You're a Mystery // zm

Chapter 23

Piper's POV

The driver so kindly let me go home to get changed out of the dress Zayn had bought me but he waited out in the hallway for me, making sure I didn't try and contact Zayn. I wasn't going to; if this is what was best for Zayn then so be it. I'd move on, I have done it before.

As I packed away some more things in a smaller bag I picked up a hoodie that he had let me borrow one night, out of the pocket fell a strip of paper. I picked it up and studied it; photo booth photos from the night we went to a carnival. I sighed and placed it down on the bed.

Was this right?

Just leaving like this?

Was it right to like Simon just tell me what was happening?

I opened my clutch and pulled out the filthy bribe. I ripped it in half, then again and again until it was shredded and tossed the paper over my bed.d

There was a heavy knock on my door and I sighed picking the bag up, taking one last look at the photos then heading out to where the impatient driver was waiting.

As I got into the car I starred up at the roof of the building, thinking of all the arguments we had up there, all the kisses and laughter, all the longing stares and sneaking glances. Was this is? I mean surely he would chase after me and my pictures would be spread around the internet like wild fire when fans see me at the airport. He would find out by the time im in the air but is it all over now? If it's better for the band, my absence and our relationship ending, maybe it's what is best. Who am I to get in between five best friends trying to live their dream out. They cant deal with girl drama, their supposed to be dealing with fans and themselves.

As we arrived at the airport I was told i'd be taking a private jet out. It was hard to feel special when I knew it was because they were attempting to make me as unseen as possible. The car was parked and the door opened, a new escort helping me out of the car and another man getting my bags. No one's eyes were on me, there were no paps and no one even around to take photos. Zayn would have to find out some other way that I just dumped this all down the drain.

Zayn's POV

I returned to where I left Piper but she wasn't there. I smirked looking around the crowd, she was trying to make me look for her. I skimmed through the unfamiliar faces, entering different rooms not seeing her.

I spent a good time looking for her but no luck. I walked back to where the boys were, asking if anyone had seen her but no one had. Paul hadn't and neither had Eleanor or Danielle.  I grew a little angry, I figured she left because she wasn't having fun and felt awkward but she knew how much this night meant to me, how much I wanted her there.

I left the party early so I could find her and ask her what the hell was wrong with her.

I got home and went upstairs as fast as possible to our floor where I went to her door first. I tried and it was locked. I walked down the hall to mine and unlocked the door pushing it open quickly.

"Piper." I called out but no answer. I walked through the house and she wasn't here. I grabbed her extra set of keys off of the counter and walked down the hall to her flat. I unlocked the door and walked in closing it behind me.

Silence.

I walked down the hall to her room and opened it, finding it messy. Clothes every where, things missing and the bed in a mess. I walked over and there was paper shredded everywhere and underneath it was a photo strip of the both of us. I picked it up and smiled running my thumb over her goofy face. I set it down and starred at the shredded paper. I sat down studying it. On one of the chunks there were the letters "Sim" hand written. I scanned the rest of the pile and sure enough found the "On". It was a check. I could tell by the boarder pieces. I pulled my phone out and dialed her number but it went straight to voice mail. Next I dialed Simon's.

"Hello." He answered.

"What did you do?" I asked standing up.

"WHat do you mean?" he played.

"Simon, where is Piper?" I asked hearing a lengthily pause.

"She didn't tell you she left town? Weird." He said making my blood boil.

"This is my relationship Simon and you need to butt out of it." I yelled.

"you're going to let a girl come between you and your dreams?" He asked.

"If Piper isn't apart of this then I'd throw it all away." I said hearing him chuckle.

"Do you realize how stupid you sound?" He asked.

"I love her." I said hearing silence again. "Are you going to tell me where she is? If you don't help me I promise you I'll try everything I can to get this job ripped away from you." I said hearing a soft chuckle again.

"New York." He answered. "And Zayn." He said making me mumble "mhm".

"You're incredibly stupid." He said as I headed out the door.

"Love makes you do stupid things Simon." I said before handing up and sprinting down the stairs.