Panic Attack - H.S. AU

Chapter Fifteen

-Angie­-

Almost a month had passed since Austin and I broke up, making this small apartment of mine only feel lonelier and lonelier. I for one, was never good at being alone. 

Every now and then I thought about moving back in with Valerie, but lately the only thing on her mind was Harry freakin' Styles. I supported her for wanting to figure out her feelings, but I felt like now she was taking advantage of his love for her. She was allowing him to become such a big part of her life and next thing I knew, his part in her life became bigger than mine and Valerie didn't even care.

So nowadays, most of my nights were like this, quiet and alone. I'd sit on a stool with a glass of wine in my hand, as I did at the moment and I'd think and think and think.

I thought about everything. I thought myself, my family, my friends, and even my enemies.

As I contemplated my life, I realized something. I was the typical twenty year old. I worked at a typical office job with the typical reason being that I looked good in a pencil skirt. I even had the typical ex-boyfriend that loved me one minute and rejected me the next.

I lived a cliche lifestyle and I was getting bored with it.

I'd never admit it to anyone, but not constantly being around people really brought me down. I was the type of person that depended on others to make me happy. I needed affection and company in order to feel loved. It was practically killing me not having a boyfriend anymore, having a best friend that was barely around, and being miles away from my family. I was very, very lonely.

After taking yet another sip of wine, the sound of someone pounding against my door distracted me from my thoughts. I abruptly stood up from my stool and walked over to the door. As soon as I opened it my eyes widened with surprise when I saw Zayn standing right in front of me.

"It's over," he told me.

I looked around to ensure that no one was eavesdropping before urging him to come inside.

"What are you talking about?" I asked him.

He shook his head and plopped himself onto my couch. "Valerie...she told me that she doesn't have feelings for me anymore."

I sat beside him and said, "I'm sorry Zayn. She's just confused right now."

"Oh, that's bullshit!" He shouted at me.

I'd never seen him so upset before.

He clenched and unclenched his fists and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for yelling. It's just that I could give that girl the entire world and she'd still complain that it isn't enough for her."

I stood up and grabbed the bottle of wine I had been drinking alone off of the kitchen counter. "You look like you could use a drink," I told him.

He sighed and said, "Yes please."

I giggled as I walked over and poured him a glass.

"You know, I think she always knew how lucky she was to have you," I truthfully told him as I set the bottle on my coffee table. "Maybe that's what scared her. She's always been so intimidated by you."

"Really? Why?" Zayn asked, sounding surprised.

I drank another glassful of wine before replying, "Im not sure. I think she's a little jealous that you actually have your life together."

"She could too if she would just let me help her," he defended himself.

"I know, Zayn, but you know how she is."

"Did you know she had the damn nerve to say that I never made her happy? I did everything I possibly could to make her smile."

"It's funny because Austin said the same thing to me. He said things like he was never happy with me and that what we had wasn't even love," I said, feeling more and more disgust and hatred toward him.

Several glasses filled with wine later, Zayn looked at me in a way he'd never looked at me before.

"You know, now that I'm really looking at you. You're actually really pretty, Angie." He said.

"Thanks," I paused. "I think."

Zayn laughed and shook his in head in what was probably embarrassment. "Sorry. That came out wrong. It's just that, to me, you were always Valerie's friend, Angie, but tonight you're just Angie."

"And to me, you were Valerie's boyfriend, Zayn and I was Austin's girlfriend, Angie so... there was that too," I jokingly reminded him.

Suddenly, his face randomly became serious. "Can I ask you something?"

I slowly nodded my head. "Of course."

"Why did you tell me that Valerie didn't want to marry me? Why warn me?" He asked.

I sighed and said, "Because I didn't want you to get hurt."

"Why not? Why do you care?" He pushed.

I wasn't sure if it was the wine talking, but for some reason I just couldn't stop myself. "Because before you and Val were a thing, I kind of liked you... More than a friend should like another friend's boyfriend."

Zayn raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Seriously?"

I guiltily nodded my head. "How could I not? I mean you're successful and funny and ambitious and sensitive and honest and mature and not to mention very, very good looking."

Zayn burst into laughter and I was flushed in embarrassment.

"Sorry, that was weird wasn't it?"

We both laughed even harder and somehow got so close to each other that our lips brushed against each other.

I gasped as soon as it happened and Zayn stared at me with wide eyes.

"Oh my God, I'm so—"

Before I could apologize, Zayn surprised me by pressing his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around him and ran my fingers through his hair. He reacted well and climbed on top of me, eager to take control. Things escalated quickly and next thing I knew I was fast asleep on his chest.

When I woke up, I was lying on the couch alone. He was gone. 

I smiled to myself until what had just happened finally sunk in. I just had sex with my best friend's ex-fiancé.

My phone rang suddenly, causing me to jump with surprise. I frantically searched for it around my living room until I eventually found it hidden between the cushions of my couch. Then, I answered the call, pressing my phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I croaked.

"Angie? Were you in a deep sleep or something?" Val asked me.

I immediately cleared my throat before speaking up, "Yeah. What's up?"

"I need to talk to you."

"About..?"

"Zayn," she said and I felt my chest tighten.

"Um, w-why?" I stuttered.

"Because I broke up with him today for Harry and I just need reassurance that I made the right decision."

I took a deep breath and remained silent over the phone.

"Angie, I don't have time for you to judge me right now. I need you. Please say something!"

If only she knew that the last person to judge anyone right now was me.

A/N: the girl in the gif is how i picture angie