Moments In Time

Chapter 4: Flashback

Four years ago...

"No, it should be in a more 80s style," Liam was telling the band in the studio.

He and Louis were focused on writing while Niall and Zayn were harmonizing another song in the soundbooth. It was time for a new album, and their free time was now spent either writing or recording. Harry and Kacey were busy studying for a college course they were taking on the road, since they weren't needed for either at the moment.

"Why'd we agree to this?" Harry grumbled as he backspaced one of his incorrect answers. "We're rock stars, we don't need college."

"Back up plans are important," she replied, finishing her assignment and sending it in. "It's what my mom says all the time. You need help?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "Just a little bit."

Kacey helped him with his English assignment, and he finished quickly.

"Let's take a break," he said as Zayn came out of the soundbooth. "How about you join us Zayn?"

Zayn grinned and sat on Kacey's other side, pulling her legs into his lap. It didn't mean much, just something he did when the two of them were relaxing together.

"How's the schoolwork coming?" he asked.

"Kacey's a lifesaver," Harry replied. "She helped me with English."

"I could have done that, bro," Zayn protested.

"She's more expressive," Harry replied. "Plus she's easier on the eyes than you are."

Kacey rolled her eyes and smacked Harry on the back of the head playfully.

"Watch it, Styles. Zayn's hotter than any of us combined," she said, laughing as he rubbed the sore spot.

"You're full of it Kace," Zayn replied, blushing a little. One of the producers waved him back into the sound booth and he groaned loudly as he stood up.

"Anyway, I'm needed back in there. Catch you later."

He ruffled Harry's hair and kissed Kacey's cheek before heading back to the soundbooth.

"Kacey Owens, you're blushing," Harry teased.

"Quit it," she whispered, smiling as she began a new assignment. Math, something that she knew she'd need Liam's help for. Zayn was rubbish at it, and Louis would be too distracted to help. She decided to try her best while she waited for Liam to be done, but before she could get too into it, the door opened and Paul, their tour manager, walked in.

"Kacey," he said. "Phone call from home, it sounded important."

"Okay," she replied, putting her laptop aside and fluffing Harry's hair playfully. "I'll be back, guys."

"Where's she going?" Zayn asked, coming out of the booth as Kacey left.

"She has a phone call. Come here and help me," Harry replied. "I'm having problems with this History question."

Zayn rolled his eyes but took a seat, and began to patiently help Harry with his assignment. While Harry was working, Zayn took a peek at Kacey's laptop and winced when he saw that she was working with maths. He hated that subject, so he couldn't help her this time. He caught Liam as he took a break from writing and asked him to discreetly look it over when he had the time. Zayn knew how much this college thing meant to Kacey, so he wanted her to succeed at it.

Thirty minutes later, the door burst open and Paul walked in, looking anguished. He met Zayn's eye and rushed over.

"Kacey needs you guys," he whispered urgently. "All I heard was a crash, glass breaking, and her screaming."