Perfect // 1D AU ✓

Chapter 5

~Girl I hope you're sure,

What you're looking for,

Cause I'm not good at making promises~

"Hi, mum." Niall said quietly into the pay phone. He was just glad that he was able to find one near the gym that Simon owned.

"Ni-"

"Don't say my name." He said. "I just want to you know that I'm okay. I'm safe."

"You have to turn yourself in." Was the first thing that she said.

"I'm not going to do that, mum." He said, and tears started coming out of his eyes. "I love you. How's dad? And Greg? Theo?"

"They're doing great." She said. "I miss you." Now his mom was crying, and Niall was crying too. And the sky was weeping with them.

"I miss you too, mum. I'll come home soon, okay? I promise."

"Where are you?" She asked.

"I can't tell you that." He said, shaking his head. "But, I'll send money soon. Before Christmas. I'll send gifts. I've got to go, but I love you."

"I love you too, my baby boy." Niall hung up the pay phone and stifled another sob, moving to let someone else use the pay phone. He let the rain wash away his tears before walking back towards the gym.

---

"I'll be back later, okay?" Louis said that morning to Harry, who was walking into the gym. Simon had told Louis to pick up Harry and take him there for his classes. "I'll pick you up around lunchtime."

"Where are you going? Don't you have classes too?" Harry asked, looking ever so stylish in his boots, jeans, and brown jacket. He ran a hand through his hair, and Louis felt his stomach alight with butterflies.

"I scheduled mine to be at night. I function better at night. I have a couple morning ones though. Hurry, there's cars coming." Harry dashed through the street to get to the gym, and Louis waved goodbye as he pulled away, feeling like a soccer mom, and feeling odd about the way that he acted towards Harry. It was perplexing.

---

Zayn's heart beat out of his chest as he stalked Liam. He had binoculars, and could see, from his vantage point, Liam working out in the gym. Zayn hadn't resorted to these measures since he was in college, and man were those desperate times.

He knew that he was good at it though. No one had seen him come up here to spy on Liam and do so hacking at the same time. He'd just seen Louis drop off Harry, and Niall had gone to the gym with Liam a couple hours earlier.

Zayn knew that he didn't have long to sit up there - it was going to rain soon, but he figured that watching Liam work out would be worth it. He was glad that the gym had windows by the treadmills and the weights, both of which Liam had to hit heavily. Zayn also figured that he'd take the time to stalk Liam on social media. Well, the whole gang really.

Liam had a twitter. His bio read: dogs, tattoos, singing in the shower. His location was: hiding from it all.

Louis also had a twitter. Bio: yes, I did model for adidas. love ya mum. miss my girls and Ernest. Location: buying Hamilton tickets

Zayn couldn't find anything on Niall - he couldn't remember his last name. Harry had an Instagram. Bio: treat people with kindness. 🌈proud to be bisexual🌈. g is my world💚. Zayn had noticed the looks that Louis gave Harry - he'd be delighted to know that he liked guys, but disappointed to know that he already had someone. Harry hadn't brought them up yet. He'd only brought his sister up.

Zayn felt like he had done enough stalking for the time being, now knowing more about each of the boys. He already knew that Liam lived in a crappy apartment, and was a total lightweight. Louis had five sisters and one brother, and Niall had admitted to having one brother and a nephew. The only thing he couldn't figure out was everyone's backgrounds. He wanted to know how they had all gotten caught in Simon's web.

And sweet, innocent, church boy Niall was a wanted criminal? Why?