Hearts Devoured • LT&ZM

14 || 360°

Still being kept under observation in the hospital, you’d think that I’d be bored out of my mind.

The complete opposite happened later that day. The small hospital suite was packed with people, you’d think I was a celebrity. Regardless of the famous people in the room, my current situation reminded me of my grandfather’s wake. What supposedly was a time of grieving---which in this case was supposed to be a time of rest and solemnity, turned into a time to bond and laugh with friends and family.

It made me smile. Maybe it’s who we are, Dani and I. We toughened up during tough times and did what other people cannot during times of distress---we laughed. OK, maybe those were signs of being bipolar, but I liked to think it was coping. We tried to find the good in the bad.

It was strangely amusing how confined spaces like these made everyone feel closer.

To add to the hospital party, Sophia had flown in the island sometime during the afternoon. I half expected her to be perched around Liam like a possessive girlfriend, but she was extremely friendly and busy laughing with the rest of the group. It was understandable, considering she had been their friend for so long. Just like how Eleanor had been with Zayn. It was weirder (in a good way) that Dani and I were actually a part of this now. Well, I wasn’t sure I was part of it yet, but their presence in this room, each of them talking to me naturally like they’ve known me forever—-it was so comforting to be in their company, I had to admit.

For instance, Niall’s loud laughter was fun to hear. A nurse had even entered the room to warn us to keep it down. A little while after, an intern went inside the room to check up on me and tell me to keep it easy and try not to get stressed. I told him I was fine and dandy. The intern tried not to look at anyone else, probably in fear that celebrities surrounded him. Everyone was quiet, but the moment the people in authority left---everyone’s murmurs eventually turned into full-blown, lively conversations.

Zayn was clearly euphoric. He was having so much fun---obviously on a high since I told him I’d join them on tour. He was smiling and laughing the entire day, his perfect teeth displayed for all to see, so eager to talk to people. It was such an addicting sight to watch him so happy and carefree. Every now and then, he would flash me a secret grin, a knowing smile---like only the two of us knew why he was this joyful.

Speaking of being in the know, Louis---the usual Chatty Cathy, was unusually quiet. Blaming his quietness on migraine, which Liam immediately called a lie, he had remained in one corner of the room sulking. Without his smiles, he looked so snobbish and serious. I had a feeling he was trying to regroup and strategise again.  

Thinking about what happened earlier this morning, a part of me felt annoyed that I was right. I just knew it. I knew that Louis had planned it somehow. Thing is, if he hadn’t stayed back and made a big deal about me “calling him” when I was about to die... I would have considered my deduction false. But no, it turns out---he was as jealous as any man who wanted the girl for himself.

For the record, I understood the appeal of dating them both. Truly, I did. What’s not to love anyway? If both of them were fine with it... why not? However, that wasn’t the case, was it?

These two men... gorgeous as they were, they had issues.

The longer I stayed with them, the more I realised how messed up they were on the inside. I remember what Louis told me himself a few days ago—it didn’t matter if they were part of One Direction. “Two lonely people were still two lonely people.” Something like that. And that’s what this was. They might be the most eligible bachelors in the world, and no doubt the main men in my life right now—but I can see through them like fine glass.