Room 301 [Zarry]

people worth letting in

It's late when I get back to the hotel. My heart is still fluttering, I'm practically glowing with happiness. I take off my t-shirt, laugh at the stain and hold it close to my chest. I'm never getting rid of it. It means too much to me now and I know that seems silly. Geez, I must sound crazy being charmed so soon. There's just something about Kit.

"Took a drive on Mulholland," he asks, voice distant and wavering.

"Um yeah, it was nice." I pull my suitcase out of the closet and take my things off hangers, neatly folding them to get everything to fit. "You were right about the puzzle pieces. I think I found the missing one."

"I noticed," he laughs softly, voice suddenly much closer. I release a shaky breath, feel his hand on my shoulder. "Are you leaving already? I'm not surprised, no one has ever stayed this long."

"You're making this so hard," I complain, heart slowly sinking in my chest. "You know I'll miss you but it's fine. Didn't you attach yourself to me anyway? We're kind of stuck until we figure things out but don't worry, okay? I promise we'll find a way to make your dreams come true. I'm not giving up on you."

"I know that," his hand is still resting there but he gives me a gentle squeeze. "I'm not doubting you and I'm not mad. I think love is an extraordinary thing and the connection you have with Kit is beautiful, truly touching," he adds, making me laugh. "You don't pass up on things like that. Life is too short and I learned that the hard way. Enjoy your youth and being in love. Everything is happening just the way I hoped it would. I like watching the stars align for you Harry."

There it is again, that empty feeling crawling its way back. "Zayn," my face drops. "I don't think I'm as happy as I should be."

"Why not," he questions. "Things are going so well, your future looks bright. Do you still feel out of place? Kit makes you feel at home, doesn't she?"

"Yeah she does," I answer honestly. "But I hate that everything seems so peachy because...you're still stuck here and you deserved just as much joy. I feel like life robbed you and it isn't fair."

"Harry," he sighs, sitting on the carpet beside me. "That isn't your fault. If if counts for anything, this is the happiest I've been in a long time. Being with you and helping you through this transition and making sure you adjust to everything has given me meaning again."

"You're going to make me cry," my voice breaks and he pulls me into his arms, breath warm on the back of my neck. "I didn't do anything to deserve you or Kit. I'm so thankful and my heart is full."

I get that familiar tingling feeling in my spine, goosebumps raising on my arms. "I'll always be a friend to you. It doesn't matter how hard life gets, I won't ever turn you away or leave you broken. I care about you so much."

A tear falls onto the carpet, another on my shorts. "Am I making a mistake," I ask, voice trembling. "Maybe I'm jumping in too fast."

"There will always be things you regret in life," he whispers, fingertips catching my tears. "But how will you know if you don't give them a chance?"

Zayn has such a way with his words, I already know I'm going to bother him all the time to ask for advice. "You were my first friend here and I will forever be grateful. Having someone like you in my life is such a blessing and I don't know why you convinced yourself back then that you weren't good enough or that you weren't worthy of love but I've never heard something so far from the truth."

"I don't want to let you go," he murmurs, breath in my hair. "But I know you're making the right choice and there's no one else I'd rather you be with. I adore Kit just as much as you because she makes you smile. Be young and stupid and impulsive. Stay optimistic and adventurous and in love. I never let myself fall for someone and that's still my biggest regret. It's okay to guard your heart but some people are worth letting in."

"Can you help me pack the rest of my things," I ask, sniffling.

"Of course."

When everything is packed up, he zips up my suitcase and sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm regretting a lot of things right now if I'm being completely honest with you."

"I'm sorry," I frown, fitting myself beside him. "What do you still regret Zayn?"

"It isn't important," he assures, ruffling my hair. "I'm glad you're bold when you're with her and you aren't afraid to express your feelings. I've always been so bad about bottling in my emotions. I think I missed out on the best thing to ever happen to me because I was too shy to admit that I was in love. I let them slip through my fingers. Not that it matters now-" his voice trails off, fades into nothing.

"I'll miss this shithole," I say, evoking a laugh from him. "You tidied it up nicely though. Whoever stays here next is going to be pleasantly surprised."

"Yeah when they walk in and find a ghost," he chuckles and I smile, lean my head on his shoulder. He pokes at my dimple and I giggle, bury my face in the soft material of his shirt. "No one else sees what you see Harry. You always look beyond the bad and find the good in people. That's why you and Kit are perfect for each other. Not to mention how beautiful your babies will be."

"Shut up," I chuckle. "We're not planning on making babies anytime soon."

"Well a lot of people don't plan for it," he teases. "They just get carried away."

"We're not talking about this," I say through a fit of giggles. "You're just trying to make saying goodbye easier for me."

"It isn't really goodbye Harry...not unless you want it to be."

I hug him again, let him hold me until my brain has decided it's okay to walk away from room 301 and the friendliest ghost I've ever met.

"Of course it isn't goodbye."