Blinded (z.h)

t w e n t y t h r e e

"Zayn, you really didn't have to do this," Niall said as he got into the front seat of my car at noon.

"Yeah, but I wanted to," I replied. "So, what do you want to eat?"

"I'm not that hungry, to be honest."

"You're not that hungry, but you are hungry," I laughed. "I remember you always being hungry. You had quite the appetite in college."

Niall sighed as he smiled at the floor sadly. "Yeah, but Harry messed that up, too."

"I'm sorry, Niall."

"You don't have any reason to be sorry. In fact, you tried your best to keep me away from him, but I never listened. I'm sorry for being stubborn."

"No, it's fine. It's not like we can do anything about it now," I sighed. "At least you learned your lesson."

"And ruined my whole life in the process."

"Hey, hey, hey, don't say that! You have not ruined your whole life. You're not even thirty yet; you still have so much to look forward to in life."

"I don't know if I want to anymore."

"Niall, I know this is tough, but I promise you that I will be with you every step of the way. And everything will end up being just fine; I promise you that, too."

"Thanks, Zayn. God, I wonder what would happen if we didn't bump into each other that day."

"Well, technically, I bumped into you," I joked.

"Very funny, Malik."

"I try," I smirked.

We drove off to the same cafe where we met yesterday, as I never got to try it out. We sat down at a booth in the back and opened up the menus, picking out our food. I chose a veggie wrap with an iced chai latte, and Niall ordered a small tuna salad.

"That's it?" I asked.

"I'm not very hungry."

"You don't even want a drink?"

"Water is fine."

"Niall, please," I huffed. "Don't be shy."

Niall blushed a bit, though trying to hide it. "I'm not being shy. I really don't want that much to eat."

"Mmm, okay. Excuse me for a moment, I have to use the bathroom."

"Okay, I'll be right here when you get back."

I got up, and instead of walking to the bathroom, I walked to the front counter, where I saw a girl with curly hair tied into a ponytail and a white uniform standing in front of the register.

"Excuse me," I pardoned.

"Yes, sir?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"You see that man with the brown hair and the glasses, sitting all the way back there?"

"Yes?"

"Could you also bring some fries and coke to his table? I'm paying."

"Of course, sir."

I walked back to our table and sat across from Niall.

"Wow, that was quick," Niall remarked.

"Oh, you know," I said nervously. "Didn't want to keep you waiting."

Once our food arrived at our table, a look of confusion grew on Niall's face. "Zayn, did you—"

"I wanted you to eat, Niall. You've lost all your strength; I want you to gain it all back. It hurts me seeing you like this."

"Zayn, you really didn't have to—"

"But I wanted to."

He smiled at me as he began to pick at his salad. "Thanks, Zayn. I really appreciate it."

We then began to eat in silence until I realized the time and decided to drop Niall off.