Beat Still

Chapter 32: Beat Still

*Marcel's Pov*

"Friends don't hold hands Marcel! I told you, if you even hint that you like me again, I'm going for it!"

I held my hands over my ears as Zayn yelled from the floor of my bedroom.

"That does not explain why you did what you did!" I yelled back, throwing my hands in the air.

"Uhm, yes it does. You seemed to like me again so naturally, I tried to kiss you! Why the hell did you punch me?"

"Reflex?" I shrugged with a guilty smile.

Okay so I may have overreacted. But when I saw him lean in with his eyes closed and lips puckered, I freaked out and punched him in the stomach...I also might have shoved him off the bed face first.

I know, I know. I am an awkward mess.

But could you blame me? He totally blindsided me!

I felt the bed dip as he hesitantly crawled back to my side. I turned towards him slowly as he began to talk.

"Look if you're uncomfortable, I can sleep on the-"

"No!" I interrupted with a harsh grasp on his knee,"I want you to sleep with me!"

He looked from my hand to my face with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, you know what I meant. Don't be disgusting..." We both laughed loudly until there were tears in our eyes.

For a while we sat in comfortable silence. Every so often we would glance in each other's direction and smile fondly.

It was familiar. Although usually I would have a novel or my songbook in hand, and Zayn would be sketching in that huge notepad of his.

I looked over at him expecting another bright smile but instead he wiped his now shut eyes and leant back against my headboard. From the way his hands laid limp against his chest and his breathing slowed, I assumed he had fallen asleep.

I sighed slowly and pulled the duvet onto both of us. I rested my head lightly on his thin shoulder. I was almost feeling myself drift off too, when his hand began stroking my hair gently.

"I thought you were sleeping." I giggled.

"Marcel." He lightly scratched my scalp with the tips of his fingers. I hummed in response and he continued.

"Tell me what happened with Louis."

I was shocked. Everything inside and around me froze. I felt like my life was on pause as I tried to fully comprehend what was happening.

Zayn...he just asked me...about Louis. How am I supposed to answer? Do I tell him absolutely everything, or just the spark-notes? Does he want full detail or only the important events.

I was too terrified to even attempt to answer. My mouth just kept opening and closing continuously.

"I uhm...Okay? I gu-guess I will just say that he has kind of been a part of this family for a long time. Recently we st- started dating, fell in love, and even made a little of it." I fiddled with my fingers, not daring to look him in the eyes.

"Wait, so you had sex with this guy?" I could feel his pupils burning holes into my skin, but I refused to look up.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you have nothing to be sorry about!" He sat up and crossed his legs,"I guess I'm just a little..." he trailed off while scratching the back of his neck.

"Surprised? Shocked? Caught off guard?" I assisted. He shook his head at every answer.

"No. None of that. Well, of course a little shocked, but no."