Illusion (Ziall Horlik) AU

Chapter 12

Zayn's POV

After Niall left in the morning after he stayed the night with me, I felt a huge amount of guilt run through my body. I knew that no matter how much I wanted to ignore the fact that real life Niall was just as perfect as dream Niall, I just couldn't. I didn't mean to continue on with the kiss, but my heart told me to.

I liked the way Niall was being so nice to me and so interested with my life. Jace has changed so much in the month we've been together. It might have started the first time he slapped me or it might have been the first time I forgave him, but I've become his personal punching bag. He's still really sweet and always makes sure that he can make me smile or laugh, but the bruses on my body are still there. The fact that he gets drunk and shows up at my flat is still what scares me. The way he can change from happy Jace to pushing me into furniture is still there, no matter how many kisses I get as apologies.

After I got showered up and ready for my classes, my phone started ringing. I locked the door to my flat before answering it. I didn't bother looking at the caller ID because I knew it was Jace. He had blocked Louis' number on my phone, so I knew it wasn't him. The only time I talk to him is when Niall is on the phone with him and I get to have a few minutes of talk time. Jace doesn't know I call Niall and text Niall all the time because the contact name in my phone is just the letter N.

"Hey, I'm waiting down here for you." Jace said happily. I hurried down the stairs of the building, then ran out to where Jace's car was waiting out front. I got in and leaned ove to kiss him, but part of me was praying that he couldn't taste Niall's lips on mine because I still could. I pulled back and smiled at him.

"Happy one month anniversary, babe." Jace told me before he drove off. I smiled and played it off like I remembered today was our anniversary. He reached over with his hand and laced our fingers together as he drove me to school. When we got to campus, I leaned over and kissed him one more time before getting out.

"So after work we can go out for dinner, yeah?" I nodded to answer Jace and walked away from his car.

I walked into my class and took a seat in the middle of the seats, but when my professor saw me, he called me to him. I got my stuff with me and walked over to him. His eyes were glued on a paper of mine, then he looked at me. I've never spoken to any of my professors, so this was causing my stomach to flip with nerve and my hands to sweat.

"Your paper you turned in last week was exceptional. I know this is only your first year, but I wanted to invite you to one of my lecture banquets that usually last year students go to. It's a lecture over modern literature, just like your paper was written about. It will be after winter break. You can bring a friend or companion, but this would mean allot if you could go. I think you could get allot out of it." My professor offered to me. I smiled at him and felt me nervousness go away because this was a good thing.

"I'll definitely be there. Thank you so much." I replied, then went back to my seat. Just as I sat down, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked it and saw it was a text from Niall seeing if everything between us was still okay even after last night's accidental snog. I text back that we were still fine and to just keep it a secret between us so that I don't get in trouble with Jace. Once our text conversation ended, I did what I always do and delete the messages just to be safe. I could loose allot of things and friendships, but Niall isn't one I'm willing to give up. I gave him up in my dream, I'm not doing that in real life.

When all of my classes were finished and I had finished working, Jace and I got in his car and he drove us to some restaurant. It wasn't a nice one because neither of us wanted to go change our clothes. Plus, it's only a small anniversary, so he told me he just wanted to celebrate but not go all out. We ended up at some sea food restaurant and were taken to a table in the back.