International Love. ✈ z.h.

four ~ ❝running and hiding.❞ ✈ (i.)

Niall

Oh, God. Of course, the man that I wanted to see the least was sitting right in front of me, waiting for me to take his order as I cleared my throat. My eyes flickered over to my left and I saw the Liam Payne sitting across from Zayn, still looking at his menu before he placed it down and looked up at me, brows furrowed as he sent me a small smile.

"Are you okay?" I nodded, trying to bring myself out of it as I placed my notepad and pen back into my apron.

"It's just, I'm about to go on break so, I'll have Lily cover for you guys, okay?"

"Niall could we talk—" I didn't let him finish as I started to walk away, untying my apron in the process and quickly making my way to the employee break room. I could hear him and Liam talking about what just happened, and I tried my best to tune it out as I switched out my work shirt for my regular shirt. The door opened, revealing Lily and her bright smile as she was tying her long hair into a ponytail.

"Hey Ni! Are...you okay?" I folded my apron and shoved it into my cubbie, sending her a small smile as I shook my head.

"Not really no; do you mind covering my tables for today? I'm not feeling too well..." She nodded, telling me not to worry about it as she patted my shoulder and took out her own apron.

"I've got it! I hope you feel better." I smiled, grateful for her easy going attitude as I opened the employee door. I immediately felt the door smack into something hard, wincing as I closed it and turned to whoever I'd hit.

"I am so sorry—"

"I need to talk to you." I furrowed my brows and saw that it was Zayn, rubbing his forehead but still looking determined as I bit my lip and shook my head.

"I don't think this is something we should do here; let's just drop it? Please?" I pushed past him, finally getting outside the diner and about to head to my car. Before I could even get any farther his hand was gripping my wrist again, stopping me as he spun me around and grabbed my shoulders.

"I don't want to drop it. Perrie...she wasn't directing her attitude towards you. She has some stuff going on and the almost kiss—"

"I don't want to talk about it! Zayn please just leave me alone, and let me go." I started to tear up, feeling anxious as he started to step closer to me. I hated when I started to cry; I didn't want him to think I was upset. Well I was, but it was more out of frustration than sadness. Why wouldn't he just let it go? Why couldn't he just simply leave me be, instead of looking for answers? He was right in front of me now, leaning close towards my face, eyes begging me to listen as he wrapped his other arm around my waist.

"Please..." I shook my head as I pulled myself out of his grasp, stepping back and furrowing my brows. I felt angry, wondering why he would try to lead me on like this. What about Perrie? Didn't he have a girlfriend? There was so much to think about, to consider as I scoffed.

"I don't know what your problem is; you don't even know me!" With that I was running to my car, getting in and slamming the door shut and starting the engine. I sped off, the tears running down my face as I was suddenly invaded with thoughts of...of someone that I thought I'd forgotten a long time ago. Why was he suddenly crossing my mind? He wasn't anything like Zayn; Zayn was gentle, a little pushy, but gentle.

But him...he was everything but. I tried to get his thoughts out of my brain as I drove home, wanting to just bury my head in my pillows and sleep everything off. I pulled into my lot and quickly entered the building, getting to my apartment and turning on the TV. Just as I was reaching for some water I heard the news reporter talking on the news, pausing at what she was saying on screen.

Breaking News! Is international pop star Zayn Malik involved with one of many Youtubers, Niall Horan? The two were seen in front of Tracy's diner in L.A., having some sort of altercation ending with the blond boy storming away and the singer agitated as he gave up and went back into the diner. What does this mean for the two? What does this mean for Zayn and his girlfriend, hit singer Perrie Edwards? More news on them online, and stay tuned for photos! 

I sputtered when I saw photos of the two of us arguing, the last one being of me in Zayn's arms while he was staring down at my lips. I could feel where he touched me burning as if it was a reminder that he was there, jumping when my phone suddenly started to ring in my pocket. I fished it out and saw Harry's name, clicking the green button and pacing around my living room.

"Hello?"

"Niall? Christ, what the fuck is going on? There's a shit ton of people outside your apartment!" I furrowed my brows and jogged over to my window, gasping as I pulled back the curtain. A couple of news vans and gossip columns were gathered outside my complex, Harry and Louis trying to push their way through down below.

"God, I'm sorry Harry! Did you see the news?"

"Louis did; we wanted to check and make sure you were okay. Oh—Hey! Don't touch me there! The hell is wrong with you?" He hung up, Louis going in front of Harry and effectively shoving his way past the crowd, Harry following him as they both sprinted for the entrance. I went to my apartment door, opening it to see Louis and Harry tumble into the hallway from the stairs. They slammed the door shut behind them, and as soon as they got to their feet it was open again, fans, reporters, and cameras following behind as they tripped and fell into my apartment.

"Close it, close it!" They shouted in unison, and it didn't take me long to do as was told as I shut the door and locked it. I leaned against it and fell to the floor, sighing as I ran a hand through my hair. Louis had reached for the remote and shut off the TV, sitting down next to me and tilting his head.

"You going to explain everything?" I did, twiddling with my thumbs as I did so. Harry scoffed while Louis had a small smile on his face.

"Sounds like he likes you," He mused, getting up and going to the fridge to get himself something to drink. "But even if he did; doesn't he have a girlfriend?" I nodded.

"Yes, that's why I'm so confused. Like, I would allow myself to act upon whatever I feel towards him if he just didn't have a girlfriend." I shrugged, pressing the back of my head against the wooden door as my cell phone started to blow up. Probably fans on my twitter asking about what was just broadcasted.

"Are you going to answer them?" Harry asked, my mind going a mile a minute as I huffed.

"No...I just want to shut myself off for a while." I shut off my cell phone, lying flat on the floor as I huffed.

Things just kept getting worse and worse, don't they?

a.n.

this book is bringing back so much nostalgia smh

m xx