January. // z.m. au

Chapter 32

Baby I'm Yours | Arctic Monkeys

Zayn's POV

I wasn't even really listening to what Louis was saying. To be completely honest, his words were going in one ear and straight out of the other. But it wasn't because I wasn't interested in what he was saying, no, but because my mind was somewhere else. On the other side of the world, maybe somewhere in outer space, who knew?

His lips were moving, curving up into a smile at times, breathy laughs being released into the air. He'd do these weird hand motions and I knew he was telling one of his famous, really dramatic, completely unrealistic stories. They were so dumb, honestly, but Louis insisted with his whole life that they were true. ("I don't fucking lie," he'd say -- we all knew that was a lie.)

I could hear him talking, though, I just couldn't hear him. Like, his voice was just like a buzzing in the back of my head at the moment. But I made sure to nod at what I felt like was the right time and chuckle whenever he'd chuckle. I had this in the bag.

"I love dick," he cheered and I nodded. Apparently that wasn't the right time to do so. "I knew it! You weren't even listening to me, you fucker!"

That earned me a slap round the head.

I perked up in my seat which was directly across from his, eyes wide as I scratched the back of my head.

"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly. I picked at the few chips that were left on my plate randomly.

"My god, you are so whipped. You're more whipped than a horse and its carriage."

"Shut up, Lou," I groaned, pulling the beanie that covered my hair further down my face.

"It's cool, mate, that you've gone all Mr. Lover Boy on me, but I haven't seen you since my party, you know. I wanna spend time with my best mate, not watch you grow hearts in your eyes."

I guess he had a point, but, like, c'mon.

C'mon.

"It's not even like that," I insisted, drawing on my plate with a chip dipped in ketchup like it was a paintbrush and paint. This was no masterpiece, though.

"Oh, come off it, Zayn. You've said like three sentences total and you almost lost your shit when I said jam. Jam"

I thought he said Jan, okay?

God, I really was whipped.

But I couldn't help it, alright. I think I loved her.

I think I love her.

"I think I love her," I blurted out, not even bothering to cover up my words. I'm sure Louis knew it, too. I'm sure the whole world did by now.

"Congrats, wanker. I've known that since before I even met her, you're late."

"Fucking Christ," I grunted underneath my breath. Was I that obvious? And if I was, was it obvious to her? I mean, like, did she, like, you know, notice it too? Or was I just alone on this love boat?

"You really are dense, you know?"

"M'not dense."

"You're a smart lad, don't get me wrong, Zayn. But, damn, you're pretty fucking dense. Like -- wow." Louis chuckled. Eventually he burst out into a fit of laughter. I almost chucked my drink at his face but we all knew how dramatic he could be. I decided against it.

Maybe next time.

"I just," he managed between giggles, "ow, my stomach hurts."

"You're such a dick, you know that right?"