See My Demons (Zarry AU)

Chapter 8

After classes, it was finally time for soccer practice. The coach was planning on announcing who'd made the team in the locker room, before everyone got ready, and Zayn's nerves were shot. He couldn't imagine not making the team, and everyone else making it. Or if he made it and Liam didn't, but Harry did. There were a million scenarios going through his head of how this could go wrong. He takes a deep breath as he sits on the locker room bench beside Liam, boys trickling in until the room was suddenly full of loud voices. 

"Alright alright! Quiet down!" The coach walked into the room, holding a clipboard and a soccer ball under his arm.

Zayn nibbled on his lip nervously, watching as the coach got ready to read the clipboard and the list of names written upon it. Liam said something to the effect of calming down but he ignored him.

"I've got the list of names here, for who made the team. If you didn't make the varsity team don't worry, you've still made the junior varsity." He assured with a nod before looking down at the list.

"Hunter.. Sam, Luke... Romeo, Paul, Tyler...Uh, Harry.. Jack, Aspen, Will... and Zayn."

It seemed like forever for the coach to list out the starting player names. Zayn was practically on the edge of his seat as he listened, gritting his teeth when he heardHarry's name, but feeling nothing but relief when he heard his name last. Every worry he'd had since tryouts came off his shoulders and he leaned back with a relieved sigh.

"Thank god." He muttered, before realizing that Liam hadn't been on the list. He flushed and looked at his friend.

"It's alright. I was expecting JV anyway." Liam assured him, waving a hand.

Zayn can't tell if he's really fine, or disappointed. But he smiled and patted his back, slowly frowning when he realized something as the coach read off backup players.

"Shit. Harry made the team." He whispered to Liam with wide eyes. And Liam wouldn't be there to back him up...

"You'll be fine, man. Don't even worry about it."

Zayn glanced around the room, spotting Harry chatting animatedly with his friends. How he can act like a normal person half the time is beyond him. He's been so used to him being a bully that it baffled him he can actually smile when around other people. He definitely doesn't feel like he'll be fine.

---

Practice went by smoothly, and Zayn stayed behind yet again to practice a little longer and wait for everyone to leave the locker room. He was relieved that there was no shower on, and no sign of anyone being there when he walks inside. He smiled a little and went to his locker, pulling his bag out to start changing. He pulled his shirt off, sighing as he shoved it into his bag. 

"I'm really surprised you didn't make it onto JV."

Zayn practically jumped out of his skin, a hand slapping over his heart as he whirled around with wide eyes. Harry was there, somehow, without him even realizing he was there. How did he do that?

"Why are you always bothering me? Christ." He muttered in annoyance with a shake of his head, looking away to continue pulling his clothes out of his bag. He made to move but Harry was quick to stop him, shoving his shoulder. Hard.

Zayn stumbled to the side a bit, blinking as he looked at him. 

"What the hell??" 

He grit his teeth and let go of his bag, moving to stand in front of Harry. The other male said nothing, just giving him an expectant look. Zayn can feel his heart racing, his fists clenched.

"Well?" Harry raised a brow before shoving Zayn's shoulders.

It's enough to set him off. Before he even knows what he's doing, Zayn lunged forward, his fist connecting with Harry's cheek. 

The pain is immediate, his knuckles aching as he shook his hand and cursed under his breath. Harry blinked in surprise before looking at Zayn, and then he can see the anger that quickly took over his expression. To say Zayn was afraid would probably be an understatement. Especially when he saw the larger male lift his fist up, and all Zayn could do was stumble back to try and get away.

But suddenly he's being pushed back aggressively against the lockers, and a pair of lips are locked with his own. Their needy, parting almost immediately as his tongue shoved its way into Zayn's mouth. At first he was insanely confused, not moving in the slightest as his brain registered what the fuck was going on. Then he's kissing him back, gripping onto Harry's jersey as he kisses him back with equally as much hunger. The kiss is passionate and their teeth bang together from how close their trying to get. Harry's large hand finds it's way to the bit of skin exposed near Zayn's hips, where his shirt rode up a bit.

It didn't register in his brain what's really happening until suddenly Harry is pulling away, looking at Zayn with wide, blown eyes, his lips swollen and bright red. They don't say anything, just staring at each other before Harry backed away and quickly walked off. The door to the locker room opened and slammed shut and Zayn was left their panting, staring at the wall as he tried to register what the hell had just happened.