"What the fuck did we do last night?!? " Louis exclaimed as he and Zayn got over their hangover.
"I know!" Zayn replied.
"And you! You were playing with Maya's feelings! Why?! I thought you really liked her!"
"Umm I did at first, a lot. But..." Zayn stopped.
"But what Malik?!" Louis was getting mad.
"We hooked up once and then I slept with her but she didn't want a relationship..."
"You decided to play her just because she was the only girl who didn't want to date you?!"
"I know I sound bad," Zayn said, slowly.
"Merissa and I were really dating and she kissed Liam but you have nothing to be mad at, you horrible person!" Louis reprimanded him.
"Louis..."
"I know I overreacted but you have no right to be mad at Harry and Maya for liking each other!"
"I know! But I liked her first!" Zayn tried to defend himself.
"That's not why you dated her! You thought of playing her cause you're such a bad boy but I thought you were at least a good friend!"
"I'm sorry, I was blinded by.."
"By ego!" Louis finished his sentence.
"I know," Zayn whispered.
"Now you go home and apologize to them. Both of them!" Louis ordered.
"You're right, I should," saying that Zayn got up and went for the door. He stopped on his way out and turned, "thanks Louis for explaining how I was acting like a dick."
"It's okay mate. I'll always remind you when you act like a dick," Zayn and Louis exchanged smiles and Zayn left.
Louis knocked on Liam's door and waited impatiently. Liam opened the door and was shocked to see him.
"Louis, you here?"
"Can we talk?" he asked.
"Sure, come in."
Liam and Louis sat on Liam's couch. "I'm sorry," both of them said at once and laughed a little.
"I'll go first. I really didn't mean to be such a child last night. I was really drunk," Louis said.
"It's okay, I shouldn't have kissed your girlfriend," Liam apologized.
"So, you and Merissa? What next?" Louis asked.
"Nothing."
"What why?" Louis asked, rather surprised.
"It was more of a comfort kiss. I don't think it meant anything to her," Liam said.
"Dude if a girl who's with someone else kisses another guy, it means something to her," Louis said.
"So, you think I should.."
"Don't think about me. I know I liked her since 8th grade but now it all seems so stupid," Louis explained.
"Thanks man. And Lou, what are your thoughts about Lana?" Liam asked.
"I know she likes me. Pretty obvious sometimes. If it's okay with you, then maybe..."
"It's okay. We could've just made an exchange long ago," Liam said and they both laughed.
Harry woke up and looked at Maya, her head gently rested on his arm. He smiled at her as the sunshine shone on her face. "Maya, wake up," he said, softly. She slowly rubbed her eyes and looked into his eyes.
"Good morning," she greeted and kissed him.
"Never had a better morning," Harry smiled. Maya got up and so did Harry. She walked into the washroom and Harry watched her go, more like stared.
She closed the door and Harry went to the kitchen. He made breakfast and coffee and waited for her. She joined him with wet hair, in his t-shirt.
"You made breakfast!"
"Yeah," Harry said, shyly. They had breakfast and sat on his sofa.
"So, umm, Maya, you and me...?" Harry looked at her and she nodded with a bright smile.
"I really like you Harry," she whispered in his ears. She moved back a little. "But I would really like to know you more. I got into something without the person properly and that didn't end well," she referred to Zayn.
"There's nothing much to know about me," Harry said, "you know my personality and me pretty well by now."
"Yeah I guess. But what's your story?" she asked.
"What story?" he asked, confused.
"C'mon, everybody has a story. Like I'm an Indian girl who comes from a narrow-minded society, trying to run away from my overbearing old-fashioned parents. Lost my grandfather which affected all my future decisions and made me who I am today. That's my story. What's yours?"
"I-I-I haven't got anything like that," he said, looking down. He was clearly avoiding it. Maya understood and too his hand in hers. She held the side of his face softly and turned it to face her.
"If you don't want to tell me then it's okay but if something bothers you so much then you shouldn't keep it in. Like, I felt real light after I told my past to you guys yesterday. I felt like I shouldn't be scared to put myself out there. But if you aren't ready then I totally understand," she said and Harry pulled her into a hug.
"There is something. I just don't talk about it at all. Only Zayn knows everything. The other boys don't know the full thing," he said and let go of her.
"Harry..."
"My parents always used to fight. My dad used to cheat and my mom knew but she could never prove it. When I was in 4th grade, my dad started hitting my mom..." he stopped as he clenched his hands to stop the tears. Maya put her hand in his and caressed it till he let go of his guard.
"So, one day, I tried to save my mom and fight dad and he hit me, real hard with my baseball stick. I fell on the floor. My leg was badly injured, I couldn't get up. And there he just kept hitting my mom with that stick and I couldn't do anything. I cried, screamed for help but the louder I got, the more he would..." tears rolled down Harry's cheeks and Maya held him tight.
"After a week, he left. He was with this rich young girl who wanted to marry him. So, he realized that money was more important than us. I haven't seen him ever since. My mom worked day and night to raise me well. She never wanted me to see her pain because I was young but I knew everything when I was young," Harry broke down.
"Harry, I had no idea..."
"So, I decided I'll never be that man. I'll never be anything like him. I'll be a way better person," he said, looking into her eyes.
"Harry, you are a better person. You're nothing like that and you'll never be. Trust yourself but don't always try too hard. You are amazing the way you are," she said.
"You were right. It feels good to share it with someone," Harry smiled through his tears.
He caressed her cheek and she went forward to kiss him after wiping his tears away. Harry kissed her back passionately. He ran his fingers through her hair as she climbed on his lap. She sat on his lap, her hands going down his back. They were so engaged that they didn't hear the door unlock. It was Zayn, he had come home.
Zayn stood at the door, shocked. He had come to apologise but the sight he held had surprised him to a different extent. "Harry?!" he shouted.
Harry and Maya separated and Maya jumped to her feet. "Zayn!" they said in unison. Harry also stood up and took a few steps towards Zayn.
"What is going on?" Zayn asked.
"Zayn, I.. I can explain," Harry said.
"Explain what she was doing on your lap with wet hair wearing your t-shirt?!!" Zayn reacted.
"It's... it's complicated..." Harry tried to speak.
"I know I've been a shitty friend but you, Harry, seriously?!"
"Actually yes Zayn, you have no right to be mad at me after what you've done," Harry said, strongly.
"Don't try to turn it around," Zayn said.
"You need to hear it. I've also kissed her once when you guys were together but I died out of guilt because of you but after what you said last night, my guilt has reduced!" Harry exclaimed.
"The Fuck! I trusted you but you didn't even care about my feelings!" Zayn shouted.
"As if you cared about anyone's feelings other than yourself! At least I had immediate guilt but you! You thought you could play with the girl's feelings and didn't even have a change of heart when you knew how I felt!" Harry shouted back.
"Shut up both of you! Stop fighting! It's all because of me!" Maya shouted at last. She came and stood between them.
"Zayn, I don't know if I can ever forgive you for playing with my heart or ever expect you to forgive me for cheating on you. And Harry," she turned towards him,"I know we really like each other but I'm the reason you are having problems with your best friend. I know, things aren't going to be okay with you two instantly but it'll be a lot better if I'm not in the picture," saying that Maya picked her dress from last night. "My keys?" she asked Zayn and he handed her her keys. Maya took them and ran into her apartment and shut the door with a loud thud.
"I don't think I can see you right now," saying that Zayn went to his room and closed the door. Harry stood there, trying to process whatever had happened. He walked into his room, realising how he had lost everything in one day.
End of chapter. Review, review. XoXo.