Save My Love

I made sure to keep myself busy over the next few days as I wanted to prove to Niall that I wasn't as clingy as his job suggested. But really, it only made me realize how infatuated I had become with the blonde, charming mess.

I made it my goal to spend more time with Zayn and my mom, the same way it had been before. Unfortunately, as I made a friend, Zayn got closer to that strange boy I'd met weeks earlier. He came to be known as Louis, or Lou, and really wasn't my favorite out of all my brother's friends. Louis was suggestive, and brought out a more inappropriate side of my brother that was more childish and annoying than both my mother and I was used to.

"He hasn't socialized this much in a long time, just let him do his thing," she would say in his defense. No matter how much she covered it up, though, we were both worried just a bit.

I was just learning how to block out the obnoxious sounds of those two when I came home one day to find three. They were all shut up in his bedroom, either playing video games or watching YouTube videos - I couldn't tell, but couldn't care less, either. Pulling out my earbuds, I headed up to my bedroom, prepared to drown out the noises coming from across the hall.

I hadn't been in there for 10 minutes when I heard a knock on my door.

"Who is it?"

"Brother's friend."

"Go away."

"Zayn wants you to know we're staying for dinner."

"Ok?"

"He wanted to make sure you were making enough food."

I groaned, walking over to the door and opening it to meet Louis.

"If you want to eat here, you can make your own dinner. What you decide to eat isn't my responsibility," I huffed. He apparently found this amusing, and began to chuckle.

"Looks like I'm making my own dinner tonight, boys!" he called into Zayn's room.

"Good thing I'm in the food industry," the new voice stated.

"Don't mind her, she's a brat sometimes. She'll make your food."

His remark sparked something up inside me, and before I could stop myself, I was marching over to his stupid room. When I got to the door, I gave Zayn a cold stare.

"I will not be making their dinner, neither will I be making yours. If you want something to eat, you're fully able to prepare it yourself. Not sure if I can say the same about your mental friends," I motioned to the other two in the room, looking wherever my arm gestured to. I noticed Louis, trying his best to hold in a laugh at either the fact I just blew up at Zayn or that Zayn was still speechless. In the other direction, I saw none other than Harry, smirking back at me.

"You've got to be kidding me," I said, not amused by his presence.

"What?" Zayn asked.

"You know what? Forget it. I'm staying the night at Sammi's," I shook my head, turning back to grab my shoes and backpack.

"Come on, Pip, it was a joke."

"Let me know when you've grown up."

I hurried down the stairs, grabbing the keys off the counter and zipping up my jacket. I had my hand around the doorknob, ready to take off, when someone grabbed my other wrist.

"Hey now, don't leave."

"And why should I listen to you?"

"You might not like me, but I think you're worth not misleading. Especially after that little bomb exploded back there," he grinned, looking down at me.

"I told you to leave me alone. What part of that don't you get?"

"How was I supposed to know you lived here? I'm only here because Louis dragged me along. Trust me, you're not the only one who's fed up with that kid."

Something about the annoyed look in his rolled eyes told me he wasn't kidding. Although I'm not sure why, seeing as how they acted quite alike.

"Just stay. I'm bored to death in there. You can tell me how to make dinner or something."

"Whatever," I said, dropping my bag by my side, "but don't try anything. My boyfriend already doesn't like you."

"You have a boyfriend?"

"Well, yeah."

He suddenly became more interested, turning to face me fully.

"Does he tell his friends about you?" he questioned.

"I've never met any of his friends," I admitted. But who cares? I liked Niall, not his friends, whoever they were.

"Met his family?"

"He's never mentioned them."

"Has he even kissed you?"

I didn't answer, just lowered my eyes to the rug, realization suddenly hitting me like a punch in the gut.

"He sounds like a jerk to me," Harry stated, confirming whatever negative thoughts floated around in my head. It was silent for a moment, and I felt ashamed of myself.

"Hey, it's alright. How about we do dinner now?" he suggested.

I just barely nodded and pushed past him, hearing his footsteps follow me to the kitchen.

Notes