Blinded (z.h)

t w o

As I pulled on a pair of black skinnies and a matching sweatshirt that covered my tattoos, I started to worry about Niall. Harry wasn't the best choice for him to crush on.

Harry Styles was one of the most popular kids on campus. He got any girl—and guy—his heart desired, but he wasn't about a committed relationship.

I've been friends with Harry ever since college started, but Niall hasn't even had a proper conversation with the bloke. Niall is very shy and quiet, and is often deemed invisible.

"Zayn! You ready to go?" Niall called from the kitchen, alarming me and taking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, Niall, hold on! I'm coming!" I yelled back. I slung my bag over my right shoulder and walked into the kitchen to find Niall shoving a forkful of the cake I made into his mouth.

"Mmmfffmmm," Niall mumbled incoherently as he chewed.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," I laughed as I slapped the back of his neck.

Niall rolled his eyes as he swallowed and picked up his bag from the counter. "I said, 'Let's go.'"

"Sure," I replied as I unlocked the door and jerked it open, Niall following behind me.

As we walked to the lecture hall, Niall's phone started ringing in his pocket. He took it out and grinned at the caller ID. "Oh, it's my mum." He pressed the green button with the phone drawn on it. "Hey, Mum!" Niall exclaimed. "Yeah, I'm good, you? . . . Haha, thank you, Mum! . . . Aw, no, Mum, it's okay. Don't worry about it. Well, I have to go to class now, but I'll call you later . . . Oh, okay then . . . Alright, bye, Mum . . . Love you, too . . . Miss you. Bye."

"What'd she say?" I asked once he put his phone in the back pocket of his blue skinny jeans.

"Nothing, she just wished me a happy birthday and apologized for not getting me anything."

"Aw, that's sweet."

"Yeah, I guess," Niall shrugged. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

"Niall? What's wrong, lad?"

"There he is," Niall breathed. I looked in front of me to see Harry standing against a building a few feet ahead of us. He was talking to a group of girls. "He looks so gorgeous. Hey, Zayn, would you do me a favor?"

"Anything for you, Niall."

"You're friends with Harry, right?"

"Kind of."

"Do you mind starting a conversation with him?"

I tried to hide how annoyed I was with a smile. "Sure, bud." We walked up to Harry, Niall looking like he grew a uterus and his period surprise attacked him. "Hey, Harry," I said, waving at him.

"Oh, hey, Zayn. What's up?" Harry asked, slick as ever.

"Nothing much, you?"

"Good, good."

I looked over to Niall, who was sweating and seemed like he wanted to join the conversation, or lack thereof.

"Did you finish your essay?" I tried.

"Oh shit, that was due today? Fuck, fuck, fuck," Harry muttered as he slapped his forehead.

"No, no, it's due next week."

"Oh, thank God. I haven't even started it yet."

"Really? I already finished it. Niall here helped me with it," I lied as I patted Niall's back. Niall smiled nervously at Harry, trying to act natural as ever.

"Oh, really? Maybe Niall can help me with mine, too," Harry smirked.

"Sure, I'd love to help!" Niall blurted.

"Oh, I was joking, but if you want to . . ." Harry trailed.

Niall scratched the back of his neck. "Well, uh, I wouldn't mind helping."

"Alright, well we could probably go to the library one day when we're both available."

"Sounds good," Niall said, attempting to be cool but failing completely.

"Okay, I'll see you then, Niall. Bye," Harry said, then walked into the lecture hall.

Niall turned to me and clapped his hands together, then embraced me in a tight hug. "Thanks, Zaynie! This turned out better than I ever imagined!"

"You're welcome," I replied, patting his back. "This counts as your birthday present."

He unwrapped his arms from around my waist and beamed at me. "Best birthday present ever!"

To see Niall this happy made me even happier than he was. The cause of it, though, did not make me so happy.