SIX - One Direction

56

A few months have passed since Zayn left the band, and though life has continued, there's an undeniable weight that still lingers in the air. The band has managed to push forward, their fans still loyal and their success unshaken, but every note, every performance, feels slightly incomplete. Zayn's absence is like a hole in the centre of their hearts, a void that no amount of success or applause can fill.

The release of Four was a turning point, a bittersweet reminder of how far they've come. But now, as the band has moved on, the emotions are more complicated than ever. There are moments of hope, of clarity, when it seems like they might have finally found their stride again. But then there are the quiet nights in the studio, the long stretches of silence when Zayn's absence feels more pronounced than ever.

It's the night of an awards ceremony, and though the band is excited about the recognition, there's a certain heaviness in the air. The tension between Harry and Louis, the residual sadness in Niall and Liam's eyes, is always there, even when they're laughing and joking on stage. But tonight, they're determined to make it through without letting that show. The cameras are rolling, the lights are blinding, and the crowd is roaring, but none of that can drown out the reality of Zayn's absence.

When the announcement is made that they've won the award for Four, there's a collective gasp, a swell of pride, followed by a moment of solemn recognition. They all stand, walking toward the stage, their movements mechanical, as though they've done this a thousand times before. But tonight, it feels different. They know that Zayn should be here, that he should be standing with them, receiving the applause.

Liam takes the microphone first, his hands trembling slightly as he steps forward. His voice, though steady, carries the weight of everything they've been through. "Thank you, everyone, for this. Four was a very special album for us, and we couldn't have made it without all of you... or without Zayn."

The room falls silent, a hushed reverence hanging in the air. Alex stands behind Liam, trying to hold herself together, but the lump in her throat is growing, threatening to spill over. She glances at Harry, then at Louis. They both look as though they're holding something back, but there's a softness in their eyes, a recognition of what's been lost.

"Zayn was part of our family," Liam continues, his voice cracking just slightly, "and though he's not here with us tonight, he'll always be a part of One Direction. We wouldn't be here without him. We love you, Zayn , thank you."

The crowd erupts into applause, and though the cheers are loud, Alex hears only the quiet in her head, the sound of Zayn's absence. She feels the tears welling in her eyes, but she blinks them back, trying to focus on the moment. This is a victory for all of them, not just for Zayn. But it doesn't stop the ache in her chest.

As they leave the stage, the applause still echoing behind them, Alex's heart is heavy. She watches Harry and Louis, both of them with their heads down, trying to compose themselves. There's no more animosity between them, not now, not since the time they'd spent apart. But the unspoken words, the things they never said to Zayn, still linger in the air.

Backstage, the mood is strangely subdued. The champagne flows freely, the band members all congratulating each other and laughing, but the undertone of sadness is undeniable. Niall is the first to break the silence, his voice light, but the sadness in his eyes betrays him. "Well, lads," he says with a grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes, "that was... a bit of a rollercoaster, innit?"

Liam pats him on the back. "Couldn't have done it without all of you. This band, this album... it's been one hell of a ride."

Alex watches them all, her mind drifting. She hasn't spoken to Zayn in weeks now, and while she respects his decision, it doesn't stop the ache of missing him. She thinks about the late-night jam sessions they used to have, the times they'd sit around with their guitars and just talk. She misses the sound of his voice, his laughter, the way he'd always give her that sideways smile when she'd say something silly.

Suddenly, she feels a hand on her shoulder. It's Harry. He's standing next to her, holding a glass of champagne, but he's not looking at her. He's staring off into the distance, lost in thought.

"You alright?" she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She's unsure if he's even heard her, but then he looks over at her, his expression unreadable.

"Yeah, just... I don't know, Alex," he says with a sigh, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and sadness. "Sometimes, it feels like we're just going through the motions, you know? Like everything's happening but... it's not really happening, not the way it should be."

She nods, understanding exactly what he means. It's like they're all playing a part, fulfilling their roles, but without Zayn, it's never going to be the same. They've done their best to move on, to record new music, to keep the fans happy, but behind the smiles, the weight of Zayn's absence is heavy.

"We'll get through it," she says, her voice firm despite the sadness she feels. "We always do."

Harry takes a long sip of his drink, nodding slowly. "Yeah... but it's not the same, is it?" he mutters, his eyes distant.

She knows he's right. It will never be the same. But they have to keep going, for the fans, for themselves. For Zayn, too.

A few weeks later, the band is back in the studio, working on their new album, the album that will be their first without Zayn. The process is slow at first, the songs coming together in fragments, each of them trying to find their rhythm again. There's no denying the tension; they're all still grieving, still trying to figure out who they are now, without the one member who had always been there.

One late night, as the others are finishing up in the lounge, Alex finds herself alone in the studio with Liam. He's sitting at the piano, his fingers hovering over the keys, his brow furrowed in concentration. She walks over, leaning against the doorframe as she watches him.

"You know," she says softly, breaking the silence, "I thought this would be harder."

Liam glances up at her, his eyes tired but kind. "What do you mean?"

"I thought... after Zayn left, it'd be impossible to keep going," she admits, pushing herself off the doorframe and sitting next to him. "But it's like we've all found a way to carry on. It's different, sure. But we're still here."

Liam smiles faintly, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "We're still here, yeah. But it's never going to be the same, Alex. I miss him. We all do."

She nods, a lump forming in her throat. "Yeah. I know. I just... I wish things were different. I wish we could've figured it out, you know?"

Liam's fingers press softly against the piano keys, a melancholic tune filling the room. "We can't change the past, but we can still make something good out of the future."

Alex smiles, her heart heavy but filled with hope. "Yeah. We'll make something good."

And in that moment, she realizes that no matter how hard it gets, they'll keep going. Together. And somehow, that will have to be enough.