A Match Into Water (Neeroy Fanfiction)

Chapter 13

Leeroy Payne ambled through the school premises with Niall skipping happily beside him, chirping about how much he'll love Harry, Louis and Zayn. But Leeroy was beyond nervous. He had never done this before and thought maybe it was all too fast. Okay, him and Niall were officially together now but still? It wasn't much of a big thing meeting your boyfriend's friends, was it? Leeroy wasn't sure.

As they entered the lining up part of the school, not many people were here yet. It was still early as Monday's were late registration so maybe that'd make it a bit simpler for him to get a grip and calm himself. He comforted himself with the knowledge that they were genuine nice guys as Niall had promised, and he wouldn't be judged. He wouldn't be judged.

"They're all here!" Niall exclaimed enthusiastically, catching Leeroy's hand and squeezing it encouragingly. Leeroy fought a smile back.

Three boys were walking towards them, looking a little shocked. One of them had coffee-coloured skin and raven hair piled up in a quiff on his head. He had dark chocolate brown eyes and the look of him made Leeroy think he was one of the bad boys. The other boy had pale, fair skin and pale blue eyes. He had feathery hair which styled upwards and he grinned cutely. The other guy was a little broader than the others, with hench muscles and copper-coloured curly brown hair which flowed carelessly in every direction. He had emerald green eyes and little dimples on either side of his cheeks.

All of them seemed friendly. All of them had smiles- from the tanned boys half-smile, to the blue-eyed boys wide smile to the curly ones' great big grin.

"Hello," the blue-eyed boy greeted as they became closer. He held out his hand. "I am Louis Tomlinson, mate. Nice to meet you."

Leeroy shook his hand and grinned. "You, too. Hello, Louis. I'm Leeroy."

The curly boy rolled his eyes at Louis and patted Leeroy on the back. "We know who you are, Leeroy. I'm Harry- Harry Styles." He gave a wink.

Niall rolled his eyes. "Stop flirting with Leeroy, Hazz! He's mine." He cuddled closer to Leeroy and smiled when the older boy wrapped his arms around him.

The russet-skinned boy didn't say much. Instead he stood there with his hands in his pockets, his marbled irises glued to the concrete. He looked troubled and immediately all of the boys stared at him. He didn't glance up.

Niall cleared his throat. "Z, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

Zayn finally gazed up at Leeroy and nodded. "I'm Zayn Malik. Nice to meet you, mate."

Harry bit his lip and looked at Zayn. "Zayn, is there something bothering you? You know you can tell us. We're your friends."

Zayn shrugged. "Just Veronica. She told me she was unavailable tomorrow night and when I asked why, she said she was going on a date. And, like the big brother I am, I asked who. She just won't tell me. I don't even know why." He kicked the gravel angrily.

Harry stiffened and Niall peeked at him. He still hasn't told Zayn? Oh, fuck. That was going to be just perfect. Zayn wouldn't overreact, right? He was a good person. Niall wasn't sure. Zayn could get very mad sometimes and sometimes a little violent but that didn't make him an awful person. No, it didn't. Niall bit his lip. Should he tell him? Was it his place to?

"It's me," Harry muttered quickly, loud enough for all of them to hear very clearly. Niall's head snapped up and as did Leeroy's. Zayn's neck pulled up very slowly until he was in good position to glower at Harry, his marbled eyes scorching into his leafy green ones. Louis swallowed.

"What did you say?" Zayn snapped, his hands balling into fists. Oh, this was going to end up really bad. Niall gazed up and Leeroy who also held his stare. Niall felt Leeroy's hand wrap tightly around his waist and it felt good. Right. Maybe with his boyfriend here with him, it wouldn't be too bad. It was quite convincing.