Let's Just Keep Pretending

Chapter 9

I'm sorry these chapters are taking longer than I said they would. I really have no excuse. Thank you to all of you who have left lovely comments for me. I love you all!

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Niall feels like a loser, he probably looks a little crazy standing out here in front of Harry’s and Zayn’s flat. Fist raised ready to knock only to then take it back and let it drop. He huffs a little in annoyance with himself. He didn’t come prepared though, after the talk he had with Louis he was certain that ending all of this would be the correct thing to do. Now though as he stood in front of their door, receiving weird looks from the passing neighbors, he wasn’t so sure what he was going to say or how he was going to bring it up.

As Niall contemplated all of this, the door to the flat flew open and out stepped Zayn.

“Oh hey Niall!” he greeted, he was dressed for the cold weather; which led Niall to assume he was on his way out.

“Hi Zayn, going somewhere?” Niall asked, feeling embarrassed at having to be caught out here.

“Not if you don’t want me to.” Zayn said smoothly and his lips quirking up into a small smirk, it caused Niall’s cheeks to turn a deeper shade of pink than the biting cold had caused.

“Stop flirting and go pick up some food, I’m starved!” Harry appeared from behind Zayn pushing him out the doorway and almost causing a collision between him and Niall. Niall couldn’t help but laugh at the way Zayn rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah I’m going.” He muttered, as he made his way past Niall shooting him a wink on his way. “Try not to be gone when I get back, kay?”

“Um. I’ll try.” Was the only thing Niall could say.

“Zayn!” Harry groaned.

“I’m going, I’m going!”

Finally, once Zayn was out of view, Harry turned to Niall. “You have some explaining to do Horan.”

Harry lead Niall into the small warm flat, the blond rid himself of his heavy coat at the door. He could feel Harry’s eyes on him as he did so, it made the small hairs on his neck stand up.

“Your hair looks good like that.” Harry spoke up. Niall couldn’t help but run a cautious hand over it, he had left it product free and flat against his forehead.

“Thanks. Got kind of lazy this morning.” Niall tried his best to shrug off the compliment, but holy shit Harry just said he liked his hair! Should Niall compliment him back? He decides not to, knowing himself well enough to know that he’d only say something embarrassing along the lines of “Well, your ass looks great in those jeans!”

“Come sit down, Zayn will be back with some food eventually.” Harry pats the spot next to him, making room for Niall in their small two person couch.

“I already ate, grabbed Louis and I some breakfast.” And met up with your crazy ex-girlfriend he thinks.

“By the time Zayn’s back you’ll be ready for lunch.” Harry says, he turns towards the TV and does a quick flip of channels. “So why did you go all M.I.A on me last night?” he says distractedly, green eyes focused on choosing something to watch.

“Something came up, I had to be there for a friend.” Niall tries his best to stay as truthful as he can, he’s a shit liar. Harry finally turns to him.

“Is he okay now?” Harry asks.

“Yeah I think so.” Niall replies.

Harry’s lips slowly break out into a smile. “We could have won that contest, there weren’t any other couples quite like us.” He assures with a fond smile, “but I can’t stay mad, you make it too hard.” He elbows Niall’s side gently. And this is it, he feels like a window of opportunity was just brought up, here was his chance to break it all off. His hands begin to sweat and his throat feels like it’s drying up as he stares into Harry’s pretty green eyes.