Room 301 [Zarry]

orange soda

I wake up disoriented, sleep crusted in the corners of my eyes. There's drool on the pillow and soft laughter in the corner of the room. "Did you enjoy your nap," he asks, voice drawing nearer as he ruffles my curls. "I need to strip the bed and wash these sheets. I'm pretty sure you've slept off your hangover now. Lana came by earlier and wanted to go out."

"Yeah okay," I reply yawning. "I hate leaving you here all alone to clean. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow."

He strokes my forehead, lets out a little chuckle. "Hang out? Harry, you're talking as if I'm not a ghost. Don't be silly. Go out and have fun please...I'm urging you."

My hair is a tousled mess but I manage. When I sit up and stretch, his fingertips catch my skin, follow the ripple of my abs. "You don't make it very easy on me," I mutter under my breath.

"What's that," he asks teasingly. "You don't want to go?"

"I hate you," I whine. "Do you think Kit is genuine? I really like her and I don't want to put my trust in someone two-faced."

"Hmm," he hums and silence fills the room. There's the quiet noise of the fan. I feel movement and then the curtains sway on the balcony door. A draft fills the room, the sunset breeze blowing softly. "I'm still afraid," he admits, voice distant. "I haven't been out there since-"

"Hey," I assure, feet finding his voice. "It's okay. Everything is okay." I feel around for his waist, wrap my arms around him. "We don't have to talk about that night."

"To answer your question...I think Kit fancies you a lot. She seems grounded and kind. If you like her then you should go for it, don't let fear stop you."

My heart is thudding in my chest. I'm waiting for him to pick up on my undeniable affection and the heat in my cheeks but he doesn't notice so I pull myself away, clear my throat. "I think I might ask her out again. Can you help me-"

"Pick out an outfit," he finishes my question, laughing. "Of course."

I shimmy into my jeans, leave the top button undone on my short-sleeve floral button down. "You look amazing, just a sec."

He messes up my hair a bit more and I can't keep the little grin off my face. Spending time away from Zayn should be good for me. Staying cooped up in here is unhealthy. These feelings that I have are unhealthy. This love that is blossoming is hopeless. It doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter if he reciprocates those feelings, he's intangible. As strange as that seems, he isn't real. He won't always be here. It's a hard pill to swallow but I have to accept it.

"Are you nervous," he asks sincerely. "You shouldn't be. If someone doesn't like you that's their loss. You have the biggest heart and this...this infectious smile."

"Thanks," I mutter. "I just feel uneasy here."

His hand is on the small of my back, he guides me over to the bed. "How so? Is everything alright?"

My eyes are tear-stung, I find myself revealing everything; spilling all my insecurities. "It's hard for me to trust people here. Just in general everyone seems so shallow and I miss home. I don't like the opulence and the grandeur. I feel like dreams are just a shimmering facade, like Hollywood is where your hopes go to die."

He cups the back of my neck, cradles my head as I tuck myself into his arms. Here I go again, seeking solace in the one person I can never love. "I should go," I hiccup, drawing back to wipe away my tears. "How bloodshot are my eyes? Can you tell I was crying?"

"Tough guys cry," he jokes. "Besides, maybe she's into sensitive guys."

"Shut up," I giggle. "If I'm not back by tomorrow night, have someone check on me." I can't stop laughing as he tickles my sides, keeps me from making it to the door. "Stop," I squeal. "I'm getting the feeling you don't want me to go on this date," I let out a huff of hot air and he chuckles.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah," I rest my hand on the door handle. "I think you're jealous."

"Whatever," he scoffs. "Be safe, okay? Make good choices."

I open the door but he catches my wrist, holds me back for a moment. "I think you want me to be jealous. Prove me wrong Harry."

A shiver runs down my spine. Those words echo in my head, even when I slide into the back of the cab and I'm on my way to see the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. She meets me at the gate, practically throws herself at me, mascara streaking down her cheeks.

"Hey," I whisper, wrapping my arms around her. "It's okay. If you ever need somewhere to go call me, okay? You can stay with me anytime."

"I'm sorry," she sniffles. "I'm such a mess, I'm such a mess-"

All I can do is hold her tight, help dry her tears. Her father is a monster. He's callous and cold like everyone else I've encountered in this city. I can feel her heartbeat tick against my chest, she radiates warmth. Her skin smells like sunshine and a field of fresh daises.

She looks at me with sparkling eyes, lets me gently cup her face. "I'm a mess too. Maybe we can make sense of each other." My thumb strokes across her bottom lip and she blushes furiously, gazes down at her shoes.

"Can we go to this little diner I like? I could really use a root beer float," she giggles and I can't keep the smile off my face. I lean in, kiss her cheek as my heart swells.

Kit is so soft and silly. Every moment I'm with her my heart just expands. "Ice cream is way better with orange soda than root beer."

"Are you kidding me," she asks laughing, looping her arm inside mine as I guide her down the sidewalk. "That's crazy talk. Root beer is so..." she scrunches her nose as she thinks of a way to describe the flavor, looks so adorable I kiss her again right on the tip. "It's bitter but it has a sweet punch. It compliments vanilla ice cream really well."

She nudges my side gently because I can't stop laughing, gazing over at her like she's the most precious thing in the universe. In the moment, she is.

"I haven't been this happy since I left home. You can keep your root beer float though."

"Okay," she laughs. "So we can't do that cutesy thing where we both put our straws in the same glass and share?"

"Of course we can...if you get orange soda."