Empty.

Chapter Three

it's been a real long time and i rushed through this so you'd have some sort of update. i hope you all enjoy, and again i'm really sorry it's taken so long :(

"Zayn?"

Harry pulled back the boys covers and Zayn hissed, tugging them back.

"It's 12:00, Zayn; you're really, really late."

"Skipping today... don't feel good..." He murmured into his duvet. There was silence for a moment before he peeked out from behind it. “Why do you care? You usually let me sleep in.”

Harry gulped, sitting up straight with his bottom against the pads of his feet. He had been leaning over Zayn’s face, sitting on the empty side of the bed, for the past 5 minutes, trying to wake the boy up.

“What are you doing today?” Zayn smirked, sitting up and leaning against his elbows, groaning.

Harry ignored his question. “What’s hurting you?” Harry questioned, sliding closer to Zayn, turning his body so he’d be able to lean against the boy.

“I feel like someone’s bashing me in the head with their maths book,” He sighed, wrapping an arm around Harry’s shoulder.

Harry nodded sympathetically, and thought about making him a soup, but his stomach churned in protest.

“Did you go out yesterday, Haz? Before class, I mean.” Zayn questioned, slipping a hand into Harry’s curls. “I came home early for lunch before my shift at the record store and expected you to be here, but you weren’t.”

Harry held his breath for a moment as he thought about yesterday. He wasn’t going to bring it up to Zayn but now he had no choice.

“I, erm… I went to the park actually.”

Zayn made a noise, and Harry turned red. “What?” He squeaked.

“It’s the boy, right?”

Harry’s face was aflame.

“No!” He countered, “I went for a walk.” This was true, but not entirely. He went for a walk in hopes to catch the group of boys who sang songs in angelic voices. The boys eyes were imprinted in Harry, and he couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Zayn chuckled, and the sound warmed Harry up. After a moment of embarrassment Harry cracked a smile. “Maybe,” He giggled. Zayn squeezed Harry and they looked at each other. Zayn embrace and eyes were warm.

“Fancying someone feels nice, right? It feels sweet and warm and it gives you hope.” He smiled. Harry reached up and pinched his scratchy cheek.

“Do you fancy someone, Zayn?” It was the older boys turn to turn red. He was quick to burrow himself under his duvet again. Harry chuckled, and slipped out of the boy’s bed.

As he walked away, tiptoeing on the floorboards, he called over his shoulder. “I’m going out!” He could hear Zayn sputtering behind him as he shut the door to his room.

*~+~*

Harry had forgotten how beautiful nature was.

Every Sunday when he walked to the cafe with Zayn he kept his eyes on his feet, barely looking up. Today was different however. Harry was looking around, taking in his surroundings with every breath. The leaves had fallen already, but the bare trees had beautiful shapes, and the lingering birds were equally breathtaking. 

Harry hadn't found beauty in anything in years. 

Just three days ago, everything and everyone, including him, was ugly. The trees were ugly, people were ugly, everything was ugly and everything was fucked. Everyone but Zayn.