✔ A Sky Full of Stars [Zarry AU]

Chapter Twelve

"She was a genius of sadness, immersing herself in it, separating its numerous strands, appreciating its subtle nuances. She was a prism through which sadness could be divided into its infinite spectrum."

Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated.

"Let's see, we can confirm one of these to be your single. I think New Age would be a good single. What do you say, Herman?" Liam asked as Herman nodded in approval. Harry's demo recording of his first original song 'New Age' went pretty well. After talking to Liam and Herman about the songs, he went out with Sophie for lunch.

He didn't see Zayn anywhere. Niall had mentioned him, saying that he would be in the other studio recording. Later he went for lunch with Sophie who kept on talking about all the publicity that would start after his first single gets released under the record label.

*

Harry was unlocking the door to his flat when he heard something fall down inside. Probably a book. He swallowed a breath as he opened the door to see Zayn sprawled on the couch, with a phone in his hand as he was playing some game. "Back from your date Harry?" Zayn asked without looking at him as Harry rolled his eyes in response and closed the door behind him.

"How did you get in?" Harry asked as Zayn smiled and looked at him. "Cameron gave me the spare keys. Nice lad."

"Huh." Harry replied as he sat down on the couch and sighed. "Kindly leave, I have to relax and it's not a good time. Go back to Crystal or something."

"God, why do you always bring her up?" Zayn asked as he got up from the sofa and walked closer to Harry who looked up at him. "We're just dating, she's not my fucking wife or something. It's not even serious, she doesn't know anything about me!" Zayn was yelling at his face, his arms on either side of the couch as Harry hissed at him.

"Then just go to your fucking mansion!" Harry yells as Zayn seals his future words with a kiss. Harry gasps as Zayn was now sat on his lap, kissing him like there would be no tomorrow as Harry held Zayn's waist tightly and pulled him closer. "Fuck, you smell amazing." Zayn whispered as he let go of Harry's lips and started working on his neck while Harry moaned.

"Wait." Harry said as Zayn was pulling the hem of his shirt. "Please... just, stay still." He whispered as Zayn raised an eyebrow in confusion but eventually stopped his actions. He was about to get up from Harry's lap but the man won't let go of his waist. Zayn stared right at Harry who let his hand roam around Zayn's face for a minute, simply caressing his face as he smiled.

"Well, you do realize you pretty much have a perfect face, don't you?" Harry asked as Zayn smiled. "I do know that, thank you. Are you okay?" He asked as Harry nodded.

"I... I'm not dating Sophie, Zayn. She's got a girlfriend. By the way, her girlfriend's name is Harriet. She has brown hair, green eyes like me and even a side dimple." Harry said as Zayn chuckled. His eyes were bright, he seemed amazed by that. He peeked Harry's lips before getting off him. "That's kind of cool. How are you doing though?"

"I... I'm okay." Harry said with a smile. "You should go now, I have some things to do."

Zayn groaned as he looked down at his feet then back at Harry. "I came here for a good time but I guess today ain't my day. See you babe." Zayn said with a smile as he walked straight out of Harry's flat.

Harry laid on the couch with a small smile on his face as he chuckled to himself.

*

"I knew there was something." Sophie said as Harry chugged down his beer and laughed. "Something? I'm going insane!" Harry exclaimed almost angrily as Sophie sighed. It's almost 11:30am and Harry feels lucky that Sophie decided to come over, and brought company which Harry didn't actually mind, it felt nice to see Harriet. She was as pretty as she was in the picture.

"She really did that? I'm sure she would have thought you would be like... you know? Those movie types, the hero's best friend who always help the girl get the guy in the best way? Tells her all the things that the guy likes?" Harriet asked as Harry nodded. They were sat on the floor, there was wine and beer everywhere and Sophie decided to let him have his night.

"Thank you though, I know I shouldn't disturb you two..." Harry said as Harriet smiled. "No it's okay, I get it. I actually wanted to meet you though, probably not in this condition but I can tell that you're a great person." She replied with a smile as Harry chuckled.

"Zayn gave her my number. Is he nuts? What does he want from me? Does he want me to become his best man or what?" Harry muttered as Sophie looked at him wearily, trying to keep the bottles out of his way.

It crashed into him when he had reached home with his lunch with Sophie. He was tired, hoping for a good bath when he opened the door to his flat when his phone beeped, indicating a message as he wondered if it was Sophie. He checked it, it was an unknown number.

UN: Hey. Crystal here! I wanted to ask you something if that's okay with you. Zayn gave me your number :)

Harry: Hii. Sure, anything you want.

Crystal: I want you to be honest with me, I've tried asking his friends at the management but they won't tell me! You're his good friend, so please. Promise?

Harry: Okay... what is it about?

Crystal: Zayn's been ring shopping! I heard it from Liam while he was taking to Tony, and he was avoiding the question so bad! I love surprises and he asked me to be his girlfriend when we first met so that's something, right? Is he really?

Harry thought a lot about it. He didn't wanted to tell her that he wasn't, he didn't wanted to tell her that he was. He told her the truth about it.

Harry: I would tell you babe but I don't know myself. We haven't really talked for a while, I'm sorry.

Crystal: Aw okay :( I got excited for a bit there. He's good, you know? I would say yes in a heartbeat.

Harry: Yeah, he's good... I have to go now, love. Talk later?

Crystal: Sure! Tell me if you know anything, don't hide ;)

Then somebody barged into his flat and it's Zayn. He can't think straight, he doesn't know what he's supposed to do. Zayn had told him that nothing was serious with Crystal and later the lady tells him that they've been in this serious relationship for a while. He wants to tell Zayn to stop, he knows that Zayn is a good guy from all the things that he has heard so far. He was dedicated to Julia and so he must be dedicated to Crystal too. But Harry wants to tell her that he isn't, that he's still messing around with him, but he can't.

He's not a wrecker, but he doesn't want Crystal to get cheated on. Nobody deserves that, and he doesn't want Zayn to think of him as his personal toy, because he's had enough of being one. Of being played, of being used.

He lets the alcohol take him as the last thing he remembers before he passes out was Harriet whispering something to Sophie as his manager yells a little before grabbing him as he closes his eyes.