms indignantly.

"How do you know I wouldn't want to see a live surgery?" Harry questions him. Shahid's smirk never leaves his face.

"Harry, when you came with me for rounds yesterday, you hid your face behind your hands every time someone even mentioned the word 'blood'."

"Did not!" Harry argues, but he can feel his face turning an unflattering shade of red. He can't help it. He's very squeamish around blood. He can see Shahid silently laughing at him, so he gives him a little shove. Shahid almost falls onto the operating table, and he goes to push Harry back. By the time his hand reaches Harry's chest, though, Shahid's hand doesn't move. He holds his hand on Harry's chest, and then slowly drags it down. Harry wants to get lost in Shahid's touch; he really does. He wants to escape the confused state that his life is right now and just lose himself. But as Shahid's hand travels the length of his torso, all Harry can think about is how much he'd rather have Zayn's hand on him. When Shahid's hand reaches the button of Harry's pants, Harry puts his hand on Shahid's to stop him. Just as he does this, the door to the OR opens, and Zayn peeks through. They both freeze.

"Oh!" Zayn exclaims in surprise, "I was just looking for Dorothy Styles' room." Harry tries to conceal his face with his curls, but Zayn peers closer.

"Harry?" he asks. His gaze shifts to the left.

"Sha?" Harry and Shahid both look up at the same time, and Harry's surprised to see a look of guilt flash across Shahid's face. He looks away, though, and Harry doesn't know what Shahid's face looks like when Zayn's fist comes swinging straight at him.

UH OH.