Fingertips Trace His Spine

f o u r

"Just went to get a shirt. Didn't think you'd be here so early. I was in the middle of washing my hair and changing into home clothes." Harry says casually while Zayn watches the way Harry's shorts hang low off his hips, but the skin is soon covered with cotton.

"Uh, right. Why don't you just not do your hair and wear regular clothes like that?" Zayn glances at Harry's body from up and down once again. Now realizing he's sporting a plain white shirt and nude velvet shorts that are mid thigh length.

"Boys are a distraction."

Zayn doesn't understand it, letting this weird tension alleviate by unzipping his backpack to take some supplies out. All he knows is that Harry is probably cocky, on behalf of him implying that his natural looks can reel in boys.

"The way someone presents themselves is usually another person's first impression. This way, nobody associates themselves with me and I'm fine with it. My education comes first." Harry says with his arms crossing over one another with an apathetic expression.

"So like this is a secret? Nobody knows?"

"Nobody."

"Well why do I know then? You aren't afraid of that whole distraction thing? Because you know you're fucking hot, right?" Zayn starts to lean his back on the couch causally but then his eyes wide the second he realizes, "Shit I didn't mean to actually say that out loud."

Harry purposely yawns, "This isn't about me. It's about your education so stop with the questions. Besides, you're not my type." He points over to the kitchen in the other side of the open concept home.

Zayn's eyes follow where Harry's hand directs him and he causally shrugs," I'm not hungry but thank you."

"My apologies for my miscommunication but I pointed at the table for the two of us to study over there. A good environment is healthier and less distracting." Harry comments and already heads over, leaving Zayn to gather all his supplies in his arms and skip along.

Zayn puts his lips in a tight line, somewhat embarrassed. He's not sure why he isn't his usual, the whole rapturous personality. As of right now, he finds himself being the best introvert out there.

Alright, there's the narcissistic comment. Despite him knowing he's being such an awkward guy, in his mind there's a little character singing that he's the best loser out of all losers.

"Since we're reading out of the book with numerous different essays, we could start with the one that is assigned for tonight." Harry announces, pulling out his seat and opening his book. Zayn takes a look over at Harry's book, certain that he's never seen it throughout his entire school year.

Harry looks over to where Zayn simmers tense, "Hello? Where's your book. This is an effort from the both of us. I can't help you if you aren't willing to learn."

"I never checked out that book. Or if I did, I lost it by now." Zayn responds and ends up sliding his book over to where he could achieve a better look. He hears Harry sigh, but not finding it his problem at all. Technically, it's Harry's own fault for signing up to tutor someone like Zayn, at least it's what Zayn's thinking.

The two sit in a silence where Zayn is suppose to be reading─ direct instructions from Harry─ but he doesn't. Instead he listens to the way Harry breaths in and out, the warmth of his hot breath so close to them as their elbows touch every now and then from Harry trying to gain more access to a better look at the book, which Zayn is occupying closer to himself on purpose.

"So, the best thing to do is take notes on what their argument is and their supporting details. What do you think the main idea is?" Harry starts off, leaving Zayn perplexed. He didn't even know it was an argumentative essay.

"Is that a trick question?" Zayn asks, despite him not reading shit, he's sure there was nothing to do with someone choosing a side. Harry responds with a whimsical, almost singsong type of voice, "Why do you say that?"

"The guy was literally being informative on why he chose the path as a photographer. He didn't say why people should or some shit like that. Unless he did and I'm fucking awful." Zayn mumbles, he turns the pages back and forth between the four in total.

Harry stops him with a hand above his, "That's a start. It's sorta there." Harry turns back to the first page, Zayn noticing the way their hands brush together and he suppresses a grin.

"Why do you need a tutor anyways?" Harry asks, "Seems like you understand it."

Zayn isn't sure if he wants to confess his trouble when it comes to reading, he isn't even sure how he understood just right now. Maybe it was the pressure of a scholar next to him, maybe it was the way he found comfort from Harry's warmth. But usually, his brain doesn't function, and his head aches when it comes to reading.

"I don't like to admit it. But I only do better when my mom is next to me. By myself I don't know how to get through things. Not saying your my mom or anything but you were there like how she would so I guess that helps or something." Zayn clears his throat, "I'm making myself uncomfortable. I'm going now."

Harry closes the book and Zayn feels a warm hand on his shoulder, "You don't have to be embarrassed. Everyone learns in different ways." Zayn shrugs off Harry's hand while Harry continues, "You've only been here for twenty minutes. Stay a little longer, at least answer some discussion questions."

"No, thanks. I'm not embarrassed and I know I learn differently, I just don't know how I learn.
Alright? Bye now." Zayn starts to pack his stuff quickly, feeling pathetic and vulnerable around this tutor of his and it isn't what he likes.

It's noticeable to Zayn, he watches the way Harry tries to help him stack some sheets of paper but Zayn swats his hand and shoves everything into his backpack.

Zayn lingers around the door frame before he could actually take another step, "And hey, you aren't worried about me telling anyone about your whole two faced shit going on?"

"Two faced? What about you? You're actually really smart but won't help yourself. And besides, I still have the upper hand. I know a few things about you that you don't want exposed. Now, goodbye."

─

throughout half the chapter I started writing in first person bc I'm writing a (for the first time) het Louis book in first pov like yay 2 chapters down with 13k words ! it got to me, lmao i had to change everything after

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