The Story of us

Chapter Twenty: Discoveries

ALAS! A NEW CHAPTER! MUAHAHA, SORRY FOR THE LONG UPDATE MY LOVELIES, HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS ONE. LOVE YOU! AND THANKS FOR BEING PATIENT! ;) 

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I watched listlessly as the plates hovered past me, each carrying a delectable-looking piece of sushi. But I wasn't feeling hungry. There was a lump in my throat, preventing me from swallowing anything properly.

"So I guess the double date didn't go well with Zayn, then," sighed Doniya, twirling a pair of chopsticks.

"I'm sorry,Doniya," I lamented, "I know you tried it for us."

Doniya looked at me, expression soft, and shook her head, "It's not your fault, Layla. I guess Zayn's just not ready yet, hmm?" She smiled, though she looked disappointed. "That boy," she sighed, taking yet another plate of sushi off the conveyer belt and setting it in front of me, "Has been moping around the past few days. Clearly misses Niall, but too stubborn to do anything about it. Clearly misses you, but won't admit it. Thinks he's all wronged and to be pitied, the little child, putting on a poker face and acting all high and mighty."

I glanced up at Doniya in some amusement. Sometimes, our words were so similar.

"He thinks Niall and I were going behind his back?" I guessed without much conviction.

"Something like that," Doniya rolled her eyes, setting a plate in front of herself. She furrowed her brow worriedly, "Harry, Louis and especially Liam have been over everyday, trying to talk sense into the moron. It hurts to see them like this," she added sadly, "It's always been the five of them, but now Niall's been kicked out and even relations between the other four are getting strained. 1D just doesn't work when one member is missing."

I felt a fleeting stab of guilt and pain at this.1D was falling apart - because of me. Not entirely, of course... but to know I'd had a pretty big hand in it was a blow to my already delicate state.

My only consolation in all this was Niall Horan.

I remembered back to that day, when Zayn Malik walked right past without even glancing at me. The triplets immediately spouted out their vulgarity and in a flash of fury I'd stormed over to them - but Niall took my hand and held me back.

When I'd looked up at him, confused, he simply smiled at me. "Forget about them, Layla," Niall said, eyes surprisingly genteel given how his friend had just renounced him, "I'll protect you."

The memory of it still gave me butterflies.

"So did Mother really go visit you?" Doniya asked in a dull voice as though she expected nothing better. When I nodded, she exhaled dolefully, "She made her move quicker this time. A bit differently, though. Less hostile and sinister. Maybe she refined the process and cut out what was unnecessary. I sincerely hope so for your sake, Layla."

To say I was confused would be an understatement. It took me several seconds to process Doniya's words. "Are you saying this has happened before?" I asked curiously.

She looked at me and smiled a bittersweet smile.

"Yes," she answered simply, "To me."

I gaped at her, "You?"

Doniya nodded grimly, "Which is why I'm determined not to let the same thing happen to my brother," she explained, then frowned. "But the doofus is busy wallowing in his own misery, not even realising where his biggest enemy lies." Doniya reached out and patted my hand kindly, "I'm sorry for all the grief he causes you, Layla."

"Oh - not at all," I stuttered. Then as sudden remorse assailed me, I grappled with my thoughts and teetered on the edge of speech. "It's - it's really not that bad, Doniya," I admitted. I met her curious gaze and smiled reminiscently, "Zayn's... a good person. He's always tried his best to be good to me..."