Brave || Zerrie AU

It Was My Decision

*** TWO WEEKS LATER***

"You're cheating!" Abriella said as she stood up from the white couch and walked until she was right next to Ciro. Her hazel eyes locking with Ciro's green ones, daring him to say something. 

Perrie faked a surprised gasp and stood up from her chair. She tired hiding her smile but it didn't work. "He is not cheating!" 

Abriella turned and pointed at Perrie, a smile evident on her lips despite her accusations. "He's mouthing the words! That is not how you play charades!" 

Harry, who was still sitting in his chair just watching everything, finally stood up with everyone else. "Perrie, he's cheating." He simply said, his voice sounded tired and Perrie took the time to look at him. 

He had dark circles under his eyes and that glow of happiness that he always carried was gone. Something was wrong. It had been two weeks since the boys had returned from Harry's album press tour and Perrie had noticed small changes in his attitude in the past days.  Abriella had suggested that they play charades since the boy claimed they wanted to spend the night in Harry's apartment and that's what they were doing. 

Something in the back of Perrie's mind told her that she needed to talk to Harry right now. Maybe it was the fact that he was doing the entire press tour without the rest of the guys, Perrie thought. She remembered how Harry always mentioned that having them by his side was like when she had the girls by hers. 

"Um, Harry? Can I talk to you for a second?" She asked. 

Harry looked at her and sighed, "Sure." 

Perrie turned to Ciro and Abri but found them already looking at her. Abriella's eyes lingered on Harry and Perrie debated asking her to talk to him instead, but she knew that Abri wasn't that comfortable with Harry yet. 

Harry walked to the door and stood by it, waiting for Perrie. 

"We'll be back soon." Perrie called as they left the apartment. 

They walked down the hall in silence and made it to the parking lot without saying a word. Perrie stood by his side and waited until he felt comfortable enough to talk. 

"Can we go somewhere?" He asked, his green eyes shined despite the darkness. His hands went to his pockets and pulled out the keys to his black jeep. "I'll drive." 

A ghost of a smile played on her lips as she took the keys from Harry. "I pick the place then." 

Half an hour later, Perrie and Harry were sitting down on the rocks on the shore of a river. The water crashing with the rocks as they moved downstream and the tree on the other side of the river moved with the wind. The river in general was pretty wide and breathtaking, but the peace and silence it carried was the reason Perrie brought Harry there. They sat in silence for a couple minutes until finally Harry spoke. 

"I don't know if I can do this." He said, his voice a low whisper. His eyes snapped to Perrie's and she could see the insecurities that he hid. 

"The tour? Your album?" 

"Everything." His eyes stayed with Perrie as she took his hand and leaned down until her head rested on his shoulder. "I'm not sure I can do this on my own. I mean for years I had the guys and whenever one of us wasn't feeling it we would help each other. Now, I'm on my own." 

Perrie stared at the river before her and took a deep breath. She imagined what he was feeling because she knew that if she didn't have the girls with her she would be lost.