shadows // zerrie au

12

Niall is happy. He's one of the most positive, upbeat people alive. Perrie knew that much. She admired him for that.

Zayn, however, while he was most likely lovely as well, his attitude with life kept him miserable.

Perrie stared at him from her seat on the bus. He was using his cellphone to listen to music (which impressed Perrie very much when she first saw Gemma use it). Always lost in his own world, that one. Zayn shifted slightly and looked at Perrie questioningly once he caught her staring.

Perrie smiled and stood from her seat, plopping right next to him.

"Yes?" He asked, quirking up an eyebrow.

"Nothing," She said innocently. "Just thinking."

"Really?" He feigned interest.

"Yup," She glanced down at his phone. "What are ya doing?"

"Perrie," He sighed. "Look, we need to get something straightened out here."

"Sure, whatever makes you happy," She turned her body towards him, smiling brightly.

"I know what happened last night happened and it was.. something. But it doesn't mean anything for us."

Perrie cocked her head and frowned a little. "You don't want to be friends?"

"What I don't want is that you think we're on inseparable terms."

"Is there any reason why we can't? Zayn, I'm not asking for your money or soul, I just want to help."

Zayn looked at her saddened blue eyes, hurt filling every speck of it. He knew she was trying and felt guilt rise the more he acknowledged it. She was too kind for her own good. He sighed in defeat. "Niall and I are going to McDonald's for a bite before soundcheck. If you'd like, you can join us."

Perrie perked up. "Really? Oh, this is great! Thank you, Zayn!"

She gave him a big kiss on the cheek, leaving him dumbfounded as she went over to talk to Gemma once again. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Liam rose an eyebrow at him.

"What?" Zayn narrowed his eyes.

"Nothing that's any of my business," Liam shot his hands up in defense, a sly grin plastered on his face.

Zayn rolled his eyes and put his earbud back in. Liam was a nosey one.

                                 ***

"Perrie, hurry up," Zayn said, irritated.

"Give me one second, I'm coming!" She called from the bathroom.

Zayn groaned, making Niall chuckle.

"You grew up with girls, you should be used to this, shouldn't ya?" He pointed out.

Zayn simply rolled his eye in response, checking the time impatiently.

"I'm ready," She sang, opening the door at last. Zayn's eyes scanned her, from her black loose, cropped top to her high waisted baggy jeans. Perrie noticed and frowned. "Do I look okay? They're Lou's and I've never worn anything like this before."

Zayn opened his mouth to respond, but was beat by Niall.

"Ya look pretty as ever," He smiled.

"Thank you," She smiled warmly in return. "So, what's McDonald's?"

Zayn arched his eyebrows in surprised. "You've never been?"

"No," The pretty blonde shook her head.