Drag Me Down (h.s.) EDITING

January 2015

I stood at baggage claim watching as all the suitcases came around on the carousel. I was in England for the week before my classes started back up. I finally decided to bite the bullet and visit the boys on their turf. I kept an eye out for my precious Louis Vuitton duffel that Niall and Zayn had so graciously bought me as a Christmas present. I glanced down and smiled at the matching purse slung over my arm. Apparently they all chipped in but according to Zayn it was his idea and Niall was the one who had it all shipped.

"Lani!" I heard a familiar voice call my name. I looked up to see Zayn making his way through a crowd of people leaving with their luggage. I smiled and waved but immediately turned back around to grab my bag. When I finally managed to grab it without hurting myself or anyone else Zayn was already beside me. He wore his hood up and a pair of dark sunglasses. I could only guess this was his disguise. I looked around and didn't see a hundred screaming fans so I guess it was working. He took my bag from me as we made our way to the nearest exit.

"Your flight was fucking late. How come?" Zayn asked as he glanced around. I'm sure he was trying to avoid paparazzi and fans. If they saw us together I'm sure they would have us dating within seconds, even though he was very much engaged to Perrie.

"Apparently we were a connecting flight for some. When we were taking off in NYC we had to wait like forty five minutes." I yawned as I hoisted my purse higher onto my arm and squeezed my throw blanket closer to me. I was beginning to feel the jet lag. I had left the states at nine at night, flown about eight hours, yet somehow it was noon here. My body was too tired to keep up with all the change.

"The guys will be over later. You can get some sleep and maybe a shower. You look like shit." Zayn said with a huge grin on his face. I wanted to slap the sunglasses off his face and ruin his disguise. If I didn't feel like I had been run over with a truck I probably would have.

"Look, Malik, I'm too tired to physically or verbally assault you at this point." I rolled my eyes as he laughed and pressed the unlock button on his keychain. I watched as the lights flashed on a very, very, shiny black car. It looked like it was worth more than everything I owned put together. I stopped in my tracks.

"Oh, get on with it." Zayn complained as he pulled his hood down and took his sunglasses off.

"This is your car?" I asked dumbly. It was beautiful and sleek and black and shiny. I saw him roll his eyes as a small smile played on his lips.

"Yes, now get in." he had already stowed my bag in the trunk and was getting in on the driver side. I hurried to throw my things in the backseat and climb into the passengers seat.

"Fucking Bentley." I mumbled under my breath. Zayn actually laughed out loud as he reversed out of his parking spot.

The car ride was mostly silent but neither of us minded. I was exhausted. I had worked the previous day, immediately got on a plane after work, and landed in NYC. After that, I was on a plane for at least seven hours to come see my best friends. They were worth it, for the most part. I smiled to myself as I leaned my head back against the headrest. I watched as he city passed us by. This trip would hopefully give me closure or be the beginning of something I've not allowed myself to have.

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"Look whose decided to grace us with her presence!" Louis yelled as he ran up to me and hugged me tight. I hugged him back just as tightly as he hugged me. I had certainly missed him. He took a step back and held me at arms length while raising his eyebrows at me. Zayn had mentioned them coming over and having a "small" get together. So, I decided to put a little effort in to the outfit I chose. I mean, some of the guys hadn't seen me in a number of months. I wore a grey t shirt dress that hit above my thighs, one of Zayn's leather jackets, and a pair of the cutest studded sandals I had ever seen in my life. It wasn't exactly winter attire but we were inside.