the one that got away, zayn malik

chapter two

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
CHAPTER TWO
18th of november 2011

THE world outside was painted with a chilly autumn twilight, but inside harry's house, warmth enveloped the group like a cozy blanket. the soft glow of fairy lights strung around the living room twinkled against the walls, casting a dreamy light over the scene. the air was thick with the mingling scents of pizza and the faint, tangy aroma of beer, creating a heady atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.

they had transformed the space into a sanctuary of laughter and youthful abandon. empty beer cans cluttered the coffee table, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the beige of the worn carpet beneath. a half-eaten pizza lay in a greasy box, the remnants of their indulgent feast, while vibrant, mismatched cushions were strewn across the floor, creating a makeshift lounge where they could kick back and enjoy the night.

"we did it!" harry exclaimed, his voice bubbling over with excitement as he threw himself back on the couch, the cushions fluffing up around him. his hair, slightly messy from running his hands through it in a moment of glee, framed his face as he beamed at his friends, eyes sparkling with the promise of their newfound success.

"cheers to that!" niall chimed in, lifting a cold can in the air. he had a beaming smile plastered across his face, eyes twinkling with mischief. the sound of metal clinking against metal filled the room as they all raised their drinks in unison, laughter spilling over like the beer foaming at the top of their cans.

olive sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning back against the couch. she watched them, her heart swelling with warmth and affection. these boys, her boys, had become her family over the past year, and the sense of belonging enveloped her like the softest hug. she loved the way they were so unapologetically themselves, their personalities bursting forth in every word and action.

as the pizza box made its rounds, the group dug in with abandon. zayn grabbed a slice and leaned back against the wall, laughter rumbling from deep within him as he took a big bite. "is there any other way to celebrate?" he teased, glancing at olive, who playfully rolled her eyes.

"you're going to ruin your appetite," she shot back, a grin stretching across her face as she snatched a slice for herself, her fingers brushing against his in the process. the moment felt electric, but they both brushed it off, laughter filling the space instead.

"it's just the first of many!" liam chimed in, popping open another can of beer. "we've got a whole tour ahead of us. we need to fuel up!" he laughed, and the sound was infectious, drawing all of them into a haze of camaraderie.

the hours slipped away as they indulged in stories from their x factor days, each memory eliciting a chorus of playful banter and exaggerated retellings. the room filled with echoes of their laughter, weaving together a tapestry of shared history and dreams.

"remember when zayn almost missed the bus?" liam teased, causing another wave of groans and chuckles to ripple through the group.

"i was tired!" zayn retorted, though a broad grin broke across his face. olive felt a rush of warmth at the sight, the playful dynamic between them all radiating a sense of love and acceptance.

as the night deepened, the drinks flowed more freely, laughter ringing out like music. the boys leaned into their reckless side, sharing tipsy stories and crude jokes, their spirits unburdened. olive couldn't help but feel the energy around her shift into something exhilarating, each laugh a reminder of how special this moment was.

niall, ever the instigator, suggested a round of shots. "let's toast to us! to up all night!" he exclaimed, a wide grin on his face as he gathered everyone in front of him, their cans clinking together, a cacophony of youthful exuberance.

"you know we're going to regret this tomorrow," liam laughed, yet he joined in, the thrill of the night outweighing any caution.

as they took the shots, olive felt the warmth spread through her body, the alcohol igniting a fire of celebration within her. she glanced over at zayn, who caught her gaze, his eyes shining with the same reckless abandon. there was a silent understanding between them, a bond forged through the chaos of their lives that made this moment feel intimate and real.

"this is just the beginning," liam said, his tone shifting to something earnest and reflective. his gaze swept over the room, taking in the bond they shared. olive could see the glimmer of ambition in his eyes, and it sparked something deep within her—a collective hope for the journey ahead.

"bring it on!" niall shouted, lifting his can high above his head, and the infectious enthusiasm spread through the room like wildfire. their voices intertwined, echoing with dreams of sold-out arenas and the thrill of performing together. each cheer felt like a promise, an unspoken vow that they were in this together, no matter where their paths might lead.

"just saying, if we ever get rich, i want a yacht," niall declared, as if that were the ultimate goal. "and all of us are invited! we can have fun, maybe even—"

"shag a few girls?" harry teased, raising an eyebrow.

"fuck yes" niall laughed, then suddenly remembered olive was in the room. "olive, you can invite some boys too."

olive rolled her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. "you're disgusting, niall."

they all burst into laughter, the easy banter making the air crackle with energy.
the night wore on, and the group sprawled out on the floor, their limbs tangled together in a comforting mess. olive felt a sense of peace envelop her, knowing that with friends who felt like family, she could dream of a future full of music and adventure.

"we should take a picture!" harry suggested, scrambling to grab his phone, but the moment was lost in another round of laughter as they all piled together, trying to fit in the frame while tipsy giggles filled the air.

"who's going to keep track of this night?" zayn said, throwing an arm around olive's shoulders, pulling her close. "this is going to be legendary, mate!"

"legends of regret, more like!" olive quipped back. she felt safe, surrounded by laughter and friendship.

the laughter began to soften into sleepy murmurs, and the group nestled closer together, the bond between them growing deeper with every shared moment. olive knew they were ready for whatever the future held. the world outside might be vast and unpredictable, but here, surrounded by her boys, she felt grounded. this was home, a place where they could laugh, be reckless, and share their dreams.

together, they would face it all, and this was just the beginning.

AUTHORS NOTE
second chapter complete yay

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