Addicted z.m

Chapter 17

We sat at the lunch table as Lottie popped her brother upside the head for stealing a slice of pepperoni off of her tray.

"So, are you up for it?" Sophia asked me.

"I don't know if another party is a good idea." I frowned.

"Oh come on, Spence," Louis groaned. "Ever since Malik got back you've become AWOL. We miss spending time with you."

I smiled. "Yeah, but we-"

"You see him every day," Sophia reminded. "One little night without him isn't going to kill you or him."

"It's not like it's for a whole month," Niall added with a hint of disgust. I rolled my eyes at him and sighed.

"FIne, I guess a short hour with you guys won't hurt." I surrendered. I couldn't lie, I missed them too. I had been spending most of the time I spent with the group while Zayn was gone with Zayn in the past couple weeks. I owed them this. And in a way I owed this to myself. I wanted to enjoy myself, not that I wasn't enjoying time with Zayn.

I just didn't want to be that girlfriend that ended up ditching her friends for a relationship that may not even last. I didn't like to think that way; we only had over a semester left together and Zayn probably already had his path prepared. He's said he's already gotten an acceptance into Oxford of all universities.

"You need a ride?" Niall asked me.

I shook my head. "No, I'll find my own way."

He nodded and began to pick at the cheese on his pizza. I hated seeing him this way. When he's quiet, he's upset. There's rarely ever a moment when this boy is quiet, and when he was, you carried a burden, even if you didn't have anything to do with it.

"You know what, I actually could use a ride, now that I think about it." I informed.

He looked up at me and the corners of his lips twitched. "I'll be at your place at eight." He promised.

"No, I won't be home," I admit. "Just pick me up in front of Grosvenor Crescent."

Louis's lips parted in shock. "What are you going to be doing over there?" He questioned. "Those flats are quite..." His voice trailed off as he searched for an adjective.

"Exclusive?" Lottie gaped with him.

"Luxurious?" Sophia added.

"Expensive?" Niall tagged in.

"All of the above?" Louis concluded. "Why will you be there?"

"I know someone who lives there." I answered.

Louis gasps again. "Are you saying, Malik lives there?"

I hesitated but nodded, stealing a sip from Niall's Dr. Pepper. He playfully snatched the bottle out of my hand and took a swig from it with pride.

Louis laughed with little humour in it. "Wow! That's rich! And apparently so is he!"

"Why is this so amusing?" I asked with a questioning smirk.

"I would've never guessed," he kept that goofy smile on his face and I rolled my eyes.

"Ignore him," Lottie lightly shoved his head. "Anyways, bring a swimsuit."

"It's a pool party?" I raised a brow.

"Yeah," Louis answered. "Sophia's got the sickest pool."

I nod, stealing back Niall's soda. He doesn't even flinch, letting me know I could finish it. "I don't have a bathing suit." I realised.

"I have an extra one you can borrow," Lottie offered.