shadows // zerrie au

20

"This place is huge," Perrie said in awe, looking at all the seats surrounding them.

"That it is," Harry nodded.

"Don't ya ever get nervous?" Aspyn asked.

"We used to, but we have so much fun and have gotten used to it a lot the nerves just faded," Harry shrugged.

Perrie sat on the ledge of the stage, her feet dangling. After careful thought and hesitation, Zayn sat next to her. She glanced at him and smiled, looking back at the seats. "This is amazing."

"Yeah, I still can't believe we landed an arena tour, it's insane," Zayn nodded.

"Your fans must love you a lot."

"They do, they're amazing," He stayed quiet for a moment, then cleared his throat. "You know, I um, I-- Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course! What is it?" Her curious blue eyes looked at him.

"I--"

"Oi, princess! Ya hungry? There's pizza backstage!" Niall hollered.

"Ooh, pizza!" She smiled excitedly. "Let's go get a slice. Oh, wait, how rude of me. What were you going to say?"

"Nothing," He huffed, standing up and leaving.

She frowned. She upset him and it was evident. Was it because she rudely interrupted? Most likely. She should have let him finish his question before getting excited over the pizza.

Aspyn raised an eyebrow at her. "What was that?"

"Dunno," Perrie shrugged, though she had an idea of why already. She would have to apologize, the last thing she wants is for him to be so serious again. She stood up and grabbed Aspyn's hand. "Well, let's go eat."

Everyone was already having their slice by the time Perrie and Aspyn strolled in.

"We saved you some in the box," Liam said, his mouth full with pizza.

"Thank you!" Perrie smiled.

They treated themselves to some slices and sat on the small fold up chairs the rest of the boys, crew, and Gemma were sat in.

"I think we should do a bit of a small cover tonight," Liam said between bites. "The fans love it and it'll feel like a special thing for this concert. All in?"

"In," Louis nodded. "The fans will love it."

The rest of the boys agreed and turned to Zayn, who was silently chewing away.

"Zayn," Niall nudged him. "You in for this?"

"Yeah, sure," He replied boredly.

"You alright, kid?" Lou asked.

"Yeah, yeah," He mumbled. "I'm not that hungry, I'm going to go out."

"Zayn, you're not supposed to smoke before the concert, you know this!" Lou scolded.

"I'm not going to smoke," He called as he walked away, not bothering to look back.

"Louis," Lou sighed, giving him a pleading look.

"I'm on it," He nodded, ready to srand up and go after him.

"If it's okay, I think I'll go after him," She stopped him.

"You sure? He can be difficult.."

"No, no, it's fine," She smiled assuringly. She stood and walked off to find him, watching him disappear behind the backstage door when she finally caught up. She held the door before it closed on her.

"Louis, I know the rules just let me have this one smoke, I really need it," He fumbled with his lighter, frustratingly trying to light the cigarette resting between his gritted teeth.

"I'm not Louis, I hope that's okay," Perrie responded uneasily.

His thumb stopped, his posture stiffening at the sound of her voice. "I really want to be alone now, Perrie."

"Smoking isn't going to make it better," Perrie frowned. "We've discussed this, Zayn."

"Please don't push it."

"You have such an amazing voice, I just don't want you to get it damaged, I really care about you."

"Perrie, fucking stop!" He snapped, turning to look at her. "Mind your own business for once, God damn it, and stop playing these-- these games with my head! It's tiring, it really is!"

Perrie stood there shocked, twiddling her thumbs as a hurt expression overtook her face. "I don't know what games i'm playing."

"Of course you don't," He scoffed, laughing dryly.

"If you would relax a little and talk this out smoothly, I'd really like to apologize for causing this."

"That's the thing, Perrie. I can't just tell you. It's not easy and I wish it was."

Perrie studied his frustrated face and hesitated as she spoke the next line. "Do you want it to be?"

"Of course I do."

"Then there's no reason for you to hold back. Whatever you're holding back, please let it go and do it or say it."

He blinked, staring at her in hesitation. "Okay."

"Okay?"

His eyes flickered down her lips before he stepped close to her swiftly, smashing his lips against hers. She stood frozen, her hands on his arms. She gently pulled away from him, staring at him in confusion, surprise, and slight awe.

"I-- I have to go," She stammered, opening the door to go back in.

"Perrie, I didn't--"

"I'll see you around Zayn," She smiled tightly and leaving him alone with his thoughts as he tried to process what he'd done.

LONG AWAITED I KNOW BUT HERE IT IS, CHAPTER 20! COMMENT AND VOTE :**