LOUIS’ P.O.V.


“So, if we’re ‘together’, what exactly are we, Louis?”

I turn to face Harry and he’s biting his lip nervously. He comes off as so innocent until I think about last night and remind myself that he isn’t. When it comes to relationships and feelings, though, he obviously is.

I squeeze his hand tightly as it rests on his thigh, looking back and forth between him and the road.

“Well, what do you want to be?”

He rolls his eyes and becomes more flustered.

“Louis, I don’t want you to just agree with whatever I say and hide what you feel. That’s the same as lying.”

I shrug and take a deep breath.

“Well, to be honest, I don’t want to be with anyone else and I’d probably hate to see you with another person. So, I don’t know. Let’s not put labels on anything quite yet, alright? Let’s take it slow and enjoy ourselves, but if I had the choice all to myself, I’d want to be exclusive.”

I glance once more at Harry, hoping he doesn’t break down, upset because I didn’t say that we’re ‘boyfriends’, or something like that. He doesn’t, though. He’s grinning widely and stroking his thumb against my smaller hand.

“I was hoping you would say that.”

I can’t help but to smile with him, pulling our hands up together and kissing the back of his.

“Good.”

We drive in comfortable silence for a few miles, relishing in the moment, even if it is somber due to the reason why we’re driving to London. I’m sure his sister is alright, though. That’s what I keep telling him anyway, because I don’t want him to worry before he absolutely needs to.


EMMA’S P.O.V.


“Okay, I’ve got everything I need.”

Zayn had refused to come inside the house while I got some clothes and changed. I’m not sure why, but he seemed awkward about it. I toss my duffel bag into the cramped backseat of his shiny, black GTO before climbing into the passenger seat.

“What year is this again?”

He rests his arm on the back of my chair as he turns around to back out of our driveway.

“It’s a ’65. She’s gorgeous, right?”

I giggle at his quirky grin and buckle my seatbelt while the wind dishevels my hair. Zayn leaves his arm on the back of my seat and we start down dad’s road, making our way toward the highway.

“Your dad texted me, by the way. Asked me to pick you up and take you to school on Monday.”

I nod and force a tight grin. I suppose that means he’s taking me home at some point. I knew that he would, but it sucks to hear him mention it.

“I figured you could just stay at mine until then. Makes sense, eh?”

Now I’m trying to physically stop myself from noticeably smiling more than before.

“Yeah, that’s cool.”

I turn and rest my head on the door, my blonde hair flying out the open window as I smile as much as my cheeks will allow.

“Hey, take the wheel for a minute.”

He snaps me out of my daze and I sit up straight, staring at Zayn in amusement.

“You’re fucking kidding...”

He shrugs and rests one hand casually on the steering wheel while pulling a pack of cigarettes
out of the center console.

“What? I’m serious.”

So, he really isn’t kidding. I stare at him in disbelief before scooting over to the very edge of my seat, gripping the large, thin steering wheel with both hands.

“There ya go. Steady...”

Then, he let’s go. The only part of the car I’m not in control of is the speed and it’s terrifying. What
if I crash? What if I ruin his precious car?

“Hurry up. This is awfully scary.”

His chuckles are muffled as he curls his lips around a cigarette, flicking the lighter on. I shift my eyes to look at him briefly and quickly snap my focus back to the road. I hear him take a long drag and soon enough, his larger hand is pressed up against mine on the wheel, the smell of smoke filling my nostrils. I turn to watch him in amazement as he takes another deep breath and exhales the puffs of smoke through his nose.

“Do you wanna keep driving, or...”

I pull my hands back from the wheel and wrap them around my waist awkwardly.

“Oh! I didn’t- um- I- uh- sorry.”

As I stumble over my words and scoot over, as far away from Zayn as I can be, I can feel my
face reddening.

Zayn chuckles lightly and I lean against the door, pulling my knees up to my chest in the semi-
roomy front seat.

“You’re a pretty anxious kid, aren’t you?”

I shrug and roll my eyes, mumbling under my breath.

“I’m not a kid.”

“Sorry, what? I didn’t hear you.”

That’s because I didn’t mean for you to hear me.

“Nothing,” now I have to change the subject quickly, “I guess I am a bit anxious all the time. I don’t
like being around people much.”

“No way, you don’t seem like the type. You’ve been with me a full day now!”

I rest my chin on my knees and stare at his mouth as he breathes in more smoke.

“That’s because I’m comfortable with you. It’s mainly groups that I don’t particularly like anyway.”

Zayn nods and turns the radio on, just a hair to where it’s barely audible. He begins drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.

“I don’t like groups either, yeah. I like being alone, or with like one other person. Much more intimate that way. How are you meant to get to know someone when you’re always trying to converse with ten people at a time?”

He shakes his head and finishes off his cigarette, flicking it out the window and pulling another out of the box.

“Can- Can I try one?”

He grips the steering wheel with one hand and tucks the cigarette behind his ear.

“What? No way, Em. Your dad would have my head. Worse, he’d probably castrate me.”

I scoff and scoot closer to him.

“Come on, I’m not gonna tell him, ya twat. I just want to try it. Pleeeease.”

I drag out my words, practically whining. He sighs and takes the cig from behind his ear, handing it to me and slowly pulling off the empty country road into some grass. He throws the gear into park and unbuckles his seatbelt, sitting up to get comfortable.

“Alright, but what happens in this car, stays in this car.”

He raises his eyebrows at me seriously and I giggle, nodding my head and pulling my seatbelt off to move closer. I’m leaning over the center console next to where his elbow rests and he finds the lighter that had fallen between his legs.

“Alright, put that end,” he turns the cigarette around in my hand so that the orange-ish end is closest to me, “there. Put that between your lips. Relax though.”

I follow his orders and nod when I’m comfortable with that. He pulls another cigarette out and places it naturally between his lips, letting it rest casually as he flicks the lighter. He lights his own cigarette, breathing in to fully ignite the end. He lets that breath out and holds the cigarette between his thumb and index finger.

“Alright, hold it with your fingers and I’m going to put the end of this one on the end of yours and then you inhale a bit, alright? Not too much. I don’t want you coughing up a lung.”

I nod and tighten my lips around it, holding it in place with my fingers. Zayn leans forward and places the burning end of his cigarette against mine, glancing up to signal for me to inhale. I do slowly, barely tasting anything at first. His eyes bare into me and I feel my hands shaking a bit.

“Breathe in a little more.”

I breathe in deeper and then my mouth is filled with warm smoke. Zayn pulls his hand away and takes a drag of his own cigarette.

“Alright, breathe out. Don’t inhale it all the way just yet.”

As he speaks, smoke pours out of his perfect mouth. I exhale and watch the smoke pile up around me, a few coughs emitting my mouth that are impossible to stop.

“There ya go. take it slow. Small puffs now, pulling it in a bit more and more each time.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” he speaks casually and shifts the car back into drive, pulling carefully back onto the road, “Seriously, don’t ever mention this.”

I giggle and he laughs along with me. I notice a sign that announces that we’re nearing Warrington. I smile to myself and rest my arm out the window, holding the cigarette between my fingers calmly. I continue to take small puffs and watch Zayn as he drives, sucking in long breaths of smoke and exhaling naturally. He just looks so beautiful. He looks like this is where he belongs: driving his classy, polished car, a cigarette in his mouth and his arm slung out the window as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s just perfect.


_____


HARRY’S P.O.V.


I don’t remember nodding off, but suddenly I feel my body being shaken and my eyes shoot open.

“Sorry love. I let you sleep as long as possible, but we’re nearing London and I don’t know where to go.”

I sit up from my uncomfortable position in Louis’ passenger seat, blinking my eyes rapidly to adjust to the bright sun. We’re nearing the center of London, so I pull out my phone to type in Ashton’s address. I’ve only been to his flat once and I didn’t drive so I’m not entirely familiar with the area.

“Alright, it’s in Chelsea. Just take this road down for a few blocks and make a left. We’re ten minutes away.”

Louis nods and focuses on the traffic around us.

“Thanks again. You didn’t have to do this for me.”

Louis reaches over with one hand and gently strokes my forearm. I slide my arm back so that I can capture his hand in mine and we sit in silent comfort for a few more minutes, the only sound being my directions.

“Here, pull into that garage. He said we can ring up from here and he’ll open it.”

Louis nods and pulls into the dark area I had pointed to.

“Type in the pound key, followed by 3675.”

Louis does so and after a few rings, a frantic voice booms through the speaker.

“‘Ello?”

I pull my hand away and lean across Louis’ lap so that I can be closer to the speaker.

“Ashton, it’s me; Harry.”

“Thank god, come on in.”

I move back to my seat and notice out of the corner of my eye as Louis adjusts something quite noticeable in his pants. I choke back a chuckle because it is simply not the time or place for any of this.

Louis easily finds a parking spot and it feels incredible to stand up after a three-hour drive. Louis locks the car and walks over to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist. We approach the elevator and wait impatiently for it to arrive. Once it does, I press the number 3 and lean against the wall. Louis walks over and tugs at the belt-loops of my jeans, pulling my hips close to his. I softly apprehend his lips with mine for only a moment and whisper sensually in his ear.

“I can’t wait ’til all of this is over so it’s just you and me again.”

Louis breathes out heavily and steps backwards as the doors open on Ashton’s floor. I grab Louis’ hand one more time as we walk to the flat and I reluctantly let his fingers slip away from mine before I knock on the door. I physically step away from him, knowing that we’re standing suspiciously close, as I hear footsteps approaching.

“Thank god you’re here, mate. I’ve been freaking out.”

I give Ashton a brief hug and step inside, Louis following behind.

“Uh- this is my friend, Louis. Louis, this is Gemma’s boyfriend, Ashton.”

They shake hands and I look Ashton over. He looks exhausted and his eyes are a swollen.

“How old are ya, mate?”

He glances at Louis in confusion, probably just now realizing that he isn’t a teenager like me.

“Uh- I’m thirty.”

Ashton shrugs and runs his fingers through his already messy hair.

“Alright, I’ve got the guys here too. I don’t know where else to look, Harry. I haven’t got a clue
where she’s at. I’m so sorry.”

He starts to tear up and I pull him into another hug. He rests his head on my shoulder as Michael
comes around the corner, looking nearly as sluggish and tired as Ashton.

“Hey Harry. He’s been like this all day. D’ya know anywhere she might be?”

I shrug and Ashton steps away, sniffling.

“What exactly happened?”

Ashton takes a deep breath and leans against the kitchen counter.

“Well, we got signed on for a tour. She didn’t even let me finish telling her about it! I wanted her to come with us and-,” he groans to himself before continuing, “she just got up and ran to the bathroom crying. I followed her back there, but she cried for me to give her a few minutes. So, I did. I went back to the table and waited. And waited. Then, I sent a server in to check on her and she was gone. She must have ran out when I wasn’t looking. God, I’m so stupid!”

I rest my hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. This is his dream and Gemma knows that. That’s the reason they’re all in London anyway. They’ve been doing some local shows, waiting to make it to the big time. Now that they have, I suppose Gemma is in a state of shock.

“Look, Ash, it isn’t your fault. It’s my sister. We both know she can be a bit emotional. We’ll find her, I promise. I can almost guarantee, though, that it won’t be until she wants to be found.”

Ashton nods in agreement just before Luke and Calum join us all in the kitchen area.

“Oh, hey Harry. Glad you’re here. Who’s this?”

I follow Luke’s finger to glance over at Louis. He’s standing alone with his hands in his pockets. I wish I could just lay on the couch and go back to sleep with my head on his chest until Gemma comes back, but right now, he’s just my older, heterosexual, male friend.

“Uh- my friend, Louis. He drove me here.”

Luke nods and shakes his hand, followed by the rest of the guys in Ashton’s band.

“Come on, let’s play FIFA and just chill for a bit. If we don’t hear anything in the next few hours, we’ll go look for her again. Alright?”

I wait for Ashton to fully acknowledge me before asking him again.

“Alright?”

“Yeah, okay. I just feel like a dickhead.”

I chuckle and ruffle his hair.

“You’re not, Ashton. Not always, at least.”

He scoffs and follows the other boys into the living room. I turn around and wait for Louis to catch
up to me.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure you didn’t plan on spending your weekend with a bunch of teenage boys.”

Louis laughs and brushes his hand over my bum, winking suggestively.

“Not really; just one.”

Notes

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Zayn's car: :)