Confess Your Sins [Ziall AU]

Chapter 5

It was a lovely Friday afternoon when Niall Horan made his way straight to the church after school. Despite the wonderful weather, Niall had a generally shitty day. He had left his homework from the night before undone, earning him a detention on Monday. Worse, he had forgotten to bring his lunch with him in the morning, so he had to go hungry the whole day as he didn't have any spare change to buy something at the school cafeteria, not that he'd want to after hearing all those nasty rumours about how crappy and distasteful the food served there was.

He let out a loud sigh as he stepped out of his regular clothes and fumbled into the cassock that was hanging on the rack. Earlier on today, Niall had considered telling his father about stopping this arrangement. He felt that he was done with this whole confession business. He was going to be a senior soon, and would be overwhelmed with college and university applications and finals such. He needn't be bothered with a job; that he could somehow get over the summer. Needless to say, that wasn't the only, or even the main reason why Niall wanted out.

He was done with being used. He'd come to a conclusion the night before that Zayn had used him, and now that he thinks about it, his own father probably is too. What else do you call dumping your son to do a boring job you yourself wouldn't do but is still obliged to?

Niall knew he won't be able to get off listening to confessions until September, that was in four months, four months too long. He admits that he'd grown bored of this complete waste of time from day one. Yeah sure he would on occasion chance upon someone with a good story to tell. But what use of it when he doesn't even know who they are? Worse, he'd been so used because of this. Zayn used him and he felt dirty now. Obviously he didn't know why Zayn did it, but all Niall knew was that he wanted nothing better than to forget that day ever happened.

The familiar jingle of bells snapped Niall out of his thoughts. He sighed inwardly as he picked out the prayer book and waited a moment, giving the person time to be seated.

"God knows all, and none is hidden to him. Bring your iniquity to Him and He shall wash you clean," Niall droned, already yawning inside.

"Niall." The voice was familiar. All too familiar. Flashes of that day in the office burned through his retinas. Those rough but gentle hands all over his body, hot breath on his skin, whispers of his name. It's him. No doubt it is.

"The Lord hears and forgives," Niall said stiffly, after a moment of excruciatingly awkward silence passed between the two boys separated by the screen.

"Hey, is this the right time? I'm sorry I should've called earlier or something.." Zayn's voice laced with concern sounded from the other side of the screen.

Niall had so many things he wanted to tell Zayn. He had so many questions, so many hurtful feelings to express. None of which could seem to escape his throat right now. What was Zayn playing at?

"I'm here to apologise for ignoring you at school. I really shouldn't so that. Shit, I like you so much I can't even speak properly," Zayn said, making Niall's breath hitch. Zayn did not just say that he liked Niall. He's probably just lying, Niall reasoned with himself.

"I've liked you for a while now, but have been too afraid to admit it," Zayn said quietly, voice dropped to an almost low whisper. "Ever since you first started school you've caught my eye. Fuck, that probably sounded really cliché right? Ugh, I don't know anymore. It physically hurts looking at you cause you're actually so gorgeous. You have no idea how hard this is for me. I barely know you and I'm so mesmerised by you. And to top it off, you're a boy. I really don't know what to do in situations like this. Usually when I like someone I'd just tell them and we'd get together, and I would not have to be bothered with what other people think cause you're supposed to date girls and such. And shit, you're the first guy I've ever liked and I was wondering if you might, even in the slightest bit, like me back?"