Triple Dog Dare *A Zayn Malik Love Story*

Chapter 26

The song for this chapter is Heart Shaped Wreckage by SMASH Cast(: It's a very pretty song!

*Camille's POV*

Zayn's face fell immediately and his pupils grew small at my words. "What?" he asked quietly. The house was silent, the situation becoming increasingly tense as my confession soaked in.

"I- I got the job," I stuttered stupidly. I cursed myself for exposing a weakness, but I was honestly so nervous right now. I didn't want to tell him because I was just as heartbroken as he was- at least I expected I was. "I'm so sorry."

"No," he said. "Don't apologize for that. You have nothing to be sorry for." His expression was blank, but his eyes were soft. He seemed to be thinking. I waited another moment before speaking.

"Are you okay? I don't want to make you upset," I admitted and brought my legs up to my chest, pulling my blanket closer around me. I just wanted to disappear. "I really, really don't want to make you upset."

"I'm not upset," he tried to convince me.

"I know you are," I said.

"I'm not upset with you, is what I mean." He looked at me and pulled his legs up to his chest too and wrapped his arms around his shins as he rested his chin atop his kneecaps. "I just don't want you to leave me, I guess."

My heart couldn't have fallen further into the pit of my stomach if it tried. I suddenly felt like I could vomit at any second. "I'm not leaving you, I'm just leaving... here."

"Yeah, I know. I'm sad, but I'm really proud of you too. I'm so happy you got the job. And before you ask, no, I'm not disappointed in you either." I smiled softly at his all-knowingness. He knew me too well. "When do you have to leave?"

I thought for a moment. "Well, April starts up in a couple days and I'll probably have to leave by May. I'd say I have a little over a month to stay here." He nodded, but he seemed unfocused. "I don't want to leave here, though. This is my home. Here is my home."

"America's really cool, though," he reasoned. "Especially New York. There's lots of places to shop and lots of people and restaurants. You'll love it." His half-smile was an obvious reminder of his distraught feelings. I patted the spot next to me on the couch, suggesting I wanted him to come sit with me. He lifted himself off the chair and trudged over sulkily to me. His normally mysterious and stoic demeanor was withheld as his obvious distaste of Carter's decision sunk in more and more.

He plopped down next to me and I lifted up the blanket to throw over him as well. He kicked off his shoes and then crossed his ankles on the expanse of the sofa, his head leaning into my shoulder. My hand came up ruffle his hair. "I still love you." I said.

"I know you do. And I still love you," Zayn confirmed. "I just need some time to mope around I guess.

"That makes two of us," I breathed.

He smiled and kissed my hand. "Are you going to keep watching Gossip Girl?"

"I don't know. Did you have something else in mind?"

"Not really. I'm too tired. I'd much rather just stay here all night."

I pressed PLAY on the remote to start the next episode. "Gossip Girl it is, then."

. . .

*Zayn's POV*

After dinner we laid on the couch and talked for a long while. The TV show we were watching previously (not Gossip Girl) was abandoned on the screen as we took almost no notice to it. We were both tired but we kept each other awake, just because we didn't want to have to go to sleep. I laid with my head resting on her lap and she fiddled with my hair with her gentle fingertips. She was always gentle, which was one thing I was going to miss about her when she left.