Hearts Devoured • LT&ZM

9 || Plans pt. 1

The next morning, when Zayn went to the breakfast buffet area, he was surprised to see that all the women in the vicinity were gone. He was quick to spot his mates on the long table nearest the food, and as expected, Louis was still MIA. However, Harry, Niall, and Liam were already there.

"Come over here, bad boi," Harry called him over, pulling a seat from the table. The commotion last night had left him a bit haggard, it seemed, because he had his big black shades over his eyes and his curly hair was in a messy bun. When Zayn sat down beside him, the tallest member of the group put his long arm over his shoulders. "What do you wanna eat?"

"I'm not--" Zayn was cut short when Niall placed a plate full of food in front of him. His friend smiled sweetly at him and even went to spread the table napkin on his lap. "Thanks, but--"

"Eat up," Niall said, pushing the plate closer to Zayn. When he didn't budge, Niall took it upon himself to scoop a spoonful of scrambled eggs from the heaping plate. "Do you want the choo choo train or the aeroplane, mate?"

Zayn laughed out loud and slapped Niall's spiraling hand away playfully. "I'm fine, okay?!" He took the spoon from Niall's hand and started to eat. "You guys have got to stop doing this. It's getting ahhhh-nnoying."

"Oh shut up, you love it," Liam muttered flatly from behind reading the morning paper. "And here's our other breakfast skipper."

Glancing at Louis, he didn't look like he got any sleep. Like Harry, he had a pair of aviator shades perched on his nose. His hair was a complete mess and he clearly didn't bother to shave. When he realized that the only free spot was in between Zayn and Liam, he turned to leave but Niall was quick to save the day and push him to the empty seat. Obviously ignoring the group's attempt to patch things up with Zayn, he poured himself some tea and turned to Harry.

"Hazzhole," Louis said (to which Harry grimaced), "I cannot help but notice that there are no female beings around. I am bothered by this phenomenon. Explain at once."

"I did say Gem was flying in today." Harry took off his shades and yawned. "Surprisingly, she wasn't angry. Just at me. But when she saw Dani, she went a bit crazy happy and demanded all the women have an 'all girls morning swim'."

Zayn stopped chewing for a bit. So that's where they went. He couldn't help but throw Louis a knowing look, and to his surprise, his friend returned the gesture. He felt bothered and anxious.

If Louis was still here thinking the same thing, what was Jewel's decision then? Who did she pick? After last night, Zayn knew for a fact that Louis would have attempted to break in Jewel's room again but failed. Then if she didn't pick Louis, why didn't she approach him? Did that mean she wasn't interested in both of them?

"Are you two alright now?" Liam asked out loud, didn't bother looking up from his surprising interest of local news.

Louis shrugged. "We're not going to punch each other if that's what you're asking, dad."

"How about I smack you upside the head for being such a twat?" Liam countered, but the bite in his response wasn't there.

Niall flicked Liam's newspaper and the former expressed his disagreement in a rather loud swear. "This is getting tiresome. I should be out there with the girls having fun!" He lightly punched Harry on the arm. "Why didn't we all just go with them?"

Harry made a face. "First it was Gem's idea. Second, I don't want a repeat of last night." He smiled that big smile of his and fluttered his eyes. "And I missed ALL of you. So all of us are here BONDING!" He waved his hands in the air in celebration, his ring finger branded with a gold ring--which he noticed. "Funny. I'm married."