The Other One | Payne

2 | Touch

"We want to form two groups. We've decided to put you both through."

Those words were the words of the infamously dickheadish Simon Cowell. Liam knew what he was capable of. He had known him two years prior and for this moment in time, as he stood by some equally talented and much more handsome boys, he thought that maybe the two years difference had changed Simon.

It didn't.

But still, Liam had faith. His judgement was clouded by the fact that he was now in a band--in a band with four other amazing guys. He was so excited for the journey ahead and he really believed that this year would be different; that Simon would treat him like more of a person and less of a cashcow.

The weeks went on and the band, now officially named "One Direction", were in the live shows. Night after night, the boys fantasized what having fame would be like and week after week, they killed it.

As the months went on, the boys got closer and closer. Louis and Harry were stuck like glue and the same could be said for Zayn and Liam. Niall was in his own little world, to be honest, and he didn't really need companionship. While Louis and Harry were in their own little world, absolutely and utterly in love with each other, thinking that nothing could go wrong, Liam and Zayn were a bit more practical than that.

It was no secret that they were crushing on one another, but it was especially a problem when Liam started dating Danielle. It was never official until after he turned eighteen, but they still dated on the show as well.

Zayn was brokenhearted about it. In general, he was the dress in their non existant relationship and things just weren't going well on his part. Zayn was hoping that his advances were working, but Liam still didn't get the hint. At least, not until that short span of time that Danielle broke up with him.

It was a sad week for Zayn. His grandfather had just died and they had a performance to do. Zayn went back home for a few days to stay with his family and came back on Friday to learn the chorus to the song. Simon decided not to give Zayn a solo since he would most likely break down.

It broke Liam to watch him. Of course, most times Danielle was by his side and he didn't have time to cheer him up. Zayn was on the verge of tears as they performed "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. After they finished, the boys engulfed him in a hug. Liam especially.

"It's okay." Liam whispered in his best friend's ear. The performance went off without a hitch and impressed the judges.

Liam went to Zayn's bunk after dinner and held him. Zayn had left dinner early, not wanting to socialize and Liam followed him not long after.

Zayn was crying into his pillow. It was such a heartbreaking thing to see Zayn cry. It wasn't very much that Zayn cried and especially not in front of people. That's simply too much. He didn't like other people to bother him, yet Liam didn't care. He was going to bother him anyway.

Liam got into bed with Zayn. Zayn turned around to face his best friend.

"Hey." Liam whispered. Zayn didn't say anything back, but Liam got the notion of a hello in the way Zayn's eyes moved and how he slightly smiled. It was small, but it was there.

"Mate, c'mere." Liam said, pulling Zayn's body closer to his.

In the heat of the moment, both boys looked at each other's lips and for a few seconds, Liam thought about leaning in, but he knew that he shouldn't. First of all, he wasn't gay. Second, Zayn was his best friend. Third, Zayn was vulnerable right now.

Liam nearly kissed his best friend. He was still looking at Zayn's lips and he was still thinking about it.

"C'mon then." Zayn muttered, closing the gap between their lips and kissing his best friend.

At first, Liam was in a state of shock, pulling back from the kiss immediately, but then Liam saw how disappointed Zayn looked and he leaned back in. They kissed with passion and heat. It was no simple peck. They were full on snogging.

Zayn pulled back, "W-what about Dani?"

Liam smiled, "I'll break up with her for you."

Zayn's smile was wider than Liam's dick at this point. He looked so happy and Liam didn't have the heart to tell the olive skinned boy that he loved Dani. Liam was stupid. He had always been stupid. He was an utter dumbass.

He played with Zayn's heart and in return, Zayn played with his and started to date Perrie. At the time, it was to spite Liam, but eventually Zayn fell for her and that was where our story began.