Illusion (Ziall Horlik) AU

Chapter 7

Niall's POV

After Liam and I both locked up the shop, Liam told me he was going to head home because I might have lied to him that I was going to look around for used instruments people didn't want. Really I was going out with Zayn, even though I heard Liam tell me all day about how I need to be careful around him.

The door opened to the music shop and Zayn walked out with Jace behind him. Jace's green eyes looked at me and a smirk made his way on his face. I rolled my eyes at him, then looked over to where Zayn was walking over to me. He reached an arm out to me that I walked into without thought. The smirk on Jace's face fell after he saw Zayn's arm around my waist, making me smile at the fact I was keeping Zayn from him. I didn't even mind that I bearly know Zayn and he's this close to me, it just feels like this is right.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Zayn." Jace said as he walked away from us. Zayn said bye, then put his full attention on me. I smiled at him and guided him to the club that was just down the street. We made light conversation about how the day was. Zayn went on a little rant about his first art class. I listened to how excited he was and it actually made me feel that same excitement for him.

When we got to the club, I pulled Zayn over to the bar and sat with him close to me. He looked at me like he was trying to remember something about me that I hadn't told him yet, but that look left his face when the bar tender came over and asked us what we wanted. I got a regular beer, then looked to Zayn for what he wanted. He got a glass of water, causing me to laugh at him and tell him I would buy him a drink.

"I don't want to drink at the moment, but thanks." He told me kindly. I shook my head in protest before getting him a beer anyway. He needs to celebrate his first day of college and work and getting out of his flat for more than one minute. But, as we continued to talk he ignored the alcoholic beverage and just drank his water.

"Why won't you just have a drink? We came here to have fun and you're hanging out with an Irishman!" I told him over the music that seemed to be drowning out both our voices as it got turned up for the night crowd that was making its way in. Zayn shrugged before looking over my shoulder. He told me he would be right back and left me sitting there alone. After a few minutes of that, I went to look for him in the direction he went.

I walked into the bathroom, but stopped in my tracks as I saw Zayn take his wallet out and get out three pills. The sink was still running from when I guess he had washed his hands, so he just cupped some water and took the pills. After I watched him squeeze his eyes shut and take a few deep breaths, like he was waiting for those to kick in or something. I might not be into drugs and stuff like that, but I knew he was taking drugs. All of me was telling me that's why he's so different and quiet in some ways. He's probably high all the time and I don't want to be around that.

Zayn turned to the door before I could move. We just had an awkward stare down until I took a step back and ran out of the bathroom. I heard him calling my name, but I wanted to get away from him. If he has to be high on some type of pills to hang out with me, then he's not who I want to be with. I got outside and started walking back home, but a tight grip on my wrist stopped me from going too far. I turned to see Zayn was standing there with his big brown eyes begging me to stop.

"I don't want to be apart of your drug life style. Leave me alone!" I yelled at him, wondering why I felt so hurt and so betrayed for not even knowing him one day. The small voice in my head was telling me that it was because Zayn became this part of my day that I would think of and try to figure out. Without that part, I feel like I won't have something to look forward to. Zayn was stronger than me by allot so he pulled me closer to him and held me there while he looked at me with a serious expression.