𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒. ✧ 𝘻𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯

twenty

"Um,"

Justin looks wide eyed at Zayn who's standing with his arms crossed and his face void of any emotion. He opens his mouth to speak again, hoping something other than um will come out of his mouth this time. He doesn't get to say anything though because Reece is clearing his throat and looking at Justin with a raised brow.

"Should I leave?" He asks, looking at Justin only. He feels bad for wanting to tell him no, that he wants him to stay here and for Zayn to leave because he doesn't want to hear this, whatever it is that Zayn has to say to him. Not right now.

"Um," Justin mumbles, biting his bottom lip after shrugging his shoulders. He hears a huff come out of Zayn and he looks back to see the older boy looking at them with narrowed eyes.

He looks at Justin, holding his gaze and making Justin's heart beat rapidly in his chest before he turns his gaze to Reece with a bored expression over his face. "Yes, that would be great, thanks. I have to speak to Justin, alone."

Justin doesn't miss the way Reece rolls his eyes at Zayn's words but nonetheless, his neighbor proceeds to stand up and slip his shoes on. He looks back at Justin as he's walks past Zayn, without a glance at his face, smirking.

"I'll text you later, you still owe me that victory massage."

Justin's eyes widen, nervously letting out a chuckle and nodding his head. He looks towards Zayn who's jaw is clenched as he stares coldly at Reece's retreating figure. As soon as the door is shutting behind Reece, Justin gets up and picks up his shirt from the floor before sliding it back on.

He's staring confusedly at Zayn, who's staring at him but still hasn't said another word. "I thought we were talking tomorrow?" Justin mumbles as he goes back to his sofa and takes a seat.

He listens intently as Zayn shuffles over to the chair on the other side of Justin, sitting down slowly. "No, you wanted to but– I just need to talk to you now."

Justin chews on his bottom lip as his eyes flit over Zayn's sitting figure. He has no clue why the older man is at his apartment right now and he's freaking out. He didn't expect to see him so soon, in person for the first time in months and he knows it's definitely messing with him.

He thought he would have more time to prepare himself for when he would finally see Zayn in person again. Seeing the dark haired boy right now, sitting only a few feet in front of him is making Justin's confidence and resistance slip away.

"Okay, what's– what's so important?"

"How was Hawaii?" Zayn blurts out, making Justin's brows furrow together because what? That surely can't be what Zayn wanted to say, that's not important at all.

Justin shrugs his shoulders though, "It was good, did me some good to get away you know?"

Zayn nods his head but doesn't look like he's going to say anything else which makes Justin huff. He looks at Zayn with a confused expression. "That's not what you want to talk about. Can you just say it– whatever it is, just tell me."

He sees the way Zayn tenses up after his words but the older boy nods his head slowly in reply. "I just– I don't know how to say it all without making myself look like a proper dumbass."

"Too late for that," Justin mutters, shrugging his shoulders when Zayn's eyes dart to his. He was joking, just trying to lighten up the mood but Zayn doesn't need to know that.

Zayn lets out a sigh. "Okay but first, I– just want you to know I didn't mean for everything to go to shit like it did."

Justin raises a brow at Zayn before he's nodding his head. "Everything as in? You leading me on? Is that what you mean?"