shadows // zerrie au

14

The next morning, Perrie found herself alone on the couch, Zayn no where to be found. She stretched her arms, looking outside the window.

"We're in New Castle, in case you're wondering," Harry said. "You're from here, aren't you?"

"Yeah, she is," Gemma interrupted. "Perrie, can we talk for a bit?"

"Yeah, of course!" She smiled warmly.

"Bye, Harry," Gemma said, giving him a small push. He poked his tongue out at her and went elsewhere inside the bus. Genma eyed her curiously theb planted a tight smile on her face. "So, what did you do last night?"

"Sleep."

"Besides that, sunshine."

"Oh! I talked with Zayn," Perrie smiled. "It was really lovely."

"Is that why you were asleep on him this morning?" She rose her eyebrow. "Babe, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but if you're looking for someone to love, you're not going to find it with him."

"But I already love him," She said.

Gemma's eyes widened. "What? Perrie, you can't.. you can't do that. It's only been a week, how the hell."

"Don"t say that," Perrie frowned. "And why not? I love you, Lou, and Lux, too. I love your friends and your brother, why can't I love him too?"

Gemma sighed in relief and put a hand on her chest. "That's nice that you love the world and all, Sunshine, but I meant love. As in love-love."

"I don't know why any kind of love would be bad, I just want to help him the way i want to help you."

"First of all, I don't need help, thank you very much," She snapped. As she noticed Perrie wince, she cleared her throat and composed herself. "Secondly, because he's not that kind of guy. Trust me on this. As much of a nuisance as you are, Perrie, I would never let you be someone's booty call. Even I know you're too good for that."

"He's good enough," Perrie defended. "Everyone is."

"I'm just saying," Gemma shot her hands up in defense, sighing. "You're too good for that, too pure for that."

Gemma stood and left, heading off elsewhere. Perrie didn't understand how people could talk down a person so horribly. Zayn, despite his occasional attitude, was not a terrible person. Why was he made to look so?

She stood off the couch, trying hard to ignore the stiffness in her back, and went to look for the one person who had made a positive impression on Perrie. He was sat on a table, eating cereal without his shirt on. Perrie smiled and slid next to him.

"Hey, there," She greeted.

He looked up at her and smiled, speaking with his mouth full of colorful cereal. "Hey, Princess!"

She chuckled, leaning close into him as he threw his arm around her lazily. "Manners, Niall."

"My apologise," He laughed, milk trickling down his chin.

Perrie laughed, dabbing the milk off with a napkin. "When do you boys start rehearsals?"

"4," He said. "Which reminds me, I have a special question for you."

"Ask away."

"I was wondering if maybe you'd fancy a day out with a certain blonde irish fellow."

"I'd love to," She smiled. "When?"

He linked his arm around hers. "How about you let me put a shirt on and we go now?"

"Really?" She exclaimed, her blue eyes lighting up. "Let me change fast, and I'll see you outside."

She patted his head and slid out the table, running to find something to wear from Gemma and Lou's bags. She had yet to buy clothes with Lou, but she was fine with their clothes. It fit her comfortably and looked nice. Skipping to the bathroom, she threw on a long, strappy black maxi dress and was all ready to leave. She walked out, quickly telling Gemma she would be back before soundcheck. She sat herself on the corner of the couch, putting her sandals on carefully.

"You're going out?" Zayn coughed.

Perrie's irises briefly looked up from under her lashes, catching Zayn's own lingering eyes. "Yup, with Niall."

"Alone?"

"Yes," She strapped on her last foot, standing under his towering frame. "He invited me and I said yes."

"You said yes," He repeated.

"Yes, I did. I like spending time with him," She shrugged.

He furrowed his eyebrows and huffed. "Alright, Perrie. Have a grand time with him, then."

His voice oozed the same annoyed tone he reserved specially for her and stormed away, muttering to himself. The blonde was left alone confused and slightly upset, if she's being honest. Here she thought things would be better but once again, she was wrong. It was beginning to seem like everytime they took a small step forward, he dragged her back 10 feet.

"You ready, Princess?" Niall asked, his arm slinging around her.

"Yeah, I am," She nodded, her small hands clinging on to the side of his shirt.

Zayn slightly peeked through the windows shutters, scoffing as she saw the two of them laughing and holding each other. Of course she was going to spend the day with him. How stupid of himself to think she would come around to talk again, even if it was to continuously poke curiosity at everything. How stupid.

His hands fumbled through his pockets, pulling out his phone. Swyping the screen, he pulled up the familiar number he had endlessly rang before. His fingers typed away the message.

Are you near new castle? Come now. I need you.

Before he could put his phone away, a new message popped up for him.

I'm already on my way, babe xox