Daisies • Zarry

8. Rock 'n Roll Circus

Zayn spent his Thursday morning going to class with a spring in his step. He hardly even recognized himself. He had a boyfriend. Well, maybe not officially or anything, but he was dating a guy and he was really starting to warm up to Elias, who met him in between classes in the courtyard behind Caspian Hall and even greeted him with a kiss and people saw and Zayn wasn't totally freaking out about it.

It was like, a new chapter in his life had finally started and he felt freer, more like himself, and Elias was hot and rich and he actually liked Zayn, which he found to be extremely questionable but he didn't care. He was relishing in the newness of how it all felt and when he showed up to Daisies for his usual afternoon cappuccino, he noticed that he wasn't even looking over and staring at Harry as often.

Zayn thought about that moment the previous weekend when it seemed as though Harry sang Dreams to him directly, and for that one brief night he even wondered what that meant, but after some thought, Zayn had come to the conclusion that it was nothing at all. Harry never hit on him, never made any advances towards him or any other indication that he was into guys, or into Zayn, and he was still spending time with his girlfriend so the logical part of Zayn's brain could only deduce that moment into just Harry being Harry, simply singing to a friend, just being his typical charming self, like he always was with everyone he encountered.

So Zayn sat there having his cappuccino that afternoon, taking notes for his class on Greek Mythology and there Harry was, dancing to Fleetwood Mac behind the counter with Niall and laughing, and Zayn didn't even look up from his work to admire him.

See? There's more to life than just Harry.

Then, a few minutes later Harry sauntered over to him, plopping down in the seat in front of Zayn.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Homework," Zayn said, meeting his eyes.

Still pretty, but so are Elias' eyes.

Zayn watched as Harry looked down at his textbook and he nodded toward the picture of Aphrodite.

"Aphrodite is my favorite goddess you know," said Harry.

"Yeah? And why's that?" Zayn asked.

"Because she's always depicted as nude," he responded cheekily and Zayn raised his eyebrows at him.

"Seriously? That's the reason? You're gross."

Harry snorted with laughter and leaned back in the chair, folding his arms behind his head.

"What's wrong with nudity? The human body is like art. I personally enjoy being naked all the time. It's very freeing."

"So if you could walk around naked in public all the time, would you?"

"I would if I could do it without getting arrested," he quipped back, smirking.

"Well, Aphrodite is also the goddess of love and desire," Zayn said. "I think those are the more important qualities."

"Oh a romantic," Harry responded. "And what do you know about love and desire?" he added, eying Zayn with a playful expression dancing across his face.

Zayn paused for a second, trying to keep himself from becoming flustered.

"Nothing really I guess. Not yet at least."

Harry pressed his lips together in a tight line and leaned forward, closing Zayn's book.

"It's almost six. I think you should come over and help me make pot brownies."