SIX - One Direction

53

The atmosphere among the band has grown increasingly tense. Zayn's mood has shifted, his usual spark dimmed. Alex can see it more clearly with each passing day—the way he retreats further into himself, his smile fainter, his laughter a rare sound. It's as if he's slowly pulling away from everyone, a quiet storm brewing inside him. She tries to reach out to him, offering a comforting hand, a listening ear, but he withdraws further, not ready to let anyone in. The more she sees this change in him, the more the worry gnaws at her heart.

One evening, after a long day of rehearsals, as the band is packing up, Zayn pulls Alex aside. She senses the weight of his thoughts, the heaviness in his shoulders, and the look in his eyes that makes her stomach twist. He glances around the room, ensuring they're alone, before he speaks, his voice quiet and shaky.

"Alex... I think it's time," Zayn says, the words tumbling out like a confession. "I can't keep pretending anymore. I need to tell them."

Alex feels her heart sink. She can tell this moment isn't easy for him, and the gravity of his words settles over her. She doesn't hesitate, reaching out to give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll be here, Zayn," she says softly, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her chest. "Whatever happens, I'll be right here."

Zayn nods, his eyes briefly meeting hers, offering a silent thank you. With a deep breath, he gathers the rest of the band. He asks them to sit down, his expression serious, and Alex sits beside him, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The other boys exchange uncertain glances, their faces clouded with confusion and concern. There's an unspoken tension in the room as Zayn takes a moment to collect his thoughts, his gaze flickering to the floor before he speaks again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've made a decision," Zayn begins, his words almost like a weight he's been carrying for far too long. "*Four* is going to be my last album with you guys."

The words hang in the air like a heavy fog. A stunned silence follows, and Alex feels the tension in the room tighten. The shock is palpable, thick enough to cut through. No one speaks right away, each band member processing what Zayn has just said in their own way, the weight of his decision settling heavily on their shoulders.

Niall is the first to speak, his voice soft, filled with disbelief and sadness. "Zayn... you're serious?"

Zayn nods, his eyes brimming with pain, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of his words has drained the last bit of strength from him. "I'm sorry. I've tried, but I just... I can't keep going. I'm not in the right place anymore. I need to take care of myself."

Liam's face falls, and he clasps his hands together tightly, his voice trembling with the raw emotion he's holding back. "Mate, we're a family. We'll help you through this. You don't have to go."

Zayn's gaze softens for a moment, but the resolve in his eyes doesn't waver. "It's not about you guys," he says, his voice cracking slightly. "It's something I have to do for myself. I don't feel like I can be... me, in this anymore."

Louis stands up abruptly, his face twisted with anger and frustration. "So that's it? You're just going to walk away? Leave us all hanging? After everything we've been through?"

Harry, standing at the back of the room with his arms crossed over his chest, doesn't say a word at first, but the tension in his posture is unmistakable. Finally, his voice breaks through, tight with hurt. "You owe us more than this, Zayn. We built this together. You can't just... decide to leave. Not like this."

The anger in their voices cuts deep. Alex can see how much this decision is affecting them, but she also understands the silent turmoil inside Zayn. She knows he's not leaving out of spite, that this isn't about abandoning anyone. It's about him needing to save himself before he loses everything. She feels the ache of both sides—the band's frustration, Zayn's pain—and her heart aches for all of them. Taking a deep breath, she steps forward, her voice quiet but firm.

"Guys... he's not leaving because he wants to hurt us. He's doing what he needs to do for himself," she says, looking at each of the boys in turn. "Sometimes, the hardest thing is knowing when to walk away, even when you love something. He's not just making this decision on a whim."

Zayn looks over at Alex, his gaze softening with gratitude. Her words, her understanding, are exactly what he needed to hear. He gives her a small, bittersweet smile, before looking back at the rest of the band.

"Thank you, Alex," he whispers, his voice filled with an unspoken weight. "I know this isn't what anyone wants, but... I need you all to understand."

The room falls silent again, the tension still thick in the air, but Alex can feel the faintest shift in the energy. There's no easy way out of this, no quick fix for the brokenness they all feel. But maybe, just maybe, in time, they'll come to understand why Zayn has to do this, even if they can't fully accept it yet.