Rebuilding Zerrie

Nesh Idea

ZAYN'S P.O.V.

It was quite rebarbative how both Kiefer and Louis were keeping a close watch on the girl. On the drive to the Golden Musicians studio, the girl was sandwiched between Louis and her brother, unable to sleep because of their unblinkingly staring at her. I smacked my palm on my face seeing how stupid they looked.

Every now and then, I caught her stealing glances at Harry who hadn't taken his eyes off his phone which was something he hadn't done in a while. Not since the girl's little accident. I couldn't help but notice the perturbed look on her face whenever she sees him not looking back. She was on the verge of tears, but managed to compose herself when we pulled over.

***

After the interview, we flooded out the room in a rush since we didn't have anything after that. We were free for the rest of the day. Before I got out of the jail--I mean, interview room, Niall pulled me by my wrist from behind, looking more than a tad brassed off. "What the hell, mate?" He widened his eyes at me, clenching his jaw. "You didn't tell her?"

I winced as Niall's grip on my wrist tightened. "Ow," I groaned. "What the hell are you talking about?" I tried to pull my arm away from Niall but he wouldn't let go. He dragged me to an empty hallway as the others fled to the mini van already.

"Kloe," Niall told me like it was something I should've known. For a while, I had to think about who he was referring to but then it hit me. The girl. Duh. I never did get to remember her name.

I rolled my eyes at Niall, thrusting my arm out of his grasp. "Oh no, not you too." I complained. It only then struck me how much they cared for this girl. Before that night, we would've just passed by her in the street, maybe take a picture with her if she'd asked but now it was different. She was Harry's new rag doll and Niall and Lou couldn't stand that. Of course they couldn't tell Harry off. That's how he was. All they could do was protect the girl from getting hurt and moving on from our lives completely.

That's how it would've been eventually. I don't understand how Niall just can't accept that. "Somebody has to tell her that Harry's just using her," he pierced his eyes at me, so blue it felt like he was casting a spell me. But I couldn't be under his curse.

"Why are you telling me?" I spat at him, not really intending on hurting him. Niall was a good guy. He should just learn how not to care too much about someone who wasn't going to be acquainted with us long-term. Soon, she'd be gone from the tabloids, the tweets and the gossip channels. Nobody would mob her in the streets or call her names. She'd be normal, just like she wanted.

Another attempt at leaving and Niall got even more narked at me. "Because," he pulled me back again by the shoulder, crushing his fingers on my scapula. "You're the one that dragged her into this mess." I couldn't help but admit that he was right. I didn't dare say it out loud, though. "If you hadn't suggested her helping you with your nesh idea, she would never have fallen for the charm of the 'green-orbed flirt' of One Direction!"

"Do you suppose I tell her about Harry telling off the paps about her home address too?" Aw shit. It slipped. I knew I shouldn't have said a word to Niall once the topic of the girl came up. I didn't mean to tell anyone. I swore to myself that I'd keep that a secret between Kiefer and I but it was too late now. The damage had been done.

Niall took his hand off my shoulder to run through his face, stopping at his forehead. He turned his back to me and stared at the redness of the wall and the odd lighting that shone only on the golden record of one of the artists signed by Golden Musicians. "Is that true?" Niall asked, facing me once again. Reluctantly, I nodded. He let out a silent laugh with a twitch on the corner of his mouth. "Is that all?" He asked again.