Damaged // Zayn Malik

four

I looked over to Ava who was now giving me a death stare. I did feel bad, but it wasn't my fault.

I knew exactly how she felt about Liam and I couldn't blame her, he was gorgeous. The past few months, every time we have hung out, Liam had seemed more affectionate towards me. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to hurt Ava, but I also didn't want to reject Liam and lose him as my best friend.

"I've never seen this film before" Liam whispered to me as the film started. We were watching 'The House Bunny'. Ava chose the film because it always made us laugh.

Through the duration of the film, Liam kept looking down at me. I could tell he was looking at me because Ava kept looking in our direction. Halfway through the movie, Ava's phone vibrated, so she got up from her bed and walked over to it. She read a text before speaking.

''I'm gonna call my mum.'' Her voice broke. I looked up at her worriedly.

''What's wrong?'' I sat up and I heard Liam huff. ''What's the matter?'' I repeated when Ava didn't answer me.

''It's James'' James is Ava's brother, who has been in trouble with the police a few times. Me and him had a little 'thing'. We were never official, we just fooled around a bit. He was my first kiss. None of her family knew what he had got into trouble for, I guess he never offered that information. I could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry.

''He, um... was beaten up by a group of boys last night and is in hospital.''

''What?! Is he ok?'' I got up from my bed and started to walk over to her.

''My mum said that he is ok, he just has a lot of bruises and aches.'' She told me as I pulled her into my chest.

''Who would do something like that?'' A few tears fell from her eyes, but she wasn't inconsolable.

''I don't know, but I need to go and call my mum.'' She said as she began to pull away from me.

''Okay. Come and get me if you need me.'' I said to her as she left the room.

"Who would do something like that?'' I asked again as I turned to Liam.

''I don't know. Just some low life without a care for other people.'' He sat up on my bed and was now resting against the headboard. I walked over to my bed and sat next to Liam, mimicking his actions of leaning against the headboard. ''Do you want to carry on watching the movie?''

''I'm not really sure'' I answered truthfully ''That's scared me a bit'' Liam moved closer to me and put his arm around me.

''Beth, he will be fine. Just try not to think about it'' He half smiled at me. He focused on my face and glanced down at my lips. Before I knew it, he was gradually leaning in. Was he about to kiss me? He continued leaning in. Shit, he was about to kiss me. What should I do?

A bunch of thoughts ran through my mind. Did I want this to happen? Would this make things awkward? What if Ava finds out?

Was this really happening?

Before I had a chance to fully process what was happening, our lips were almost touching, just inches away from each other. I had prepared myself enough, but then the dorm door opened.

Ava.

I jumped away from Liam, who seemed a bit shocked by my actions. His cheeks flushed a bright red, which I'm sure mine were too, but he didn't look away from me.

''Um... I forgot my jacket'' She looked so upset. I could've sworn that she was about to cry. She hadn't exactly had the best 10 minutes.

''I... um... I... ok'' I couldn't get my words out quick enough and by the time I had responded to Ava, she had already exited the room again. I stared at the wall next to the door and then shifted my eyes to stare at the movie that was still playing on the TV.