Candy

Chapter Four

Harry and I were officially ignoring each other. We hadn’t spoken since that night. Louis had offered to switch rooms with me. He was the only one who was currently talking to Harry, even though his was still mad at him. The others were giving him the silent treatment in private, but tolerating him in public. It was the night before the charity concert, the second to last night in Australia. Zayn and I were alone in our room, for the first time since the Harry incident. Ever since then, the boys had been dropping in and out of the room, making sure that I wasn’t crying on the kitchen floor eating ice cream out of the carton. Of course that hadn’t happened, but I did eat ice cream on the floor with Niall. Of course, we were laughing and making funny face at each other the whole time, but that was as close as I got to their worst fear.

Zayn and I had become extraordinarily close. I’d gotten closer with all of the boys, but with Zayn, it was different. He always had his arm around me in public, pulling me closer when the paparazzi swarmed around us. He always lent me his sweaters and glasses when we hid from them, and whenever Harry was around Zayn always grabbed my attention and saved me from bad moods. He looked at me differently, ever since that night when he saw me cry. It wasn’t a look of pity – I couldn’t place it. I’d never seen that look before in my life.

“Okay,” Zayn said, taking a sip of his beer. “I am secretly in love with Adele,” he admitted.

“That’s not a secret.” I laughed.

“No I mean it!” He protested. “Sometimes my love for her is physically painful. When I see her at awards shows I just want to relocate my seat next to her and try and holder her hand.”

I burst out laughing. Zayn started laughing too, and he lunged to tickle me. I screamed and pushed him away, but he held on tight.

Our connecting door to Louis and Harry’s room swung open and Harry stood in the doorway, shirtless.

“Can you please shut the fuck up?” He growled. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”

“Harry, stop it.” Louis’ voice protested.

“Why don’t you leave us alone?” Zayn asked. He glanced at the clock. “It’s only half-seven, so we both know you’re not trying to sleep. You’re just bitter.”

“Why don’t you just fuck her already and get over her? She’s not even that good.” Harry spat. I covered my mouth with my hand.

Everyone was silent. Even Louis, who was on the phone in the other room, was silent.

“How dare you?” Zayn spat. He suddenly lunged for Harry and swung. Harry pushed him back and suddenly they were hitting each other.

“Louis!” I cried, running to break them apart.

“Eleanor, I have to call you back,” Louis said. He ran into my room and tried to break Zayn and Harry up. “Mates, stop it right now!” He shouted, trying desperately to break them up.

I ran into the hall and pounded on Liam and Niall’s door. “Guys, come quick!”

Niall sprang out of the room. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“They’re fighting!” I cried, pointing into my room. He ran in, followed by Liam.

“Guys, stop it right now!” Liam yelled. I ran back in, watching Liam haul Zayn off Harry, still swinging. Louis yanked Harry to his feet and Harry swung one final time, hitting Zayn square in the temple. Zayn broke away from Liam and smashed his fist right into Harry’s nose. Harry yelped and turned, covering his face. “Zayn!” Liam cried. “You could have broken his nose!”

“He deserves it.” Zayn shrugged.

“Yeah, but we’ve got a concert tomorrow!” Liam protested.